It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of Grand Seiko. An independent brand of parent company Seiko, GS has a special knack for harmoniously blending form and function, inspired heavily by both the culture and natural beauty of the brand’s home land – Japan.
While we could wax poetic on all of Grand Seiko’s contributions to the watch community (Spring Drive movement, GS44 case, etc.), it’s the intricately designed, show-stopping dials that take the cake for us. Continuing forward with this trend, Grand Seiko has just unveiled the new SBGJ283, complete with a beautiful dial inspired by the age-old Japanese tradition of washi paper.
What exactly is Washi Paper?
Made from the fiber of the paper mulberry plant, washi paper is tear-resistant paper that’s known for its translucent textured aesthetic. Dating back nearly 800 years in Japan, washi paper started as a base for calligraphy, painting, and print making, but has since gone on to evolve into a material used for artistic and architectural expressions. A good real world example would be Isamu Noguchi’s Akari lamps, which employ washi paper to create beautiful lighting fixtures found in homes gracing the covers of architecture and design magazines the world over.
Like Grand Seiko’s GS44 core ethos, the meticulous washi paper inspired off-white dial allows for an “infinite range of expression through the interplay of light and shadow.” And let’s not forget the contrasting touch of red GS used for the GMT hand, which is directly inspired from the kozo fruit hailing from the same mulberry tree as well.
The SBGJ283 “Washi Paper” Basics
The Grand Seiko “Washi Paper,” as it’s already been affectionately coined, is housed in a 40mm 44GS case constructed from Ever Brilliant Steel – a highly corrosive resistant alloy – that’s been mated to a three-fold titanium bracelet. There’s also an additional brown leather strap for those that prefer a softer strap option.
Powered by a hi-beat caliber 9S86 mechanical movement offering accurate timekeeping of +5 to -3 seconds per day and 44 hours of power reserve, a GMT complication for world travelers, and simple date window at the 3 o’clock marker, this beauty makes for a great daily wear watch that can be dressed up or down. The exhibition case back also puts the caliber 9S86’s 37 -jewel movement on full display.
Spec Sheet
Case Size: 40mm
Case Material: Ever Brilliant Steel
Movement: Grand Seiko Caliber 9S86 Mechanical Hi-Beat 36000 GMT
Band: Titanium + additional brown leather strap
Limited Edition: 150 pieces
Pricing & Availability
Unfortunately for us stateside residents, the SGJ283 is only available in the Asian and Pacific markets, and to make matters worse, it’s ultra limited to just 150 units which means this watch will be incredibly difficult to obtain. The watch is currently slated for a January release date and will carry a retail price of $12,400 AUD (~$7,765).
Grand Seiko SBGJ283 “Washi Paper”
Limited to just 150 units, the Grand Seiko SBGJ283 employs a beautiful textured off-white dial inspired by the ancient Japanese handcraft of Washi Paper. Complete with a kozo fruit-inspired red GMT hand, the watch is powered by the brand’s 9S86 mechanical GMT movement.
