With so much focus on Grand Seiko’s beautiful dials, we may lose sight of how great their cases are. Well, the Japanese dress watch icon has just come out with a new timepiece that ensures we start paying attention.
Grand Seiko SBGH368 “Sakura Kakushi” Basics
Recently updating its summer- and autumn-themed Rikka and Shūbun models, Grand Seiko now finds a way to deliver perhaps the finest version of the spring-inspired Shunbun watch, which features a dial based on the Japanese phenomenon hana-ikada, when the petals from cherry blossom trees scatter over a river’s surface.
Utilizing the 62GS case that debuted back in 1967, the new reference SBGH368 “Sakura Kakushi” is slightly smaller than previous versions, dropping the dimensions down to 38mm across, 44.7mm in lug-to-lug, and 12.9mm in thickness. However, this time around, we get a beautiful 18K rose gold material rather than the usual titanium.
Cherry Blossoms in the Snow
Mixing Zaratsu polishing and brushing, the gold looks dynamic as ever. According to Grand Seiko’s product page, “with the warmth of the rose gold case and the shimmering of the dial, it is easy to imagine the snow-covered cherry blossoms glistening in the bright morning sun of early spring.” I’d certainly say so!
Complementing the case is a creamier take on the cherry blossom-inspired “sakura” dial, carrying over the nuanced texture that GS does so well but with a snowier evocation. The rose gold is brought down to the applied hour markers and date window surrounds as well, while the handset is also rose gold in appearance. Overall, this new timepiece almost has a monochromatic quality — somewhat unusual for the Japanese brand. However, GS wisely opts for a brown crocodile leather strap, which pairs perfectly with the cream and rose gold hues.
Of course, any discussion on a new Grand Seiko watch can’t dodge the conversation about the movement. Inside is the brand’s Hi-Beat Caliber 9S85, an automatic movement with 55 hours of power reserve and 36,000vph. You can see it through the exhibition caseback window.
Spec Sheet
Case Size: 38mm
Lug-to-Lug: 44.7mm
Case Thickness: 12.9mm
Case Material: 18K rose gold
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: In-house Hi-Beat Caliber 9S85 automatic
Band: Brown crocodile leather strap
Limited Edition?: No
Pricing & Availability
Not limited in edition size, the SBGH368 “Sakura Kakushi” will be available starting this April for $31,200. Head over to Grand Seiko’s website for more info.
Recap
Grand Seiko SBGH368 “Sakura Kakushi”
Grand Seiko gives 18k rose gold to its 62GS case, surrounding the fan-favorite rose blossom-inspired sakura dial, this time with a creamier, “snow-covered” hue.
