This timepiece takes inspiration from ‘Mizu-Hanada’ – meaning light blue – linen produced from a plant grown in Japan for centuries: hemp. A crop found across Japan, hemp was used in sacred “suzunoo” ropes adorning shrines, in ceremonial belts of sumo wrestlers and hemp stalk fibres were used in clothing. The Grand Seiko watchmakers’ pride in their surroundings is regularly represented in their designs – from engineering watch movements which emulate the smooth motion of time passing, to creating dials reflecting the beauty of Japanese nature. Powered by a mechanical in-house 9S27 calibre, this movement has been developed to achieve Grand Seiko’s standard for high precision in a significantly smaller calibre. It strikes a difficult balance between high performance and slimness with a precision rate of +8 to−3 seconds a day and a power reserve of 50 hours. This performance is delivered by an 8 beat movement that measures just 19.4mm in diameter and 4.49mm in height, allowing an elegantly slim case profile The case shape follows the recognisable ‘Grand Seiko Style’ with brilliant polished surfaces and softly curved lines finished with our in-house Zaratsu polishing, an art that takes many years to master. The Japanese have always loved the presence of the delicate nuances created by the harmony of light and shadow and the infinite gradations between them. Just as the opposites of light and shadow exist side by side, in a Grand Seiko timepiece mirror-polished surfaces and hairline finishes are connected. The 27.8mm diameter case features 11 diamonds on the dial. Every Grand Seiko features signature high standards of precision, durability and legibility, handcrafted in Japan by Takumi artisans. Grand Seiko: beautifully, precise Japanese watchmaking, from the pinnacle of Seiko Watch Corporation’s in-house manufacture.