Since ancient times, shells have been used as dishes everywhere in the world. In Japan, during the Edo period, bowls with shapes similar to shells, especially those resembling abalone shells, came to be prized by tea masters. They frequently used abalone shell-shaped dishes, sometimes ordered from Keitokuchin, a major pottery center in China, or others that were made domestically in Japan. One reason for the popularity of this shape was that abalone was considered auspicious in ancient Japan. In the middle of the Edo period, many abalone shell-shaped dishes were made of glass. Today, Masao Kozumi produces this shape using a traditional air-blowing method. His abalone shell-shaped dish, with its organic curves brought about by specially made molds and its porcelain-like white color, catches the eye. It possesses a natural beauty, which harmonizes with the delicate white birch dial of SLGW003, also shaped by a special mold.
The SLGW003 uses a new dial inspired by the slender white birch trees that thrive in northern parts of Japan and grow in profusion near the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi. The exquisite pattern of this dial expresses the beauty of white birch bark with its intricate and multi-dimensional texture. The watch is equipped with the Caliber 9SA4, the first manual-winding, 36,000 vph mechanical movement to be announced by Grand Seiko in over 50 years. This movement achieves a long power reserve of 80 hours, has a pleasant sound during the winding process, and the bird-like pecking motion of its click can be seen through the case back. The case and buckle are made of the Grand Seiko’s Brilliant Hard Titanium; and the width of the indexes, the bezel, and the lugs have all been redesigned to be narrower, making for a delicate and graceful dress watch.
Photography = Naohiro Tsukada
Text = Natsuki Ando
