Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

The Manual Wind: Grandiose Black Ceramic Grand Seiko Limited Edition Series

By

The Quartz battery operated timepiece and the brand Seiko are synonymous.  Putting Japan on the watch export map, millions of quartz timepieces made their way around the world starting in the 1960’s.  Grand Seiko, the mechanical brand under the Seiko umbrella, quietly stood next to the computer chip driven giant for years.  With the rise in popularity of mechanical watches thereafter, Grand Seiko has maintained its presence. Their latest collection, the Black Ceramic Limited Edition Series, is their attempt at a high-end, modern sport timepiece.

Seiko-Watch-0001-940x600
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Offered in both a GMT and Chronograph GMT, these pieces are both 46mm in diameter. Sharp angles on the case and lugs make the piece dramatically modern.  The fixed GMT bezel, crown, and pushers blend well with the case serving more as function where they could have been over-designed parts of the case.  The pieces are offered in a few dial variations.  The GMT comes in a black dial with brown strap or blue dial with black strap and accompanying blue stitch.  The chronograph is offered in a black dial with brown strap as well as a very unique green dial with black strap.  The green dial Chronograph GMT seems to be the piece to obtain.  The dial has the imprint of a fir tree representing the 1,200 year old local tradition of carrying a fir tree down the mountainside not far from where this timepiece was made.  Under the dial lies the in-house caliber spring driven automatic movement.  Its accuracy is tested to under ten seconds differential a month.  The movement is displayed through a sapphire exhibition case back.

Related: The Affordable Rolex Oyster

Seiko-Watch-0002-940x600
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As most brands seem to be doing these days, the pieces that look the best are produced in a limited number.  Three Black Ceramic pieces are limited to just 500 worldwide while the green dial Chronograph GMT is limited to 600.  Attempting to make a ceramic statement, these Grand Seiko are not cheap.  They offer a lot of watch but it comes at a price; $13,500 for the Chronograph GMT and $10,500 for the GMT.  You can take a further look at the four pieces here.

Topics
Ian Schwam
Ian Schwam
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Contributing writer and watch enthusiast Ian Schwam dons an expert knowledge of all things watches. Having spent a decade in…
Audemars Piguet unveils the dazzling 38mm Code 11.59 Flying Tourbillon
A Code 11.59 with a selfwinding flying tourbillon
Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon

Audemars Piguet gave the Code 11.59 a beautiful retouch that takes it to the next level: the 38 mm Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon.

Every single element on this model, from the casing to the lug, screams luxury. For starters, the lugs are accentuated by brilliant-cut diamonds of multiple sizes. Audemars Piguet also set some diamonds on the casing to complete the whole look.

Read more
Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm: Retro vibes meet modern style in a compact design
Smaller Citizen Tsuyosa timepieces
Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm

Smaller case sizes are trendy, and every brand wants a piece of the pie.

Citizen just rolled out new Tsuyosa timepieces, designed to keep up with the changing times. While the brand worked on 40 mm Tsuyosa watches, it is now downscaling the size, just a little bit, to 37 mm. Thanks to its striking colors, the Tsuyosa collection has dominated the industry in the past two years. Well, this is the perfect time to take over again with a watch that has a compact size. Even though this watch is smaller than the 40 mm version, it still sits perfectly on the wrist.

Read more
Sorel, Madeira, and bourbon? Bardstown says yes with this Manhattan riff
This unusual recipe shows off the French Oak finish of a fine bourbon
Bardstown Bourbon Communion Cocktail

Bardstown is going bold with its latest cocktail offering --  the drink stars the bourbon brand's new release, its Cathedral French Oak bourbon. It also makes use of Sorel Liqueur, a hibiscus-flavored liqueur inspired by the traditional Caribbean tea drink. Hibiscus is a great ingredient to incorporate into cocktails, as it has both a sharp, berry-like quality and a floral softness, and Sorel incorporates ingredients like ginger, cassia, and cloves as well as hibiscus to give the liqueur a spicy note.

There's also Maderia in this cocktail, which is a much-maligned wine style but one that's becoming increasingly popular in cocktail circles, where its fortified nature and bold sweetness make it an interesting substitution for vermouth. In fact, this cocktail is really a kind of Manhattan variation, with bourbon rather than rye, the addition of a floral liqueur, and the use of Maderia in place of the vermouth.

Read more