Japanese watch manufacturers produce many models that express Japanese beauty, such as Japanese nature and traditional crafts. In this article, we will introduce watches by price range that are particularly focused on expressing Japanese beauty.
- The author’s journey of becoming obsessed with Japanese luxury watches and starting a blog
- 200,000 JPY～：Seiko Presage Craftsmanship
- 400,000 JPY～：The Citizen「Iconic Nature Collection」
- 700,000 JPY～：Grand Seiko “Twenty-Four Solar Terms” Series
- 900,000 JPY～：Grand Seiko「Snowflake（Yukishiro）」
- 1,200,000 JPY～：Grand Seiko「White Birch（Shirakaba）」
- Summary
The author’s journey of becoming obsessed with Japanese luxury watches and starting a blog
・Originally, I had no interest in luxury watches and used a Germin Android watch.
・I learned about the allure of luxury watches when I went to a jewelry shop accompanied by my wife.
・On the way home, I read a watch magazine and was drawn to the Seiko Presage Craftsmanship Arita porcelain model.
・I checked the actual Arita porcelain model at the Seiko shop in the nearby department store. I felt even more attracted to it than in the photos, and although I considered purchasing it, I went home without buying it that day.
・I thoroughly research information about luxury watches on the internet, focusing on Seiko products.
・I feel even more fascinated by the depth of the history of luxury watches and the various brands that weave it together.
・As I researched the history of Seiko, the feeling of wanting to support Japanese watch manufacturers arose (of course, I am also attracted to their products).
・I became interested in Grand Seiko and started researching about it on the internet.
・I watch a lot of YouTube videos about the Grand Seiko boutique and Shizukuishi Studio.
・A watch enthusiast acquaintance told me, ‘You should see a Grand Seiko in person at least once.’
・Furthermore, I’ve been researching Grand Seiko online and I’m quite intrigued.
・I went to the nearby Grand Seiko salon and was shown Shirakaba model (as well as the Yoru Shirakaba model).
・While feeling very attracted (especially to the Yoru Shirakaba model), I left the Grand Seiko salon unable to match the excitement I felt when I saw the actual Arita ware model for the first time.
・Heading to the Seiko shop in the department store where I saw the actual Arita porcelain model.
・I am shocked that the Arita porcelain model that was on display in the store has sold out.
・I checked the stock at the chain stores, but they all said they were out of stock. I came to realize that meeting a watch is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
・Search for Seiko Salon on Google Maps and go to the largest store nearby.
・I encountered the Arita porcelain model of craftsmanship again and purchased it on the same day.
・I wanted many people (especially those overseas) to know the charm of Japanese-made wristwatches, so I started a blog in Japanese, English, and Chinese.
200,000 JPY～：Seiko Presage Craftsmanship
The Presage Craftsmanship Series highlights traditional Japanese craftsmanship and conveys Japanese beauty through mechanical watches. Launched as a limited edition model in 2013, this series is based on the Japanese spirit of “monozukuri” (manufacturing), and has sublimated the techniques of Japanese artisans such as enamel, lacquer, Arita ware, and cloisonné ware onto the watch dials.
For Japanese people, the watches reaffirm their pride in their country’s rich artistic heritage and craftsmanship, offering a lifelong value that combines practicality and beauty. For overseas consumers, the watches are a product of uniquely Japanese artistry and storytelling, establishing their value as a clear alternative to European watch brands. This dual appeal demonstrates that the series is recognized not simply as a tool for measuring time, but as a cultural artifact.
The design of this series embodies the Japanese aesthetic of “refined modesty” and “beauty of utility.” In contrast to the sharp edges and strength that are emphasized in typical watches, the dial is composed of soft, rounded curves, and its appearance changes delicately depending on how the light hits it. This modest yet rich expression resonates deeply with the sensibility that Japanese people have cherished since ancient times, which finds beauty in simplicity. The unique texture of traditional colors, such as the deep black of lacquer and the warm white of enamel, creates a highly compatible design that blends naturally into a variety of everyday scenes.
The craftsmanship in the details is also a major attraction of the Craftsmanship Series. For example, while the domed glass used in many models creates a classic atmosphere, it can sometimes cause parallax due to light reflection. To solve this visual problem, the series uses “bent hands,” in which the tips of the second and minute hands are slightly bent. This minimizes the distance between the hands, the dial, and the indexes, making the time easier to read. This innovation not only improves visibility, but also adds a delicate softness to the overall design of the watch, giving the owner the feeling that they own a quality piece.
This series embodies all the key elements that define value in Japanese culture: product quality, craftsmanship, and long-term reliability. This is based on the value proposition of “quiet luxury,” which recognizes watches for their intrinsic beauty and the story behind their creation, rather than their value as “status symbols” simply because of their high price. Practical features such as a long power reserve and DiaShield surface treatment position watches not simply as fashion items, but as reliable “lifetime pieces” that accompany everyday life, an idea deeply connected to the Japanese philosophy of “monozukuri” (manufacturing).
Traditional Japanese crafts are made using carefully selected natural materials, skilled techniques honed over many years of training, and the enormous amount of time and effort required for their production, resulting in products with extremely high added value. Judged by international market standards, these products fall into the category of luxury goods that should fetch high prices. However, the reality is that many traditional crafts are price-competitive with similar luxury products overseas, and are sometimes available at surprisingly affordable prices. As is the case with this example, Craftsmanship Series watches can be purchased at surprisingly low prices compared to Grand Seiko and European luxury brand watches.
Japanese crafts have a history of being born and developed not as gaudy decorations or symbols of authority, but as “daily necessities” rooted in everyday life. The “folk arts philosophy” advocated by Yanagi Muneyoshi and others during the Taisho era rediscovered the “beauty of utility” that resides in such “crafts that spring from the people” and highly valued them. The “beauty of utility” here refers not simply to decorative beauty, but to the beauty of tools that reveal their true value through use, and is the value that this brings to enriching everyday life.
These values function as cultural factors that keep down the prices of traditional crafts. Consumers perceive crafts as “simple, sturdy tools that can be obtained every day” and tend to underestimate their value. This is because the value of a product is based on “utility” rather than “rarity” or “artistic value.” In other words, the low price of a traditional craft does not mean that the product has low intrinsic value, but rather can be seen as evidence that the product is deeply rooted in the country’s culture and is widely used as an “everyday tool.” Because price is heavily influenced by the cultural context in which the product is placed, it does not necessarily correspond to the intrinsic value of the product itself.
▼For more information about the Seiko Presage Craftsmanship series, click here.
400,000 JPY～：The Citizen「Iconic Nature Collection」
The Citizen Iconic Nature Collection embodies the brand’s philosophy of fusing traditional Japanese aesthetics with cutting-edge watchmaking technology. At its core, the collection embodies the concepts of “borrowed scenery” and “okashi,” deeply rooted in Japanese culture, with the functional necessity of high-precision quartz movements and Eco-Drive light-powered technology. The use of the traditional material, Tosa washi paper, for the dial is not merely decorative, but also an innovative solution to meet the technical requirement of light transmittance.
The design of the Iconic Nature Collection is inspired by the traditional Japanese gardening technique known as “shakkei,” which skillfully incorporates external scenery (mountains, trees, buildings, etc.) from within the garden, making them appear as part of the garden’s composition. In this collection, this concept is cleverly applied to the design of the dials. The dials of each model are depicted as scenes of the changing seasons of Japan seen through a window, allowing the wearer to experience the sensation of gazing out the window of a traditional Japanese house.
In addition to borrowed scenery, the design philosophy of this collection is deeply rooted in the concept of “okashi,” which appears in classical literature from the Heian period. “Okashi” refers to the fleeting yet beautiful emotion that arises in the heart when one comes into contact with beautiful scenery, the ordinary happenings of everyday life, or the changing seasons. This is not simply beautiful, but also involves an emotional impact that tugs at the heartstrings by capturing that moment.
The Citizen expresses this spirit of “Okashi” through its washi dials. The delicate texture of washi paper evokes the smudged and blurred effects of traditional ink painting, lending a refined depth to the seasonal scenes depicted by each model. For example, the 2025 model “AQ4106-00A” depicts a spring morning glow, its pale white and pink hues evoking clouds drifting in the sky and cherry blossom petals. Meanwhile, the “AQ4100-22L,” with its indigo-dyed dial, evokes the moonlight and firefly trails reflected on the surface of a river on a summer night.
This integration of design is not merely a pursuit of superficial beauty, but is intended to make the watch a source of deeply personal and meditative experience for the wearer. More than just a tool for telling time, The Citizen aims for watches to be a presence that helps people rediscover the beauty of nature in their daily lives and provides spiritual enrichment.
700,000 JPY～：Grand Seiko “Twenty-Four Solar Terms” Series
This series is a collection that symbolizes the brand’s identity, fusing the concept of the 24 solar terms, an ancient Japanese calendar system, with modern precision watchmaking technology. This traditional sensibility, which divides the year into 24 periods and captures the subtle changes of the seasons, combined with Grand Seiko’s craftsmanship, elevates the timepieces into wearable works of art that go beyond mere timekeeping tools.
The series’ key elements are manifold. First, its philosophical concept, based on Japanese aesthetics, forms its foundation and is reflected in every detail of the dial design. Furthermore, it is available in two main lines, the Heritage Collection and the Elegance Collection, each depicting a different seasonal scene. From a technical standpoint, the watch strategically utilizes both high-precision high-beat movements and the company’s unique Spring Drive movements, pursuing not only functionality but also aesthetic expression in line with each seasonal theme. The exceptional craftsmanship, exemplified by exceptional Zaratsu polishing, and meticulous ergonomic design combine a high level of comfort with visual appeal. These elements combine to solidify the series’ position in the luxury watch market, captivating both seasoned collectors and newcomers alike.
The 24 solar terms are a lunisolar calendar system that has been used in East Asia since ancient times. By dividing the year into 24 periods, the purpose is to capture the subtle changes of the seasons and incorporate them into daily life. In Japanese culture, a unique sensibility has been cultivated, in which sensing these subtle seasonal changes brings peace of mind and richness. Grand Seiko does not simply depict this traditional concept on the dial, but instead condenses and expresses the fleeting yet beautiful momentary scenes of specific solar terms into the dial design.
This is an attempt to embody Japan’s deep respect for nature and its unique approach to time. For example, one model themed around the spring equinox depicts the picturesque scene of falling cherry blossom petals floating on the surface of a river, swirling and flowing like a “flower raft.” This does not simply express the season of “spring,” but rather captures a fleeting yet beautiful “moment” that is particularly beloved by the Japanese. It is these delicate expressions that make this series more than just a watch with a seasonal motif.
This series has several appealing elements for collectors. First, many of the models are limited editions or boutique exclusives, stimulating the desire to own them. More importantly, the dial designs express a uniquely Japanese sensibility. Rather than simply beautiful colors and patterns, the designs are imbued with stories deeply rooted in Japanese culture and nature, such as flower rafts, moonlit nights, and deep snow. These designs will resonate strongly with collectors who view watches not simply as machines but as cultural artifacts.
As a result of these combined factors, the 24 Solar Terms series has grown into an important pillar symbolizing the Grand Seiko brand. The theme has expanded from the initial four major seasons to more specific solar terms, and the brand has strategically expanded beyond Japan, with limited-edition models being re-imported to the Japanese market. This continued development of the series demonstrates Grand Seiko’s long-term commitment to the theme, successfully establishing the series’ reputation and cultivating a devoted collector base.
Grand Seiko’s “Twenty-Four Solar Terms Series” is a collection that perfectly embodies the brand’s core values: the culmination of technological prowess in the pursuit of ultimate precision, uncompromising craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the delicate beauty of Japanese nature and culture.
900,000 JPY～：Grand Seiko「Snowflake（Yukishiro）」
Grand Seiko’s “Yukishiro” series is more than just a model name; it is recognized worldwide as an icon that symbolizes the brand’s identity. Its nickname in English, “Snowflake,” is beloved by many enthusiasts as a timepiece of universal value that combines delicate Japanese aesthetics with exceptional craftsmanship. Grand Seiko dials are not simply design elements; they contain “stories” that poetically express specific moments in specific places. This narrative quality is what gives the watches emotional value and is the primary factor in their success in clearly differentiating them from other brands in the global market.
Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive models are manufactured at the Shinshu Toki no Takumi Kobo in Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. This area is surrounded by Japan’s rich natural environment and offers beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons. The design concept for the Snow White dial was inspired by the pure snow-covered scenery of the Hotaka mountain range, which can be seen from this workshop. The specific geographical element of the Hotaka mountain range, as well as the climatic elements of the cold winter wind and clear blue skies, are directly reflected in the texture of the dial and the blue color of the second hand. The Snow White model is not simply a beautiful watch; it tells the story of the nature of Shinshu, and resonates strongly with overseas collectors, especially, as an example of Japanese beauty.
The Snow White dial is not just a plain white dial. Its creation is a culmination of Japanese aesthetics and exceptional craftsmanship. Using ordinary white paint would have filled in the unevenness of the dial, losing its unique texture, so an original method was adopted that deliberately avoided using paint.
The dial’s rough texture, reminiscent of Japanese washi paper, is created through precise embossing with indentations measured in microns, just 0.04 mm. Furthermore, to bring out this texture, a “subdued-gloss silver plating” is applied. This technique allows the color to change from ivory to silver depending on the amount of light, the viewing angle, and the distance, creating a “pure white” that is not simply white, but one with warmth and depth. This design concept of “manipulating light” clearly embodies Grand Seiko’s philosophy.
The heart of the Snowflake series is Grand Seiko’s unique movement, Spring Drive. This is a unique hybrid mechanism, unlike any other in the world, that uses the mainspring of a mechanical watch as its sole power source, while controlling precision with the integrated circuit and quartz oscillator of a quartz watch. The most distinctive feature of Spring Drive is the sweeping second hand. While the second hand of a typical mechanical watch moves in small, quivering movements, the second hand of a Spring Drive moves smoothly and without interruption, as if gliding across a snowy field.
This smooth movement of the hands is achieved by Spring Drive, which does not have a conventional mechanical escapement, but instead uses an IC magnetic brake to keep the rotor’s rotation speed constant. This expression of the smooth flow of time beautifully echoes the poetic theme of “time flowing slowly across a snowy field” depicted by the snow-white dial. Technology and aesthetics come together to artistically express time itself.
The Snowflake model is not bound by the traditional context of luxury watches, but pursues “the ultimate in everyday practicality” and “emotional beauty.” As a result, it has been embraced as a “quiet masterpiece” by many watch enthusiasts and new customers alike. Snowflake is not simply a tool for telling time; it evokes Japanese nature and a tranquil aesthetic in the hearts of those who wear it, and can be said to symbolize Grand Seiko’s “new approach to luxury watches” to the world.
1,200,000 JPY～：Grand Seiko「White Birch（Shirakaba）」
The Shirakaba Series is Grand Seiko’s flagship collection, embodying the next-generation design grammar, “Evolution 9 Style,” which was announced on the occasion of the brand’s 60th anniversary. While this new grammar is premised on the inheritance of the traditional “Seiko Style,” it aims to further refine the practical elements of aesthetics, legibility, and wearability by introducing the Japanese aesthetic concept of “beauty between light and shadow.” This embodies Grand Seiko’s ideal of “an accurate, easy-to-read, beautiful, and long-lasting Japanese-made wristwatch.”
Winning the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in the Men’s Watch category solidified the brand’s international standing. Its subsequent high market value and enthusiastic support from collectors prove that this series is not just a passing fad, but has firmly established itself as a new symbol of Grand Seiko.
Grand Seiko’s manufacturing is supported by two bases: the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi in Iwate Prefecture, which is responsible for mechanical movements, and the Shinshu Toki no Takumi Kobo in Nagano Prefecture, which is responsible for Spring Drive quartz movements. The Shirakaba Series employs a unique strategy of expressing the unique stories woven by each workshop within a single collection.
The first model in the series, the SLGH005, was inspired by the majestic birch forests near the Shizukuishi workshop, and its dial features a powerful, deeply engraved pattern. This design perfectly complements the powerful heartbeat of the SLGH005’s mechanical Hi-Beat movement. Meanwhile, the Spring Drive model SLGA009, released the following year, was inspired by the tranquility and delicacy of the birch forests near the Shinshu workshop, and features a smoother, more elegant dial with fewer irregularities. This harmonizes with the serene movement of the Spring Drive second hand. The dial design’s deep connection to the characteristics of each movement goes beyond a simple reference to nature, and represents a profound pursuit of functional beauty.
The SLGH005 is an automatic model equipped with the next-generation mechanical movement, “Cal. 9SA5.” The dial of this model expresses the majesty and vitality of the vast birch forest in Shizukuishi, where the watch is manufactured.
Caliber 9SA5 boasts a high vibration rate of 36,000 vibrations per hour, yet boasts a long power reserve of approximately 80 hours when fully wound. This is the culmination of Grand Seiko’s unique technology, achieving a balance between performance and the trade-offs that existed in conventional mechanical watches. This feat was made possible by the Dual Impulse Escapement, which dramatically improved efficiency, and the Twin Barrel, which ensures a stable power supply. Furthermore, the adoption of a horizontal gear train structure has reduced the movement’s thickness to just 5.18 mm, contributing to the overall slimness of the case. This technological achievement is emblematic of Seiko’s core competence: Craftsmanship, Minimization, and Minimization.
The Caliber 9SA5 movement is beautifully decorated and can be viewed through the see-through case back. This is a striped pattern called the “Shizukuishi River Finish” inspired by the flow of the Shizukuishi River, which flows near Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi. Designers were involved from the conception stage of the movement, and this is the result of incorporating natural scenes into the design, demonstrating that Grand Seiko’s philosophy of “functional beauty” is carried through to the finest details of the movement.
The SLGA009 is a model equipped with the Spring Drive movement “Cal. 9RA2.” The dial expresses the tranquility and delicacy of the vast birch forest near Toki no Takumi Kobo in Shinshu.
The Caliber 9RA2 maintains Spring Drive’s greatest strength, its high accuracy of ±10 seconds per month (equivalent to ±0.5 seconds per day), while achieving an ultra-long power run time of approximately 120 hours (approximately five days) when fully wound. This is achieved by adopting a “dual-size barrel” that enhances power transmission efficiency. Previous high-end Spring Drive movements have tended to be thick due to their large number of components, but the Caliber 9RA2’s power reserve indicator is positioned on the case back, and it employs an efficient “offset magic lever,” thereby reducing the thickness to 11.8 mm, the same as mechanical models, and achieving a low center of gravity. In particular, the “High-Precision Spring Drive Package IC,” which encapsulates the quartz crystal and IC in a vacuum package, is a proprietary technology that eliminates the effects of temperature and static electricity, ensuring extremely high and stable accuracy.
The case back of the Caliber 9RA2 is finished with a “Shinshu frost finish,” inspired by the frost that appears in the Shinshu region during the bitter cold of winter. This finish features a frost-like matte texture, and the diamond-cut ridges of the bridge emit a sharp sparkle like stars twinkling in the night sky. The dial design, which is based on a tranquil birch forest motif, and the movement finish, which evokes a tranquil winter scene, bring consistency to the overall concept of the SLGA009. The harmony between the smooth movement of the second hand and the quiet dial is the result of pursuing the unique aesthetic of Spring Drive.
The success of the Shirakaba series demonstrated a clear direction for Grand Seiko to establish a unique position in the global marketplace: by elevating Japan’s view of nature as a universal design language, by continuing to innovate in both the movement and the exterior, and by uniting all of these with a consistent philosophy of “functional beauty.” Shirakaba is more than just a beautiful watch; it is a true masterpiece that will serve as a compass for Grand Seiko over the next 60 years and beyond.
Summary
This time, we have introduced watches that express Japanese beauty, categorized by price range. If there is a model that catches your eye, we recommend that you try it out in person in a store.
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