At the heart of Grand Seiko is an intriguing and understated narrative of Japanese heritage and aesthetics. The legendary poet Jun’ichiro Tanizaki once described beauty not in the object, rather the degree of lightness, darkness and shadow it protrudes. I believe this literature in 1933 still applies to Grand Seiko and its counterparts ie. Kurono by Hajime Asaoka, N.Hida by Naoya Hida & Kikuchi Nakagawa. There is a singular and subtle sensitivity that resonates across all these creations, all from a single nation. Rather than describing Grand Seiko as a watch manufacturer, I tend to think of them as an extension of Japanese tradition and innovation.