Introducing the Grand Seiko SBGW295 titanium urushi dial - HODINKEE

It was 1913, just one year after the death of Japan's Emperor Meiji and still in the early days of the Taishō era, when Kintaro Hattori, the founder of Seiko, would make a bold move that would change the company forever.

The watch uses the same framework as the 2020 regular-production releases of the GS "First" including the SBGW259, which was the first titanium case used for a vintage remake, made in a larger 38mm size, up from the original 35mm design from 1960.

As a reminder, this special alloy is brighter than traditional titanium (which often has a very matte color and finish), in turn creating a more dramatic from the Zaratsu-polishing we know and love from GS.

Grand Seiko is meticulously iterative in its design approach, often choosing little flourishes instead of bold moves, and once the brand has its teeth in something good, it won't let go.

And while the new SBGW295 with black urushi dial and gold maki-e markers might not have the same outside-the-box flair of those examples, nor a new case design, size, or even metal, it's one of my favorite Grand Seiko releases of at least the past year.

Grand Seiko limited editions come pretty frequently and often go quite fast, sometimes leaving consternation in their wake as people feel the brand leans into FOMO.