Here's a roundup of the new Grand Seiko watches announced for 2026. At Watches & Wonders in April, the "Evolution 9 Collection Spring Drive UFA Ushio 300 Diver" equipped with UFA technology and new models from the high-end "Masterpiece Collection" were unveiled.
Text by Tsubasa Nojima
[Article published on January 14, 2026]
"Evolution 9 Collection Spring Drive UFA Ushio 300 Diver"
Automatic Spring Drive movement (Cal. 9RB1). 33 jewels. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Bright titanium case (40.8mm diameter, 12.9mm thickness). 300m water resistance. 165 yen (tax included).
Grand Seiko has announced a new model in its "Evolution 9 Collection," the "Ushio 300 Diver." Its name is derived from the dynamic energy of the currents surrounding Japan, an island nation. This timepiece is a full-fledged diver's watch boasting 300m water resistance and is equipped with a small, thin, high-precision Spring Drive movement.
The dial features a pattern inspired by ocean currents, and the color gradation expresses the vastness of the sea. The gradation, with a darker outer edge and a lighter inner edge, enhances the visibility essential for a diver's watch. There are two color variations: blue and green. The blue dial represents the vast ocean, while the green dial represents the clarity of shallow waters. The bezel insert, which matches the dial color, is made of scratch-resistant ceramic.
Automatic Spring Drive movement (Cal. 9RB1). 33 jewels. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Bright titanium case (40.8mm diameter, 12.9mm thickness). 300m water resistance. 165 yen (tax included).
The bright titanium case boasts the smallest diameter of any Grand Seiko diver's watch at 40.8mm. With a thickness of 12.9mm, it's a manageable size for a 300m water-resistant diver's watch. Like the case, the bracelet is also made of bright titanium, and the buckle features a slide-lock extender with a micro-adjustment mechanism.
The movement is based on the Cal.9RB2 of the "Spring Drive UFA," which was announced in 2025 and boasts an annual accuracy of ±20 seconds. However, it features the Cal.9RB1, which omits the date display and places the power reserve indicator on the dial side.
"Masterpiece Collection Hand-wound Spring Drive Engraved Limited Edition"
Manual-winding Spring Drive (Cal. 9R02). 39 jewels. Power reserve of approximately 84 hours. Platinum case (40mm diameter, 9.6mm thickness). 3 ATM water resistance. Limited edition of 50 pieces worldwide (30 pieces in Japan). 1210 yen (including tax).
A new model, limited to 50 pieces worldwide, has been added to the "Masterpiece Collection," which features high-end models from Grand Seiko. This latest model is inspired by the Tateshina Great Waterfall, which flows through the trees in the mystical primeval forest of the Tateshina Plateau in Shinshu.
The dial and case are adorned with delicate yet dynamic patterns hand-engraved by skilled craftsmen, revealing the diverse expressions of light and shadow born from a uniquely Japanese aesthetic. The countless radial patterns that spread across the entire design depict spring water flowing from the earth down from the dial to the case.
The 40mm diameter case is made of platinum. Zaratsu polishing, performed relying on the craftsman's sense of touch, creates a distortion-free flat surface. The base design is a modern reinterpretation of the "44GS," which established the Grand Seiko style. 14K white gold is used for the hour and minute hands and indices, and an SD mark indicating this is placed at the 6 o'clock position on the dial.
The watch comes with two types of straps: one made of crocodile leather with a glazed finish and a double-sided construction, and another made of cowhide leather by KYOTO Leather®, which features hand-applied foil stamping to depict the dynamic flow of water and the sparkle of water splashing against rocks.
The movement features the Cal.9R02, a hand-wound Spring Drive movement crafted by Micro Artist Studio. Its appeal lies in its long power reserve of approximately 84 hours and the hand-finishing by skilled artisans.
