Based on the ultra-thin movement, Caliber 68, this remarkable luxury watch demonstrates Japanese craftsmanship at its finest in its movement adjustment, its metal engraving and its lacquer finishing. Just eight watches will be made and they will be presented at Seiko’s Boutiques worldwide in 2016.

A collaboration of master craftsmen

The FUGAKU Tourbillion Limited Edition is a masterpiece created by the diverse skills of three of Seiko’s most experienced craftsmen, all of whom have been recognized as Contemporary Master Craftsmen by the government of Japan.

The new tourbillon movement, caliber 6830, is less than 4mm thick and is made and assembled by Satoshi Hiraga. Kiyoshi Terui is the engraver, and the overall design, including the integration of the tourbillon, metal engraving, and lacquer work, is the work entrusted to Nobuhiro Kosugi, the first watch designer to be selected as a Master Craftsman. Urushi expert Isshu Tamura contributes the lacquer finish. Together, their skills and advanced techniques have yielded a work of art that expresses the essence of the Japanese sense of beauty.

Seiko’s first tourbillon movement (Caliber 6830)

Caliber 6830 is a mechanical movement based on the ultra-thin Caliber 68 family, and is Seiko’s first ever tourbillon movement. Caliber 6830 was created utilizing the utmost in mechanical movement manufacturing expertise, with the base part a mere 1.98mm thick. Including the carriage, the whole movement measures just 3.98mm in depth, and the diameter is just 25.6mm, with the result that it is the world’s smallest tourbillon by volume. The volume has been reduced by the use of a unique pallet fork design and by the integration of the wheel and bridge. Weight, too, has been reduced with the use of titanium in some parts of the carriage.

• A tourbillon reduces the effect of gravity and thereby stabilizes the accuracy of the movement, thanks to the escapement and balance wheel being set in a rotating cage known as a carriage.

• As of January, 2016. Based on Seiko’s research.

The inspiration of Hokusai

Katsushika Hokusai’s series ‘Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji’ is renowned worldwide and is an icon of Japanese culture. Painted in the 19th century in the Edo period, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, brought Hokusai worldwide fame, thanks to its strikingly dynamic composition and use of perspective. This print inspired the creation of the Seiko Watch. The delicacy of the dial engraving is extraordinary. Kiyoshi Terui worked to the limits of his technical skill in engraving to breathe three-dimensional life into the wave that dominates the scene depicted on the dial. The 18k yellow and white gold wave is 1.6mm at its thickest and 0.5mm at its thinnest, a true marvel of manual craftsmanship.

The reverse side of the watch features the same wave, combining engraving and lacquer finishing to create a modern, sharp and brilliant version of the theme. On the balance wheel bridge is the outline shape of Mt. Fuji, which is so central to Hokusai’s work and to the world’s view of Japan today. The watch’s name, FUGAKU, is another way in which the Japanese language describes Mt. Fuji.

Unprecedented color in Urushi lacquer

The FUGAKU model has unique colors that are born out of the combination of engraving and lacquer. By introducing a world of color into the intricate engraving, the carved design comes to shine prominently with three-dimensional depth. The scene behind the dial evokes a sky at dawn, with a lush gradient of navy blue to purple brought to life through the colored lacquer. The extremely advanced techniques required in the creation of the color gradient are the product of hours of painstaking effort by the world-renowned lacquer artist Isshu Tamura, all to express the most precise of hues in a lacquer that is just 0.1mm thick. The Credor emblem on the dial is also handcrafted by Mr. Tamura in gold lacquer, or Maki-e.

Fine mother-of-pearl work adorns the traditional Japanese Seigaiha (waves in a blue ocean) patterning on the 6-side and the clouds and plovers on the 12-side, meticulously expressing the richness of Japanese natural scenery.

Each of the hour marks is also richly finished in 18K yellow gold.

A brilliant case design exuding quality

The magnificent 43mm diameter platinum case is adorned with forty-three blue sapphires, arrayed in harmony with the dial in a beautiful gradation of color. Between the bars around the sides of the case are fine mother-of-pearl stripes providing an intricate finish.

About the three Contemporary Master Craftsmen and Mr. Isshu Tamura

Kiyoshi Terui, Metal Engraver, Shizuku-ishi Watch Studio
Recognized as a Contemporary Master Craftsman by the Japanese government in 2002

Satoshi Hiraga, Watchmaker, Shizuku-ishi Watch Studio
Recognized as a Contemporary Master Craftsman by the Japanese government in 2015

Nobuhiro Kosugi, Designer, Seiko Instruments Inc., Design Division
The first watch designer to be recognized as a Contemporary Master Craftsman, by the Japanese government in 2014

Isshu Tamura, Lacquer Artist\

Mr. Tamura honed his skills in the Kaga Lacquer Work traditions of Kanazawa, developing his technique to produce unparalleled original works of art. Mr. Tamura has executed his technique in Kaga lacquer work not only in lacquer ware, but also in the creation of luxury fountain pens and wristwatches which have received worldwide acclaim for their elaborate detail and fine beauty. For the full line-up, please visit https://bezelcasedial.com/

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Source: www.seikowatches.com