Watches And Wonders 2025: Grand Seiko Unveils The High-Jewelry Masterpiece SBGD223 With Their First-Ever Pavé-Set Case

There’s something undeniably magnetic about a lion - its power, its elegance and its quiet dominance. Grand Seiko has long embraced the lion as its emblem, a symbol of relentless precision and bold artistry. Now, the brand has captured that same majestic spirit in a breathtaking new timepiece: a jet-black jewelry watch that doesn’t just tell time - it commands it.

Dripping in over 600 diamonds and black spinels, the Masterpiece SBGD223 Proud Lion introduced by Grand Seiko at Watches and Wonders 2025 is more than an accessory - it’s a statement. Inspired by the image of a lion emerging from the shadows, the design plays with light and darkness, creating a mesmerizing contrast that only Grand Seiko could execute with such finesse. The diamonds are set in a pavé formation, their brilliance intensified by the deep, mysterious glow of black spinels. It’s a dance of radiance and shadow, one that transforms the watch into a living work of art.

A Dial Fit For Royalty

At the heart of the watch lies a dial inspired by the fierce ripple of a lion’s mane, crafted through intricate press patterning. Surrounding it, diamonds and spinels serve as minute markers, ensuring legibility without sacrificing opulence. The stones are meticulously set within 18K white gold rails, a testament to the painstaking skill of Grand Seiko’s artisans.

And then there’s the seconds hand - a sleek, tempered grey blade that glides effortlessly across the dial, a signature of Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive movement. It doesn’t tick - it flows, a silent reminder that true luxury is as much about precision as it is about presence.

A First For Grand Seiko: The Art Of Pavé

This isn’t just another high-jewelry watch - it’s Grand Seiko’s first-ever pavé-set case. Each of the 600 diamonds is carefully selected and arranged to create a seamless, shimmering surface. The Platinum 950 case measuring 44.5mm in diameter demands absolute perfection as any flaw in setting or polishing would be glaringly obvious. But Grand Seiko’s craftsmen don’t just meet the challenge, they redefine it, ensuring every edge remains razor-sharp, every facet catches the light just so. The watch is born on a black crocodile leather with a three-fold clasp.

The Spring Drive Calibre 9R01

Beneath the diamonds lies a movement worthy of the exterior - the Spring Drive Calibre 9R01, engineered by the legendary Micro Artist Studio. Unlike ordinary watches with a single barrel, this powerhouse boasts three barrels in series, delivering an astonishing eight days (192 hours) of power reserve. It’s a marriage of mechanical ingenuity and artistic vision, proving that Grand Seiko is a true master in mechanics.

Final Thoughts

With its bold black-and-diamond aesthetic, unparalleled craftsmanship, and groundbreaking movement, the Masterpiece SBGD223 Proud Lion from Grand Seiko launched at Watches and Wonders 2025 has once again proven why it stands at the pinnacle of watchmaking.