Interview with Chuantao Tu
Lenovo
Red Dot: The jury praised the beautiful proportionality of the SLGW003 from the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection. Which detail do you particularly like?
We are especially proud of the composition of the side profile. While the watch has a substantial surface area that gives it a bold presence, the overall thickness appears restrained thanks to the thin, hand-wound movement. This contrast between visual weight and structural elegance is a key aspect of the design. The gently curved case that follows the contours of the wrist, combined with a low centre of gravity, ensures not only elegance in appearance – but exceptional comfort. It’s a quiet triumph of proportion, poise and wearability.
The watch includes several, even local references to Japanese culture and nature. Can you tell us a little more about them?
As with many Grand Seiko creations, this timepiece draws inspiration from the natural surroundings of its birthplace. The dial evokes the texture of white birch trees native to Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture, with an intricately pressed pattern. Another local motif appears in the shape of the click spring whose design was inspired by the Japanese wagtail, a bird that is characteristic of the city close to the Grand Seiko Studio.
What is the appeal of a hand-wound watch today?
The charm of a hand-wound watch lies in its deeply analogue nature – something increasingly rare in our digital age. There’s a quiet ritual in winding the crown by hand: you hear the delicate ticking and are reminded that this is a mechanical object that lives only if you care for it. That sense of connection, almost like tending to something alive, is part of its unique allure.
