My new SBGW321 Nishikigoi (European Limited Edition)
The European Limited Edition Grand Seiko SBGW321 aka the Nishikigoi, aka Japanese iridescent carp, aka Koi fish.
I’m used to Grand Seiko dials being inspired by things in nature, but this is the first one I’ve heard of being inspired by a fish. And I get it. The pattern on the dial, more uniform than the many more organic textures of some of their watches, does remind me of the scales of a fish. And the bold shimmering red with a hint of orange does resemble some of the nishikigoi I’ve seen.
I’ve wanted a 44GS case for a long time, but always felt the 40mm version was a little big for my wrist. It’s a case that seems to most exemplify Grand Seiko’s Grammar of Design. In 36.5mm here, it’s perfect. I had come across this case and size first in a different limited edition, with a green Mt. Iwate dial. I liked that one a lot but didn’t fall in love the way I did with this.
I bought this watch the day before lunar new year, and the combination of red dial and gold second hand (and GS logo) felt very lunar new year to me. It felt like it was meant to be. I was born in the Year of the Snake, and here we are in the Year of the Snake again.
Destiny? Or just an excuse to buy a watch? No one knows.
The European Limited Edition Grand Seiko SBGW321 aka the Nishikigoi, aka Japanese iridescent carp, aka Koi fish.
I’m used to Grand Seiko dials being inspired by things in nature, but this is the first one I’ve heard of being inspired by a fish. And I get it. The pattern on the dial, more uniform than the many more organic textures of some of their watches, does remind me of the scales of a fish. And the bold shimmering red with a hint of orange does resemble some of the nishikigoi I’ve seen.
I’ve wanted a 44GS case for a long time, but always felt the 40mm version was a little big for my wrist. It’s a case that seems to most exemplify Grand Seiko’s Grammar of Design. In 36.5mm here, it’s perfect. I had come across this case and size first in a different limited edition, with a green Mt. Iwate dial. I liked that one a lot but didn’t fall in love the way I did with this.
I bought this watch the day before lunar new year, and the combination of red dial and gold second hand (and GS logo) felt very lunar new year to me. It felt like it was meant to be. I was born in the Year of the Snake, and here we are in the Year of the Snake again.
Destiny? Or just an excuse to buy a watch? No one knows.