Grand Seiko First carved dial June 1960 split 12 "special dial"

Model: Grand Seiko
Reference: The first Grand Seiko, carved logo split 12 index
Year: June 1960
Material: 14k gold filled
Dimensions: 36mm diameter; 11mm thickness
Crystal: Plexiglass
Lume: N/A
Caliber: 3180
Service History: September 2022, currently running at +10.2 sec/day
Bracelet/Strap: Epsom Calf leather strap (pictured) from Jones in Tokyo
Lug Width: 18mm
Box/Papers: None

The Grand Seiko “First” (GS1st) or “3180” as it is often referred to (due to its caliber reference) was introduced to the Japanese market in 1960. Produced by the Suwa Seikosha company based in Nagano, Japan, the Grand Seiko line was born out of a desire to create a watch that was “as precise, durable, easy to wear and as beautiful as possible”. 

There are three main dial variants to the GS1st – printed, carved, and raised. This example is the carved logo "split 12" variant which means that the 12 o'clock index is made of two separate pieces of gold. The "Grand Seiko" text on the dial for these early GS1st's were manually hand carved using machinery. Due to its manual and laborious production process the Suwa factory abandoned this practice and switched to the raised logo from around the second half of 1961. In recent years, the watch community, especially in Japan, has finally caught up to both the rarity and beauty of the carved logo variant.

Overall, this GS first carved variant is in excellent vintage condition. A carved dial with a split 12 index is very rare and this all original example would be a dream addition for any serious Grand Seiko enthusiast. The caseback lion medallion is the correct early variant and so is the "S" signed crown. The movement and dial is consistent to the earlier carved GS1st variants as can be evidenced by the movement serial and dial code. The gold filled case has scratches as can be expected from a watch of this age and has most likely been polished in the past but retains its beveling on its lug. The dial surfaces show aging and some blemishes and scratches but is in honest and attractive condition for its age. The hour markers (index) are made of 18k solid gold as indicated by the sun shaped “special dial” logo above the six o’clock. The hand set looks to be original with the period correct “mountain” hands (which was only used in the print and carved logo variants) in great condition. The movement was serviced by the previous owner in September 2022 and is currently running at +10.2 seconds/day. The watch also comes with a quality epsom brown grained calf leather strap from local watch strap craftsman, Jones in Tokyo.

Ships from Japan