New Grand Seiko watch reissues its first mechanical piece in a modern way

The Grand Seiko Icefall Hi-Beat has a new skin

Grand Seiko Icefall Hi-Beat 1998 Revival in Titanium
(Image credit: Grand Seiko)
Quick Summary

Japanese watchmaker, Grand Seiko, has revealed a modern interpretation of its first mechanical watch.

With a stunning, ice cold dial, this is certain to be a hit.

While many might think that the best watches on the market come from Switzerland, that really doesn't tell the full story. While the Swiss may enjoy their plaudits, other regions such as Germany and Japan – to name but a few – produce fantastic timepieces.

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Grand Seiko Icefall Hi-Beat 1998 Revival in Titanium

(Image credit: Grand Seiko)

This variant is slightly more plump – 40mm across the case, though it's marginally slimmer from top to bottom – and should be more lightweight thanks to the titanium case and bracelet makeup. Elsewhere you'll find the same stunning baby blue dial on this model, along with the same 9S85 movement inside.

That's a Hi-Beat calibre, meaning you'll see ten beats per second. The result? Improved accuracy, a smoother sweeping seconds hand and something cool to tell other watch lovers about. You'll also enjoy accuracy between +5 and -3 seconds per day, while 55 hours of power reserve is on offer.

Grand Seiko Icefall Hi-Beat 1998 Revival in Titanium

(Image credit: Grand Seiko)

Elsewhere, users can expect to enjoy 100m of water resistance from that titanium case. That's broken only by a dual-curved sapphire crystal on the top of the dial, and a sapphire case back exposing the beautifully decorated movement.

Priced at just £6,650, this is a beautiful watch. It's seriously reminiscent of the ever-popular Tiffany blue dials from brand like Rolex. It's got a really killer history to go with it, though, which is certain to appeal to a wide range of watch enthusiasts. The model will be available to purchase from January 2025.

Sam Cross
Senior Staff Writer

Sam Cross is an award-winning journalist, with nine years of experience in the media industry. His work can be found in publications as diverse as Oracle Time, Metro and Last Word on Sports.

Here at T3, Sam is best known as the brand’s go-to guy for all things luxurious – from exquisite watches to fine fragrances; the latest performance vehicles to intricate audio equipment, and more.

He’s often found travelling around the world to test new launches, complete with high-end backpacks and suitcases in tow. And when he’s not adding to his air miles, Sam can be found in front of a video camera, bringing his distinctive brand of storytelling to T3’s social media channels.

Sam also loves all things analogue including listening to music on vinyl or cassette, and photography on vintage film cameras.