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Japan’s Kodo (Heartbeat) Resonating around the World

The Grand Seiko Kodo Constant-Force Tourbillon won the Grand Prix de Chronométrie at the Geneva Watch Grand Prix 2022. The significance of the Grand Seiko Kodo Constant-Force Tourbillon is explained in the words of the engineers who led the production of the watch.

Text Yasushi Matsumatsuami

The Grand Seiko Kodo Constant-Force Tourbillon won the Grand Prix de Chronométrie at the Geneva Watch Grand Prix 2022. The significance of the Grand Seiko Kodo Constant-Force Tourbillon is explained in the words of the engineers who led the production of the watch.

同軸上にトゥールビヨンとコンスタントフォースの二つの複雑機構を統合 — It was the first time in the world that two complicated mechanisms, a tourbillon and constant-force mechanism, were integrated on the same axis. After studying the preceding constant-force mechanism models, they decided to adopt a spiral spring, which causes less power loss than a plate spring, and to integrate the tourbillon and constant-force mechanism on the same axis. They were also particular about the beautiful tone of the accurate 16 beats, and they pushed the precision of the parts to the ultimate level. When the author said, “This 16 beats reminded me of Jeff Porcaro,” Mr. Kawauchitani grinned and said, “Some people said it was Steve Gadd.

Akio Naito, President of Seiko Watch Corporation, emphasized the significance of the award in his comments, saying, “This award is a new starting point for Grand Seiko’s watchmaking, and we will continue to build a future that only Grand Seiko can envision. Mr. Kawauchiya agrees.

We are doing something that Grand Seiko has never done before, so of course we needed new know-how. I think that the production and assembly of “Kodo” has yielded a great deal of knowledge that can be applied in the future. I am not interested in complicated mechanisms, but rather, I want to create something that is on the high road of timepieces, but with a twist of originality.

Yasushi Matsumi
Born in Shimane Prefecture in 1963, he joined Shueisha in 1987. After working in the editorial department of Weekly Playboy and PLAYBOY Japan, he became a freelance journalist in 1992. Involved in articles on watches, fashion, music, interviews, etc., and is also active in music. Author of “Watch Concierge Maison Guide” (Shogakukan), “Why Suits Sell for $100” (Chukei Publishing), and others.