Grand Seiko’s most recent big splash came at the Couture watch and jewelry fair in Las Vegas last August, specifically the launch of a trifecta of green-dialed U.S.-exclusive editions that visually reference Japan’s picturesque natural scenery. Not to be overlooked, however, are two other new models that the brand unveiled in the desert, both of which are equipped with the latest generation of the Seiko-exclusive Spring Drive movement. Here’s what you need to know about the new Seiko 140th Anniversary Limited Editions.

As their lengthy names imply, both new models pay tribute to the founding, in 1881, of Grand Seiko’s parent company, Seiko, and like the manually wound, verdant-dialed timepieces that rolled out alongside them, both also feature a colorful, nature-inspired textured dial. In the case of the SLGA007, in a 40-mm steel case, its blue dial features a delicate wavy pattern inspired by the calmly rippling surface of Lake Suwa, which lies near the Shinshu Watch Studio where Grand Seiko makes some of its most high-end timepieces, including this one. The rose-gold-cased SLGA008, on the other hand, features a brown dial with the distinctive “tree rings” wood-grain motif that debuted on an earlier 140th anniversary model, the SLGH007 in a platinum case. Both dials sport the familiar Grand Seiko applied indices and razor-shaped hands along with an elegantly framed date window at 3 o’clock.
Both the steel and gold...