Grand Seiko is the unofficial grasp of discovering inspiration in pure phenomena. Most of the model’s dials are crafted to resemble skies, waters, and landscapes discovered throughout Japan—these two new USA-exclusive restricted editions aren’t any exception. The Grand Seiko SBGA507’s blue dial is impressed by the sky over Lake Suwa at nightfall. In flip, the SBGA509’s pink dial imitates that very same sky at daybreak.
In case you learn that subtitle and thought you skilled a déjà vu, you’re not far off. It’s not the primary time Grand Seiko‘s designers have used Lake Suwa as a supply of inspiration. Final 12 months, the model launched each the titanium SLGA019 and chrome steel SLGA021, which had dials impressed by the lake’s waters stirred by an early morning and late night breeze. These dials certainly had a stupendous ripple impact, whereas this 12 months’s dials look extra like they’re made from linen. Let’s take a better have a look at these two new Spring Drive fashions within the iconic 44GS case.
The SBGA507
The SBGA509
The Grand Seiko SBGA507 and SBGA509
To have fun the inauguration of the Grand Seiko Company of America in 2018, the model launched three restricted version fashions impressed by the Kira-zuri methodology. This method is utilized in Japanese woodblock printing. Some of the well-known prints is Hokusai’s “The Nice Wave Of Kanagawa.” The addition of finely floor mica powder created its distinctive glowing shimmer. This gives the secondary supply of inspiration for the dials on these two new USA restricted editions.
The feel on the dial appears to be like a bit like there are small horizontal and vertical linen threads woven into it. The result’s a texture that performs very properly with the sunshine, it’s extremely dynamic and never one you’ll probably get uninterested in taking a look at. The Grand Seiko SBGA507 has a lightweight blue shade resembling the night sky over Lake Suwa. The SBGA509 has a shade that’s someplace in between salmon and pink. The dial structure is easy: elongated and uniform utilized indexes, a well-framed date window at three o’clock, and an influence reserve indicator at 7:30.
The indexes mirror the palms with their faceted development. They’re brushed, polished, and really sharp. That is all a part of Grand Seiko’s signature means of ending its watches. On the SBGA507, the seconds hand can also be blued—on the SBGA509, it matches the silver tone of the others. Nevertheless, each variations include a gold-colored and utilized GS brand situated at twelve o’clock.
The enduring 44GS case
Regardless that their dials appear to be small, intricate items of artwork, my favourite a part of these watches is their case. They share the identical iconic 44GS form used within the aforementioned US restricted editions from 2018. In true Grand Seiko style, virtually your entire case incorporates a Zarartsu polished end. A skinny brushed line on the within of the lugs is the one exception. This implies the brushed and polished bracelet matches the case fairly properly. Nevertheless, I discover that its rounded hyperlinks might have been higher tailored to the extra angular-shaped case.
The chrome steel case measures 40mm in diameter, is 12.5mm thick, and spans 46.2mm from lug to lug. This implies these watches will go well with all kinds of wrists. They’ll most likely put on a bit smaller than their precise dimension, because the dial is sort of a bit smaller than the case. The crown at three o’clock sits barely recessed into the case, which protects it from the occasional bump. With it, you use Grand Seiko’s broadly used and extremely correct 9R65 Spring Drive motion. The 12 months 2024 marks 20 years since its first use inside a Grand Seiko watch.
Spring Drive 9R65
By means of the sapphire case again window, you possibly can check out the 9R65’s mechanical rotor, which winds the mainspring. The Tri-Synchro Regulator makes use of the mainsprings movement to generate a tiny electrical pulse, which is then transformed into the ability wanted to activate a crystal oscillator and an digital brake. A exact reference sign applies an electromagnetic brake to keep up the revolution pace at precisely eight revolutions a second. All of this ends in an marketed common accuracy of ±1 second per day.
The motion options 30 jewels, gives an influence reserve of 72 hours, and is proof against magnetic fields. The watches each have the identical water resistance score of 100 meters.
Last ideas
I’d like to get a great have a look at these watches. I’m certain these dials look even higher in individual than they already do within the press photos. Sadly, I believe it’ll virtually be inconceivable to catch considered one of these within the wild as these are solely out there solely within the USA. Each colours work nice with the delicate linen texture on the dials, particularly on the salmon/pink model. The ending on the palms, indexes, and case appears to be like as sharp as at all times on Grand Seiko watches.
So, I’m certain you’ll get quite a lot of enjoyment out of your $5,600, which is what each of those restricted editions price. Grand Seiko will solely produce 300 items of every shade, and, as beforehand talked about, they’re solely out there within the USA. For extra data, try the official Grand Seiko web site.
What do you consider the brand new Grand Seiko SBGA507 and SBGA509? Let me know within the feedback beneath.
