As a part of its celebrations to commemorate the formation of Grand Seiko Company of America in 2018, the Japanese producer unveiled a trio of limited-edition watches that have been unique to the US and fitted with dials impressed by kirazuri (which implies “glowing portray” in Japanese). Now, for its newest launch of 2024, Grand Seiko has introduced a brand new pair of limited-edition fashions that additionally embrace a kirazuri-inspired theme, and similar to the unique trio from 2018, the brand new Grand Seiko SBGA507 and SBGA509 will solely be accessible inside the American market.
Primarily based on the model’s well-known 44GS case profile, the brand new Grand Seiko USA-exclusive SBGA507 and SBGA509 watches are each crafted from chrome steel, with zaratsu-polished surfaces and thick, angular lugs. Measuring 40mm in diameter by 12.5mm thick, the general exterior bundle offered by the brand new USA-exclusive SBGA507 and SBGA509 fashions ought to maintain little surprises for many who are acquainted with comparable choices from Grand Seiko, and simply as you count on, a signed winding crown sits on the 3 o’clock location, whereas the highest of the case is furnished by a finely-polished mounted bezel and a double-domed sapphire crystal (with anti-reflective therapy).
Just like the unique trio of USA-exclusive Grand Seiko fashions from 2018, the pair of the brand new USA-exclusive restricted editions provide 100 meters of water resistance, and whereas the specs for the fashions state that they’re fitted with display-style casebacks, Grand Seiko doesn’t embrace any pictures of the reverse aspect of the watches. Grand Seiko has a historical past of printing pictures on its show casebacks, though the model has more and more avoided this observe in newer years, and I personally hope that the caseback home windows are solely unadorned with a purpose to permit homeowners to admire the finely completed elements of the Spring Drive actions that energy the watches.
Internally, the Grand Seiko USA-exclusive SBGA507 and SBGA509 each depend on the Caliber 9R65 Spring Drive motion, which has faithfully served as the muse for a major variety of the model’s fashions all through the years. Whereas the Grand Seiko Cal. 9R65 was first launched a full 20 years in the past in 2004, it nonetheless represents one of many trade’s most revolutionary calibers, and similar to the entire model’s Spring Drive actions, the Caliber 9R65 provides a mechanical possession expertise paired with a level of precision that’s sometimes solely discovered amongst quartz watches, and this permits it to supply an accuracy ranking of +/-15 seconds per 30 days with an influence reserve of roughly 72 hours.
Identical to most Grand Seiko watches, the dials are the standout options of the brand new USA-exclusive SBGA507 and SBGA509 watches, and whereas their surfaces showcase a brand new model of ending, the general design is nearly similar to comparable fashions which have been produced all through the years. Baton-shaped hour markers and dauphine fingers show the time, and they’re completed with brushed higher surfaces and brightly polished sides working down their edges. Moreover, similar to different fashions with this identical dial structure, a framed date window seems at 3 o’clock, whereas an arc-shaped energy reserve indicator sits on the decrease left a part of the dial, and the Grand Seiko “GS” identify is rendered as a golden utilized aspect beneath the 12 o’clock marker.
Fashionable throughout the Edo interval in Japan, the “glowing portray” artwork of kirazuri makes use of mica powder to create a shimmering impact, and it may be noticed within the ukiyo-e woodblock prints created throughout this period. The faintly textured metallic surfaces of the dials fitted to the pair of Grand Seiko USA-exclusive watches are meant to be paying homage to the qualities of kirazuri, and the SBGA507 is the blue model, whereas the SBGA509 is the mannequin fitted with a dusty rose-colored dial. Since this wouldn’t be a correct Grand Seiko launch with out some kind of Japanese nature inspiration, the pair of latest U.S.-exclusive watches pay tribute to the transitioning sky over Lake Suwa within the area the place the model produces its Spring Drive actions, and the blue SBGA507 is meant to characterize the night sky, whereas the pink SBGA509 is impressed by early dawn.
Fitted to the lugs of the brand new Grand Seiko USA-exclusive SBGA507 and SBGA509 watches is the model’s normal multi-link bracelet, which consists of largely brushed surfaces complemented by two skinny rows of high-polished heart hyperlinks. Grand Seiko makes use of this identical model of hyperlinks for quite a few its bracelets, though the kind of clasps can differ relying on the particular kind of mannequin. That stated, since Grand Seiko has produced this identical model of watch with a wide range of completely different dials, it’s greater than doubtless that the bracelets fitted to the brand new USA-exclusive watches are accomplished by the identical customary model of folding clasp, which implies that it operates with a double push-button launch, though it doesn’t embrace any kind of built-in extension system.
Each the blue SBGA507 and pink SBGA509 USA-exclusive Grand Seiko fashions might be produced as restricted editions of 300 items, and each watches might be priced at $5,600 USD, which locations them proper consistent with different 44GS-inspired choices which can be powered by the identical motion. All issues thought of, the brand new kirazuri-inspired Grand Seiko USA-exclusive SBGA507 and SBGA509 watches seem like quite aesthetically pleasing timepieces, and whereas a lot of the trade has seen important value will increase over the course of the final a number of years, it’s refreshing to see that Grand Seiko is sustaining an affordable value level for its entry-level Spring Drive fashions. For extra data on the Grand Seiko USA-exclusive SBGA507 and SBGA509 watches, please go to the model’s web site.
