Spring Drive Chronograph 9R 20th Anniversary Limited Edition: SBGC275

Apr 09, 2024,22:19 PM
 

The vast Hotaka mountain range rises in the Shinshu region of central Japan, where all Grand Seiko Spring Drive creations are made. The sun reflecting off this soaring landscape at dawn creates beautiful mountain scenery with ebullient colors transforming from pink to orange as the early morning progresses. 


In 2024 Seiko recalls the 20th anniversary of the first Grand Seiko watch powered by the 9R Spring Drive movement series, which powers all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches.


In celebration of this milestone, a new Spring Drive Chronograph GMT inspired by this mountainous landscape in summer is born. The watch has been made possible by a new dial-processing technology that expresses the Japanese appreciation for the delicate transition of time as seen through the changing colors of summer mornings in this special place.



On summer mornings, for just 30 minutes before and after sunrise, the sun illuminates the peaks of the Hotaka mountain range in a particularly special way. The color-changing dial, which represents this momentary light show, is made possible by a patented dial-coating process to be known as “Optical Multilayer Coating.” Instead of traditional techniques to color the dial, the new technology uses a physical vapor deposition process. Several layers of nanoscale film create an effect in which the dial exhibits a different hue depending on the angle of view. Combined with the silent glide motion of the seconds hand, the transitioning dial colors bring a new dimension to the idea of the nature of time.



The newest Spring Drive Chronograph GMT features a powerful, angular case design inspired by the lion, a symbol of the brand since the first Grand Seiko watch in 1960. Synonymous with strength and courage, the lion represented the aim of the original Grand Seiko team to create the very best timepiece of which they were capable in terms of accuracy, legibility, durability, and beauty, and these values remain today. The lion’s presence is demonstrated in every detail of the new watch, such as the angularity of the case and the claw-like, hairline-finished lugs, which provide a point of contrast to the Zaratsu-polished surfaces.


Water resistant to 20 bar or 200M, the watch is made to ensure the highest level of performance in any sporting situation. The hour and minute hands are designed for heightened legibility, and the wide indexes further enhance the superior legibility for which Grand Seiko is renowned. The case and bracelet are made of high-intensity titanium, which is about 30% lighter than stainless steel and has a brighter color. The bracelet, too, is designed for comfort, with thick, H-shaped links that easily conform to wrists of all sizes. The hour and minute hands, as well as the hour markers, have Lumibrite that glows green, while the GMT hand and the numbers on the bezel glow blue, enhancing the watch’s legibility in dark conditions.


The timepiece is powered by the Spring Drive Chronograph GMT Caliber 9R96, a specially adjusted version of Caliber 9R86.  Caliber 9R96 delivers an accuracy of ±10 seconds per month or ~2 minutes/year, or ±0.5 seconds per day, compared to the ±15 seconds per month accuracy of the mainstay Spring Drive Chronograph GMT Caliber 9R86.




A limited edition of 700, the new creation will be available at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and select retail partners worldwide in July 2024.

Grand Seiko Sport Collection

Caliber 9R 20th Anniversary Limited Edition: SBGC275

Movement
Spring Drive Chronograph GMT Caliber 9R96
Driving system: Automatic
Accuracy: ±10 seconds per month (±0.5 seconds per day)
Power reserve: 72 hours
GMT hand
Chronograph up to 12 hours
Number of jewels: 50

Specifications
High-intensity titanium case and bracelet
Three-fold clasp with push-button release, secure lock, and extender
Dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
See-through screw case back
Screw-down crown
Water resistance: 20 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 44.5mm 
Thickness: 16.8mm!

Prices
Recommended retail price in Europe: €14,000
Limited edition of 700


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Grand Seiko new models for 2024

 
 By: cazalea : April 9th, 2024-22:05
A new manual-wind Hi-Beat movement running ~ 80 hours. A GMT Chronograph whose dial runs ~ between gold / orange / red / black A new beautiful Platinum & Titanium variant of the Constant Force Tourbillion, running ~ $375,000 More details in the files belo...  

Spring Drive Chronograph 9R 20th Anniversary Limited Edition: SBGC275

 
 By: cazalea : April 9th, 2024-22:19
The vast Hotaka mountain range rises in the Shinshu region of central Japan, where all Grand Seiko Spring Drive creations are made. The sun reflecting off this soaring landscape at dawn creates beautiful mountain scenery with ebullient colors transforming...  

Two Evolution 9 Style Manual Wind Hi-Beat Watches SLGW002 & SLGW003

 
 By: cazalea : April 9th, 2024-22:28
The 18K rose gold dress watch is equipped with the Grand Seiko Caliber 9SA4, the brand’s first manual-winding 36,000 vph mechanical movement to be created in approximately 50 years. Today, the ritual of winding a watch is one of life’s pleasures. The simp...  

Love this new hi-beat movement

 
 By: Derreck : April 9th, 2024-22:44
very good looking one. Also the Evo9 case on 38mm with less then 10mm of thickness is great, this is going to be the new classic watch of GS I think. My only problem is the white birch dial which is a tad too flashy for me on a classic watch. However I’m ... 

Maybe not too flashy ... Have to see it in person

 
 By: cazalea : April 9th, 2024-23:08
This is the press photo ...  

I tried the

 
 By: Derreck : April 10th, 2024-21:30
SLGH005 white birch in metal and the dial was a bit too brilliant for me, so I bought the darkest lake suwa iteration SLGA021. Need to see this new dress watch too but if it’s the same dial then I’d prefer to wait for a new one, other than the dial the wa... 

Constant Force Tourbillon SLGT005

 
 By: cazalea : April 9th, 2024-22:39
In 2022, Grand Seiko presented its first mechanical complication, the Kodo Constant-force Tourbillon, a revolutionary watch that combined a tourbillon and a constant-force mechanism as one unit on a single axis for the first time in horological history. A...  

Love love love this one.

 
 By: T J : April 10th, 2024-03:10
It will be sold out in a few months, perhaps weeks.

The CFT....

 
 By: InHavenPro : April 9th, 2024-23:04
is spectacular. Cheers, Filip

Grand Seiko really drank the birch beer! I'm disappointed not to see a new micro artist studio watch with the 9r02 movement

 
 By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : April 10th, 2024-00:05
This one: I'm told the previous one is sold out. ...  

They may not have completed production of last year’s 50 pieces

 
 By: brandon.c : April 10th, 2024-02:00
I visited Shiojiri in summer of 2022 and they were still manufacturing the SBGZ007 that had been launched a year earlier. I think it takes them about 2 years to fulfill all 50 pieces with the limited production capacity of the Micro Artist Studio.

The SLGW Hi-beat looks good.

 
 By: S F : April 10th, 2024-00:29
Will have a look see when it is available. The chrono dial bit too busy for GS to feature a rather unique dial.

New movements. Interesting materials. Compliments GS

 
 By: agyzace : April 10th, 2024-11:22
Along with Chopard the two most sincere horological presences this year. I am excluding independents from this comment