Grand Seiko, the upscale brand of Seiko Watch Corporation celebrates its 60th anniversary with four special limited edition watches featuring the signature blue dial.
The 60th anniversary collection features two automatic watches that are unmistakably and quintessentially Grand Seiko.
The men’s Hi-Beat 36000 automatic watch pays homage to the famous 44GS from 1967 whose design was the first ever expression of the uniquely Japanese Grand Seiko Style which, ever since, has been its visual signature.
It features the high beat Caliber 9S85 which delivers an accuracy of +5 to -3 seconds a day and a 55 hour power reserve. In honor of the 60th anniversary, the Grand Seiko symbol is in gold and the seconds hand is in a vivid red.
The special 60th anniversary edition women’s automatic watch from the Elegance Collection is powered by Caliber 9S27, an automatic movement specifically designed for Grand Seiko’s women’s collection. It delivers a perfect balance of precision (+8 to -3 seconds a day), power reserve (50 hours) and slimness. It has a mother of pearl dial in, of course, Grand Seiko blue and has diamonds as hour markers and which is framed on its bezel with 45 diamonds.
Both creations will be available in February 2020 as limited editions; 1,500 for the men’s watch and 300 for the women’s.
The 60th anniversary is also celebrated with a new quartz movement. Caliber 9F85 has a time difference adjustment function that allows the hour hand to be adjusted without stopping the seconds hand and thus preserving its high precision when the wearer changes time zones. This new caliber makes its debut in two 60th anniversary designs.
The first has a version of Caliber 9F85 that is specially adjusted to a level of accuracy of ±5 seconds a year. This high precision is marked by the five pointed star at the six o’clock position. The dial, too, has a unique marking with a 2020 pattern, reminding the wearer of this special year. The case design is modern in its execution. Its bezel is thin which allows the dial to be wider and therefore more legible. The case side has a sharp curve so that more light reflects off it and adds to the “sparkle of quality” that is an essential part of the Grand Seiko Style. The seconds hand of this timepiece is also in a vivid red. It will be available in March 2020 as a limited edition of 2,500.
The second watch to have the new quartz caliber joins the Sport Collection. In addition to the Grand Seiko blue dial, it features a ceramic bezel of the same color that is almost impervious to scratches. The markers as well as the hour and minute hands are coated with LumiBrite so as to increase the legibility of the time even in low light conditions. It has 20 bar water resistance, magnetic resistance of 16,000 A/m and a screw-down crown for enhanced security. It will be available in April 2020 as a limited edition of 2,000.
Technical details
Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Limited Editions
Model: Grand Seiko Heritage Collection Hi-Beat 36000 Limited Edition (SBGH281)
Movement
Caliber 9S85
Driving system: Automatic
Vibrations: 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second)
Accuracy: +5 to -3 seconds per day (when static)
Power reserve: 55 hours
Number of jewels: 37
Case and strap
Stainless steel case
High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
See-through screw case back, screw-down crown
Water resistance: 10 bar, Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 40.0mm, Thickness: 13.3mm
Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button release
Retail price
Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: €6,200
Edition
Limited edition of 1,500
Model: Grand Seiko Elegance Collection Women’s Automatic Limited Edition (STGK015)
Movement
Caliber 9S27
Driving system: Automatic
Vibrations: 28,800 vibrations per hour (8 beats per second)
Accuracy: +8 to -3 seconds per day (when static)
Power reserve: 50 hours
Number of jewels: 35
Case and strap
Stainless steel case with 56 diamonds (0.48 carat)
High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
See-through screw case back
Water resistance: 10 bar, Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/M
Diameter: 27.8mm, Thickness: 11.2mm
Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button release
Retail price
Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: €9,900
Edition
Limited edition of 300
Model: Grand Seiko Heritage Collection Quartz (SBGP007)
Movement
Caliber 9F85
Accuracy: ±5 seconds per year (at temperatures between 5℃ and 35℃)
Time difference adjustment function
Number of jewels: 9
Case and strap
Stainless steel case
High definition sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Screw case back with 18k yellow gold plate
Water resistance: 10 bar, Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 40.0mm, Thickness: 10.8mm
Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button release
Retail price
Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: €3,900
Edition
Limited edition of 2,500
Model: Grand Seiko Sport Collection Quartz (SBGP015)
Movement
Caliber 9F85
Accuracy: ±10 seconds per year (at temperatures between 5℃ and 35℃)
Time difference adjustment function
Case and strap
Stainless steel case
High definition sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Screw-down crown, screw case back
Ceramic bezel
Water resistance: 20 bar, Magnetic resistance: 16,000 A/m
Diameter: 40.0mm, Thickness: 12.4mm
Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button release
Retail price
Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: €3,900
Edition
Limited edition of 2,000
