In 2020, the upscale Japanese watch brand Grand Seiko is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its creation.

On 18 December 1960, in Seiko’s Suwa facility in central Japan born a watch with a 14k gold filled case and a slim movement whose precision met the highest international standard of the time. Such was the level of their achievement that it was decided to call the watch Grand Seiko. Now, in this special year, a new re-creation of the first Grand Seiko watch from 1960 takes its permanent place in the collection.

Re-Creations of the First Grand Seiko Watch

The re-creation is available in three versions, all with the same slim profile and high precision afforded by the use of the manual-winding caliber 9S64. The case shape and the softly curved dial and hands are entirely faithful to the 1960 original, but the case back is now in sapphire, revealing the beautiful finish of the movement. In line with today’s aesthetic, the case diameter has been increased from 35mm to 38mm and a three-fold clasp makes the watch easy to wear.

Three different materials are used. The first version (SBGW257) in Platinum 950 has a silver color dial with the star mark that signifies that its hour markers are in 18k gold. The engraving of the Grand Seiko name on the dial is particularly sharp thanks to the fact that the dial, too, is in 18k gold.

The case of the second creation (SBGW258) is in 18k yellow gold, as are the hour markers. The third model (SBGW259) has a case is in Brilliant Hard Titanium, which is exclusive to Grand Seiko. It is as light as pure titanium but twice as hard as stainless steel and therefore highly resistant to scratches. Its color is brighter than the other forms of titanium used for Grand Seiko and allows the Zaratsu polished surfaces to stand out even more prominently.

All three Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary watch models offer a remarkable blend of slimness, efficiency and precision. The cases are just 10.9mm in depth, the power reserve is 72 hours and the accuracy rate is +5 to -3 seconds per day. All three versions feature crocodile straps.

All three watches in the series will be available at Grand Seiko Boutiques from June 2020 onwards.

Technical details

Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Watch, Re-creations of the first Grand Seiko
References SBGW257, SBGW258 and SBGW259

Movement
Caliber 9S64
Driving system: manual-winding
Vibrations: 28,880 vibrations per hour (8 beats per second)
Accuracy: +5 to -3 seconds per day (when static)
Power reserve: 72 hours
Number of jewels: 24

Case and bracelet
Platinum 950 case and clasp (SBGW257)
18k yellow gold case and clasp (SBGW258)
Brilliant Hard Titanium case and clasp (SBGW259)
Crocodile strap with three-fold clasp with push button release
High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
See-through case back
Water resistance: 3 bar, Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 38.0mm, Thickness: 10.9mm

Price
Approximate recommended retail prices in Europe: €39,000 (SBGW257), €27,000 (SBGW258), €8,300 (SBGW259)