"watch that would be as precise, durable, comfortable and beautiful as humanly possible"

Mar 05, 2020,08:50 AM
 

You asked for it -- Thinnner 38 x 11mm, Manual wind, No Date, Deployant Clasp, Sapphire Caseback


60th anniversary of Grand Seiko is marked by the re-creation of the 1960 original! 

The date was December 18, 1960. For some time, a determined team in Seiko’s Suwa facility in central Japan had been working on the creation of a watch that would be as precise, durable, comfortable and beautiful as humanly possible. On that day, the result of all their efforts was released. It was 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 takes its permanent place in the collection.

Slim, precise and loyal to its heritage
The re-creation is presented 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 deployant clasp makes the watch easy to wear.

Three different materials are used. The case in the platinum version is in Platinum 950 and the dial carries 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 is in 18k yellow gold, as are the hour markers. 

The third 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.

A sapphire case back reveals the beauty of the movement’s finishing.


Hour and minute hands are carefully bent to follow the contours of the dual-curved sapphire crystal.


All three 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.

SBGW257 in Platinum €39,000  


SBGW258 in Yellow Gold €27,000



SBGW259 in Brilliant Hard Titanium €8,300 


Re-creations of the first Grand Seiko are NOT LIMITED but PERMANENT in the collection
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

Specifications
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


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The platinum is so stealthy but the titanium/blue dial is my favorite.

 
 By: DarrenKats : March 5th, 2020-09:03
Can't wait to see them in the metal.

I like the titanium one best as well

 
 By: cazalea : March 5th, 2020-09:24
Might have to check my bank account ...

I cannot look at these without thinking that this has been done before, twice, and in limited editions.

 
 By: Jay (Eire) : March 5th, 2020-18:45
Yes, those previous runs were slightly different but doing this again just doesn’t seem right. GS of course is not alone in this, but it’s annoying nonetheless. (I don’t own any of the previous LEs)

They look like the Seiko 130th anniversary

 
 By: cazalea : March 5th, 2020-20:04
The one I bought on my 60th birthday. But this is SS case, solid case back, different color dial, same movement, and almost a decade ago. What can you do? Cazalea ...  

Yep, this is getting repetitive

 
 By: Blourenco : March 7th, 2020-13:35
3rd time in a few years and it’s not limited. Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan and own a an example of the first re-edition, but this just seems kinda lame pushing on the same old strings from GS in terms of concept, even though the execution still good. An... 

I’m a big fan of the original reedition as it’s more my size and more consistent with my vintage GS collection.

 
 By: Jay (Eire) : March 7th, 2020-17:25
But yeah, it’s just a kick in the face for those that scrambled for the last Limited Edition, and the Limited Edition before that.

The titanium speaks most strongly to me...

 
 By: KMII : March 6th, 2020-00:20
But of course the platinum is spectacular, too

Am I correct that SBGW 251

 
 By: CL : March 22nd, 2020-15:49
and SGBW257 are both identical platinum watch except that the 1) latter is not a limited edition, 2) has sapphire crystal back and 3) more expensive? Current Seiko is no longer the same as the old Seiko. It is a pity. Still, they make great watches due to... 

You have described the features correctly

 
 By: cazalea : March 22nd, 2020-16:12
How we view the company is a matter of opinion. If they have “sold their soul” we will eventually know... or maybe we are getting hints of it now. But they can’t grow based on our purchases- you and I don’t buy enough watches (even though we’ve tried). Ca... 

It really depends what is the idea of grow...

 
 By: CL : March 22nd, 2020-17:04
they had in the past did splendidly well, even without the international market. Seiko is a small entity in a huge corporation, iirc. If they remain the same spirit when it started, their future will definitely be amazing, They do not need all the boutiqu... 

Started to go downhill when they took out the Seiko logo on top..

 
 By: Echi : March 22nd, 2020-19:35
As you said, they're great watches still but a little magic got lost along the way.

Yes, I think you just nailed it.

 
 By: CL : March 22nd, 2020-19:47
When they stop believing themselves as Seiko and think Grand Seiko is the brand the world adores. Maybe true but it starts to lose the allure and the mystery. Still, I am still very proud of my Grand Seiko

Esp on those rice beads bracelet..

 
 By: Echi : March 22nd, 2020-19:53
I could kick myself for not buying the old GMT ivory dial a few years ago in Kyoto.. along with a SBGW031 that surfaced locally but didn't give too much thought at the time thinking Seiko-G/S would always be around. I got a bit sad when they decided to go... 

I’m happy that I got into GS

 
 By: cazalea : March 22nd, 2020-20:48
Just because I’ve got to meet (virtually) great watch collectors like you guys. Cazalea