chmandaue
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Definition of the 9S5 case style using examples
At the invitation of @Cazalea to review and comment on his 2011 Gaggle of GS thread, I'd like to offer this definition of what counts as a 9S5 style case, and what isn't.
The 9S5 case debuted in 1998 with the SBGR001, which becomes the archetype by definition. Here's an official shot from a GS retrospective:
Then an annotated version
In which there are seven identified elements. There is an 8th necessary element not evident above, which is that the flat plan view of the case does not exhibit any concavity (let alone a kink). It is necessary to use another official GS photo to demonstrate this 'straight sides' feature, which I believe is in honor of the 44GS case design.
Now, I will compare this archetype with some GS watches of @Cazalea
The SBGA011 'Snowflake' fits all the points. The front view shows the no-concave straight sides, polished extending flank.
So deos the SBGR025, but I will use the back view to caution that from certain back views, the side will look concave as the lugs curve towards the camera. Just an optical delusion:
The SBGM001, which added the GMT function only 4 years after that R001, departs in the bezel and in adding crown guards, but keeps all the other elements. Importantly, the flanks still extend past the bezel. We might call this a 9GS-style case.
Now, onto GS cases which are not 9S5 nor even 9S5-style.
The SBGX039 may look similar, but the side bevel does not extend past the bezel. Lastly the bezel itself is a different angle, with a prominent undercut, not forming a smooth curve in profile with the rest of the watch.
The SBGF009 has not-quite-a-flank. It's close, aside from the crown guards and the bezel. This watch predates the R001 by 3 years.
In my survey of GS quartz, the 9S5-style cases first appeared in the SBGT029 of 2008, SBGX059 of 2010, SBGV021 of 2016, SBGN007 of 2018 and SBGP007 of 2018 all with 9F movements. They were never featured in the pre-9F models starting with SBGS, SBGG and SBGF.
Lastly, the manual-wind SBGWs are clearly different in case. If there's a later SBGW or SLGW in the 9S5 case, that would be something.
Not to say that non-9S5 is non-cool. Far from it!
Since the first Spring Drives adopted the 9S5(-style) case, I'll next tackle the "second" SBGA case design.
More posts:
Definition of the 9S5 case style using examples
At the invitation of @Cazalea to review and comment on his 2011 Gaggle of GS thread , I'd like to offer this definition of what counts as a 9S5 style case, and what isn't. The 9S5 case debuted in 1998 with the SBGR001, which becomes the archetype by defin...
Nice overview 👌🏻👍🏻
I need to check mine but I believe none of the six has the 9S5 case (maybe the SBGX097).
Very detailed analysis
Despite the fact that these are all my watches, I have to confess I don’t even understand all the design terminology, such as flank or facet. These factors never occurred to me. I was one of the first GS buyers in the US, and bought these GSs (used)...
No problem. I happen to think the movement is more important to a watch than the case.
(But I don’t think that everyone has to agree with that.)
Early Spring Drives
The first ever Seiko Spring Drive. I liked the innovative movement and the titanium material. I didn’t like the bracelet and its strap-proof design, so I sold it before realizing it was an historic piece. Comparison shot with two Brightz and my Flig...
I also think the SBGA001 was a first series GS Spring Drive,
as were SBGA003 (black dial) and SBGA005 (LE green dial). My basis is the fact that they were all launched in 2004. A year later were two retailer LEs (A007 and A009), then the SBGA011 Snowflake. All 9S5-style cases.
