GS Watches in Ever-Brilliant Steel

Jan 27, 2022,05:16 AM
 

For over sixty years, advances in the fundamentals of watchmaking, precision, durability and beauty, have been of paramount importance to Grand Seiko. Movements are at the forefront, of course.

The Spring Drive Caliber 9RA5 and the Hi-Beat 36000 Caliber 9SA5 launched in 2020, provided a step forward in precision and overall performance. 

A new Spring Drive movement, Caliber 9RA2, was introduced in 2021, much like Caliber 9RA5, but with power reserve indicator on the back, and closer hand-to-dial clearance, it allows a slimmer case profile.

At the beginning of 2022, Grand Seiko introduces a limited edition featuring two watches featuring the recent Calibers 9SA5 and 9RA2 and enclosed in cases of Ever-Brilliant Steel*, more corrosion resistant and more durable than that commonly used in watches today. It has a brilliant white hue that enhances the beauty of the watch.

* This stainless steel has a PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) value 1.7 times higher than that of the grade of steel used in most high-end watches. PREN is a widely accepted standard used to measure corrosion resistance.

Ever-Brilliant is perfectly suited to the Grand Seiko Style, established in 1967 and whose 55th anniversary these two creations celebrate.




Both calibers deliver significant advances in performance, thanks to innovations that only a fully integrated manufacture could create. The Hi-Beat 9SA5 movement offers a power reserve of 80 hours while Caliber 9RA2 offers a power reserve of 120 hours with a precision rate of +/- 10 seconds per month. Remarkably, both movements are thinner than their existing counterparts and make possible slimmer cases that are true to the design principles of the Grand Seiko Style that was established with the celebrated 44GS.


Both timepieces share the same dial design which has a depth and a texture that attract the eye and take the imagination upwards towards the sky at night. The deeply etched pattern is that of the elliptical orbit of the stars as they move across the heavens. The sharp edges of the hour and minute hands provide a pleasing contrast with the gentle curves of the dial pattern. The gold-tone seconds hand extends right across the dial and its motion captures the serene passage of celestial time. The dial of the Hi-Beat version is blue, while the Spring Drive version is in dark gray.



The see-through sapphire crystal backs reveal the beautifully finished bridges and are clear evidence of the skilled craftsmanship of the two studios where the watches are made and hand assembled. 


The Hi-Beat creation is the work of the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, and its bridges reflect the Shizukuishi River, while the Shinshu Watch Studio is the home of the Spring Drive version and features Shinshu Frost Finish.




Grand Seiko Heritage Collection, The 44GS 55th Anniversary Limited Edition

Mechanical Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours  SLGH009 
Caliber 9SA5
Driving system: Automatic
Vibrations: 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second) 
Accuracy (mean daily rate):+5 to -3 seconds per day
Power reserve: 80 hours 
Number of jewels: 47
Diameter: 40.0mm
Thickness 11.7mm 

Specifications
Ever Brilliant Steel case and bracelet
Three-fold clasp with push button release
Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating 
See-through screw case back
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m

Approximate retail price in Europe: €10,500 
Limited edition of 550



Spring Drive 5 Days SLGA013
Caliber 9RA2
Driving system: Automatic
Accuracy: ±0.5 seconds per day (±10 seconds per month) 
Power reserve: 5 days (120 hours)
Number of jewels: 38
Diameter: 40.0mm
Thickness: 12.1mm 

Specifications
Ever Brilliant Steel case and bracelet
Three-fold clasp with push button release
Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating 
See-through screw case back
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Approximate retail price in Europe: €9,500 
Limited edition of 550


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Comments: view entire thread

 

Huh? They sure can find different years of anniversary for celebrations 😂

 
 By: Clueless_Collector : January 27th, 2022-05:24
I thought we just did 60, 90 or 140th? Do you have a timeline of Seiko, Grand Seiko, King Seiko, Presage, Spring Drive, Microartist, Credor, Turtle, Tuna and Samurai histories so no more surprises? Or are we even surprised? Sorry, had to do it…hehe.

LoL X)

 
 By: InHavenPro : January 27th, 2022-05:36

See new articles on “So Many GS”

 
 By: cazalea : January 27th, 2022-16:06
No timeline though, only retrospective …

Thank you for your service Mike.

 
 By: Clueless_Collector : January 27th, 2022-16:42

Interesting developments from GS …

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : January 27th, 2022-09:44
I particularly like the improved specification of the steel used in the case and the slimmer profile continues to be a welcome refinement. GS just need to be cautious with the pricing strategy.

I agree with both points

 
 By: MPP : January 27th, 2022-16:01
Definitely appreciate the slimmer cases, but I worry about the much higher prices we’ve seen recently. GS made its name (at least in the West) as high quality for its price point, which I generally think of as around $5000. Many of the new watches seem to... 

GS need to be careful 👍

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : January 27th, 2022-16:40

Well the in terms of quality their value proposition still remains unchanged.

 
 By: Pour le Mérite : January 29th, 2022-13:23
Their watches compete at the tip of the iceberg (dials and cases in particular) and still make Patek look way overvalued. What they lack are distinctive designs and brand recognition. As for a 40 mm dive watch I’d be thrilled to see it with their current ... 

Happy to see the 44GS case and the old hands back

 
 By: Credor : January 27th, 2022-15:55
Now the question is do we go for the new spring drive movement or the high beat movement? What are your thoughts? Which one would you choose? Purely from the movement side.