The Grand Seiko Evolution Collection expands with 5 new sports watches – two Spring Drive GMT references, two Spring Drive Chronographs and a Diver.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
Grand Seiko Evolution Spring Drive GMT and Spring Drive Chronograph
Retail prices are as follows:
- Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection Spring Drive GMT 9R66: SBGE283/SGBE285 will have an approximate recommended retail price in Singapore: SGD 11,770.
- Grand Seiko Chronograph 15th Anniversary Limited Edition: SBGC249/SBGC251 will have an approximate recommended retail prices in Singapore: SGD 17,334 (SBGC249), SGD 16,050 (SBGC251). SBGC249 is a limited edition of 700 pieces.
- Spring Drive 5 Days Caliber 9RA5 Driving system: Automatic Power reserve: 5 days (120 hours): SLGA015 will have an approximate recommended retail price in Singapore: SGD 16,157.
All prices inclusive of GST.
Commentary
The Grand Seiko Evolution 9 series was introduced in 2021 with the Hi-Beat 36000 80 hours which won the Men’s Watch price in the 2021 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. This year, Grand Seiko adds to the Evolution 9 collection by expanding it with the addition of five new Spring Drive sport watches. Two feature a GMT caliber, two are GMT chronographs and the fifth is a 200m diver’s watch.
The Grand Seiko brand sees the Evolution 9 Collection as the blueprint for all future Grand Seikos, and as with many aspects of this grand old Japanese maison, it is steeped in the brand’s rich history. The collection draws its design code is a development from the original 44GS. The hands are larger than earlier renditions, and feature a groove which aligns to the groove of the hour marker indexes. The hands and indices continue to be faceted to catch light under different angles, and finished in the zaratsu high polish. The width of the lug to lug dimension is also increased to enable the use a larger leather strap.
It is thus interesting that the first additions to the Hi-Beat resident of the Evolution 9, comes the Spring Drive models. And a rather complete collection comprising of the two GMTs, two Chronographs and one Diver. One of the Chronographs is designated an Anniversary model, and is a limited edition of 700 pieces, and will carry a movement which is adjusted to a tighter tolerance of ±10 seconds per month with a modest price premium.
We do note that in the past 2 years Grand Seikos have released numerous “Anniversary” models, and numerous limited editions, and some analysists have expressed that market may be tired of these market control tactics. However, we argue that these watches are well received and this acceptance by collectors would testify the reverse. Prices of Grand Seiko watches have also steadily risen over the last few years, but market elasticity seem to be able to absorb it without any issues. Indeed this seems to be exactly what the market wants and demands.
Press Release information
While the pedigree of the Grand Seiko Style is unmistakably evident in every watch, the refine- ments of the Evolution 9 Style are also clear to see. The lugs are wider and the bracelets are more robust and, like the cases, have a low center of gravity to ensure that the watches sit comfortably and securely on the wrist. The hands are bolder and more clearly differentiated for even greater legibility and the numerals on the bezel are of a new font developed especially for the Evolution 9 Collection.
The cases and bracelets are made of high-intensity titanium, which is about 30% lighter than stainless steel and brighter in color. The hands and indexes are coated with sufficient Lumibrite to further enhance the legibility of the time at night. The crown guard is carefully designed to avoid being caught by sleeves in both sport activities and everyday use.
Spring Drive. The perfect way to experience the nature of time.
With its unique glide motion seconds hand, Spring Drive mirrors the continuous, silent and smooth passage of time. To watch the seconds hand move serenely and with no ‘tick’ across the dial is to be brought as close as is possible to the nature of time itself. This sense of being close to nature is enhanced in one of the two Spring Drive GMT watches by the light gray dial with an intricately textured pattern that is inspired by the morning mist in winter in the Shinshu region, often a harbinger of a sunny day. Shinshu is home to the studio where all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches are made.
Two Spring Drive GMT watches will be available in August at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and Grand Seiko retail partners worldwide.
The first of the two chronographs features a blue dial and is adjusted to achieve an enhanced accuracy rate of ±10 seconds per month in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph. It is offered as a limited edition of 700. In addition to the 12-hour chronograph, the watch also features a rotating bezel and a GMT hand to enable it to display a third time zone.
The second chronograph features a black dial and delivers an accuracy of ±15 seconds per month. In every other respect, it has the same design and specifications as the limited edition. The limited edition is available in June and the second version in July at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and Grand Seiko retail partners worldwide.
A 200m diver’s watch inspired by the Black Stream
The oceans that surround the Japanese archipelago are criss-crossed by water currents of great power. One such is the Kuroshio Current, also known as the Black Stream. It flows northwards past Japan towards the North Pacific and is one of the largest ocean streams in the world. The dynamic and sometimes violent tides caused by the Black Stream inspire the deep black color and richly textured surface of the dial of this new 200m diver’s watch.
Powered by Spring Drive Caliber 9RA5, it offers an accuracy rate of ±10 seconds per month and a 5 day power reserve. The inner section of the rotating bezel is in ceramic to protect the watch from being scratched. It will be available in August at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and selected Grand Seiko retail partners worldwide.
Technical Specifications
Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection Spring Drive GMT 9R66: SBGE283/SGBE285
Driving system: Automatic
Accuracy:±1 second per day (±15 seconds per month) Power reserve: 72 hours
GMT hand
Number of jewels: 30
Specifications
High-intensity titanium case and bracelet
Box-shaped 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: 41.0mm, Thickness: 13.9mm Three-fold clasp with push button release
Grand Seiko Chronograph 15th Anniversary Limited Edition: SBGC249/SBGC251
Spring Drive Chronograph GMT 9R96 (SBGC249) 9R86 (SBGC251) Driving system: Automatic
Power reserve: 72 hours
Accuracy: ±0.5 second per day (±10 seconds per month) (SBGC249)
±1 second per day (±15 seconds per month) (SBGC251) Chronograph up to 12 hours
Number of jewels: 50
Specifications
High-intensity titanium case and bracelet
Dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating Screw see-through case back, Screw-down crown
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 45.3mm,
Thickness: 15.8mm
Three-fold clasp with push button release
Limited edition of 700 (SBGC249)
Spring Drive 5 Days Caliber 9RA5 Driving system: Automatic Power reserve: 5 days (120 hours): SLGA015
Accuracy: ±0.5 seconds per day (±10 seconds per month)
Number of jewels: 38
Specifications
High-intensity titanium case and bracelet Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating Screw-down crown, screw case back
Water resistance: 200m diver’s Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 43.8mm,
Thickness: 13.8mm
Three-fold clasp with push button release, secure lock and extender
