Grand Seiko celebrates GMT 20th anniversary and Chronograph 15th anniversary with two new watches.
To mark the 20th and 15th anniversary of its first GMT and Spring Drive Chronograph respectively, Grand Seiko has just released two commemorative limited editions whose design is inspired by the winter snowscapes of Shinshu.
Both watches come in robust cases measuring around 44mm in diameter, and while the GMT version is offered with a stainless steel case and bracelet, the GMT Chronograph version is offered in high-intensity titanium. Both watches come with textured white/silver dials that try to reflect the unique patterns in the snow produced by the wind, as well as blue accents that mirror the blue sky of Shinshu winters. Inside, both are equipped with Spring Drive movements that offer accuracy of ±10 seconds per month and can be seen through the case back, where the 18K gold Grand Seiko lion emblem engraved on the oscillating weights stands out.
As for the Spring Drive Chronograph, it measures elapsed time, up to 12 hours with high accuracy (±0.5 seconds per day) even when the power reserve is low. On its busy dial, we can find a 30-minute counter at 2, a 12-hour counter at 4 and a small seconds at 9 o’clock, and additionally a date window at 3 and a power reserve indicator at 7 o’clock. As mentioned above, this is a limited edition, which will be available in a total of 700 units.
In Spring Drive GMT, the second-hand glides silently and smoothly, it’s also notable the generous layer of Lumibrite distributed along the bezel, indexes and hour, minute and GMT hands guaranteeing a perfect reading of the time even in conditions of reduced visibility. Finally, and unlike the chronograph version, it comes with a clean dial, only interrupted by a discreet date window at 4 and a power reserve indicator at 8 1/2 o’clock. Just 1,500 units will be made available worldwide.
The watches will be available in the brand’s official boutiques and in some selected retailers from February and March for €7,400 and €11,100 respectively.
Read more here.
General Specifications:
Brand: Grand Seiko
Model: Sport Collection Grand Seiko GMT 20th Anniversary Limited Edition, Sport Collection Grand Seiko Chronograph 15th Anniversary Limited Edition
Reference: SBGE275, SBGC247
Dial: White/silver
Lume: Lumibrite
Case Material: Stainless steel (SBGE275), titanium (SBGC247)
Case Dimensions: 44 mm diameter x 14.90 thickness (SBGE275), 43.50 mm diameter x 16.10 thickness (SBGC247)
Crystal: Sapphire Glass
Case Back: Sapphire Glass
Water Resistance: 200 meters (SBGE275), 100 meters (SBGC247)
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet (SBGE275), titanium bracelet (SBGC247) with three-fold clasp with push-button release
Caliber: 9R16 (SBGE275), 9R96 (SBGC247)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, power reserve indicator, GMT, chronograph (SBGC247)
Winding: Automatic
Jewels: 30 (SBGE275), 50 (SBGC247)
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Price: € 7,400 (SBGE275), € 11,100 (SBGC247)
Limited Edition: Yes, 1,500 pieces (SBGE275), 700 pieces (SBGC247)