The year was 1960 in the cold month of December that a group of Seiko's finest watchmakers took upon themselves to create the best watch that they could possibly make. An attempt to develop the “king” of watches led the team to give birth to Grand Seiko. 60 years later, Grand Seiko has established itself as one of the most ambitious and worthy watch brand of the world. They have been at the helm of technological innovation, masterful craftsmanship and enjoyed the summit of watchmaking art for a long time. Marking its 60th birthday in 2020, Grand Seiko is in full swing to celebrate its anniversary with renewed energy and technological advancements.
Kicking off the yearlong celebration, Grand Seiko releases four new timepieces which includes two quartz models, a women's automatic watch and a uniquely crafted Heritage watch powered by a hi-beat automatic movement. Created with the signature blue Grand Seiko dial, here is a rundown of the first of many more launches to come in the upcoming year.
Grand Seiko Heritage Hi-Beat 36000 Limited Edition (SBGH281)
The brand describes it as a “quintessentially Grand Seiko” watch and we could not agree more. The Heritage Hi-Beat 36000 Limited Edition features a familiar aesthetic that pays tribute to the famous 44GS circa 1967 timepiece that established the first ever expression of the Japanese Grand Seiko Style. The timepiece is powered by the high-beat Calibre 9S84 that offers an accuracy of +5 to -3 seconds a day and clocks in a power reserve of 55 hours. Adding more to the celebration is the signature blue dial that houses the Grand Seiko logo (GS) in gold and the seconds hand including the lower dial text in red that when combined symbolises sunrise and the hope and aspiration a new dawn brings.
Technical Specifications:
Name: Heritage Collection Hi-Beat 36000 Limited Edition
Movement:Caliber 9S85, Automatic, 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second), accuracy of +5 to -3 seconds per day (when static), 55 hours, 37 jewels
Case:Stainless steel case, high definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, see-through screw case back, screw-down crown
Dial: Blue
Water resistance: 10 bar, Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 40.0mm, Thickness: 13.3mm
Strap options: Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button release
Price:INR 4.91 lakh (approx.)
Limited edition: 1,500 pieces
Grand Seiko Elegance Collection Women’s Automatic Limited Edition (STGK015)
The second automatic watch of the 60th Anniversary Limited Editions, the Elegance women's watch is an elegant timepiece available in a 27mm steel case with a diamond-studded (45 diamonds) bezel and diamond markers that work beautifully against the deep blue dial. Powered by the in-house 9S27 automatic movement, the timepiece exudes technical mastery along with definite and graceful aesthetics.
Technical Specifications:
Name: Elegance Collection Women’s Automatic Limited Edition
Movement:Calibre 9S27, Automatic, 28,800 vibrations per hour (8 beats per second), Accuracy of +8 to -3 seconds per day (when static), 50 hours, 35 jewels
Case: Stainless steel case with 56 diamonds (0.48 carat), high definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, see-through screw case back
Dial: Blue with diamond hour markers
Water resistance: 10 bar, Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 27.8mm, Thickness: 11.2mm
Strap options: Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button release
Price:INR 7.83 lakh (approx.)
Limited edition: 300 pieces
Grand Seiko Heritage Collection Quartz Limited Edition (SBGP007)
A special iteration of an existing model, the Grand Seiko Heritage trades the automatic movement of the original with a new and improved quartz movement that offers accuracy of the highest level. What also makes this timepiece very special is the insertion of an additional function that allows the watch to independently adjust the hour hand without stopping the seconds. Aesthetically, the timepiece is set with the signature blue dial textured with a 2020 motif. This blue colour of the dial plays a beautiful contrast against the 40mm stainless steel case. The finishing touch to the timepiece comes in the shape of a gold five-pointed star placed immaculately on the textured blue dial.
Technical Specifications:
Name: Heritage Collection Quartz Limited Edition
Movement:Caliber 9F85, accuracy of ±5 seconds per year (at temperatures between 5C and 35C), time difference adjustment function, 9 jewels
Case: Stainless steel case, high definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, screw case back with 18k yellow gold plate
Dial: Blue
Water resistance: 10 bar, Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 40mm, Thickness: 10.8mm
Strap options: Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button release
Price:INR 3.08 lakh (approx.)
Limited edition: 2500 pieces
Sport Collection Quartz Limited Edition (SBGP015)
The final watch in the collection is a classic sporty timepiece that is perhaps one of the most contemporary and well-rounded watch of the new releases. Bringing home its recent wave of introducing modern timepieces, the Sport Collection Limited Edition features a blocky and angular 40mm steel case featuring the now obvious bold blue dial. However, unlike the rest of the watches, this one features a ceramic bezel that the brands has perfected in its earlier models. With such fantastic functions and overall design, the watch embodies the brand moving forward with a sporty persona dedicated to adventure lovers and risk seekers.
Technical Specifications:
Name: Sport Collection Quartz Limited Edition
Movement: Calibre 9F85, accuracy of ±10 seconds per year (at temperatures between 5C and 35C), time difference adjustment function
Case: Stainless steel case, high definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, screw-down crown, screw case back, ceramic bezel
Dial: Blue
Water resistance: 20 bar, Magnetic resistance: 16,000 A/m
Diameter: 40.0mm, Thickness: 12.4mm
Strap options: Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button release
Price:INR 3.08 lakh (approx.)
Limited edition: 2000 pieces
All watches will be available in India this month. For more details, visit www.grandseiko.in