Description
About Grand Seiko SBGW293
Grand Seiko Heritage Collection
A slim, mid-size re-interpretation of the 44GS with a brown sunray pattern dial
SBGW293 is a 36.5 mm modern re-interpretation of the original 44GS design. With its sharp, diamond cut indexes and hands and a clean, open sunray pattern dial, this classic dress watch offers all the essential characteristics of Grand Seiko at their most pure. This watch is the smallest 44GS design in the Grand Seiko collection and it sits easily and elegantly on the wrist thanks to slimness of the manual winding Caliber 9S64.
The Grand Seiko Style that the 1967 44GS embodied has nine separate elements that govern the design of every detail of the watch, from the angle of the case to the shape of the 12 o’clock index and the flatness of the dial. All are clearly in evidence here and contribute to the special “sparkle of quality” that defines Grand Seiko. Every facet of the case, the hands and the indexes is designed to reflect even the smallest ray of light and to create countless combinations of light and shadow that change at each new angle. The Zaratsu polished mirror surfaces and hairline finishes combine perfectly. This is the crisp, clear and unique aesthetic that says “This is Grand Seiko”.
In 1967, a new watch was added to the Grand Seiko Collection that was destined to become one of its defining creations. It was the 44GS, the first watch to embody the Grand Seiko Style, a design grammar comprising the nine principles that gave Grand Seiko its distinctive look and that still today, 55 years later, inspire each new creation.
About 9S Mechanical
In 1968, Grand Seiko introduced Japan’s first automatic 10-beat watch (61GS) to the world.
In 2009, 10-beat Caliber 9S85 surpassed the original, with high precision parts created using sophisticated modern technology assembled with skills honed over the many decades of Grand Seiko’s watchmaking.
Innovations to the precision controlling mainspring, the hairspring, and the escapement mean that the 9S Mechanical is not simply a revival of the 10-beat movement of the past, but an entirely new incarnation of this high-precision movement.
Grand Seiko SBGW293 Features
- 24 jewels
- Fixed stainless steel bezel
- Screw-down crown
- Solid screw case back
- Buckle clasp
- Stop seconds function
Grand Seiko SBGW293 History
Prior to 1960, to challenge the status of Swiss watches and change the perception of Japanese watches, Daini Seikosha and Suwa began the discussion of a product line that can match the quality of Swiss watches under the suggestion of the parent company. At the time, Suwa Seikosha Co. was in charge of manufacturing men’s watches, so it was decided that Suwa would be producing the first Grand Seiko (GS).
The first Grand Seiko was released in 1960, it was based on Seiko’s previous high-end watch, CROWN. This Grand Seiko has a 25-jewel, manual-winding, 3180 caliber, and only 36,000 units were produced. This was also the first chronometer-grade watch manufactured in Japan, and it was based on Seiko’s own chronometer standard.
Design style
The design language of the Grand Seiko was set in 1967, with the creation of Grand Seiko 44GS. The 44GS set the ground for all future Grand Seiko with nine elements. These elements help improve the legibility of the watch under different situations, and create a sharp, crisp visual impression:
- Double width index at 12 o’clock
- Multi-faceted rectangular markers
- Highly polished bezel
- Highly polished planes and two-dimensional surface
- Half recessed crown
- Flat dial
- Multi-faceted hour and minute hands
- Curved side line
- Reverse slanted bezel wall and case side
- Dress style with simple but beautiful design
- Zaratsu polishing
source : wikipedia
