Description
About Grand Seiko SBGA497
Grand Seiko Pink Snowflake Caliber 9R 20th Anniversary Heritage Collection Limited Edition
A limited edition with a dial capturing the beauty of sunrise against a snow-covered Hotaka mountain range
This limited edition commemorates the 20th anniversary of Grand Seiko’s original Spring Drive movement, Caliber 9R, which was created in 2004.
It also features the celebrated ‘snowflake’ patterned dial that debuted the following year, in 2005. This timepiece won the hearts of watch fans worldwide with its beautifully textured dial and its representation of Grand Seiko’s respect for the natural world. The new creation’s dial features a pink gradation that vividly captures the beauty of a sunrise against the snow-covered Hotaka mountain range in Nagano Prefecture, where all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches are made. Combined with the unique glide motion of the Spring Drive seconds hand, the dial captures the tranquil, seamless, and indeed natural passage of time.
The case and bracelet are made of high-intensity titanium, which is about 30% lighter and more scratch resistant than stainless steel to maximize comfort and durability.
Limited edition of 1,500 pieces.
About Spring Drive
Spring Drive is Seiko’s exclusive movement that achieves an unprecedented level of accuracy (+/- 15 seconds per month on average, equivalent to +/- 1 second per day) by regulating a spring-driven watch with state-of-the-art electronic technology that functions without batteries or other external power source.
As in conventional mechanical watches, the sole power source of Spring Drive is a mainspring that can be wound by the motion of an oscillating weight or by winding the crown. And just as in mechanical watches, the mainspring drives a series of gears that rotate the hour, minute and second hands. A rotor, connected to the end of these gears, generate a small electrical charge that activates an electronic circuit and quartz oscillator.
The Tri-synchro regulator is a unique speed controller for Spring Drive that replaces the escapement, which is a mechanical speed control device used in almost all conventional mechanical watches. The Tri-synchro regulator moves the second hand in a smooth motion, without ticking and with extreme accuracy.
Some 80% of the components in a Spring Drive caliber are the same as those in a luxury mechanical watch. Spring Drive is a movement powered by a spring, just like a mechanical watch, with a different kind of regulator and combines the long-lasting autonomy of a mechanical watch with the precision that, until now, only electronic watches could provide.
To ensure reliable and accurate operation, all these parts need to be manufactured to the highest standards of precision, and assembling them requires superior craftsmanship.
The development of the Spring Drive movement caliber 9R was made possible because Seiko is one of the very few manufactures with expertise in both mechanical and quartz watches.
Since the first Grand Seiko Spring Drive in 2004, new movements have been created with even more complex mechanisms–including the GMT in 2005 and chronograph with GMT in 2007. Showing that with the Spring Drive caliber 9R, time never loses momentum.
Grand Seiko SBGA497 Features
A radiant tribute to 20 years of 9R Spring Drive
Commemorating two decades of 9R, the Grand Seiko SBGA497 is a limited edition that draws inspiration from the enchanting winter mornings near the Hotaka Peaks. Peer through the dual curve sapphire crystal to witness the intricate details of the dial. The pink gradation “snowflake” pattern mirrors the snowy landscape bathed in the morning sun, offering a captivating visual journey throughout the day.
Crafted in High-Intensity Titanium, this timepiece features dimensions that exude a perfect blend of form and function: a 41mm diameter, 12.5mm thickness, and a length of 49mm, ensuring a commanding yet elegant presence on the wrist.
At the heart of this exceptional timepiece is the 9R65 Caliber, a Spring Drive movement that operates automatically and achieves an accuracy of ±1 second per day or ±15 seconds per month on average.
Dial
SBGA497 captures the serene winter morning setting near Shinshu, the homeplace of Spring Drive. The pink gradation dial is reminiscent of the morning sun on the snowy surface of Hotaka’s Peaks and symbolizes the changing morning scenery, with the dial’s subtle color shifts representing the snow-covered surface illuminated by the morning sun. The power reserve hand and Grand Seiko logo mirror the tones of dawn.
Case and Clasp
Crafted from high-intensity titanium, the 41mm diameter case is 12.5mm thick and 49mm from lug to lug, ensuring durability and a refined aesthetic. The case is complemented by a high-intensity titanium bracelet secured with a three-fold clasp.
Case Back and Movement
Powering the timepiece is the Spring Drive 9R65 Caliber, a self-winding marvel with 30 jewels. It offers approximately 72 hours of power reserve and an accuracy of ±1 seconds per day and ±15 seconds per month on average.
SBGA497 is a limited edition of 1,500.
Caliber 9R65
Caliber 9R65 was created as Grand Seiko’s first 9R Spring Drive movement. It boasts a power reserve of 72 hours.
- 30 jewels
- LIMITED EDITION on the case back
- Serial number engraved on the case back
- See-through screw case back
- Screw-down crown
- Allergy-safe metal
- Power reserve indicator
- Sapphire crystal
- Date display
Grand Seiko SBGA497 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
