Description
About Grand Seiko SBGC253
Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph GMT Model Sport Collection
A Spring Drive Chronograph to honor the enduring emblem of Grand Seiko, the lion
A Spring Drive Chronograph that reveals the strength of the lion.
The imposing case design, which conveys the power of the lion, fits firmly in place on the wrist. Grand Seiko’s unique High-intensity titanium is used in the case and bracelet, making for a lightweight wearing experience and pure joy to wear. The motif of the lion’s mane comes to life on the bright white dial and combines with the wide indexes and hour hand to grant the watch a remarkably striking design. It communicates the power and courage of the lion and reminds us of our inner strength.
The SBGC253 Spring Drive Chronograph boasts features appropriate to a sports model, such as the Lumibrite coating on the indexes and hands, which aids nighttime legibility, and 20 bar of water resistance. Add to that the chronograph and GMT functions, which make this model such an incredibly useful sport watch and one to be reached for often. It’s also highly accurate, powered by the precise Caliber 9R86 Spring Drive movement, delivering an average precision of ±15 seconds per month (±1 second per day).
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 SBGC253 Features
Spring Drive chronograph inspired by the Grand Seiko lion
In 2019, Grand Seiko announced a limited edition sports watch design inspired by the lion, the enduring emblem of Grand Seiko since its inception in 1960. The lion reflected the ambition of the Grand Seiko team to make a watch that was as precise, durable, and beautiful as could be; in other words, their goal was to make the “king of watches.” With SBGC253, Grand Seiko reintroduces the lion design in the Sport Collection, now with a new dial and as a regular production model in the Sport Collection.
The strong and angular case has a beautiful blend of Zaratsu polishing and hairline finishing. It is crafted from High-Intensity Titanium, which is approximately 30% lighter than stainless steel and brighter in color. Thanks to its curved lugs and low center of gravity, coupled with the reduced weight of titanium, the case ensures a comfortable fit on the wrist.
The dial features a “lion’s mane” pattern that captures the beauty and strength of the lion. With its ivory-white textured pattern, the dial has a warm feel and a powerful impact as it reflects light from every angle.
SBGC253 is powered by Caliber 9R86, a Spring Drive chronograph GMT that delivers an accuracy of ±15 seconds per month and measures elapsed time up to 12 hours. The power reserve is 72 hours when fully wound and is shown on the indicator next to the eight o’clock marker.
- 50 jewels
- Date display
- Three-fold clasp with secure lock
- 24-hour hand (dual time display function)
- Chronograph with 30 minutes & 12 hours
- Power reserve indicator
- Calendar-linked time difference adjustment function
- Screw-down crown
- See-through screw case back
Grand Seiko SBGC253 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
