Description
About Grand Seiko SBGH347
Grand Seiko Mechanical Hi-Beat 36000 55 Hours Heritage Collection
A high-beat mechanical watch depicting the fantastic scenery of a frozen waterfall on its dial
This creation exhibits a new dial pattern while inheriting a classic Grand Seiko case design. The dial evokes a frozen waterfall that one might encounter in the dead of winter on Mount Iwate, the imposing peak visible from the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, home to Grand Seiko mechanical watchmaking. Such frozen waterfalls are a natural phenomenon, whereby the water flowing down from a waterfall gradually solidifies when the temperature drops below freezing. This fantastic scene is depicted on the dial through the dynamic and detailed pattern, as well as a unique bluish-white color. The movement is the Hi-Beat Caliber 9S85 with 10 beats per second, which grants stable precision by reducing variations in accuracy. The case, which is 37 mm in diameter, is made of Ever-Brilliant Steel, a material that boasts exceptional corrosion resistance.
Grand Seiko SBGH347 Features
A dynamic and detailed dial
The city of Hachimantai in Iwate Prefecture is the home of Nanataki, a 30-meter waterfall that originates from a stream that flows down Mt. Iwate. The dial represents this frozen waterfall, which creates massive icicles during the coldest time of the year. The new dial pattern and color illustrate the dynamism of the frozen Nanataki and the mysterious expressions found in the bluish-white hue of the ice.
Caliber 9S85
This high-frequency mechanical movement was developed by rethinking the parts that form the foundation of the watch’s precision, granting the level of torque necessary to maintain a high oscillation rate and realizing a practical power reserve of about 55 hours when fully wound.
- 37 jewels
- Date display
- See-through case back
- Screw-down crown
Grand Seiko SBGH347 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
