Description
About Grand Seiko SBGR325
Grand Seiko Caliber 9S 25th Anniversary Limited Edition Heritage Collection
As Caliber 9S turns 25, a new limited edition channels the wondrous sky above Mt. Iwate
As the new millennium was approaching, a new mechanical movement arrived at Grand Seiko.
The first model to be powered by the revolutionary 9S caliber of 1998 was the SBGR001, a watch that embodied all the traditions and innovations that the Japanese watchmaker had accumulated since the first Grand Seiko in 1960. To mark 25 years of this landmark caliber, Grand Seiko has created a limited edition that pays tribute to a critical chapter in its history and its technical progression. The new SBGR325 symbolizes the evolution of the 9S family over its quarter-century lifespan. Through its discrete form and its high precision, it channels the very first 9S-powered watch and instantly calls to mind the early days of the revolutionary automatic caliber inside. The watch’s sky-blue dial evokes the daytime sky as seen from the top of Mt. Iwate, transporting wearers to Iwate Prefecture, the home of Grand Seiko mechanical watchmaking and the place where 9S movements are made. The see-through case back reveals an equally beautiful oscillating weight in Grand Seiko Blue whose eye-catching appearance was achieved through anodic oxidation. It winds the caliber 9S65 and enables the limited edition to run for 72 hours between winding and wear. Created by the skilled artisans of the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, the new 9S 25th anniversary limited edition measures 37.0 mm, the same diameter as the SBGR001 that introduced the world to the 9S family of calibers.
Limited edition of 1,200 pieces.
Grand Seiko SBGR325 Features
- 35 jewels
- LIMITED EDITION on the case back
- Serial number engraved on the case back
- Case back with lion emblem
- Date display
- See-through case back
Grand Seiko SBGR325 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
