Two Grand Seiko sport watches capture the beauty of winter in Shinshu

The Spring Drive limited edition timepieces are introduced to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first Grand Seiko GMT watch and the 15th anniversary of the first chronograph watch.

Text: Press Photo: Grand Seiko

2002 saw the creation of Grand Seiko’s first GMT watch and, five years later, the first Spring Drive Chronograph was released. Both these technical developments received immediate acclaim and, ever since, have featured in a range of Grand Seiko creations of very different styles. Now, two Spring Drive limited edition timepieces are introduced that commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first Grand Seiko GMT watch and the 15th anniversary of the first chronograph watch. Both join the Grand Seiko Sport Collection and their dials take their design inspiration from the wintery snowscapes of the mountains that surrounds the studio where they are made, in Shinshu in central Japan.

Simple three in a row 32

The watches are as rugged as the Hodaka mountains that the Grand Seiko watchmakers can see from the Shinshu Watch Studio. The case and bracelet of the GMT version are in stainless steel while the GMT Chronograph version is made from high-intensity titanium. The dials capture the rough texture of the snow that can be seen high in the mountains in late winter and early spring, when strong winds carve unique patterns as they whip across the snow surface. the blue accents on both dials echo the bright blue color of the winter sky in Shinshu.

Both are powered by specially adjusted Spring Drive movements which offer an enhanced accuracy rate of ±10 seconds per month. Both feature a secure see-through case back through which can be seen the 18K gold Grand Seiko lion emblem which graces the oscillating weights as an indication of the enhanced accuracy.

The Spring Drive Chronograph

This is unquestionably one of the most accurate spring-powered movements in the world. This Spring Drive Chronograph measures elapsed time up to 12 hours with an accuracy of ±0.5 seconds per day. Thanks to the regulation system that is unique to Spring Drive, its accuracy remains at this high level even when the power reserve is low.

SBGC247 2
The accuracy remains at this high level even when the power reserve is low

Equally importantly, it measures elapsed time not to the nearest fraction of a second but exactly, thanks to the fact that the glide motion hands stop at the very instant that the button is pressed and not just at the nearest “tick”.

The Spring Drive GMT

This is the perfect traveler’s watch. Thanks to Grand Seiko’s unique Spring Drive technology, the seconds hand glides silently and smoothly, with no ‘tick’, across the dial, perfectly reflecting the natural and continuous flow of time. The power reserve is 72 hours when fully wound and is shown on the discreet indicator next to the eight o’clock marker. The GMT hand allows a second time zone to be shown and a third can also be displayed using the 24-hour bezel. The hour can be adjusted without compromising the accuracy.

SBGE275 dial
The hour hand is adjustable without the precision of the time being compromised

The GMT version will be available as a limited edition of 1,500 at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and selected Grand Seiko retailers worldwide in March 2022, while the Chronograph GMT version is a limited edition of 700 and will also be available at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and selected Grand Seiko retailers worldwide in February 2022.

SBGE275 lumibrite
Even in complete darkness, the time is clearly visible, thanks to the Lumibrite on the bezel, indexes and hour, minute and GMT hands

Sport Collection Grand Seiko Limited Editions

Sport Collection Grand Seiko GMT 20th Anniversary Limited Edition

Reference: SBGE275

Mechanism: Spring Drive GMT Caliber 9R16; Driving system: Automatic; Accuracy: ±10 seconds per month (±0.5 second per day); Power reserve: 72 hours; Number of jewels: 30

Case: Stainless steel case and bracelet; free-fold clasp with push button release; Dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
See-through screw case back. Screw-down crown; Water resistance: 20 bar; Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m; Diameter: 44.0mm. Thickness: 14.9mm

Limited edition: 1,500 pieces

Price: €7,400 (Approximate recommended retail price in Europe)

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Sport Collection Grand Seiko Chronograph 15th Anniversary Limited

Reference: SBGC247

Mechanism: Spring Drive Chronograph GMT Caliber 9R96; Driving system: Automatic; Accuracy: ±10 seconds per month (±0.5 second per day); Power reserve: 72 hours; Number of jewels: 50

Case: High-intensity titanium case and bracelet; Free-fold clasp with push button release; Dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating; See-through screw case back; Screw-down crown; Water resistance: 10bar; Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m; Diameter: 43.5mm; Thickness: 16.1mm

Limited edition: 700 pieces

Price: €11,100 (Approximate recommended retail price in Europe)

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