SBGJ021

Since its creation in 1960, every Grand Seiko watch has demonstrated a consistent commitment to the pure essentials of watchmaking. Precision, legibility, comfort and durability are the attributes that have always defined Grand Seiko, and always will. Now, these values find expression in a new Limited Edition watch featuring the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT caliber. It will be released worldwide this November.

The case and other key design elements are the same as those of the acclaimed model, SBGJ005, which won the “Petite Aiguille” award in the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2014. However, this new creation has a special dial and oscillating weight to express a new theme that evokes the landscape of the Iwate Prefecture in Northern Japan where the watch is made.

The design is a contemporary reinterpretation of the highly acclaimed 1967 44GS. It offers highly polished, distortion-free surfaces and perfect comfort on the wrist. The watch is the ideal companion for the international traveler, as it offers a dual time function; when you adjust the hour hand to a different time zone, the watch retains its high precision and the GMT hand continues to indicate your home country time.

The colors of sunrise on Mt. Iwate

Through the sapphire case-back glitters a specially designed oscillating weight made of titanium and tungsten. The titanium part of the oscillating weight is treated in an anodic oxidation* process that delivers a vivid gradation of the blue, purple, orange and yellow colors that make up the dawn light as it strikes Mt Iwate, the mountain that is visible through the wide windows of the Shizuku-ishi Watch Studio where all Grand Seiko mechanical watches are made. The rich colors on the oscillating weight are generated entirely by this oxidization treatment, not by coating or painting.

The titanium oscillating weight also delivers a notable advance in performance. Its strength and hardness resist the distortion that could result from the watch being subjected to severe shock. Titanium absorbs vibration ten times better than the widely used material of brass, thus reducing the risk of damage to the movement or bearings. Its high resistance to corrosion also ensures its durability and long-lasting beauty.

* Anodic oxidation treatment
This is a surface treatment in which metals are subjected to electrolysis so as to generate artificially an oxide film. Titanium oxide film produces color according to the light infraction index, enabling production of different colors by varying the thickness of the oxide film.

The deep red dial also evokes Mt. Iwate at dawn

The dial has a delicate and beautiful radial pattern that is inspired by the many ridged contours of Mt. Iwate. This special pattern is unique to Grand Seiko. The dial color echoes the deep red that is seen on clear mornings as the sun lights up Mt. Iwate.

Caliber 9S86. The classic series.

In addition to the Limited Edition, Grand Seiko presents the Hi-beat 36000 GMT caliber 9S86 in two new classic designs. Offered with crocodile straps, these two creations share not only the same caliber, but many of the same features, including a see-through case back, 10 bar water resistance and a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating.