2022 Grand Seiko Spring Drive "Tsuki Tenshin" Limited Edition SBGY009G
Ref: SBGY009G (9R31-0AG0)
Specification
Lugs : 19mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko box, swing tag & Grand Seiko paperwork. It comes paired with its original Grand Seiko 19mm leather strap secured by a signed push button buckle. The watch is from August 2022 and is sold in worn condition; as you can see from the photos, a full case and bracelet refurb can be provided at an additional cost. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13WNDpDIKz4iDpWs92_fO4Qlp6A4Bvsar?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 6:22 - https://youtu.be/RL6FKmv4bh8
The Watch
Here we have the amazing 2022 Grand Seiko Spring Drive "Tsuki Tenshin" SBGY009G Limited Edition to 768/1500 pieces, the impressively sculptured 40mm stainless steel case made from a Seiko proprietary stainless steel alloy they call Ever-Brilliant with hardening and brilliant shine properties, hence the name. A modern interpretation of their iconic 44GS of 1967, celebrating their 55th Anniversary, exquisitely polished and brushed surfaces curve over your wrist toward the flat-ended drilled lugs; the distinctive flanks lead to a lug-to-lug of 46mm and a case thickness of 10.5mm, giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. A signed crown sits slightly recessed on the right side, and a smooth chamfer-edged bezel holds a box-shaped sapphire crystal. The deep blue dial has a mesmerising sunburst effect inspired by "Tsuki Tenshin", the moment when the full moon is at its highest point in the sky above the Shinshu mountains; as you rotate your wrist, the dial sparkles and shimmers like a night sky, an outer minute track surrounds applied Zaratsu polished facet-edged batons with vertical brushed lines, elegant Dauphine hands are Zaratsu polished with razor edges complemented by a gold-toned tapered sweeping second hand. At 12 o’clock, a gold-toned “GS” and printed “Grand Seiko” underneath, and at 6 o’clock “Spring Drive” completes this distinctive versatile timepiece. On the reverse, we have a screw-down exhibition case back, the details of the watch engraved around the edge and the limited number, inside a manual-winding Spring Drive Grand Seiko Cal. 9R31, this innovative Spring Drive movement released in 2019 to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the first Spring Drive; this 30-jewel manual wind spring drive movement has been designed and developed at the Shinshu Watch Studio in Japan; it has a Dual-Spring Barrel with two mainsprings set in parallel within a single barrel to achieve its long power reserve, which has a scale on the movement, keeping the incredible dial uncluttered and the movement has hacking for your convenience. The high torque movement has 200 components and is Grand Seiko's second thinnest movement, expertly decorated with blued screws. It comes paired with its original Grand Seiko 19mm leather strap secured by a signed push button buckle and comes with its Seiko presentation box, swing tag and papers.
Personal Note
The beautiful limited edition Grand Seiko Spring Drive "Tsuki Tenshin", reference SBGY009G, featuring the striking deep blue dial has a mesmerising sunburst effect inspired by "Tsuki Tenshin", the moment when the full moon is at its highest point in the sky above the Shinshu mountains, there's always a wonderful story with a Grand Seiko. I find this 40mm SBGY case one of the most comfortable on the wrist, sitting surprisingly flat and low to the wrist. This is definitely one to see and try on in the metal if you can, so don't hesitate to book an appointment today!
The Brand
The first Grand Seiko debuted in Tokyo in 1960; the reference 3180 was made by Suwa Seikosha. Rather than sending its 25 Jewels Chronometer movement to the Swiss to be tested, Seiko decided to do the testing themselves; the European Chronometer Official Association believed that a chronometer-rated watch had to be independently tested to be awarded that designation. Seiko watches were not independently tested, so they could not be chronometers. The ECOA did what irritated watchmakers did; they wrote a stern letter to Seiko requesting that the designation of Chronometer on Grand and King Seiko watches stop. Seiko obliged and ceased using the "Chronometer" on their watches. In response, the Japanese Chronometer Authorization Association was started in 1968 as an independent group to test timepieces to chronometer standards; the Association was short-lived: due to the rise of quartz watches, it closed in 1983. Today, Grand Seiko movements are tested over 17 days in 6 positions compared to COSC testing over 15 days in 5 positions. In 1985, Suwa Seikosha became Seiko Epson Corporation; in 2017, Seiko announced that Grand Seiko would become an independent brand.