2015 Grand Seiko Spring Drive AJHH "Redflake" Limited SBGA129
Ref: SBGA129 (9R65-0BX0)
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 & Grand Seiko paperwork. It comes paired with its original Grand Seiko 19mm 3-link stainless steel bracelet and signed push button folding clasp with a polished and brushed finish. The watch is from May 2015 and is sold in worn condition; some marks may be seen; however, overall, the watch is in fair worn condition. A full case and bracelet refurb can be provided at an additional cost on request. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kAhuQaGsbUViiQFv4Z6Bdiki_GZy7b9z?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 4:16 - https://youtu.be/RL6FKmv4bh8
The Watch
Here we have a 2015 Grand Seiko Spring Drive AJHH "Redflake" Limited SBGA129, a limited edition of 369 pieces to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Association Japan de la Haute Horlogerie (AJHH). The impressively sculptured 39mm stainless steel case, created by craftsmen and women inspired by the mountainous region outside the window of their Shinshu Watch Studio, expertly brushed and Zaratsu polishing provides razor-sharp defined edges that curve over your wrist towards the tapered drilled lugs with a lug-to-lug of 46mm and a case thickness of 12.5mm giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. On the right side is a screw-down signed crown sitting slightly recessed, and a smooth bezel holds a flat sapphire crystal above a stunning white dial with a “Snowflake” textured pattern that resembles freshly drifted snow. Zaratsu polished facet-edged baton indexes mark the hours, and at 3 o’clock, a framed colour-matched date window. Elegant dauphine hands are Zaratsu polished with razor edges complemented by a tapered sweeping second hand and, between the 7 and 8, a power reserve with a red indicator. At 12 o’clock, an applied “Seiko”; at 6 o’clock, an applied “GS” “Grand Seiko” and a red “Spring Drive” complete this striking, sophisticated dial. On the reverse is a screwed-down exhibition case with the details Limited by (AJHH) Association Japan de la Haute Horlogerie. Inside a Spring Drive Grand Seiko Cal. 9R65, the innovative Spring Drive movement is mechanical but with an electromagnetic escapement regulated by a quartz oscillator. It has 30 jewels and a power reserve of an impressive 72 hours; its sole power source is a mainspring that drives a series of gears. A rotor connected to the end of these gears then generates a small electrical charge that activates an electronic circuit and quartz oscillator; therefore, there is no need for a battery. Expertly decorated to showcase the Côtes de Genève. It comes paired with its original Grand Seiko 19mm 3-link stainless steel bracelet and signed push button folding clasp with a polished and brushed finish. It comes with its Grand Seiko presentation box and papers.
Personal Note
As this watch hits the website I also have in stock the 2020 Grand Seiko Spring Drive AJHH "Red Snowflake" reference SBGA421, so to have this 2015 "Redflake" AJHH reference SBGA129 at the same time is incredibly special and not something I'll likely be able to do again. This model is a limited edition of 369 pieces to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Association Japan de la Haute Horlogerie (AJHH) and features the striking pop of red that simply elevates this watch. I would not hesitate to add this watch to your collection 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, and in 2017, Seiko announced that Grand Seiko would become an independent brand.