2016 Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Limited Edition SBGJ021
Ref: SBGJ021 (9S86-00E0)
Specification
Lugs : 19mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko box and Grand Seiko paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original 19mm Seiko stainless steel bracelet with a signed folding clasp. The watch is from December 2016 and is in great condition, a full case and bracelet refurb can be provided at an additional cost. The watch comes with our 12-Months Warranty.
The Watch
Here we have a 2016 Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ021 with a 40mm stainless steel case, Limited Edition of 500 which ours is number 34. The gentle curve of the case ends with exquisite brushed and polished tapered drilled lugs, a lug-to-lug length of 46.5mm and a case thickness of 14mm gives the watch an impressive wrist presence. On the right side is a screw-down signed crown sitting slightly recessed, a smooth bevel-edged polished bezel holds a flat sapphire crystal. The rich deep red dial is inspired by Mount Iwate situated near their Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio in Japan, in the morning light, the mountain glows a striking red, and an outer 24-hour chapter ring surrounds the minute track with Zaratsu polished indexes. At 3 o’clock a framed date window, and elegant dauphine hands are Zaratsu polished with razor edges, and an orange arrow hand indicates the 24-hour position. At 12 o’clock an applied “Seiko” at 6 o’clock and applied “GS” with Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT printed underneath. On the reverse, we have a screw-down exhibition case back, inside an automatic Grand Seiko Cal. 9S86, 37 jewels, 36,000 beats per hour. Pulling the crown out to its first position enables the hour hand to be adjusted without stopping the minutes or the second hand so that the accuracy is not compromised. Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology is used to fabricate its precision parts, the oscillating weight is made from titanium and tungsten which is heat-treated in an oxidation process to achieve the striking combinations of colours that reflect the dawn colours over Mount Iwate. The watch comes fitted on its original Seiko 19mm polished and brushed stainless steel bracelet with a signed folding clasp and comes with its Seiko presentation box and papers.
Personal Note
For me this is one of my favourite Grand Seiko's that they have released, the deep red dial truly is mesmerising and when caught in the right light it pops! The rotor is also incredible, all hidden and only visible to you. Then add the fact this is from the period where they still had Seiko stated on the dial making this watch stealth to those who don't know and even cooler to those who do know.
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 therefore they could not be chronometers. The ECOA did what irritated watchmakers do, 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 "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.