2019 Grand Seiko Hi-Beat ‘Whirlpool’ Limited Edition SBGH267G
Ref: SBGH267G (9S85-01G0)
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 & Grand Seiko paperwork. It comes paired with its original 19mm polished and brushed stainless steel Grand Seiko bracelet with a signed butterfly clasp, all links included. The watch is from February 2019 and is sold in worn condition; however, as you can see from the photos, the watch is in very fair condition. The watch comes with our 12-Months Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GIF3ensdJXqDjG2ICg1wg2Bma8Dx5mHp?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 18:12 - https://youtu.be/pgZb7Yi2t_E
The Watch
Here we have a 2019 Grand Seiko Hi-Beat ‘Whirlpool’ Limited Edition SBGH267G launched to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Grand Seiko calibre 9S. In 1998, it was the first mechanical movement made by Grand Seiko in 40 years. Limited to 1500 pieces, ours is number 1107. The 39.5mm stainless steel is expertly Zaratsu-polished by a true craftsman, and the case gently curves over your wrist, tapering at the lugs with a lug-to-lug length of 47mm and a case thickness of 12.5m, giving the watch a striking and impressive wrist presence. On the right side is a recessed screw-down signed crown. A polished, sloping, smooth bezel holds a sapphire crystal above a deep blue dial. This dial has the letters of Grand Seiko and the symbol of the Daini Seikosha factory (known today as Seiko Instruments Inc.) in an interesting “Whirlpool” engraved pattern. The outer minute track has applied Zaratsu-polished batons with crisp chamfered edges that catch the light as you rotate your wrist. At 3 o’clock, we have a framed date window. Elegant dauphine hands have Zaratsu-polished edges complemented by a sweeping second hand of gold. At 12 o’clock, you find the “GS” motif in gold with Grand Seiko underneath; at 6 o’clock, Automatic Hi-Beat 36000 is precisely printed. On the reverse, a screw-down exhibition case, inside a Grand Seiko automatic Cal. 9S85, 37 jewels, 36,000 beats per hour. This 10-beat movement has incredible accuracy and is made with new materials like Spron 610 alloy used in its hairspring, which took 5 years to develop. This movement has an anodised titanium and tungsten rotor in a striking blue, which can be similarly found on the 10th Anniversary GMT Grand Seiko. The movement went through its in-house testing in 6 positions and in varying temperatures before the movement was passed. It comes paired with its original 19mm polished and brushed stainless steel Grand Seiko bracelet with a signed butterfly clasp; all links are included and it comes with its Grand Seiko presentation box and papers.
Personal Note
The Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 'Whirlpool', reference SBGH267G, a limited edition of 1,500 pieces worldwide and an instant hit among collectors and still is today after nearly 7 years. It is not hard to see why it has been so successful, the dial is mesmerising to look at and only gets better the closer you look, made up of letters of Grand Seiko and the symbol of the Daini Seikosha factory in a “Whirlpool” engraved pattern. Plus, we cannot forget the Hi-Beat Calibre 9S85 powering the watch with its anodised titanium and tungsten rotor. I would not hesitate to book an appointment to see this wonderful watch in person for yourself, but be warned, you just may walk out with it on your wrist!
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 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.