2021 Grand Seiko Spring Drive Iwao “Katsu-Iro” Boutique SBGA469
Ref: SBGA469 (9R65-0EF0)
Specification
Lugs : 20mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : Manufacturer Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko box & Grand Seiko paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original Grand Seiko 20mm 5-link stainless steel bracelet and signed folding clasp with polished and brushed finishing. The watch is from December 2021 and is sold in worn condition, however as you can see from the photos the watch is in excellent condition. The watch comes with its Manufacturer's Warranty.
The Watch
Here we have a 2021 Grand Seiko Spring Drive Iwao “Katsu-Iro” which is an “Online Exclusive” from their Boutiques, the 40.5mm stainless steel is expertly Zaratsu-polished by a true craftsman, the case gently curves over your wrist tapering at the drilled lugs with a lug to lug length of 48.5mm and a case thickness of 12.5mm giving the watch a striking and impressive wrist presence. On the right side is a screw-down signed crown sitting slightly recessed, a smooth bezel holds a flat sapphire crystal above a stunning ‘Iwao’ dyed indigo “Katsu-Iro” dial. Inspired by the unique armour worn by Japanese Samurai warriors during the Sengoku period, this blue colour is a symbol of their bravery, the crystalline texture plays with the light as you rotate your wrist. Zaratsu polished trapezoid and chamfered-edged baton indexes mark the hours, at 3 o’clock a framed date window, elegant dauphine hands are Zaratsu polished with razor edges complemented by a tapered sweeping second hand, between the 7 and 8 a power reserve. At 12 o’clock a “GS” and a printed “Grand Seiko”, at 6 o’clock a white “Spring Drive” completes this striking dyed Indigo “Katsu-Iro” dial. On the reverse, is an exhibition case back, inside 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. The watch comes fitted on a Grand Seiko 20mm 5-link stainless steel bracelet and signed folding clasp with polished and brushed finishing and comes with its Grand Seiko presentation box and papers.
Personal Note
Another wonderful example of Grand Seiko demonstrating how delicately and intricately they can produce a dial, all to the highest standards and as mesmerising as they possibly can be. In some lights the dial looks jet black, in others, you catch the deep and textured blue that screams through the crystal and begs for attention. This is one to book an appointment and come to see for yourself, loupe the dial and fall in love just like we have.
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.