2022 Grand Seiko Heritage Spring Drive Shunbun Pink SBGA413
Ref: SBGA413 (9R65-0DG0)
Specification
Lugs : 21mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Titanium
Warranty : Manufacturer's Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko box, swing tag & Grand Seiko paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original Grand Seiko 21mm, Titanium bracelet, expertly brushed and polished with a push-button release three-fold clasp, all links included. The watch is from April 2022 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 its original Manufacturer's Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sgu_OhxIKjZx6yvgaEzhNkk9eA20oYnx?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 8:39 - https://youtu.be/ll3JzXUjG04
The Watch
Here we have a 2022 Grand Seiko Heritage Spring Drive Shunbun Pink SBGA413, part of their Japanese Seasons collection and inspired by the 24 seasons in Japan, the 40mm Titanium case has been expertly polished for an exquisite finish, and a subtle curve of the drilled lugs sits perfectly on the wrist, and a lug-to-lug length of 46.5mm and a case thickness of 12.5mm give the watch an impressive wrist presence, a polished chamfer edge flows around the case and brushed surfaces transition with crisp lines. On the right side is a signed screw-down crown with deep knurling for extra grip. The smooth bezel holds a box-shaped sapphire crystal AR coated on the inside above a stunning textured luscious Shunbun Pink dial, reflecting the swirling rafts of cherry blossom delicately floating on the water, just after the spring equinox called ‘Hana-Ikada’. An outer minute chapter ring surrounds applied faceted baton indexes marking the hours, chamfered edges Zaratsu hand polished shimmer in the light as you rotate your wrist, at 3 o’clock a framed date window, between the 7 and 8 we have the power reserve arc indicator, elegant dauphine hands are Zaratsu polished with razor edges complemented by a tapered sweeping second hand, at 12 o’clock we have the applied gold “GS” and “Grand Seiko” underneath, at 6 o’clock “Spring Drive” complete this nature inspired versatile timepiece. On the reverse, a screw-down exhibition case back, showcasing the CÔTES DE GENÈVE finished Spring Drive, Grand Seiko Cal. 9R65, the innovative Spring Drive movement which 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 generates a small electrical charge that activates an electronic circuit and quartz oscillator, therefore there is no need for a battery. The watch comes paired with its Grand Seiko 21mm, Titanium bracelet, expertly brushed and polished with a push-button release three-fold clasp and the watch comes with its Grand Seiko presentation box, swing tags and paperwork.
Personal Note
Whilst this Grand Seiko Heritage Spring Drive is called "Shunbun Pink", for those of you terrified of pink I wouldn't worry one bit as it is so faint and subtle it just adds to the beauty and warmth of the dial and texture! This SBGA413 is one of those watches that feels impossible to capture and portray the tones and depth the dial provides, anyone who has handled or owned Grand Seiko's will know exactly what I mean, if you haven't had that privilege, book yourself an appointment now and come see this gem in the metal (titanium) for yourself!
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.