2014 Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT SBGE005
Ref: SBGE005

Points of Mention

This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko box and Grand Seiko paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original 20mm Seiko stainless steel bracelet with a signed folding clasp. The watch is from November 2014 and is in near mint condition as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

The Watch

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.

Our 2014 Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT SBGE005 has a 40.5mm polished and brushed stainless steel case. Thick tapered lugs with brushed tops and polished edges have a lug to lug length of 49mm and a thickness of 14mm giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. On the right side, a screw-down signed crown. A smooth polished bezel holds a flat sapphire crystal above a silver dial. An outer 24-hour chapter ring with applied exquisitely Zaratsu polished indexes At 3 o’clock a framed date window. Elegant dauphine hands are Zaratsu polished with razor edges. A blue arrow hand indicates the 24-hour position. Between the 7 and 8 a power reserve indicator. As this watch predates Grand Seiko becoming its own brand in 2017 you have both at 12 o’clock an applied “Seiko” at 6 o’clock and applied “GS” with Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT printed underneath. On the reverse, we have a screw-down exhibition case back. Inside a Spring Drive Cal. 9R66A Showcasing the CÔTES DE GENÈVE finishing. 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 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 its original Seiko 20mm polished and brushed stainless steel bracelet with a signed folding clasp and also comes with its Seiko presentation box and papers.

Personal Note