2014 Grand Seiko Spring Drive 'Self Dater' Limited Blue SBGA105

Here we have a rare 2014 Grand Seiko Spring Drive 'Self Dater' Blue SBGA105, limited to just 500 pieces. Featuring a curvaceous 40mm stainless steel brushed and zaratsu polished for a mirror finish, the subtle curve of the case has a chamfered edge leading to drilled tapered lugs and a lug-to-lug length of 47mm, and a case thickness of 13mm ensures a comfortable fit on your wrist. On the right side, a signed screw-down crown and a smooth bezel encase a dual-curved sapphire crystal, AR-coated on the inside, above a dark blue dial. An outer minute track with applied facet-edged batons, precisely Zaratsu polished, marks the hours. At 3 o’clock, a framed date window, dauphine hands have been Zaratsu polished for their razor edges and are complemented by a tapered second hand, between the 7 and 8, a power reserve indicator. At noon, an applied Seiko, and at 6 o’clock, ‘GS’ Grand Seiko Spring Drive completes this sophisticated dress watch. On the reverse, a screw-down exhibition case back etched with the watch's details around its edge, inside a Spring Drive Grand Seiko Cal. 9R15, the innovative Spring Drive movement is mechanical but with an electromagnetic escapement regulated by a quartz oscillator. It has 30 jewels and an impressive 72-hour power reserve; 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. It comes paired with its original brushed-and-polished 20mm Grand Seiko-signed stainless steel bracelet, secured with a Grand Seiko-signed push-button release three-fold clasp, and includes all spare links. The watch is accompanied by its complete set, including its Grand Seiko presentation box, swing tags, and paperwork.

This watch is sold with its complete set, including its original Grand Seiko box, swing tags and Grand Seiko paperwork. It comes paired with its original brushed-and-polished 20mm Grand Seiko-signed stainless steel bracelet, secured with a Grand Seiko-signed push-button release three-fold clasp, and includes all spare links, plus an aftermarket 20mm Tropic strap. The watch is from July 2014 and is sold in worn and enjoyed condition, as you can see from the photos. The watch comes with our 12-Months Warranty.

Limited to just 500 pieces, this wonderful 2014 Grand Seiko Spring Drive 'Self Dater', reference SBGA105, offers great value in today's market, even more so with the constant increases we are seeing at retail today. The watch features a deep blue dial, hard to capture but beautiful in person, especially against the incredible finish provided by Grand Seiko. If you are in the market for a Spring Drive, I would not hesitate to add this reference to your list to consider, but act quickly, as they rarely come to market, especially in the UK!

Reference : SBGA105
Movement : Spring Drive Grand Seiko Cal. 9R15
Age : July 2014
Year : 2014
Case Size : 40mm
Case Thickness : 13mm
Lug to Lug : 47mm
Lugs : 20mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

The first Grand Seiko debuted in Tokyo in 1960. The ref:3180 was made by Suwa Seikosha. In 1962, Taro Tanaka developed a set of design guidelines known as the "Grammar of Design," which aimed to create a cohesive look for Seiko watches. These guidelines encompassed nine key principles that distinguished the watches. Some of these principles involve Zaratsu polishing that makes the watch surfaces shine beautifully and reflect light in interesting ways. There’s also an emphasis on using unique shapes for the watch cases, ensuring that every part is perfectly shaped, and adding features like sharp, clean edges and well-designed hands and markers that catch the eye. Today, Tanaka's principles still apply to the modern Grand Seiko philosophy. 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 a chronometer on their watches. In response, the Japanese Chronometer Authorisation 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.