2018 Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGA085 on Bracelet
Ref: SBGA085

Specification

Points of Mention

This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko Box & Paperwork. The watch comes paired on its original stainless steel Grand Seiko signed bracelet with its Grand Seiko signed clasp, all spare links included. The watch is from April 2018 and is sold in worn condition, but overall very fair condition as you can see, a full case & bracelet refurb can be provided at an additional cost. The watch comes with our 12-Months 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.

Here we have a classic 2018 Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGA085 with a 39mm stainless steel case. The tapered lugs have Zaratsu polished edges for an exquisite finish. A lug to lug length of 46.5mm and a thickness of 12mm gives the watch impressive wrist presence. On the right side, a signed screw-down crown. The polished bezel holds a slightly domed sapphire crystal. The glossy black dial has an outer minute track with applied steel batons precisely chamfered edges Zaratsu polished. As you rotate your wrist the dial magically plays with the light. At 3 o’clock a framed date window. At 8 o’clock a power reserve scale was nicely balanced with steel dauphine hands that have been Zaratsu polished by true craft people. An applied Seiko at 12 and text printed at 6 o’clock finish this stunning Grand Seiko dial. On the reverse, a screw-down case back with the Grand Seiko embossed emblem in the centre. Inside a  Grand Seiko Spring Drive 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 19mm Seiko stainless steel bracelet expertly brushed and polished with a push-button hidden signed clasp. Comes with the Grand Seiko presentation box and papers.

Personal Note