2019 Grand Seiko Spring Drive 20th Anniversary 38.5mm SBGY003

Here we have a 2019 Grand Seiko Spring Drive 20th Anniversary 38.5mm SBGY003, limited to just 700 pieces. Released as a highly significant milestone in the brand's heritage timeline, it was produced as a limited edition to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the revolutionary Spring Drive movement. This distinctive dress watch features a 38.5mm stainless steel case with a curvaceous, sinuous profile that utilises Grand Seiko’s legendary hand-applied Zaratsu polishing for distortion-free mirror surfaces. The elegant, ultra-slim case architecture features a smooth conical bezel and integrated fluid case lines, offering a versatile lug-to-lug length of 43mm and a highly sophisticated case thickness of 10mm for a refined, balanced presence on the wrist. On the right side, a signed push-pull crown allows for smooth manual winding. The standout feature of this model is its mesmerising, silver-white dial adorned with a deeply engraved radial sunray pattern, meticulously designed by the Shinshu Watch Studio to evoke the warmth of sunlight filtering through leaves (Komorebi). By positioning the power reserve indicator on the back of the watch, Grand Seiko preserves flawless dial symmetry. The clean layout features a fine printed minute track and applied, razor-sharp polished faceted indices that create a delicate play of light and shadow. Diamond-cut, mirror-polished hands are complemented by a temperature-blued steel central seconds hand that sweeps across the dial in a continuous, completely fluid glide. A high-definition, dual-curved sapphire crystal with a multi-layer interior anti-reflective coating protects this masterfully executed face. On the reverse, a screw-down sapphire exhibition case back showcases the mechanical art within. Inside beats the proprietary, in-house manually wound Spring Drive Calibre 9R31, containing 30 jewels. This high-performance movement features a sophisticated Dual-Spring Barrel structure to deliver a robust 72-hour power reserve, an integrated power reserve pointer on the movement bridge, and an astonishing accuracy of ±1 second per day. The watch comes paired with its premium 19mm blue crocodile leather strap and a stainless steel three-fold deployant clasp with push-button release. The watch comes with its original Grand Seiko presentation box, swing tag, and paperwork.

This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko box, swing tag and paperwork. The watch comes paired with its premium 19mm blue crocodile leather strap and a stainless steel three-fold deployant clasp with push-button release. The watch is from August 2019 and is sold in worn condition, but overall it is in fair condition, as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

I absolutely love it when a watchmaker puts the power reserve indicator on the movement rather than the dial. It's such a practical complication to have, especially on a manually wound watch, but why interrupt a dial as beautiful as this when you don't have to? And what a dial it is! The radial pattern is incredible, the finishing is everything you'd expect from Grand Seiko, and that perfectly smooth Spring Drive seconds hand is just mesmerising to watch. Turn it over, and you've got that wonderful power reserve display alongside the beautifully finished movement. For me, it's the best of both worlds. An incredibly clean, elegant watch from the front, with all the mechanical fascination waiting for you on the back. Add this limited edition gem to your collection today!

Reference : SBGY003 (9R31-0AB0)
Movement : Spring Drive Grand Seiko Cal. 9R31
Age : August 2019
Year : 2019
Case Size : 38.5mm
Case Thickness : 10mm
Lug to Lug : 43mm
Lugs : 19mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

The first Grand Seiko debuted in Tokyo in 1960 at Suwa Seikosha, established in 1942 in Nagano, Japan. Grand Seiko watches are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans and master watchmakers, often referred to as Takumi (meaning "master craftsman" or "artisan" in Japanese). 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 the text 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. Grand Seiko watches are known for their unique quality because a single craftsman puts together each one, whether it uses quartz, mechanical movement, or Spring Drive technology. In the Shinshu Watch Studio, a talented watchmaker named Yoshifusa Nakazawa leads a skilled team at the Micro Artist Studio. This special workshop is dedicated to creating some of the most intricate and beautifully designed Spring Drive watches, which are carefully finished and assembled by hand.