2020 Grand Seiko Elegance GMT Cream Dial SBGM221G
Ref: SBGM221G

Points of Mention

This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko box and paperwork. The watch comes paired on its original Grand Seiko signed leather strap with its signed Grand Seiko clasp. The watch is from May 2020 and is sold in worn condition, but overall very fair condition as you can see. The comes with our 12-Months 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 2020 Grand Seiko Elegance GMT SBGM221G part of the Elegance collection, with a Zaratsu polished and brushed 39.5mm stainless steel case. Elegant tapered lugs with a lug to lug length of 46.8mm and a thickness of 14mm gives the watch an excellent wrist presence. On the right side, is a signed crown. A fine bezel holds a box-shaped sapphire crystal with AR coating on the inside. The cream dial has applied exquisitely polished baton indexes marking the hours. An inner 24-hour ring is precisely printed. 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. At 12 o’clock an applied “GS”. On the reverse, a screwed-down exhibition case back with 6 screws. Inside an Automatic Grand Seiko 9S66, 35 jewels, 28,800 beats per hour. Pulling the crown out to its first position enables the hour hand to be adjusted without stopping the minutes or the second hand so that the accuracy is not compromised. Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology is used to fabricate its precision parts. The watch comes fitted on its Seiko 19mm leather strap with a 3-fold deployment clasp and push-button release, the watch also comes with its Grand Seiko presentation box and papers.

Personal Note

I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is my favourite Grand Seiko and it should be yours too! When function meets beauty it can be a difficult thing to ignore, such is the case for this Grand Seiko and you've got yourself a functional GMT that also looks absolutely incredible and could pass as a perfect dress watch! Not many can pull that off whilst making it look effortless, that is what Grand Seiko can do so well and this model proves it to the world.