2021 Grand Seiko Heritage Brown Dial Limited 42mm SBGR311

Here we have a 2021 Grand Seiko Heritage Brown Dial Limited 42mm SBGR311 launched to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Grand Seiko calibre 9S. In 1998, it was the first mechanical movement made by Grand Seiko in 40 years. Limited to 1300 pieces. Featuring a 42mm stainless steel case expertly Zaratsu-polished by a true craftsman, the case gently curves over your wrist, tapering at the lugs, with a lug-to-lug length of 47mm and a case thickness of 13mm, giving the watch a striking and impressive wrist presence. On the right side is a recessed screw-down signed crown. A polished, sloping, smooth bezel holds a sapphire crystal above a brown dial. This dial features the Grand Seiko lettering and the Daini Seikosha factory symbol (now Seiko Instruments Inc.) in an interesting “Whirlpool”- style engraving. The outer minute track features Zaratsu-polished batons with crisp, chamfered edges that catch the light as you rotate your wrist. At 3 o’clock, we have a framed date window. Elegant dauphine hands feature Zaratsu-polished edges, complemented by a sweeping gold second hand. At 12 o’clock, you find the “GS” motif in gold with “Grand Seiko” underneath; at 6 o’clock, “Automatic” is precisely printed, completing this mesmerising timepiece. On the reverse, a screw-down exhibition case, inside an automatic Grand Seiko Cal. 9S68, 35 jewels, 28,800 beats per hour. This 8-beat movement has incredible accuracy and an impressive 72-hour power reserve; the movement has been adjusted to six positions and temperatures at the factory, finished with attractive Cotes de Geneve decoration; the movement has been developed with Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Technology, where precise components are produced using advanced semiconductor manufacturing. It is paired with its original 21mm brushed stainless steel Grand Seiko bracelet, with a signed push-button clasp, all links included, and includes the Grand Seiko presentation box and papers.

This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko box & Grand Seiko paperwork. It comes paired with its original 21mm brushed stainless steel Grand Seiko bracelet with a signed push-button clasp, all links included. The watch is from September 2021 and is sold in worn condition; however, as you can see from the photos, the watch is in very fair condition. The watch comes with our 12-Months Warranty.

Grand Seiko are known for its finishing and dials. I have been fortunate to have handled many and sold many over the years, but still, they catch me off guard and blow me away. This is exactly what this limited edition brown dial "Cookie Monster", reference SBGR311, has done. The dial is mesmerising and dynamic, and looks truly incredible as it plays with the light. It also has an impressive wrist presence at 42mm, allowing for even more dial to be present and the clear star of the show. Do not hesitate to add this impressive reference to your collection today!

Reference : SBGR311 (9S68-00C0)
Movement : Automatic Grand Seiko Cal. 9S68
Age : September 2021
Year : 2021
Case Size : 42mm
Case Thickness : 13mm
Lug to Lug : 47mm
Lugs : 21mm
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. 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.