2022 Grand Seiko Sports GMT Limited Edition SBGE275G
Ref: SBGE275G (9R16-0AC0)

Specification

Points of Mention

This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko Box & Paperwork. The watch comes paired on its original 21mm stainless steel Grand Seiko signed bracelet with its Grand Seiko signed clasp, all spare links included. The watch is from March 2022 and is sold in worn condition, but overall very fair condition as you can see. The watch comes with its Manufacturer's Warranty.

The Watch

The first Grand Seiko debuted in Tokyo in 1960, the reference 3180 was made by Suwa Seikosha and 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 and 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 but 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 2022 Grand Seiko Sports GMT SBGE275G Limited Edition of 1500 pieces celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the first Grand Seiko GMT launched in 2002, the 44mm brushed and polished stainless steel case has perfectly chamfered edges leading to broad tapered lugs and a lug-to-lug length of 50mm and a case thickness of 15mm give the watch an impressive wrist presence. On the right side at 4 o’clock a signed screw-down crown, a bi-directional bezel has a 24-hour scale with white numerals and a blue background for the night hours and black numerals with a white background for the daylight hours. The dual-curved sapphire crystal has AR coating on the inside sitting above a white “Snowflake” textured dial representing the snow-covered peaks surrounding the Shinshu Watch Studio, an outer 24-hour scale replicates the bezel with applied baton and trapezoid indexes hand polished by Seiko experts and at 4 o’clock a framed date window. Dauphine's hands have razor-sharp edges that play with the light as you turn your wrist, a black GMT hand with a white arrow tip completes this striking timepiece and between 8 and 9, we have the power reserve indicator. At 12 o’clock the Grand Seiko motif and “Spring Drive GMT” at 6 o’clock. On the reverse a screw-down exhibition case back with a limited number engraved around the outer edge, inside a Grand Seiko Spring Drive 9R16 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 and the rotor has an 18ct Yellow Gold Grand Seiko Lion. The watch comes fitted 21mm Grand Seiko polished and brushed stainless steel bracelet with a signed three-fold push-button release clasp and comes with its Grand Seiko presentation box and paperwork.

Personal Note

A Limited Edition from Grand Seiko that went down incredibly well and currently none are for sale in the UK, making this even more special if you've been after one. The design is quintessential modern Grand Seiko, large and bold on and off the wrist, whilst still being refined and beautiful, it's a delicate balancing act that Grand Seiko seems to be able to do better than most. I wouldn't hesitate on this one if you've been after one, book an appointment and come try it on for yourself, loupe that dial and be as amazed as we are.