2024 Grand Seiko 'Hotaka Mountains' Spring Drive GMT SBGE295G

Here we have a 2024 Grand Seiko 'Hotaka Mountains' Spring Drive GMT SBGE295G, part of their Sports collection and inspired by the 'Hotaka Mountains' seen from their workshops in the city of Shiojiri in Japan, the 43.5mm Stainless steel case has been expertly Zaratsu polished for an exquisite finish, and a subtle curve of the drilled lugs sits perfectly on the wrist, and a lug-to-lug length of 51mm and a case thickness of 14mm give the watch an impressive wrist presence, a Zaratsu polished chamfer edge flows around the case and brushed surfaces transition with crisp lines. On the right side is a signed screw-down crown with deep knurling for extra grip. The bidirectional rotating bezel features a sapphire green and white Day/Night 24-hour scale coated in LumiBrite, with a dual-curved sapphire crystal AR-coated on the inside above a stunning, luscious green dial, reflecting the short summer season on the cliffs of the 'Hotaka Mountains'. A second inner green and silver 24-hour chapter ring surrounds a minute track above applied ribbed textured baton indexes with the 12, 3, 6 and 9 indexes filled with LumiBrite marking the hours, chamfered edges Zaratsu hand polished shimmer in the light as you rotate your wrist, at 4 o’clock a framed date window, between the 8 and 9 we have the power reserve arc indicator, elegant dauphine hands filled with LumiBrite with razor edges Zaratsu hand polished are complemented by an arrow tipped GMT hand and a tapered sweeping second hand. At noon, we have the applied “GS” and “Grand Seiko” underneath; at 6 o’clock, “Spring Drive GMT” completes this nature-inspired, versatile timepiece. On the reverse, a screw-down solid case back engraved with the watch details and the Grand Seiko medallion in the centre, inside a Spring Drive, Grand Seiko Cal. 9R66, the innovative Spring Drive movement with GMT function, 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 generates a small electrical charge that activates an electronic circuit and quartz oscillator; therefore, there is no need for a battery. It comes paired with its Grand Seiko 21mm, 3-link stainless steel bracelet, expertly brushed and polished with a push-button release three-fold clasp; all links are provided, and the watch comes with its Grand Seiko presentation box and paperwork.

This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko box and Grand Seiko paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original Grand Seiko 21mm stainless steel bracelet, expertly brushed and polished, with a push-button release three-fold clasp and all links included. The watch is from March 2024 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.

This is the fantastic Grand Seiko 'Hotaka Mountains' Spring Drive GMT, reference SBGE295G, in 43.5mm, and as always, Grand Seiko have a fantastic story for their models. This one is inspired by the 'Hotaka Mountains' seen from their workshops in the city of Shiojiri in Japan, and the dial is absolutely mesmerising up close, as you can see. Whilst on the bigger side at 43.5mm, it still wears surprisingly well, even on my smaller 7-inch wrist. I would not hesitate to give this one a chance, so book an appointment and try it on for yourself!

Reference : SBGE295G (9R66-0BK0)
Movement : Spring Drive Grand Seiko Cal. 9R66
Age : March 2024
Year : 2024
Case Size : 43.5mm
Case Thickness : 14mm
Lug to Lug : 51mm
Lugs : 21mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months 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.