Grand Seiko released two new mechanical watches to commemorate the Caliber 9S-series
23.2.2023
When Grand Seiko released their new caliber series 9S in 1998, few new what sort of impact it would have on the years to come. Grand Seiko also revised their quality standards and introduced a new stricter 17 day testing regime for their watches. The new certificate requirements were more rigorous than the Swiss COSC-certificate required and the new quality standard would rival the Swiss watch industry in the years to come. The past 25 years have been a stellar success for Grand Seiko and one of the reasons behind the rise of Grand Seiko was indeed the 9S-series of movements. That is a worthy thing to commemorate.
Both watches are inspired by the Mount Iwate in Japan, in the likewise named prefecture where all Grand Seiko mechanical watches are manufactured. The case design is based on the first 9S- movement watch from 1998, the SBGR001. Reflecting the trend of the time, the case size is only 37 mm and where size matters, it makes these commemorative watches discreet time pieces of the dress watch connoisseurs.
First of the watches to be mentioned is the Grand Seiko Caliber 9S 25th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGH311. Manufactured only a limited run of 1200 pieces. The dial is borrowing its visuals from the vista from the peak of Mt. Iwate. The muted silvers and trays depict morning fogs and low hanging clouds mixing in the light of the rising sun. The dial is astonishingly subtle as it seems to shift according to the angle of light hitting the dial. Truly quintessential Grand Seiko design.
The movement in SBGH311 is a hi-beat 36 000 A/h caliber 9S85 with a power reserve of 55 hours and the mean accuracy of +5/-3 second per day. The movement rotor is titanium anodized to a sky blue colour depicting the skies above the peaks of Mount Iwate. The movement and the brilliant blue rotor are visible through a sapphire crystal caseback.
The second watch is Caliber 9S 25th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGR325 which has 9S65 caliber, operating on a more traditional frequency of 28 800 A/h. The lower frequency gives the watch a slightly longer power reserve of 72 hours with the same mean accuracy of +5/-3 second per day. It too is inspired by the scenery of Mt. Iwate. The beautiful blue sunburst dial of the SBGR325 is inspired by the clear sky above the peak and the deep blue anodized titanium rotor reflects the colour of the evening fog, lying in the deep valleys of Mount Iwate. It too will be a limited series of 1200 pieces.
The finish of both of the watches carries a harmonious rhythm. The play between the zaratsu-polished and matte-finished facets bring an interesting contrast and symmetry of light to the watch case. The applied indices and the blued dauphine-hands are finished to a perfection typical to Grand Seiko. As a whole, it captivates your gaze by myriad of immaculate details and causes one to wonder as if there was no time.
In a nutshell:
Caliber 9S 25th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGH311
• Movement: 9S85
• Frequency: 36 000 A/h
• Power reserve: 55 hours
• Case material: Stainless steel
• Watch diameter: 37 mm
• Thickness: 13,3 mm
• Glass: sapphire (anti-reflective coating)
• Water resistance: 100 m (10 bar)
• Bracelet material: Stainless steel
Caliber 9S 25th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGR325
• Movement: 9S65
• Frequency: 28 800 A/h
• Power reserve: 72 hours
• Case material: Stainless steel
• Watch diameter: 37 mm
• Thickness: 13,3 mm
• Glass: sapphire (anti-reflective coating)
• Water resistance: 100 m (10 bar)
• Bracelet material: Stainless steel