Baselworld/SIHH

Grand Seiko reaches new heights with a Special Edition

Hi-Beat 36,000 creation.

Re-defining the 'ideal' watch

Half a century ago, the legend of Grand Seiko was born with the simple idea of creating the ideal watch. Each Grand Seiko watch should be as accurate, as legible, as durable and as easy to wear as humanly possible. Nothing more and nothing less. For more than 50 years, the Grand Seiko's watchmakers have selected the very finest materials, designed and manufactured cutting edge movements and used traditional craftsmanship to create by hand, watches that are, in their simple sophistication, perfect expressions of all that is essential in a wrist watch. Today, the performance of Grand Seiko reaches a new height of perfection in a new Special Edition Hi-beat 36,000 timepiece. This masterpiece is the ultimate expression of the Grand Seiko ideal.

A new standard in mechanical watchmaking

The first Grand Seiko standard was set in 1966, since which time it has been raised as new materials, technologies and mainstream techniques have made possible new advances. Today, the Special Edition Hi-beat 36,000 goes beyond the standard with levels of accuracy that are among the highest in the world.

In recognition of its importance in the pantheon of Grand Seiko creations, this specially adjusted caliber is offered exclusively in 18k gold, with the lion emblem, also in gold, on the oscillating weight. Seiko's latest hi-beat movement was introduced in 2009 and was made possible by advances in every aspect of the caliber. A new Spron material is used for the mainspring to deliver more torque and a new pallet and wheel increase the efficiency of the escapement. Together, these advances deliver more stable accuracy and a remarkable, industry-leading 55 hour power reserve. The new Special Edition builds on these advances to deliver enhanced precision as well as outstanding power reserve. On all the precision criteria, this specially tuned new piece exceeds the Grand Seiko standard. The enhanced performance of the new Special Edition is entirely the result of the skills of the Master Watchmakers at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio where the watch is created. The adjustment is entrusted to only the very best of the Studio's most experienced watchmakers who test and select the balance springs individually.

Special Edition       GS Standard

Mean daily rate                                  - 2 〜 +4sec          - 3 〜 +5sec

Mean rate variation                            1.6sec                   1.8sec

Maximum rate variation                      3.0sec                   4.0sec

Greatest rate difference                      7.0sec                   8.0sec

Rate variation according to temperature - 0.3 〜 +0.3sec    - 0.5 〜 +0.5sec

No. of test positions                           6                          6

Grand Seiko GMT. The refinement of a masterpiece

Ten years ago, the first Grand Seiko GMT watch was created and almost immediately it became the brand's signature timepiece. In celebration of its tenth anniversary, two new Limited Edition GMT models have been created with a distinctive blue dial, a titanium oscillating weight and a gold colored GMT hand. The titanium oscillating weight delivers a notable advance in performance. It has high elasticity and therefore resists distortion if the watch is dropped or damaged. It absorbs vibration ten times better than the widely used material of brass, thus reducing any risk of damage to the movement or bearings and its high resistance to corrosion ensures its durability and beauty.

The oscillating weights and the dials are in Grand Seiko's traditional blue, a color never before used for a Grand Seiko GMT model.

Specifications:

Caliber 9S85: 36,000vph, 55 hour power reserve, self-winding with manual winding capability

SBGH022

Case:      18K rose gold

See-through screw case back with sapphire crystal

38.0 mm in diameter

Band: Crocodile with 18K rose gold buckle

Glass: High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating

Water resistance: 10 bar

Magnetic resistance: 10,000 A/m

Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: Euro 23,300

SBGH019

Case:      18K white gold

See-through screw case back with sapphire crystal

38.0 mm in diameter

Band: Crocodile with 18K white gold buckle

Glass: High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating

Water resistance: 10 bar

Magnetic resistance: 10,000 A/m

Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: Euro 24,700

SBGH020

Case:      18K yellow gold

See-through screw case back with sapphire crystal

38.0 mm in diameter

Band: Crocodile with 18K yellow gold buckle

Glass: High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating

Water resistance: 10 bar

Magnetic resistance: 10,000 A/m

Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: Euro 23,300

Caliber 9S66: 28,800vph, GMT hand, 72 hour power reserve, self-winding with manual winding capability

SBGM029

Case:      Stainless steel

See-through screw case back with sapphire crystal

39.2 mm in diameter

Band: Solid stainless steel with three-fold clasp with push button release

Glass: High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating

Water resistance: 10 bar

Magnetic resistance: 10,000 A/m

Limited edition of 700 pieces

Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: Euro 6,600

SBGM031

Case:      Stainless steel

See-through case back with sapphire crystal

39.5 mm in diameter

Band: Crocodile with three-fold clasp with push button release

Glass: High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating

Water resistance: 3 bar

Magnetic resistance: 10,000 A/m

Limited edition of 1,000 pieces

Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: Euro 6,300

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