Seiko

Grand Seiko 9F 25th Anniversary Editions SBGT241 & SBGV238

Take a look if you are interested in a high-end GRAND SEIKO quartz watch that will arrive in April or May.

The star on the dial indicates that these are regulated by a specially-chosen quartz crystal, giving performance of +/- 5 seconds per year!

If you look carefully at the cases and bracelets, you will see there is a choice between curved or angular lugs, "oyster" or "jubilee" style links (or is that "President"), all stainless or two-tone finish, regular or screw-down crown, and solid or see-through caseback. However, you cannot mix and match unless you buy both and swap things around to suit yourself [anyone game to do this? I am...]

Grand Seiko's press release says, when speaking of the all-stainless SBGV238:

"The new limited edition pays proud homage to the 1993 design. Its case and bracelet retain the soft contours of the original. There are, however, stylistic enhancements. In line with contemporary taste, the case is slightly larger, the Grand Seiko name is now at the 12 o’clock position and the dial carries a special pattern based on the traditional Quartz symbol with, above the six o’clock marker, the 5-pointed star which, symbolizes the extraordinary precision rate of + 5 to – 5 seconds a year. The Grand Seiko lion emblem is in 18k yellow gold on the case back. For the eagle eyed, the dial pattern at the 25 minute positon is also subtly different; the symbols 9F and 25 are discreetly shown. This commemorative watch is offered in a limited series of 1,500. It will be available in selected markets from April 2018."

Regarding the two-tone model, they say:

"A second limited edition also commemorates the 25th anniversary of Caliber 9F. The case design is a contemporary re-interpretation of the celebrated 44GS from 1967 and showcases the beauty of the finishing on the 9F movement through an exhibition case back. The robust construction is clear to see and the striped pattern of the engraving bears witness to the care taken on the finishing on every 9F movement which, albeit hidden behind the case back in every other model, is assembled and finished by hand to the same high standard. It has a specially enhanced precision rate of +5 to -5 seconds a year. The dial, with its special markings and star symbol, is the same as on the first commemorative edition, SBGT241, and the bezel is in 18k gold. It is a limited edition of 600 and will be available in May 2018 at Grand Seiko’s retail partners in selected markets."