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Baselworld 2017: GRAND SEIKO Novelties (The First, Black Ceramic Collection, Hi-Beat Diver)
Total make-over for Grand Seiko line - now it is an independent and separate brand from Seiko. Surely, the manufacturing process won't change, but Grand Seiko is now such a success all around the world and Seiko decided to have it as a separate brand going forward.
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Here is the Foreword from the President and CEO of Seiko Watch Corporation, Mr. Shinji Hattori
March 23, 2017
Grand Seiko in 2017. The next step forward.
Since we launched Grand Seiko internationally in 2010, the brand has made great strides forward
in terms of distribution, sales and interest among watch lovers. I am delighted with our
progress to date.
Grand Seiko has always been distinct in its design, character, presentation and, more recently,
its calibers. In order to further reinforce its unique appeal and to reach out to a wider audience,
we are today taking one step further and presenting Grand Seiko as an entirely separate
brand. On all the creations we are presenting here at Baselworld, the Grand Seiko logo is at
the twelve o’clock position and this will also be true for all Grand Seiko watches from now onwards.
From today, Grand Seiko lives a truly independent life and sets out on a new journey.
My intention is that, in the coming years, Grand Seiko will scale new heights of watchmaking
excellence and commercial success.
To celebrate this landmark moment in our history, we go back to the very beginnings of the
brand for our inspiration. You will see both a faithful reproduction of the very first Grand Seiko
from 1960 which carried the Grand Seiko logo at the twelve o’clock position, and a modern
re-interpretation. We are also widening the appeal of the brand into new design areas. Last
year, we expanded the range of Grand Seiko with a sports model and, for 2017, we build on
this success with a collection of new sports designs, including a hi-beat diver’s watch and a
series of Spring Drive chronographs.
We look forward to presenting the whole new Grand Seiko collection to you in person here
in Baselworld and to sharing with you the uniqueness and distinctiveness that it offers.
Yours sincerely,
Shinji Hattori
President & CEO
I don't know if you have been waiting for this, but finally, the Grand Seiko First are to be re-issued in Limited Edition.
Please read on!
Ken
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Baselworld 2017: GRAND SEIKO Novelties (The First, Black Ceramic Collection, Hi-Beat Diver)
Total make-over for Grand Seiko line - now it is an independent and separate brand from Seiko. Surely, the manufacturing process won't change, but Grand Seiko is now such a success all around the world and Seiko decided to have it as a separate brand goin...
Grand Seiko First Re-creation
Grand Seiko explores its history and looks to the future. The first Grand Seiko, re-created in platinum The international launch of Grand Seiko took place in 2010. From the very start, the reaction of the watch retailer and aficionado community was overwh...
The SBGW253 and SBGR305 are clear winners IMHO :)
Like the decision to go for a separate brand - the time is right IMHO. And the watches are quite appealing. The titanium / ceramic chronographs are a bit too large for my wrist but I have to say I like the Diver quite a lot. I also applaud Grand Seiko for...
Thanks Ken...
I think Grand Seiko just manage to do something that start to disappoint my high expectation of them. I don't like the recreation series, simply because they already attempted once on their 130th Anniversary series. This one further dilute this watch and ...
Ken...
Any idea why the SS version doesn't have the SD logo on the dial, while the vintage one has one? Design wise, I'm liking the platinum version.
SD logo is...
... the dial, as well as the index are all 18K gold. So, for SS model, at least the index are not gold. So, there is no SD logo )
How about the vintage model?
If the SD logo represents precious metal, how do we explain about the vinatge SS model. All of them I've seen have the SD logo. Very interesting.
These would look better with a slightly smaller case.
I think the vintage style dial and great double curved crystal work better in this 37 mm model (also available with a black dial). Everything looks proportionate instead of having a large empty dial. SBGX119 ...
Twice before
This is actually now the third time Seiko have recreated the original Grand Seiko Chronometer.
I think the reason to reissue 3180 again
is to show that GS has a long-lasting tradition to place a GS logo at 12 a clock, and they just follow the tradition to make GS an independent brand.
impressed with the re-creation
Looks very nice watch especially SBGW253, great presentation. Solid back is a nice bonus with gold medallion on back. Definitely lots to like Nearly forgot at 38mm is a great size too! Cheers JML
You can buy a lot of branding with the sale of this collection
Assuming they sold for retail, here's my back-of-the-envelope calculation of the total revenue Of course, this is likely shared between home, country or regional and [new?] retail organizations: Just from 3 watches! Hopefully this will kickstart the Japan...
A very good move from GS
Having the GS as a brand eliminates the many lines of text, and from these first three, especially the one in SS with the blued hands...just beautiful.
Fantastic report
On grand news! Many thanks for this detailed report Ken. The GS novelties were the most eagerly anticipated novelties for BW after last year\'s \'zero round\' for me... I placed orders for both SS versions within minutes of seeing the first pics and now t...
Grand Seiko - The Black Ceramic Collection
The Black Ceramic Collection. Titanium and ceramic in perfect harmony. Spring Drive Chronograph GMT. SBGC223 In 2016, Grand Seiko expanded into the sports realm by presenting a limited edition of four Spring Drive watches executed in a dramatic combinatio...
These are still too big!
I'll stick with my SBGC005. The titanium & ceramic models are simultaneously larger and have a more cluttered dial. The combination of blue dial, rose gold accents, titanium, and ceramic on the SBGC219 looks great. I think the 24 hour bezel makes more...
Grand Seiko - Pushing the boundaries: new Hi-Beat Diver's Watch
Pushing the boundaries. The Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 Professional 600m Diver’s. The Hi-Beat 36000 Professional 600m Diver’s Limited Edition. SBGH257 For many years, the Grand Seiko Diver’s watches have been in great demand from recreational divers. Today...
Elevating GS to main brand level is a brilliant decision
The new collection is nice as usual, if not super exciting. But the main novelty here is the price. If I am not mistaken, they have more than doubled in the past 2-3 years, and are now well beyond many prestigious Swiss brands. I am not questioning the qu...
IMHO, they have been too cheap for too long, for what they are.
Cheap -> bad. That seems to have been the main perception from Europe area, but I think the price is still far below in terms built quality. Yes, I agree that how this "branding" strategy plays out will be the key. Ken
Love it.....
I was thinking that the new re-created pieces lack a sapphire crystal back at first, but the current looks are likely to attract a customer looking for a true collector watch. I am torn between platinum and yellow gold, but would not hesitate for the SS. ...
Well done GS.
They produce quality pieces and the finishing of small details is superb. I hope they roll out a good international distribution strategy.
Thanks Ken.
This is by far the best report concerning Grand Seiko novelties. I'm not very fond of the new dial, the GS logo is too big compared to the font size of Grand Seiko, IMHO Its a matter of proportions. In the contrary, the 251/252/253 are well balanced. PT 9...
Totally Agree
The new GS logo at 12 is slightly too large, they should make it better !
Thanks!
They did a lot this year. I am looking forward to Grand Seiko as a brand going forward. Ken
Vintage style repackage...
Vintage style repackage into modern perfect size (38mm). Why not create a modern Grand Seiko as its first watch? Conceptually it will make more sense. Now this one looks exactly the same as 033 but less authentic. Kind of weird to upsize a vintage piece. ...
I agree that conceptually it makes more sense to just release a new design
But then for those who love the sbgw033, the gold lion at the back and the more "modern" size may be the appeal
I guess what's appealing ...
is very subjective. On its own, no doubt it is a handsome watch. But once one is into the details of why you collect watches, he may then see that this reiteration is not exactly faithful. The sbgw033 is as close as it gets to the original 3180. Full disc...
Agreed that it's not as faithful as sbgw033!
Do you mean the new 253 or the 033 will flood the secondary market?