HIROTA, Masayuki
23
Thank you, Ken-san for wonderful report.
Forged case was the way of mass-production before but has great advantage. Forged case can have hardness. Hayashi explained “Vickers Hardness would arise around 100Hv after forging, which gave longevity".
That forging and heating process need huge product line so now eliminated in this industry. Thanks to modern CNC, even small manufacture can make watch case without such painstaking way. For sure they can have three dimensional cases –that’s the advantage of machinery-, on the other hand, durability has been graciously ignored. In terms of not ascetics but longevity, my personal observation is that forged case is still better than machined one.
It is interesting that GS also have “heated” bracelet. Each bracelet is heated at 1100 C to adhere pins and links. The result is worth sharing. GS Bracelet can bear 100kg tension test even in horizontal side (!). From vertical side, some may be able to pass but horizontal side; as far as I know nothing exist except GS blacelet.
Every GS bracelet may shorten the distance of every links to give precise feeling but thanks to heating process, this is one of the most reliable bracelets, I suppose.
BaselWorld 2013: SEIKO Novelties Review (especially 44GS re-issue)
I was invited to SEIKO Office by PR team for the 2013 Novelties show. To me, the highlight was/is the re-issue of 44GS. I know some people prefers "original" and so do I whenever it is possible. But this re-issue is a different story, IMHO. Please read on...
The GS in SS is ...
To die for. If we consider that my pedestrian (in GS terms) Marinemaster 300m without any regulation is my best performer in terms of precision (so accurate that I don't care to measure anymore) I can barely imagine how great should be a true GS. I love t...
Ah, Nilo...
.. you have similar taste to mine. I love YOUR Zenith (the one with different color three registers), too.... Ken
Half a millimeter. Not much, by most standards. For Grand Seiko, though . . .
. . . faithfulness to their tradition means taking the extra effort by adjusting their machinery to accommodate that half millimeter difference when it comes to making crystals for the 44GS. Amazing. My affection for GS . . . [my wrist, cazalea's SBGW001]...
I don't know about "worth", but...
.. if it ever comes out, I would want one. Hand wind high beat movement has never been re-developed yet by SEIKO and the one on the 45GS re-issue will be totally a new movement and that alone is a good reason to get it. I have been asking SEIKO to make th...
That would depend on how many they decide to make...
... for regular production, +5 ~ -3 would be the best they can maintain. But for LE, they might be able to push a bit. For observatory chronometer performance, you would need to ask the regulation specialist and time and money...... my guess. Ken
Grand Seiko
"Serious Watches for Serious Men" :-) the 44GS is a "Serious" watch in every sense, thanks for another great Report Ken San :-) S
Hey, pleasure is all mine :-)
The most practical ( = meaning, reliable, durable, and accurate) watch on this planet, period. Ken
Superb report, Ken
Thanks for putting this together and giving me a much better understanding of the painstaking details that are involved in a GS watch. Looking to have a GS in my collection at some point and I have an appointment with my local GS boutique next week to loo...
I think these days, GS LE are more allocated to overseas...
.. and easier to get one. So, there is a good chance that the dealer still has one. It has been spoken for long time ago over here, long before the launch, actually :-( Ken
Great story...
Thanks for sharing Ken. Still waiting for my re-issue 44GS and your post didn't make the wait any easier. Wearing my 4522-8000 today... Stefan In anticipation for my 44GS re-issue I am wearing my #grandseiko #4522 from 1968 as #todayswatch #klocksnack ...
Another masterpiece...
..very well-conditioned one. Great catch and looks so nice on your wrist! Thanks for sharing the pic, Stefan! Ken
I think they are all long since spoken for....
I've been trying to locate an SBGW047 - the 44GS in steel, and am really struggling :-( I was told by one dealer who was told by Seiko UK that they had sold lots in Japan and there were'nt many left for export. Whatever the reason - they're not easy to fi...
Well....
.. yes, it's true that this had been almost all spoken for long time before the sale, but SEIKO official told me that 200 for Japan and 500 for overseas (or something like that). PM me, if you need help. Ken
I might be lucky...
Ken, thank you so much for your offer of help. I think I may have tracked one down through a Seiko Centre, but outside the UK (which is where I am). Money has gone to Seiko and I'm waiting for confirmation that the watch is on it's way!!! It seems that yo...
Ken, darn it, why did you have to go and make me lust after a watch I didn;'t know existed
...before reading your post?! SS for me please. Best, CaliforniaJed
Well, Jed....
.. chances are better for you in overseas to get one as the allocation for these LEs tend to be smaller in Japan and larger in the overseas market these days. Ask the GS AD nearby or anywhere in US, there may be still one. Otherwise, I may be able to help...
Interesting information...
on the challenges on case manufacture and blackpolishing, as told by an insider. Makes the 44GS reissue much more desirable. Thanks, Ken.
It's the value of...
.. independent watch forum :-) Thank you and welcome to PPro! Ken
Black polishing
I always see it mentioned it done on the movement. But this is the first time i recall it being done on the case. Too bad no chance to look at one to compare the difference.
Thank you, Ken-san for wonderful report.
Forged case was the way of mass-production before but has great advantage. Forged case can have hardness. Hayashi explained “Vickers Hardness would arise around 100Hv after forging, which gave longevity". That forging and heating process need huge product...
Wow, Hirota-san...
.. didn't know about the bracelet... I have titanium GS and it must be soooo durable, I guess! :-) Thank you for your insight, as always, Hirota-san. Ken
I must say this is one of the most stunning three hands watch.
Thanks KIH for your great review. Regards Ling
Ken - great post and thanks. Am also reviewing
a GS44 at the moment. A stunning plus/minus 2 seconds over the course of a month. Just stunning accuracy and retro chic design. So very 1960's. We hardly see such wonders in the west! Andrew H ...
