New Grand Seiko Heritage 44GS Spring Drive SBGY009
The landmark 44GS returns with an evocative blue dial and Spring Drive technology to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Grand Seiko Style.
Achieving a successful design can be the most challenging aspect of watchmaking. There may be incredible mechanical fireworks inside the case, but if the watch appears to pop out of nowhere, the brand's identity starts to crumble. Grand Seiko has spent seven years solidifying the design codes that define the brand's identity, a set of stylistic requirements that allow it to navigate intact for decades. The watch that established the "Grand Seiko Style" was the 1967 44GS. Turning 55 this year, we see Grand Seiko's signature 44GS in a Hi-Beat GMT model, paired with a gorgeous pink dial SBGW289 and two Hi-Beats ever-splendid steel cases. Today, GS is releasing a limited edition, the new SBGY009 with an evocative dark blue dial and Spring Drive technology.
1967 - The birth of a legend In December 1960, the dream of a small team of Seiko's finest watchmakers to create the finest replica luxury watches imaginable came true, aptly named Grand Seiko. Seven years after its birth, the Grand Seiko style is consolidated in the 44GS model. Designed to express a unique Japanese aesthetic, strict regulations regarding proportions, finishes and angles remain the design principles of Grand Seiko to this day. These are all related to the Japanese obsession with light and shadow. Shadows in Japanese aesthetics are as important as light, and the play of light and shadow on a perfectly polished surface is the essence of harmony. The nine core stylistic elements of Grand Seiko Style, dominated by "sharp lines and sparkling qualities", were established by designer Taro Tanaka in his "Design Grammar" in 1967. These requirements include a case shape with a flat front surface, Zaratsu polished without deformation, inwardly sloping case sides, a crown that is deeply embedded in the case, a flat dial and faceted hands and hour markers, even with the smallest amount of light can also be reflected. Light.
blue moon Nature is the cornerstone of Japanese culture and the main theme of Grand Seiko. Even Japanese brand makers' settings have been deliberately researched to inspire takumi (craftsmen). The Shinshu Watch Studio, where the Spring Drive movement is made, is located in Nagano Prefecture, with an ingenious view of the Jonen and Hotaka mountains. Like many Grand Seiko models, the colors of the dial are directly inspired by nature. The dark blue hue chosen for this Grand Seiko Heritage was designed to capture the beauty of the full moon shining in the night sky over the Shinshu mountains. To recreate the soft glow of moonlight over the landscape, the dial is decorated with a deeply etched sunburst pattern that complements the light.wholesale replica watches
True to the design principles laid out in the Grammar of Style, SBGY009's applied rectangular index (double index at noon) is multi-faceted polished to capture light on one side and create shadows on the other. The sides of the sharp hour and minute hands are diagonally cut and then polished to contrast with the brushed top. The minute and second hands are both hand-shaped and slightly curved at their tips to meet the peripheral track. Thanks to the Spring Drive movement, the seconds hand glides smoothly on the dial and is golden, echoing the GS logo at noon. Like the original 44GS, the sapphire crystal protecting the dial is box-shaped.
The stainless steel case has a diameter of 40mm and a thickness of 10.5mm and features mainly a mirror-polished finish with a brushed finish on the sides of the case. In keeping with Tanaka's style guide, the case has a flat, sharp surface with a mirror-polished finish to increase the contrast between light and shadow. As you know, GS uses the Zaratsu polishing technique to create a distortion-free mirror-finished surface to achieve the desired "quality shine". The semi-recessed crown, inwardly sloping bezel and case sides create a low center of gravity, allowing the watch to sit comfortably on the wrist.replica Greubel Forsey GMT Watches
spring drive The movement inside the GS 44GS 55th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGY009 is the hand-wound Spring Drive calibre 93R1, made in-house by the Shinshu Watch Studio. It relies on the brand's proprietary Spring Drive technology to blend the precision of quartz regulation with the beauty and timelessness of a mechanical movement. Combining the brand's experience in mechanical and electronic watchmaking, this breakthrough technology first appeared in the GS movement in 2004. This in-house movement has the same double mainspring structure as the 9R02 movement, but does not use a torque return system. This results in a slightly lower but still adequate power reserve at 72 hours. However, the accuracy remains the same, with a highly accurate rate of ± 1 second per day ± 15 seconds per month.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – GRAND SEIKO HERITAGE COLLECTION 44GS 55TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION SBGY009 Case: 40mm diameter x 10.5mm thickness - stainless steel, mirror-polished with brushed flanks - box-shaped sapphire crystal with AR coating - see-through caseback - 100m water-resistance Dial: blue, sunray - applied multifaceted indices and hands - golden central seconds hand and GS logo Movement: calibre 9R31, in-house – hand-wound with Spring Drive technology – 72h power reserve – Dual-Spring barrel - accuracy of ± 1 second per day (± 15 seconds per month) – 30 jewels – hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve indicator (back) Strap: blue crocodile leather - triple folding clasp with push-button release Reference: SBGY009