Grand Seiko proudly commemorates the 20th anniversary of its revolutionary Calibre 9R Spring Drive with the release of the SBGY035 and SBGA499, two stunning new watches in the Elegance Collection.
The journey of Spring Drive began in the 1970s with a visionary idea: to create the perfect watch by merging the traditional power of a mainspring with advanced electronic technology, achieving a level of precision unmatched by conventional mechanical watches. Over the years, this groundbreaking innovation has evolved into what is now known as the Calibre 9R, a hallmark of Grand Seiko’s watchmaking excellence.
In celebration of this milestone and drawing inspiration from the breathtaking autumn sunrises over the Hotaka mountain range, these timepieces pay homage to both nature and innovation.
The dial of SBGY035 captures the moment the sun’s rays first touch the peaks, illuminating the autumn foliage in a radiant, fiery glow. The deep red hue at the edge of the dial gradually brightens toward the centre, mirroring the transition from darkness to dawn. The smooth, silent glide of the Spring Drive seconds hand further enhances the watch’s ability to reflect the natural passage of time.
Measuring just 10.2mm thick, this timepiece combines elegance with impressive technical specifications, including a 72-hour power reserve and an accuracy of ±15 seconds per month, all powered by the manual-winding Spring Drive Calibre 9R31. The watch is completed with a red-brown crocodile leather strap, perfectly complementing its autumnal theme.
This new watch captures the fiery beauty of the Hotaka mountain range, where the vibrant autumn leaves glow under the golden morning sun.
Featuring a striking bright red dial, the SBGA499 vividly portrays the rich hues of the mountain’s foliage at sunrise. The dial’s recessed power-reserve indicator, rendered in copper pink, not only adds depth to the design but also enhances legibility and provides a visually captivating contrast. The rose gold GS logo complements the intensity of the red dial, evoking the mesmerizing transition of autumn leaves in all their brilliant colours. A delicate sunray finish ensures the dial catches the light from every angle, revealing its full splendour.
The SBGA499 showcases a meticulously crafted stainless steel case and bracelet. Its design is highlighted by a box-shaped sapphire crystal featuring an anti-reflective coating on the inner surface to ensure a clear, unobstructed view of the dial from every angle. Measuring 40.2mm in diameter and 12.8mm in thickness, this timepiece strikes a perfect balance between presence and comfort on the wrist. The three-fold clasp with a push-button release adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that the watch stays firmly in place while providing easy wearability.
The watch is driven by the Calibre 9R65, which merges the robust torque of a mechanical movement with the precision of an advanced electronic regulator. It boasts an impressive accuracy of one second per day, and the second hand glides effortlessly, a hallmark of the Spring Drive technology.
