Grand Seiko is releasing two special limited editions, a Chronograph model SBGC247 to celebrate their 15th anniversary of their Chronograph milestone and a GMT model SBGE275 for their 20th anniversary GMT milestone.
The design concept of these two new limited releases embodies the theme of “The Nature of Time” to the Grand Seiko Sport Collection for the first time. Both the Chronograph SBGC247 and the GMT SBGE275 are equipped with a white snow pattern dial that captures the beauty of the Northern Alps in the heroic art form of "Sukabra".
Sukabra refers to the rugged pattern of deeply piled snow on the high mountains scraped off by heavy wind in late winter. The dynamic scenery of Sukabra becomes even more vibrant as early spring approaches when daytime temperature rises and snow begins to thaw, creating a beautiful art form of nature that is captured on the dial.
Following Grand Seiko's brand philosophy of "The Nature of Time", both the SBGC247 and the SBGE275 are inspired by nature and the changing seasons. This Sukabra series are sensibility made by the watchmaster who seeks to express the essence of time and the power of natural energy in a Japanese spiritual manner.
Grand Seiko's first GMT SBGM001 9S56 was born in 2002, and a chronograph SBGC201 9R86 was born in 2007. With the presence of these two multifunctional movements, Grand Seiko has expanded its significance to the world of luxury watch. Apart from establishing Grand’s Seiko branding cornerstone, the GMT 9S56 and Chronographs 9R86 series responded to broader consumer acceptance.
This year, Grand Seiko successfully uplifts its precision craftsmanship to a higher level - both the Chronograph SBGC247 and the GMT SBGE275 are now equipped with their iconic Spring Drive caliber, the 9R96 and the 9R16. Not to mention, both of these 9R series caliber are one of the most precise caliber found in the market.
The "caliber 9R96" installed in the Chronograph SBGC247 is a movement that is specially adjusted from the "caliber 9R86" but with higher precision. The "caliber 9R96" has an average monthly difference of ± 10 seconds, a 5 seconds increase from that of "caliber 9R86" which has an average monthly difference of ± 15 seconds.
The "caliber 9R16" installed in the GMT SBGE275 is a movement that is specially adjusted from the 9R Spring Drive GMT movement "caliber 9R66" but also with higher precision. The "caliber 9R16" has an average monthly difference of ± 10 seconds, a 5 seconds increase from that of "caliber 9R66" which has an average monthly difference of ± 15 seconds.
Both movements embodies a 18K yellow gold "lion emblem" on the rotating weight as a proof of special adjustment accuracy which can be seen from the back cover of the see-through case back.
The Grand Seiko Sports Collection SBGC247 is limited to 700 pieces internationally and 300 pieces domestically in Japan.
The Grand Seiko Sports Collection SBGE275 is limited to 1500 pieces internationally and 500 pieces domestically in Japan.
The expected launch date of the Grand Seiko Sports Collection SBGC247 is late-February 2022 and Grand Seiko Sports Collection SBGE275 is mid-March 2022. Pre-order is now available at Watch Outz, come drop us a line at cs@watchoutz.com anytime.