Mapping Ginza in Sky Blue - The New Grand Seiko Heritage Ginza Limited Edition SBGH297

Grand Seiko has just released yet another outstanding Heritage timepiece to their collection - the new Grand Seiko Heritage Ginza Limited Edition SBGH297. Paying tribute to the brand’s origin in Ginza, the dial is inspired by the street map of the luxury district of Tokyo where Kintaro Hattori, the founder of Seiko, first opened his watch repair shop in 1881 and later established the most important Japanese watchmaking empires.

Situated right at the heart of Japan’s capital city, Ginza bears utmost significance for Seiko and its sub-companies. It is where the brand operates and for more than 100 years now, the original Seiko clock tower still stands at the freshly repurposed Seiko House Ginza, keeping Tokyo on time. Formerly known as the iconic Wako Department Store, Seiko House Ginza has recently been relaunched and officially reopened on June 10, 2022 as Seiko’s brand communications hub. The newly renovated VIP rooftop area Seiko Sky Garden is now opened to the public at specified times where guests can get a glimpse of the historic Seiko clock tower up close and personal.

Last year in October 2021, Seiko paid tribute to the neighbourhood of Ginza with a pair of limited edition models - Prospex 1959 Alpinist Modern Re-interpretation SPB259 and Presage SSA445. Marking Seiko’s 140th anniversary last fall, both limited editions had dial designs that mirrored Ginza’s cobblestone streets. And today, the spotlight has fallen on Grand Seiko to commemorate the brand’s birthplace with the Ginza Limited Edition SBGH297.

Inspired by the 62GS, the SBGH297 sports a 40mm stainless-steel case that is brushed and polished using Grand Seiko’s signature Zaratsu technique. The prominent grid pattern dial is topped with the industry’s hottest Sky Blue hue (rather than Tiffany Blue as others may have referenced) - craftily bringing the dreamy sense of Ginza’s afternoon sky and the busy streets of the luxury shopping district to the heritage timepiece.

Fitted with steel hour and minute hands, the Grand Seiko Ginza Limited Edition SBGH297 has matching steel markers, a contrasting blue seconds hand and a date indication at 3 o’clock. Featuring a box-shaped sapphire crystal, a screw-down crown, and is water-resistant to 100m, Grand Seiko’s signature lion emblem can also be found on the sapphire crystal caseback.

Worn on a 3-link steel bracelet, the SBGH297 is powered by the Calibre 9S85, produced in-house by the Shizukuishi studio. This automatic movement, from the previous generation, beats at a 5Hz (36,000 vibrations/hour) frequency and can store up to 55 hours of power reserve. Its accuracy is rated at +5 to -3 seconds per day and the movement is visible under the specifically-decorated sapphire crystal.

Limited to only 260 pieces and stocked at just five authourized boutiques throughout Ginza from June 2022, the Sky Blue Grand Seiko Heritage Ginza Limited Edition SBGH297 is currently the hottest rarity that most, if not all watch enthusiasts over the world are fighting to get their wrists on.