Limited Edition Model SBGZ005 Commemorating the 160th Anniversary of Kintaro Hattori's BirthSeiko Watch Corporation will release two limited edition Grand Seiko models on January 22, 2021: one commemorating the 160th anniversary of the birth of Kintaro Hattori, Seiko's founder, and one commemorating the 140th anniversary of Seiko's founding. The suggested retail prices are 11.55 million yen (tax included) (10.5 million yen excluding tax) and 3.3 million yen (tax included) (3 million yen excluding tax), respectively.
... Three years later, they began manufacturing pocket watches, which were in high demand at the time, and in 1913, foreseeing the coming age of wristwatches, they managed to manufacture the first domestically produced wristwatch. Since then, thanks to Hattori Kintaro's foresight and unique management philosophy, Hattori Watch Shop has built the foundations of Japan's watch industry.
The following words and management philosophy left behind by Hattori Kintaro, who led the Japanese watch industry and was known as the "King of Watches of the Orient," have been passed down to the present day in Grand Seiko's brand philosophy and manufacturing.
・Always one step ahead of the times (innovation)
"Every merchant needs to be one step ahead of the world. But just one step is enough. If they are too many steps ahead, they become too detached from the world and become almost like a prophet. A merchant should not become a prophet."
・Don't rush, don't rest (evolution)
"It is better to have limitless ambition and work slowly, step by step, without rushing or resting." "If you hurry, you must rest. If you want to proceed without rest, you must not rush."
・Quality products are sure to gain the patronage of customers (high quality)
From the time of founding Seikosha, Kintaro Hattori was determined to "succeed by making exquisite watches," and his extraordinary determination is evident in the fact that he named his manufacturing company "Seikosha." He also strongly believed that quality products would gain customer trust and make his business viable.
{Product Features}
Limited Edition Model Commemorating the 160th Anniversary of Kintaro Hattori's Birth
A platinum case with prominent ridges and a crystal glass with a corresponding curve
The platinum case with its prominent ridges, created by cold forging, brings together Seiko's Zaratsu polishing (※1) technology, and has been polished to a distortion-free finish on both flat and curved surfaces. In addition, the crystal glass connects multiple curved shapes without distortion, giving the watch a soft overall impression while achieving high visibility that allows you to see every corner of the dial.
A multi-layer dial with delicate radiating effects, created using new techniques
Inspired by the radiating patterns that were not possible on the dial of the original Grand Seiko, the multi-layer dial was created by incorporating modern processing techniques as well as new techniques. The brand logo, SD mark (Special Dial mark, which can be found on dials with solid gold indexes), and second markers emerge from the delicate radiating pattern, achieving beauty and legibility solely through three-dimensional shading, without relying on printing. The indexes and hour and minute hands are specially crafted from 14K white gold, with sharp shapes that highlight the texture of the solid gold, which has been machined.
Equipped with a Spring Drive (※2) movement with a power reserve of approximately 84 hours, well over three days
The movement installed in this model is Spring Drive "Caliber 9R02," crafted at the Micro Artist Atelier (※3) (located within Seiko Epson Corporation's Shiojiri Plant), a specialist luxury watchmaking workshop, and featuring a combination of a "Dual Spring Barrel" (※4) and a "Torque Return System" (※5), it has a power reserve of approximately 84 hours.
An 18K yellow gold patch engraved with "Micro Artist" is attached to the movement bridge, and this plate can be exchanged for a plate engraved with the words of your choice.
Seiko 140th Anniversary Limited Edition Model SBGW260
Reproduction of the First Grand Seiko
This model is a gorgeous reproduction of the design of the first Grand Seiko, crafted in 18K pink gold. 18K gold, which radiates timeless beauty, is used for the case and indexes. The "Grand Seiko" logo at 12 o'clock is embossed, giving it a three-dimensional shine.
The movement bridge, visible through the case back, is engraved with the rounded S mark, which was used as the trademark when Seikosha was founded by Kintaro Hattori.
Equipped with a classic hand-wound caliber utilizing the latest technology
The movement is equipped with the mechanical hand-wound caliber 9S64. Caliber 9S uses Seiko's proprietary, highly durable material "Spron" for its mainspring and hairspring. Additionally, the escapement uses high-precision parts with excellent surface smoothness manufactured using MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems).
【Product Specifications】
Masterpiece Collection
Limited Edition Model Commemorating the 160th Anniversary of Kintaro Hattori's Birth
Other Specifications
https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja/collections/sbgz005
[Movement Specifications]
Spring Drive Movement Caliber 9R02
Winding Method: Manual winding
Time Accuracy: Average monthly rate ± 15 seconds (equivalent to daily rate ± 1 second) (when worn on the wrist at an temperature of 5°C to 35°C)
Power Reserve: Approximately 84 hours (3.5 days)
Number of Jewels: 39
Elegance Collection
Limited Edition Model Commemorating Seiko's 140th Anniversary
Other specifications
https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja/collections/sbgw260
[Movement specifications]
Mechanical movement Caliber 9S64
Winding method Manual winding
Time accuracy Average daily rate of +5 to -3 seconds (static accuracy) *Accuracy when worn is estimated to be +10 to -1 second per day
Power reserve Approximately 72 hours
Number of jewels 24
Vibration frequency 28,800 Vibrations per hour (8 vibrations per second)
(※1) Zaratsu Polishing
A surface treatment technique in which a circular surface plate is rotated and the case is pressed against it to smooth the surface, creating a distortion-free flat surface.
(※2) Spring Drive
Like mechanical watches, Spring Drive is a Seiko-original drive mechanism that uses the unwinding power of a mainspring as its power source, while accurately controlling precision using an IC and quartz oscillator. It features no battery required, stable timekeeping accuracy that is virtually unaffected by external factors such as temperature changes, shocks, and vibrations, as well as a smooth, flowing sweep movement of the second hand.
(※3) Micro Artist Studio
Micro Artist Studio is one of the main workshops that make up the "Shinshu Time Craftsman Workshop," and was established within Seiko Epson Corporation's Shiojiri Plant in 2000 with the aim of passing on watchmaking skills. Currently, the company's staff includes "Contemporary Master Craftsmen," including gold medalists from the World Skills Competition and recipients of the Medal with Yellow Ribbon, who utilize their advanced skills and techniques to create complicated timepieces.
(※4) Dual Spring Barrel
Two long, thin mainsprings are stacked in parallel in a single barrel, improving power reserves.
(※5) Torque Return System
This ingenious mechanism makes the most of the high-torque characteristics of Spring Drive, effectively utilizing limited energy to extend the watch's power reserves. The Caliber 9R02 utilizes the energy of the mainspring to wind itself for approximately 48 hours after being fully wound, which produces high torque. As a result, the combined power reserve and dual spring barrels achieve a power reserve of approximately 84 hours (3.5 days).
Seiko Watch Corporation Customer Service Center: 0120-061-012 (toll-free)
Grand Seiko Official Website Address:
https://www.grand-seiko.com/
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