A special edition Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph will be released to celebrate the brand’s 55th anniversary, limited to just 400 pieces.

Grand Seiko – the high end line of Seiko Watch Corporation – is epitomised by four essentials of luxury watchmaking: precision, durability, legibility and beauty. Since its birth in 1960, every Grand Seiko watch has shared these same characteristics.

To celebrate the 55th anniversary of the brand, Seiko will release a Limited Edition Spring Drive Chronograph. Limited to only 400 pieces, the watch takes those four essentials of fine watchmaking and elevates them to the next level to mark the special occasion.

The precision of the watch is honed by a specially tuned version of the Spring Drive 9R96 movement. Greater accuracy is provided by carefully selected crystal oscillators that can realize an accuracy of +/- 0.5 seconds a day. That adds up to no more than 10 seconds off standard time over a month. Through the case back, a lion emblem in 18K yellow gold can be seen on the oscillating weight, proudly symbolizing the watch’s enhanced accuracy.

For the first time ever, this Grand Seiko also has a ceramic bezel. Ceramic is seven times harder and 25% lighter than stainless steel, meaning the watch will be essentially scratch resistant. The deep black ceramic on the bezel gives the watch a crisp and refined appearance, which also contributes to the “beauty” essential requirement. That contrasts very well with the deep blue dial, the signature tone of the Grand Seiko line. The chronograph hands are in gold tone, adding more contrast and even greater legibility.

As far as pricing goes, this limited edition Grand Seiko is expected to retail for somewhere around 10,500 euros. Included in the price are many enhancements and novelties – as shown by the decision to use ceramic – which justify the price difference from the not-so-limited editions of other Grand Seiko chronographs.

If you are inclined to wish Seiko a happy 55th anniversary by purchasing a highly accurate, durable, and elegant timepiece, you’d have my approval. I, on the other hand, will resort to only sending Seiko a greeting card. Maybe by their 100th anniversary I could chip in with a Grand Seiko purchase of my own at this level. (VJ)

Technical information

Movement

• Caliber 9R96 Spring Drive Chronograph GMT
• Driving system: Automatic with manual winding mechanism
• Chronograph up to 12 hours
• GMT hand
• Power reserve: 72 hours
• Number of jewels: 50 jewels
• Accuracy: ±0.5 seconds per day (±10 seconds per month)

Case

• High-intensity titanium with ceramic bezel
• High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
• Screw see-through case back, Screw-down crown and buttons
• Water resistance 10 Bar
• Magnetic resistance 4,800 A/m
• Diameter: 43.5mm, Thickness: 16.5mm

Band

• High-intensity titanium, three-fold clasp with push button release with “GS” emblem in 18K yellow gold