In 2018 Grand Seiko celebrates the 20th anniversary of its 9S caliber with 3 new movements. Prices of the Hi-Beat 36000 Limited Edition: SBGH267G, SBGH266J, SBGH265J
In 2018, Grand Seiko celebrated the 20th anniversary of its 9S mechanical caliber with three special movements housed in a new 40 mm case design.
After the launch of the very first Grand Seiko watch in 1960, the creation of the 9S mechanical caliber in 1998 was perhaps the most important moment in the history of Grand Seiko. This movement was designed from scratch to deliver exceptional precision and reliability. Over the years, the 9S caliber has been continuously enhanced, with new Spron alloys for both the main and balance springs and MEMS engineering, a technique that allows key components to be manufactured to tolerances as small as one thousandth of a millimeter.
Today, 9S is the platform on which the entire Grand Seiko suite of mechanical calibers is built and is recognised as one of the world’s finest calibers for its high precision, long power reserve and robust construction.
The first edition, the Hi-Beat 36000 V.F.A. ref. SBGH265J, is limited to 20 pieces and comes in a platinum case proudly bringing the V.F.A. initials (“Very Fine Adjusted”) in its name.
First used in 1969, V.F.A. defined a Grand Seiko watch that was adjusted so skillfully that it achieved a precision rate far in excess of the Grand Seiko Standard.
Its 9S85 Hi-Beat 36000 caliber, a precision rate of +3 to -1 seconds per day, a level achieved by the highest level of adjustment and a testing program extended to 34 days.
The dial incorporates the special mark that was used to designate the watches made by the team at Daini Seikosha, the company now known as Seiko Instruments Inc., which developed its first Grand Seiko hi-beat watch in 1968. This mark alternates with the GS initials in a mosaic that radiates out from the center of the dial in a geometric pattern.
The second edition, the Hi-Beat 36000 Special ref. SBGH266J, is in yellow gold and limited to 150 pieces while the third one, the Hi-Beat 36000 ref. SBGH267G, is housed in a stainless steel case and produced in 1,500 pieces. Both share the same case design as the V.F.A. creation, the same caliber 9S85 and the same dial design.
The gold version is adjusted to the Grand Seiko Special standard and offers a precision rate of +4 to -2 seconds per day. As with the V.F.A. version, the oscillating weight carries the Grand Seiko lion emblem in 18k gold as a symbol of the enhanced accuracy.
The stainless steel design has a different oscillating weight made of titanium and tungsten and coloured blue by an anodic oxidation process which generates an oxide film through electrolysis.
The Grand Seiko Caliber 9S 20th Anniversary Limited Editions have the following prices: Euro 53,500 in platinum (ref. SBGH265J), Euro 27,000 in yellow gold (ref. SBGH266J), and Euro 6,300 in stainless steel. grand-seiko.com
After the launch of the very first Grand Seiko watch in 1960, the creation of the 9S mechanical caliber in 1998 was perhaps the most important moment in the history of Grand Seiko. This movement was designed from scratch to deliver exceptional precision and reliability. Over the years, the 9S caliber has been continuously enhanced, with new Spron alloys for both the main and balance springs and MEMS engineering, a technique that allows key components to be manufactured to tolerances as small as one thousandth of a millimeter.
Today, 9S is the platform on which the entire Grand Seiko suite of mechanical calibers is built and is recognised as one of the world’s finest calibers for its high precision, long power reserve and robust construction.
The first edition, the Hi-Beat 36000 V.F.A. ref. SBGH265J, is limited to 20 pieces and comes in a platinum case proudly bringing the V.F.A. initials (“Very Fine Adjusted”) in its name.
First used in 1969, V.F.A. defined a Grand Seiko watch that was adjusted so skillfully that it achieved a precision rate far in excess of the Grand Seiko Standard.
Its 9S85 Hi-Beat 36000 caliber, a precision rate of +3 to -1 seconds per day, a level achieved by the highest level of adjustment and a testing program extended to 34 days.
The dial incorporates the special mark that was used to designate the watches made by the team at Daini Seikosha, the company now known as Seiko Instruments Inc., which developed its first Grand Seiko hi-beat watch in 1968. This mark alternates with the GS initials in a mosaic that radiates out from the center of the dial in a geometric pattern.
The second edition, the Hi-Beat 36000 Special ref. SBGH266J, is in yellow gold and limited to 150 pieces while the third one, the Hi-Beat 36000 ref. SBGH267G, is housed in a stainless steel case and produced in 1,500 pieces. Both share the same case design as the V.F.A. creation, the same caliber 9S85 and the same dial design.
The gold version is adjusted to the Grand Seiko Special standard and offers a precision rate of +4 to -2 seconds per day. As with the V.F.A. version, the oscillating weight carries the Grand Seiko lion emblem in 18k gold as a symbol of the enhanced accuracy.
The stainless steel design has a different oscillating weight made of titanium and tungsten and coloured blue by an anodic oxidation process which generates an oxide film through electrolysis.
The Grand Seiko Caliber 9S 20th Anniversary Limited Editions have the following prices: Euro 53,500 in platinum (ref. SBGH265J), Euro 27,000 in yellow gold (ref. SBGH266J), and Euro 6,300 in stainless steel. grand-seiko.com
I am seriously considering the steel version. I was very happy to see the spin-off of Grand Seiko from Seiko.
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