This year Grand Seiko celebrates the 20th anniversary of Spring Drive in a new series within the Elegance collection that presents an even more refined and slim profile in 38.5 mm round cases. The Spring Drive 20th Anniversary series is comprised of four watches featuring Spring Drive calibres. These platinum timepieces have a price of Euro 58,500 / US$ 57,000 (SBGZ003) and Euro 78,000 / US$ 76,000 (SBGZ001) respectively. The reference SBGY002 in yellow gold case features the “Snowflake” dial and has a price of Euro 27,000 / US$ 25,000. Crafted from stainless steel, the last model, (ref. SBGY003) is a limited edition of 700 pieces with a price of Euro 8,200 / US$ 7,600.
In 1999, after over two decades of development, Seiko launched its Spring Drive calibre at Baselworld bringing a unique technology in watchmaking.
This innovative movement generates electrical power from the unwinding of the mainspring, just like all other mechanical watches. This traditional way of generating power allows the watch to be entirely autonomous, with no need for a battery or other power source. The electrical power generated by the glide wheel is then used to activate a quartz oscillator vibrates at exactly 32,768 Hz. Finally, electromagnetic power is used to control the speed at which the spring unwinds acting as a brake. The development of Spring Drive was possible because Grand Seiko is one of the very few manufacturers with mastery of both electronic and mechanical watchmaking.
This year Grand Seiko celebrates the 20th anniversary of Spring Drive in a new series within the Elegance collection that presents an even more refined and slim profile in 38.5 mm round cases.
The Spring Drive 20th Anniversary series is comprised of four watches featuring two new manual-winding Spring Drive calibres both of which have the signature glide motion seconds hand, reflecting the natural and continuous flow of time. All offer an exceptional ± 1 second per day precision.
The first two models are fitted with the Calibre 9R02 that has two mainsprings set in parallel within a single barrel and uses the unique Torque Return System to deliver a power reserve of 84 hours
The cases are made of platinum 950 and are just 9.8 mm thick. The hands and hour markers are made of 14k white gold to ensure long-lasting brilliance. The Grand Seiko name, the minute markers and all the other markings are etched into the dial, and the power reserve indicator is visible through the sapphire crystal case back, next to the barrel whose shape echoes that of the bellflower that is the symbol of Shiojiri, where the Grand Seiko's Micro Artist Studio is located. The two bridges have edges that are highly polished so that their brilliance contrasts with their perfect hairline finish.
One of the two watches is offered as a 30-piece limited edition whose dial features the celebrated “Snowflake” pattern which is inspired by the beauty of the snow in the Shinshu region. The dial’s silver finish complements the delicate hand carving on the platinum case.
These platinum timepieces have a price of Euro 58,500 / US$ 57,000 (SBGZ003) and Euro 78,000 / US$ 76,000 (SBGZ001), respectively.
The other two timepieces are equipped with a new Spring Drive calibre, 9R31, which has the same dual mainspring structure as 9R02 and the same high precision rate of one second a day but delivers a power reserve of 72 hours instead of 84. The finishes of the two movements are also different.
The reference SBGY002 in yellow gold case features the “Snowflake” dial and has a price of Euro 27,000 / US$ 25,000.
Crafted from stainless steel and enhanced by a sunray dial pattern, the last model (ref. SBGY003) is a limited edition of 700 pieces with a price of Euro 8,200 / US$ 7,600.
The Spring Drive 20th Anniversary series will be available at Grand Seiko Boutiques, Seiko Boutiques and selected retail partners worldwide from July, 2019. grand-seiko.com
This innovative movement generates electrical power from the unwinding of the mainspring, just like all other mechanical watches. This traditional way of generating power allows the watch to be entirely autonomous, with no need for a battery or other power source. The electrical power generated by the glide wheel is then used to activate a quartz oscillator vibrates at exactly 32,768 Hz. Finally, electromagnetic power is used to control the speed at which the spring unwinds acting as a brake. The development of Spring Drive was possible because Grand Seiko is one of the very few manufacturers with mastery of both electronic and mechanical watchmaking.
This year Grand Seiko celebrates the 20th anniversary of Spring Drive in a new series within the Elegance collection that presents an even more refined and slim profile in 38.5 mm round cases.
The first two models are fitted with the Calibre 9R02 that has two mainsprings set in parallel within a single barrel and uses the unique Torque Return System to deliver a power reserve of 84 hours
These platinum timepieces have a price of Euro 58,500 / US$ 57,000 (SBGZ003) and Euro 78,000 / US$ 76,000 (SBGZ001), respectively.
The other two timepieces are equipped with a new Spring Drive calibre, 9R31, which has the same dual mainspring structure as 9R02 and the same high precision rate of one second a day but delivers a power reserve of 72 hours instead of 84. The finishes of the two movements are also different.
The reference SBGY002 in yellow gold case features the “Snowflake” dial and has a price of Euro 27,000 / US$ 25,000.
Crafted from stainless steel and enhanced by a sunray dial pattern, the last model (ref. SBGY003) is a limited edition of 700 pieces with a price of Euro 8,200 / US$ 7,600.
The Spring Drive 20th Anniversary series will be available at Grand Seiko Boutiques, Seiko Boutiques and selected retail partners worldwide from July, 2019. grand-seiko.com
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