Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT 20th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGE305

The new Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT SBGE305 celebrates the 20th anniversary since the launch of the first model powered by Calibre 9R. Price €6,600

The genesis of Seiko's Spring Drive dates back to the 1970s, conceived with the aim of crafting a timepiece that seamlessly blends the force of a mainspring with electronic watchmaking technologies, in order to achieve a precision level beyond the reach of conventional mechanical watches.

After more than 20 years of development, the first generation of Spring Drive was born. The vision to create a version worthy of the Grand Seiko name led to the development of a movement named 9R, which powers all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches today. In September 2004, Grand Seiko released the first watch powered by this movement, featuring automatic winding and a 72-hour power reserve.

The new Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT SBGE305, part of the Sport Collection, celebrates the 20th anniversary of this achievement occurring in 2024. 

Crafted from stainless steel, the case of the SBGE295 measures 40.5 mm in diameter and 14.7 mm in thickness. Grand Seiko’s signature Zaratsu finish, with alternating mirror-polished and hairline surfaces along different parts of the case, highlights the design. The downturned lugs and the offset crown at 4 o’clock contribute to wearability and comfort.

A scratch-resistant black ceramic bezel with 24-hour scale frames the dark red dial, which takes inspiration from a vivid sunrise as it illuminates the steep landscape of the same Hotaka mountain range in summer. 

The local hour hand can be set independently, forward or backward, while the watch is running, ensuring that precision is always maintained when changing time zones according to one’s travels.

Set against the dark red dial, the silver-coloured GMT hand further enhances legibility, which is always excellent thanks to the dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface.

The Spring Drive Caliber 9R66 has a 72-hour power reserve when fully wound, and there is a visible power reserve indicator next to the 8 o’clock index on the dial. Its average accuracy is ±1 second per day / ±15 seconds per month. 

The Spring Drive calibre generates electrical power from the unwinding of the mainspring, allowing the watch to be entirely autonomous, with no need for a battery. The electrical power generated by the glide wheel is then used to activate a quartz oscillator vibrating at 32,768 Hz. Electromagnetic power is also used to control the speed at which the spring unwinds, acting as a brake.

The crown and the case back are secured by screw-down mechanisms, and the watch is water resistant to 20 bar (approximately corresponding to 200 metres / 660 feet).

Issued in a limited edition of 1,300 pieces, the Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT 20th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGE305 will be available at Grand Seiko Boutiques and select retail partners worldwide beginning in June 2024 at the price of Euro 6,600 / US$ 6,200. grand-seiko.com