Debuting at WatchTime New York 2018: Grand Seiko U.S. Exclusive Limited Editions


The first Grand Seiko arrived in 1960 and was all but unknown at the time to watch enthusiasts in the United States. How times have changed: this year, the Japanese high-end watchmaker, now independent of the Seiko parent company, has launched its first limited-edition timepiece to be sold exclusively in the U.S. market. And what better a venue to unveil this very special watch to American audiences than America’s biggest luxury watch show? Yes, all three versions of the new Grand Seiko U.S. Exclusive Limited Edition will be among the highlight pieces at WatchTime New York later this month.

Grand Seiko U.S. Exclusive Platinum SBGA385
Grand Seiko U.S. Exclusive Limited Edition in Platinum (Ref. SBGA385)

The lustrous, shimmering dials of the Limited Editions (cased in 950 platinum, 18k rose gold, or stainless steel) are enlivened by a traditional Japanese painting technique called Kira-zuri (which translates to “sparkling painting”), used to create the textured backgrounds behind actors in Kabuki theater performances. Each of the three dials is subtly different: an additional plating process has been used on the dial of the platinum model (above) for increased clarity and depth, for example, while the dial of the stainless steel version (below) dazzles with a blue tone that is inspired, Grand Seiko says, by “the clear blue skies over the Sea of Japan.”

Grand Seiko U.S. Exclusive LE Stainless Steel SBGA387
Grand Seiko U.S. Exclusive Limited Edition in Stainless Steel (Ref. SBGA387)

Inside the watches’ 40-mm-diameter cases, with their dual-curved sapphire crystals and Zaratsu-finished, polished surfaces, beats the Grand Seiko Spring Drive 9R15/65 movement, with 30 jewels and a 72-hour power reserve. Invented by Seiko, Spring Drive calibers achieve their high level of timekeeping accuracy (+/- 0.5 seconds per day, +/- 10 seconds per month) through their use of a balance wheel, electromagnetic energy, and a quartz oscillator instead of a traditional escapement. This “Tri-Synchro Regulator” transmits energy to a classical rotor, which is visible, along with other movement parts, through a clear sapphire caseback.

Grand Seiko U.S. Exclusive LE - Rose Gold SBGA384
Grand Seiko U.S. Exclusive Limited Edition in Rose Gold (Ref. SBGA384)

The classically elegant dials host a date window at 3 o’clock and a fan-shaped power reserve indicator between 7 and 8 o’clock. The cases are water-resistant to 100 meters and magnetic-resistant to 4,800 A/m. The platinum and rose-gold versions of the watch are mounted on crocodile straps with three-fold, push-button clasps, while the steel model comes on a stainless steel bracelet with additional croc straps (one brown, one black) included. The platinum watch, a limited edition of only 20 pieces, is priced at $53,000. The rose-gold model, limited to 50 pieces, retails for $29,500. The stainless steel timepiece, limited to a slightly more accessible 558 pieces, is priced at $6,800.

Grand Seiko U.S. Exclusive LE Stainless Steel SBGA387 on Black Strap
The stainless steel model on a black crocodile strap

Would you like to be among the first in the U.S., and thus the first in the world, to see and try on the Grand Seiko U.S. Exclusive Limited Editions? Order your tickets now for WatchTime New York, which kicks off on October 26 at Gotham Hall in New York City.

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  1. Harlan Glebe

    As a watch collector for 50 years, I would very much enjoy attending the Watch Time New York Show. Thank you in advance fo your consideration.

    Reply
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