Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT – SBGJ001 – SBGJ003 – Limited Edition SBGJ005

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Limited Edition SBGJ005

In 1968, Seiko introduce their 1st 36,000 bph caliber in Grand Seiko in the 61GS.  For 20 years, this rate of movement was a staple in the Grand Seiko collection.  In 1988, however, the decision was made to make all Grand Seiko watches with a quartz movement.  They did bring back the mechanical movements to Grand Seiko in 1998, but only in 28,800 bph.  In 2009, Seiko re-introduced its 1st Hi-Beat caliber in over 21 years, the 9S85 movement.   The advancements in technology allowed Seiko to tremendously improve on the resilience of the hairspring. MEMS and CAD/CAM manufacturing allowed them to build smoother, stronger, lighter and more precise escapement gears and pallet forks, and the alloys for the mainspring were able to provide enough power and torque to supply the faster rate, as well as extending power reserve.  All of these factors came together to build a superior movement at a fast rate, eliminating some of the most prevalent issues of wear and tear with a 36,000 bph caliber.  For the 5 year anniversary of the 9S85 caliber, Seiko has expanded the series of calibers by adding the 9S86, with new GMT feature.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Limited Edition SBGJ005

To celebrate this new release, Seiko introduced 3 new models with the new 9S86 caliber.  1st, we introduce the Limited Edition, SBGJ005.  The dial of the 005 is a beautiful dark green with gold accents to symbolize the summers surrounding the Shizuku-Ishi watch studio in Morioka Japan.  During the summers, the trees are a beautiful green surrounding Mt. Iwate, which is visible outside of the windows of the studio.  The detailed texture in the radial finished dial express the ridges of Mt. Iwate, giving a beautiful texture as only seen once before on the SBGH005.  The entire line up of new Hi-Beat GMT’s will have the same textured dial.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Limited Edition SBGJ005

This limited edition will be the only in the series to feature a unique titanium rotor with weighted with tungsten that covers nearly the entire movement, with openings to expose the beautifully striped and decorated caliber.  The wing motif of the rotor expresses the leap to the next level of the 9S8 caliber.  The titanium rotor is treated by anodic oxidation to create its gold tone.  The titanium not only has high corrosion resistance, but also acts as a shock absorber which reduces the chance of distortion to the rotor and the its bearings.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Limited Edition SBGJ005

For the new SBGJ005, only 600 pieces total will be made for world wide distribution.  The watch expresses strength and growth (of which Grand Seiko has gone through a tremendous amount of over the last 4 years), and has a tremendous deep look to the dial.  There is much meaning that goes into Grand Seiko as a brand, with the SBGJ005 expressing many great things in Grand Seiko’s history, heritage and evolution.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ003

The next piece in the new 9S86 series is the SBGJ003.  This model will have the same ridge textured dial as the SBGH005 with red GMT hand and accents.  The stainless steel case on all three models is 40mm, inspired by the 1st Grand Seiko to come out of Daini Seikosha (now SII/Shizuku-Ishi), the 44GS.  While it is not quite the same as the SBGW047 released last year, it is more comparable to the SBGR081/083 automatics.  The case on the SBGJ series will be slightly thicker then last years automatic LE, at 14mm.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ003

The finish is of the case exposes a significant amount of the Zaratsu blade polishing technique.  This mirror like finish is considered to be one of the finest in the industry, and dates back to 1964 when Seiko first started using it on the Grand Seiko wrist watches.  These also have a beautiful slightly domed sapphire crystal with Seiko’s proprietary anti-reflective coating, eliminating 99.9% of glare.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ001

The final piece in the new Hi-Beat GMT’s is the SBGJ001.  This model will have a white dial, again textured with the ridges of Mt. Iwate, and blue steel GMT hand.  The texture is easiest to see of the 3 new models, as the darker colors texture tend to fade into the shadows, making them more subtle.   The GMT movement features an independently adjustable hour hand, making for quick timezone adjustments without deviating the watches -3 to +5 second per day accuracy rating.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ001

The look of the white dial with blue accents is very reminiscent of the Snowflake model, due to texture, crossed with a slight bit more silver as you would see in the SBGH001.  The design on all 3 are gorgeous making for difficult decisions between the 3.  Of course, the limited model will be in the most high demand for obvious reasons, but all 3 are outstanding.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ003

For core production models (SBGJ001 and 003), the rotor will be the same as on the SBGH series.  Striping can be found throughout the movements, with all the same special manufacturing methods as on the original SBGH series. The sapphire crystal case back will also have the subtle Grand Seiko Lion hologram visible at certain angles.  Another beautiful and subtle detail as always found in GS.  Official pricing on the SBGJ001, 003 and 005 is still being finalized.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Special 18k Gold SBGJ007 SBGJ008 SBGJ009

There are also a set of Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Special’s coming this year in 18k White Gold (SBGJ007), Yellow Gold (SBGJ008), and Pink Gold, SBGJ010.  These will feature a specially adjusted movement with higher accuracy rating then the Grand Seiko Standard (+5/-3 seconds per day).  The Grand Seiko Special Standard models will have a +4/-2 second a day deviation rating, making them one of the highest accuracy mechanical movements available.  The case size on these will be 39.5mm wide and 13.9mm thick.  These are estimated to retail from $20,000-$21,000 and only 200 pieces will be produced between all 3 colors annually.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat Special Stainless Steel SBGH035

Finally, this year will also introduce a stainless steel Hi-Beat Special (non-GMT) model labeled as SBGH035.  This will also have the +4/-2 second per day deviation rating and come in a 38mm case with back crocodile strap.  Only 300 pieces will be made world wide, and are estimated to retail at about $7,500.

All models are currently available for pre-order.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 1-800-486-3996, or submit an inquiry through AZFineTime.com.

 

Thanks for reading!

See more pictures below…

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Limited Edition SBGJ005

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Limited Edition SBGJ005

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Limited Edition SBGJ005

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Limited Edition SBGJ005

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Limited Edition SBGJ005

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Limited Edition SBGJ005

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Limited Edition SBGJ005

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Limited Edition SBGJ005

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ001

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ001

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ001

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ001

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ001

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ001

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ001

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ003

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ003

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ003

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ003

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ003

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ003

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ003

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ003

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat Special Stainless Steel SBGH035

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT Special 18k Gold SBGJ007 SBGJ008 SBGJ009

 

 

Seiko – Live From Baselworld 2014 -Part 1

AZ Fine Time is proud to bring you the first live look from Seiko’s booth here at Baselworld 2014!!   There are some great anniversaries for Seiko this year, which leads to a ton of great new items releasing in the near future.  Here’s a taste of what you will see delivering to our store over the next several months…

As a part of the Grand Seiko Historical Collection, Seiko commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the 2nd Grand Seiko released, the Self-Dater from 1964.  The collection will consist of 3 40mm Spring Drive models, the silver dialed SBGA103, the blue dialed SBGA105, and the champagne dialed with platinum case SBGA107.  All 3 of these models will utilize the 9R15 Spring Drive movement the US market saw for the 1st time last year in the 18k gold Snowflake models.  This movement contains a specially selected quartz crystal giving a higher accuracy rating of +/-10 seconds a month as compared to the 9R65’s +/-15 seconds a month.  The steel bracelet versions will retail for roughly $6,500 and be limited to 500 pieces for the world,while the platinum piece will retail for roughly $34,500, with only 30 pieces produced total.

 

Grand Seiko Spring Drive Limited Edition Platinum SBGA107

Grand Seiko Spring Drive Limited Edition SBGA105

Grand Seiko Spring Drive Limited Edition SBGA103

As a part of the same collection, Seiko will have 2 new Grand Seiko Quartz models to pay tribute to the GS Self-Dater.  The silver dialed SBGV009 and black dialed SBGV011 will have 37mm stainless steel cases with black crocodile leather straps.  Each contains the 9F82 quartz caliber with specially selected quartz crystal giving a +/- 5 second a year accuracy rating.  The SBGV009 will be limited to 1,200 pieces for the world, while the SBGV011 will only have 900 pieces.  The estimated retail is roughly $4,000.  The fact that the GS Self-Dater was made in Seiko’s Suwa Seikosha factory (now Seiko Epson) makes these pieces even more special as this is now where they make their Spring Drive and Quartz movements for GS.  Daini Seikosha (now SII) did not start making GS until 1967 with the 44GS we saw reprised last year.

Grand Seiko Quartz Limited Edition Self-Dater Historical Collection SBGV011

Grand Seiko Quartz Limited Edition Self-Dater Historical Collection SBGV009

Another anniversary this year is the 5 year of the 9S85 Hi-Beat caliber.  In light of this, Seiko not only has a limited edition model (or 2), but has introduced a whole new feature and caliber to the Hi-Beat line up.  The 9S86 movement will feature a GMT with independent moving hour hand and be expressed in 2 regular production models, the white dialed with blue GMT hand SBGJ001 and the black dialed with red GMT hand SBGJ003.  The limited edition variation is labeled as SBGJ005 and have a green dial with gold GMT hand.  All pieces will have the same Hi-Beat case that is 40mm, and the LE pieces will be limited to 600 made for the world with titanium and tungsten rotor in gold tone.  All dials are textured, and exquisite in person.  Prices are estimated to range from $7,000-$8,000.  There are also 3 18k Hi-Beat GMT Special’s on the horizon, not on display, but they are coming.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT 9S86 Limited Edition SBGJ005

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT 9S86 SBGJ003

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT 9S86 SBGJ001

Aside from all the anniversary type pieces, Grand Seiko is finally expanding their 9F Quartz collection.  The introduction of the SBGV005 with champagne dial and the SBGV007 with black dial, will have the same 40mm stainless steel case and bracelet as found on last years 44GS automatic limited editions.  Prices are estimated to be in the $3,500 range.

Grand Seiko Quartz SBGV005

Grand Seiko Quartz SBGV007

Galante will also have a new addition labeled the “Snow Leopard”.  This limited model will have a white dial, white leather strap and incredible design.  More information soon to come.

 

Seiko Galante Snow Leopard

And now the news everyone has been waiting for…  Prospex will finally be available in select styles in the US!!!  I hate to leave you hanging, but there will be more to come…

 

Seiko Prospex Kinetic GMT

Seiko Prospex Kinetic GMT

And one of the biggest advancements in tech for Seiko is the release of the NEW Astron GPS Solar CHRONOGRAPH!!  Utilizing the 8X82, not only will Astron have a completely new function, but also smaller size at 45mm wide, 13.3mm thick.  The new series will consist of many models, with SBXB001 as the new flagship limited edition.  Stand by for a whole lot of news on these new releases…

 

Seiko Astron GPS Solar Chronograph Limited Edition SBXB001

Seiko Astron GPS Solar Chronograph SBXB003

Seiko Astron GPS Solar Chronograph SBXB005

Seiko Astron GPS Solar Chronograph Ladies

Seiko Astron GPS Solar Chronograph

All models are officially available for pre-order through AZ Fine Time.  As I mentioned in the beginning, this is only a taste of what is to come.  Stand by for much much more on the AZFT Blog, from Seiko and all the other brands we carry!  Here’s a little teaser of something else we love…

credor minute repeater GBLS998

Prices, quantities and availability are subject to change 

Thanks for reading!