Now, as many of you know, I’m a watch snob. Well. I’m not really, but if there’s anything in this horological world in which we’re living that’s guaranteed to bring out the watch snob in you, it’s a discussion of Seiko.
Quick disclosure: I own a Seiko Sumo. It’s my “go to” dive watch. Has a remarkable 6R15 movement in it, some lovely finishing, and, at £400+ (via Seiya Japan), a relatively expensive Seiko. Or so I thought.
Anyway, the black-dialled Hi-Beat, released in May this year, has Seiko’s 9S85 37J movement in it (beating at 36,000 bph) and a power reserve of 55 hours. It’s 40mm across and it looked absolutely stunning. A lovely thing. The seconds hand sweeping through that arc as smoothly as the Guinness.
The GS Spring Drive Diver (model SBGE001) was also on show, but I couldn’t, for the life of me manage to get a decent shot. In profile, you can see some of the detailing, but it really is a truly magnificent diver. The sweep second hand is mesmerising – with a luminous dot on the back of the hand. The indices are Sumo-esque, as are the lugs, but the whole thing is an absolute joy to hold and wear. The bezel has a very, very satisfying click to it. Solid. Oh and a really nice clasp too – micro adjustable in a simple and rather elegant manner.
Was also rather taken by the Spring Drive GMT (model SBGA029). Sapphire bezel. There was also a very interesting chronograph floating around, which I will be trying to see as soon as I can.
Hmm. But here in lies the problem. Will I drop the best part of £5.5k on a Seiko? On the basis of what I saw last week – I may well be tempted. But that’s where this annoying snobbery comes in – it’s *only* a Seiko. Yeah. But a Seiko that can sit alongside the majority of the watches in its price bracket and probably hold it’s head up pretty high in terms of accuracy, design and quality of finish.
Will I be getting one? Not sure. Shame I missed the GS retail launch at London’s Jura Watches last night. I suddenly have an itch to see these again…
One of the Tarts has two LE Spring Drives. I had numerous arguments with him about them when he got them but after a while I can say that I love the moonphase one.
There’s certainly something about them. That I do know. I haven’t seen the moonphase, yet, but will keep an eye out.
You really should fix the model numbers in this article – the divers watch is the SBGA029 and the GMT with sapphire bezel is the SBGE001.
@ Noodlefish – the moonphase mentioned was not a Grand Seiko, but one of the International market only Seiko Spring Drive models, which laid the foundation for Grand Seiko’s introduction.
You’re looking for SNR011 or SNR017.
Many thanks – simple transposition error by the look of it.
Re the Spring Drive – I think that’s been covered below.