Grand Seiko SBGJ275 and SBGM253 GMT watches commemorate 25 years of Caliber 9S

In 1998, the world of horology was revolutionized with the debut of the Caliber 9S. It was a stellar achievement that marked a new epoch in the history of Grand Seiko mechanical watches. This innovative movement was engineered from the ground up to embody the precision and durability that has been synonymous with the brand since its inception.

From this robust foundation, Grand Seiko expanded its portfolio, introducing a series of movements that offered an array of functions, escapements, and complications. These include the groundbreaking Caliber 9SA5 with its Dual-Impulse Escapement and Grand Seiko’s inaugural mechanical chronograph, the Tentagraph.

The Caliber 9S also gave life to a myriad of GMT watches, each bearing a unique style and equipped with Hi-Beat movements. The 25-year journey of the Caliber 9S is a testament to Grand Seiko’s relentless pursuit of innovation and craftsmanship in watchmaking.

To mark this milestone, Grand Seiko is unveiling two new GMT models in its Sport and Elegance Collections. These timepieces draw inspiration from the ethereal skies over Mt. Iwate, the region where every Grand Seiko mechanical watch is assembled by hand by its master artisans.

The new GMT watch from the Sport Collection is a visual poetry that narrates the rare sight of a dense sea of clouds at dawn. The design takes cues from the serene blue skies over Mt. Iwate, as seen from the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, when it is cloaked by this sea of clouds.

The watch features a clear sapphire crystal case back (a first for Grand Seiko 200m diver), offering a sneak peek into the titanium oscillating weight. This weight carries a light shade of blue, achieved through an anodic oxidation process. This is a groundbreaking feature for a Grand Seiko mechanical watch with a water resistance of 200 meters.

The watch also boasts a rotating bezel with a sapphire crystal in blue and white, augmenting its design and enabling the display of three time zones simultaneously. Powering this timepiece is the reliable 9S mechanical movement – in this case, the Hi-Beat GMT Caliber 9S86. With its frequency of 36,000 vph, it ensures accurate timekeeping.

The second timepiece, a limited-edition model from the Elegance Collection, encapsulates the captivating blue tone of the sky as seen from the peak of Mt. Iwate. The watch’s classic form is accentuated by a mirror-finished bezel and case, gently curved lugs with a distortion-free mirror finish achieved through Zaratsu polishing, and a box-shaped sapphire crystal.

Despite its timeless design, a see-through case back reveals the thoroughly modern 9S66 GMT movement. This movement is fitted with a titanium oscillating weight in Grand Seiko blue, colored by the same anodic oxidation treatment.

Like all Grand Seiko GMT watches, its user-friendliness is ensured through the independently adjustable local hour hand. This feature ensures precision is maintained even when adjusting the time according to the wearer’s travel schedule. The tempered blue GMT hand can be aligned to any time zone of one’s choice. The blue 24-hour scale printed on the pale blue sunray dial displays the second time zone, ensuring both subtlety and readability in this anniversary edition’s design.

The Sport Collection GMT watch is a limited edition of 2,000 and will be exclusively available from the Grand Seiko Boutique Online starting in September 2023. From the next month, it will be extended to the Grand Seiko Boutiques and select retail partners.

The Elegance Collection GMT watch, a limited edition of 1,700, will be available at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and select retail partners worldwide beginning in October 2023.

Grand Seiko Sport SBGJ275

Case: 44.2mm x 14.8mm, stainless steel, 200m
Movement: 9S86 Hi-beat GMT automatic, 36,000 vph (10 bps), 55 hours power reserve
Dial: Light blue with white “clouds” tapestry
Strap: Steel bracelet
Availability: Limited to 2,000 pieces
Price: USD 7,600

Grand Seiko Elegance SBGM253

Case: 39.5mm x 13.7mm, stainless steel, 30m
Movement: 9S66 GMT automatic, 28,800 vph (8 bps), 72 hours power reserve
Dial: Light blue sunray
Strap: Steel bracelet with three-fold clasp and push-button release
Availability: Limited to 1,700 pieces
Price: USD 5,600