GRAND SEIKO SBGV238

Grand Seiko SBGV238 Features :

Caliber 9F

In 1993, Caliber 9F83, the first 9F caliber, was released. It delivered advances in every aspect. Its hands were as long as those on every other Grand Seiko watch, the calendar change was instantaneous and the durability and reliability was enhanced. Caliber 9F incorporated key innovations such as a backlash auto-adjust mechanism to eliminate any shuddering of the second hand, a twin pulse control system to deliver increased torque and a special construction to minimize the risk of dust coming into contact with the gear train and stepping motor. No effort was spared and, still today, Caliber 9F can lay a strong claim to being the highest performance quartz watch in the world.

CONCEPT

The high quality of the caliber shines through the sapphire case back

This limited edition commemorates the twenty fifth anniversary of Caliber 9F. It showcases the beauty of the finishing on the 9F movement through an exhibition case back. The robust construction is clear to see and the striped pattern of the engraving bears witness to the care taken on the finishing on every 9F movement which, albeit hidden behind the case back in every other model, is assembled and finished by hand to the same high standard. It has a specially enhanced precision rate of +/- 5 seconds a year. The bezel is in 18kt gold.

DESIGN

The Grand Seiko Style

The case is a contemporary re-interpretation of the acclaimed 44GS design from 1967 that set the Grand Seiko style.

Dial pattern

The dial carries a special monogramed pattern based on the characters ‘GS9F’ and following the design of the traditional Quartz symbol.
Above the five o’clock marker, the original ‘GS9F’ monogram has been replaced with a special ‘9F25’ design which commemorates 25th anniversary.

The 5-pointed star

Above the six o’clock marker, the 5-pointed star symbolizes the extraordinary precision rate of ±5 seconds a year.

See-through case back

The Grand Seiko name is engraved on the inside of the sapphire exhibition case back.
The case back also carries the words ‘Caliber 9F 25th Anniversary Limited Edition’ and the individual serial number.

*In an actual product, the case back direction might be different from the photograph.

MOVEMENT

The specially adjusted movement

The limited edition incorporates a movement with specially enhanced precision rate; +/- 5 seconds a year, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Grand Seiko 9F caliber.

A quartz movement crafted by hand

While the majority of the world’s quartz movements are products of automatic assembly, Grand Seiko’s 9F quartz movement, with its variety of complex functions, is assembled entirely by hand. Two expert craftsmen combine their individual talents to preserve the high quality standard of Grand Seiko – with one assembling and date indicator and the other in charge of the movement.

Grand Seiko SBGV238 History :

Prior to 1960, to challenge the status of Swiss watches and change the perception of Japanese watches, Daini Seikosha and Suwa began the discussion of a product line that can match the quality of Swiss watches under the suggestion of the parent company. At the time, Suwa Seikosha Co. was in charge of manufacturing men’s watches, so it was decided that Suwa would be producing the first Grand Seiko (GS).

The first Grand Seiko was released in 1960, it was based on Seiko’s previous high-end watch, CROWN. This Grand Seiko has a 25-jewel, manual-winding, 3180 caliber, and only 36,000 units were produced. This was also the first chronometer-grade watch manufactured in Japan, and it was based on Seiko’s own chronometer standard.

Design style

The design language of the Grand Seiko was set in 1967, with the creation of Grand Seiko 44GS. The 44GS set the ground for all future Grand Seiko with nine elements. These elements help improve the legibility of the watch under different situations, and create a sharp, crisp visual impression:

1. Double width index at 12 o’clock
2. Multi-faceted rectangular markers
3. Highly polished bezel
4. Highly polished planes and two-dimensional surface
5. Half recessed crown
6. Flat dial
7. Multi-faceted hour and minute hands
8. Curved side line
9. Reverse slanted bezel wall and case side
10. Dress style with simple but beautiful design
11. Zaratsu polishing

source : wikipedia