Back in the start of March Grand Seiko announced that they were releasing three new extremely special movements, a new case and a unique dial all to celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Grand Seiko 9S mechanical caliber.
To get to the beginning of this incredible journey we first need to take a trip back to 1960, when the very first Grand Seiko watch was launched. Shortly after this in 1998 the Seiko 9S mechanical caliber was invented, this was highly noted as one of the most important moments in the history of Seiko.
The new movement from Grand Seiko had never been seen or used before, they had introduced it in order to offer high precision to the wrists of many. As well as its precise timekeeping the Seiko 9S caliber also had outstanding durability and it was the combination of these two points that Grand Seiko was renowned for.
In order to keep this movement performing to the top of its ability Grand Seiko have been enhancing the Seiko 9S caliber quite frequently. Key parts such as the Spron alloys have been replaced in both the main and balance springs, these parts have also been manufactured using MEMS engineering, which is an outstanding technique which allows incredibly small components to be manufactured to such precise tolerances, sometimes up to as minimal as one thousandth of a millimetre.
We actually covered a little about this 9S mechanical movement in a previous post regarding Seiko at Baselworld 2018 which is also a very good read if you haven’t seen it already.
Fast forward back to today and you will see that the Grand Seiko 9S mechanical caliber is the platform from which the entire Grand Seiko portfolio of mechanical calibers is built, it has also earned its deserved prominence as one of the world’s finest calibers.
Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of The Grand Seiko 9s Caliber
In order to commemorate this monumental anniversary of the Grand Seiko 9s Caliber the brand has designed and manufactured a breathtaking series of limited edition timepieces in three different variations. Each one pays homage to the high precision of this outstanding caliber in different ways.
A landmark in Grand Seiko’s pursuit of precision, V.F.A., is honoured in platinum.
“Very Fine Adjusted” – Whilst this phrase may not seem like the most expressive term but V.F.A. is something that the Grand Seiko team feel deep respect and the upmost admiration for. It was first used in 1969 when Grand Seiko adjusted a movement so precisely that when measured it has a precision rate far higher than the already very precise Grand Seiko Standard.
The Grand Seiko 9s Caliber 2018 proudly embraces this VFA tradition and carries it proudly at the forefront of horology in the 21st century, it does this thanks to the extraordinary precision rate that its 9S85 Hi-Beat 36000 caliber has. It can keep astonishing timekeeping with a tolerance or +3 to -1 seconds per day, which is not a level of precision achieved easily.
I can’t stress enough how high of a precision this is, even the testing program is one of the highest I’ve ever seen, it’s even been extended to a staggering 34 days! The watch is available with a beautiful platinum 950 case which is a modern take on the most popular Grand Seiko design which Nobuhiro Kosugi created when he designed the first 9S watch back in 1998.
The watch has been Zaratsu polished, this is a polishing process where each surface of a watches case and bracelet is polished by a very experienced craftsmen or women. Once polished it is checked over to ensure that the mirror finish on the case side surface has no distortion whatsoever.
Zaratsu or blade polishing as it is also known is made by carefully applying a rotating tin plate against the case, this has to be done at an extremely precise angle and is why the process is entrusted to only the highest experienced craftsmen or women.
The Zaratsu polishing on these timepieces allows all the curved surfaces to meet the hairline finish which creates a perfect triangle that only the most skilled Grand Seiko craftsmen and women can achieve.
The 9S anniversary is also celebrated in gold and steel
There are also another two limited edition timepieces in this celebratory collection, the model pictured above has a sophisticated 18k gold case with a perfectly coupled dark brown classic genuine leather strap.
The third is made from stainless steel and is silver and all three models share the same case design, and the same caliber 9S85 as well as the same dial design too. If you’re looking for something with that ‘extra mile’ to it then we would recommend the gold version as this timepiece has been adjusted to the Grand Seiko Special standard which means it offers a precision rate of +4 to -2 seconds per day.
All three versions have identical oscillating weights which carry the Grand Seiko lion emblem, manufactured in 18k gold, this has been done as a symbol of the enhanced accuracy. The stainless steel version too has a oscillating weight which is made of titanium and tungsten where the titanium surface has been coloured blue by an anodic oxidation process.
Caliber 9S 20th Anniversary Limited Editions
Caliber 9S85
Driving system: Automatic
Vibrations: 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second)
Power reserve: 55 hours
Number of jewels: 37
Hi-Beat 36000 V.F.A.: SBGH265J
- Accuracy: +3 to -1 seconds per day (when static)
- Platinum 950 case and clasp
- High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- See-through screw case back
- Water resistance: 10 bar. Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
- Diameter: 39.5 mm, Thickness: 13 mm
- Crocodile strap with three-fold clasp with push button release
Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: €53,500
Limited edition of 20
Hi-Beat 36000 Special: SBGH266J
- Accuracy: +4 to -2 seconds per day (when static)
- 18k yellow gold case and clasp
- High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- See-through screw case back
- Water resistance: 10 bar. Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
- Diameter: 39.5 mm, Thickness: 13 mm
- Crocodile strap with three-fold clasp with push button release
Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: €27,000
Limited edition of 150
Hi-Beat 36000: SBGH267G
- Accuracy: +5 to -3 seconds per day (when static)
- Stainless steel case and bracelet
- High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- See-through screw case back
- Screw-down crown
- Water resistance: 10 bar. Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
- Diameter: 39.5 mm, Thickness: 13 mm
- Three-fold clasp with push button release
Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: €6,300
Limited edition of 1,500
