Grand Seiko Reaches New Heights With A Special Hi-Beat 36,000 Edition
The first Grand Seiko standard was set in 1966, since which time it has been raised as new materials, technologies and mainstream techniques have made possible new advances. Today, the Special Edition Hi-beat 36,000 goes beyond the standard with levels of accuracy that are among the highest in the world.
In recognition of its importance in the pantheon of Grand Seiko creations, this specially adjusted caliber is offered exclusively in 18k gold, with the lion emblem, also in gold, on the oscillating weight. Seiko’s latest hi-beat movement was introduced in 2009 and was made possible by advances in every aspect of the caliber. A new Spron material is used for the mainspring to deliver more torque and a new pallet and wheel increase the efficiency of the escapement. Together, these advances deliver more stable accuracy and a remarkable, industry-leading 55 hour power reserve.
Half a century ago, the legend of Grand Seiko was born with the simple idea of creating the ideal watch. Each Grand Seiko watch should be as accurate, as legible, as durable and as easy to wear as humanly possible.
The new Special Edition builds on these advances to deliver enhanced precision as well as outstanding power reserve. On all the precision criteria, this specially tuned new piece exceeds the Grand Seiko standard. The enhanced performance of the new Special Edition is entirely the result of the skills of the Master Watchmakers at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio where the watch is created. The adjustment is entrusted to only the very best of the Studio’s most experienced watchmakers who test and select the balance springs individually.
| Special Edition | GS Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Mean daily rate | -2 ～ +4sec | -3 ～ +5sec |
| Mean rate variation | 1.6sec | 1.8sec |
| Maximum rate variation | 3.0sec | 4.0sec |
| Greatest rate difference | 7.0sec | 8.0sec |
| Rate variation according to temperature | -0.3 ～ +0.3sec | -0.5 ～ +0.5sec |
| No. of test positions | 6 | 6 |
Grand Seiko GMT. The refinement of a masterpiece
Ten years ago, the first Grand Seiko GMT watch was created and almost immediately it became the brand’s signature timepiece. In celebration of its tenth anniversary, two new Limited Edition GMT models have been created with a distinctive blue dial, a titanium oscillating weight and a gold colored GMT hand.
The titanium oscillating weight delivers a notable advance in performance. It has high elasticity and therefore resists distortion if the watch is dropped or damaged. It absorbs vibration ten times better than the widely used material of brass, thus reducing any risk of damage to the movement or bearings and its high resistance to corrosion ensures its durability and beauty. The oscillating weights and the dials are in Grand Seiko’s traditional blue, a color never before used for a Grand Seiko GMT model.
Specifications
| Caliber 9S85 | |
|---|---|
| 36,000vph, 55 hour power reserve, self-winding with manual winding capability | |
| SBGH022 | |
| Case: |
18K rose gold See-through screw case back with sapphire crystal 38.0 mm in diameter |
| Band: | Crocodile with 18K rose gold buckle |
| Glass: | High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating |
| Water resistance: | 10 bar |
| Magnetic resistance: | 10,000 A/m |
| Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: | Euro 23,300 |
| SBGH019 | |
| Case: |
18K white gold See-through screw case back with sapphire crystal 38.0 mm in diameter |
| Band: | Crocodile with 18K white gold buckle |
| Glass: | High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating |
| Water resistance: | 10 bar |
| Magnetic resistance: | 10,000 A/m |
| Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: | Euro 24,700 |
| SBGH020 | |
| Case: |
18K yellow gold See-through screw case back with sapphire crystal 38.0 mm in diameter |
| Band: | Crocodile with 18K yellow gold buckle |
| Glass: | High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating |
| Water resistance: | 10 bar |
| Magnetic resistance: | 10,000 A/m |
| Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: | Euro 23,300 |
| Caliber 9S66 | |
| 28,800vph, GMT hand, 72 hour power reserve, self-winding with manual winding capability | |
| SBGM029 | |
| Case: |
Stainless steel See-through screw case back with sapphire crystal 39.2 mm in diameter |
| Band: | Solid stainless steel with three-fold clasp with push button release |
| Glass: | High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating |
| Water resistance: | 10 bar |
| Magnetic resistance: | 10,000 A/m |
| Limited edition of 700 pieces | |
| Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: | Euro 6,600 |
| SBGM031 | |
| Case: |
Stainless steel See-through case back with sapphire crystal 39.5 mm in diameter |
| Band: | Crocodile with three-fold clasp with push button release |
| Glass: | High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating |
| Water resistance: | 3 bar |
| Magnetic resistance: | 10,000 A/m |
| Limited edition of 1,000 pieces | |
| Approximate recommended retail price in Europe: | Euro 6,300 |
Print this article
- Mar 9, 2012The Ananta "Kumadori" Chronograph
From its first launch in 2009, the Japanese inspiration of the Ananta design has captured the imagination of watch enthusiasts throughout the world. The dial is painted by hand with pure black lacquer by Isshu Tamura, a noted and expert lacquer artist... - Mar 9, 2012Seiko Introduces The 2012 Sportura FC Barcelona Chronograph
In 2011, the spirit of Sportura was re-expressed with a new style and new technologies that only Seiko, with five decades of experience at the pinnacle of world sport, could create. .. - Mar 2, 2012Seiko Astron: The World's First GPS Solar Watch
At last, the search for totally precise time, everywhere on the planet, is over. By developing our own, patented, low-energy-consumption GPS receiver, Seiko has been able to create a watch that can receive GPS signals and identify time zone, time and date data using the global network of GPS satellites... - Aug 3, 2011Seiko Sportura FC Barcelona Chronograph
Earlier this year, SEIKO entered into a three-year partnership with FC Barcelona, the most successful team in world football, and the team and its star players are already featured in SEIKO’s global communication campaign. The SEIKO Sportura FC Barcelona Chronograph together brings the unrivalled world leader in sports chronographs and the best football team in the world to create a unique and highly desirable watch that captures the spirit of the team and the dedication to perfection that is shared by SEIKO and FC Barcelona... - Mar 10, 2011Seiko Announces Grand Seiko Limited Edition Timepieces
SEIKO is proud to introduce three limited edition Grand Seiko timepieces as a part of the SEIKO 130th Anniversary Commemorative Collection. The Grand Seiko name on the dial and buckle is exactly as it was on the very first 1960 Grand Seiko watch and the celebrated ‘lion’ symbol adorns the case back...
