At first sight the unusual display of the counters might look a bit bizarre and I have to admit that those oversized big push-piece buttons could really look like two rockets ready to explode out of the case but one thing is certain: when Grand Seiko releases a new timepiece watch connoisseurs from around the world start pricking up their ears. Grand Seiko has recently released a new watch to celebrate its 55th anniversary and this year the Seiko Group has launched a wide series of hot timepieces, including the revamped Prospex collection. Let me introduce you to the Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph GMT Limited Edition, also known as the Grand Seiko SBGC013 to all those Seiko addicts.
To be honest with you, from an aesthetical point of view, this chronograph has never been on top of my wish list, but I have to admit that the Japanese manufacturer has come up with a really cool version of this timepiece, despite the fact that it features the equivalent of a hybrid engine applied to watchmaking: the glorious Spring Drive caliber 9R96. This type of movement allows greater precision (+/-0,5 secs per day) and a smooth and continuous motion of the seconds hand, a phenomenon also known as the “Glide motion”. The Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph GMT Limited Edition proves once more that the many different brands and collections of the Seiko Group share their technological discoveries and features.
On one hand we have the Seiko Prospex that, for the very first hand, has been equipped with the Hi-Beat caliber and, on the other hand, we have the Spring Drive chrono, the very first Grand Seiko watch to use bezels made of ceramic and a deep blue dial. Featuring a high intensity titanium 43mm wide case and gold accents (with the gold Lion emblem encased into the winding rotor), the Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph GMT Limited Edition is a bold and pure Japanese style high end chrono, which has been made in 400 pieces only, each retailing at 10,500€. This is the price that you need to pay to get your hands on a bold, high quality and fully hand-made chronograph that, when it comes to technology, details and quality has no contenders at all on the market.
(Photo credit: courtesy of Seiko Watch Corporation)
Gaetano C. @Horbiter®
@Gaetano Cimmino
