It’s no secret that Swiss watches are the leaders in the watch market, but most Swiss watches are pricey and expensive to maintain. And while you might be able to find affordable Swiss watches, Seiko is a Japanese watch brand that never fails to impress.
This watch is from Seiko’s vintage-inspired Recraft collection, and is a perfect choice if you want to be noticed or if you’re a nostalgia-buff. It’s chunky on the wrist and its retro green and gold color palette is evocative of popular men’s timepieces from the late 60s and early 70s. Other cool design elements include a sunburst dial that’s so shiny, a laser beam effect runs across the face when the sun hits it directly, and the white-framed 12, 6, and 9 markers that match the white-framed day/date.
A few interesting and notable points: In 1969, Seiko was the first to introduce the quartz wristwatch. And in 2012, Seiko launched the Astron, the world’s first GPS solar watch.
Since 1881, Seiko has been creating jaw-dropping watches that are both highly effective in their field (dive watches for water, field watches for the outdoors, etc.) and good-looking on the wrist.
Seiko has made some outstanding tool and sport watches throughout their history. Tool watches are designed for a specific task or sport: Chronographs for timing races, divers for deep sea exploration, GMTs for traveling across time zones.
The Seiko SKX007 is a must-have for any watch enthusiast, retailing for about $300. Interestingly, Seiko’s most famous dive watches weren’t made until the late 1900s.
Furthermore, there’s plenty of contrast with the white hour markers against the orange dial. On this watch, you’re getting an automatic 6R15 movement and a screw-down crown that prevents water and dust from entering the watch.
So, while the iconic Orange Sumo is a little difficult to find nowadays, Seiko has offered a solid alternative with similar aesthetic and just as many features as the Orange Sumo. Some might say this one looks even better.
Initially, the watch wasn’t regarded as a keeper for Seiko enthusiasts. But when its discontinuation was announced in 2018, not only did its demand rise, but so did the price.
As of late 2020, Seiko has expanded their Alpinist line, introducing a handful of new models. About a year earlier, Seiko released (via Hodinkee) a limited edition Alpinist to the U.S. Of course, this sold out quickly.
The Arabic numerals are situated at the 12, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10-o’clock positions and markers are situated at the 1, 5, 7, 9, and 11-o’clock positions. The Seiko Alpinist also utilizes cathedral-like minute and second hands, which adds a more elegant touch. It also features a calendar date window.
Another notable feature is the solar quartz movement. Solar quartzes have great utility and accuracy. No winding needed, of course, and battery changes are few and far between.
The Monster, by the way, got its nickname because the original had hour markers like sharp teeth, coated with a bright lume. That, coupled with its bold design, big bezel, and thick hands earned it the nickname “Monster”.
This isn’t a watch you’d wear with a suit. It fits in with casual and smart casual outfits, though you may be making concessions with your cuffs depending on how tightly they button. Also pairs nicely with scuba gear, naturally.
One subtle design feature is the inlaid bezel. Typically, when viewed from the side, bezels sit on top of the case. But the Monster’s bezel is slightly sunken in, which helps the watch profile’s overall thiccness.
There’s no doubt that Seiko makes some of the best dress watches. They meet the standards of any extraordinary dress watch: clean, highly functional, and dazzling to their own degree.
God is truly in the details with this watch. The high polish case, beveled hour markers, and diamond-cut hands with beveled edges are a start.
At $400, this is the perfect minimal dress watch. It has a beautiful ice blue sunburst dial, 20mm leather strap, sharp markers, date window, and a 23-jewel, self winding automatic movement.
For one, it has a champagne-colored dial with a subtle pressed pattern and power reserve indicator. Instead of the typical date window at 3 o’clock, there’s a date sub-dial at 6 o’clock.
The different model numbers, SNK803 / 5 / 7 / 9, seem to signify the alternative color options only. Each watch is solidly built with a stainless steel casing and Seiko’s exclusive Hardlex crystal.
While the black canvas strap isn’t necessarily a stand-out option, it can definitely hold up in most gritty situations. If you want to get rid of the canvas strap and opt for a leather or steel bracelet, the 18mm lugs make it very easy to swap.
Utility-wise, you’re getting a lot from the dial. For one, Seiko makes sure to contrast the black dial with the white Arabic numerals, allowing for a simplistic design that is easy to read. They also incorporate luminous hands and markers that allow you to easily tell time in the dark, another plus for any watch-wearer.
But the two best things about this watch, in my opinion, are the automatic movement and day-date window. I’ve never seen these two features offered at such a low price.
The Seiko SNK809 holds a wide range of features. The watch has an automatic movement, a day-date window, 30m water resistance, and a durable case and strap.
The hands are fencepost style and fully lumed with a red-tipped arrow second hand. The day date wheel matches the white-on-black dial, and the larger numeric hour markers are accompanied by a smaller 24-hour scale, typical for military watches. This model also offers both steel and nylon band options.
They’ve created luxury watches, budget watches, dive watches, military style watches, dress watches. You need a specific type of watch; they’ve probably made it before.
Look sharp no matter your age, budget, or situation. Our free eGuide, The Lean Wardrobe, is your first step. Can I send you a copy?.
Clothing shouldn’t be confusing! Dressing sharp should be simple.Look sharp no matter your age, budget, or situation. Our free eGuide, The Lean Wardrobe, is your first step. Can I send you a copy?.
Seiko has been at the forefront of watch making, developing landmark technologies for quartz watches, kinetic watches and GPS solar watches. Watches are their business. Through them, Seiko seeks to share their pleasure and pride in production, giving you pleasure and pride in possession and adding a touch of enchantment to every precious moment.
Our Galleria, formerly Princeton Watches, gives our customers new and unique products, while offering an exciting shopping experience with a selection curated flash sales and events. We have a wide variety of product assortment, including high-quality private labels, name brands and affordable designer merchandise.
5 products Seiko has been at the forefront of watch making, developing landmark technologies for quartz watches, kinetic watches and GPS solar watches. Watches are their business. Through them, Seiko seeks to share their pleasure and pride in production, giving you pleasure and pride in possession and adding a touch of enchantment to every precious moment.
About Our Galleria Our Galleria, formerly Princeton Watches, gives our customers new and unique products, while offering an exciting shopping experience with a selection curated flash sales and events. We have a wide variety of product assortment, including high-quality private labels, name brands and affordable designer merchandise.
Known for accuracy and innovation, Grand Seiko was created out of the desire to match and beat the quality of Swiss watches. With a wide variety of styles and configurations – but all with a clean, upscale design – these watches offer a ruggedness that stands up to everyday wear. Considered an industry disruptor, buying a Grand Seiko means owning a luxury watch that weaves together technology and tradition. Discover elegant used Grand Seiko watches for sale in our collection.
In 1960, Seiko started producing the first Grand Seiko variants with the goal to match and beat the quality of watches that were being produced in Switzerland at the time. That lofty goal was achieved, and still guides the company’s product development today. The first watches were produced in 1960, and featured a 25-jewel, manual-wind 3180 caliber. Despite its early design, the watch set the tone for all Grand Seiko timepieces to come.
Company watchmakers focused on several key design elements that continue to define the brand and its timepieces today. Grand Seiko’s watches are clean and upscale but rugged enough to stand up to daily wear. They feature strong, contrasting angles with cases that are shaped differently than the company’s closest competition from Switzerland. Finally, Grand Seiko watches adopted the now-famous Zaratsu polishing method that can be seen on several of the company’s timepieces.
That technique can be found on several of Grand Seiko’s watches today. Timepieces with Zaratsu polishing carry an almost perfect mirror finish. The process, though completed by machine, takes years of training for a craftsperson to learn.
Through the 1960s, Grand Seiko continued to refine its product and develop new models. Having dominated every chronometer competition on its home turf in Japan, Grand Seiko trained its focus on the Swiss watch industry. In 1967, Grand Seiko showed off its first automatic movement, and in 1968 the company took home best mechanical watches honors, besting Switzerland’s finest.
Grand Seiko’s early movements are now the stuff of legend, but at the time they were regarded as groundbreaking. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the company’s V.F.A. (Very Fine Adjusted) movements were astonishingly accurate and were able to reach a monthly time deviation of just one minute. Company watchmakers continued iterating on the designs throughout the 1970s, which also included women’s mechanical watches.
The advent of quartz watches brought new challenges to the entire watch industry, especially to those at the pinnacle of pricing and exclusivity. Some watchmakers folded entirely or drastically modified product offerings to stay afloat, but Grand Seiko was able to roll with the punches. In 1988, the company released its first quartz watch, which featured a shockingly accurate 95GS movement. With every component for the movement made in-house, Grand Seiko was able to achieve an accuracy of +/- 10 seconds per year, while also building a watch that had excellent temperature and shock resistance.
In the 1990s, Grand Seiko continued to press forward with developing higher levels of accuracy and precision in its timepieces. The company devised its own accuracy rating and testing system which is more stringent than the one used to certify chronometers in Switzerland. Known as the GS Standard, the system requires more testing in more positions, and exposure to a larger range of temperatures over time. Today, every Grand Seiko must pass muster in these tests before being boxed up for customer delivery.
Over time, that drive for accuracy and innovation yielded some of the most advanced watch movements ever made. Spring Drive movements, a Grand Seiko invention, took decades to develop and dozens of prototypes to perfect. Spring Drive movements combine a traditional mainspring with an electronic regulator, which brings the best of both quartz and mechanical watches. Power originates form the wearer’s movements as it does with mechanical watches, but timekeeping is regulated electronically for the ultimate in wearability and accuracy.
With such a variety of styles and configurations, a dedication to accuracy, and industry-leading finishing quality, Grand Seiko has established itself as not just a competitor to the old-guard Swiss watch industry, but as an innovator and a disruptor. The company’s timepieces are among the most accurate and most innovative watches on the market today, and feature hand finishing that is hard to find anywhere outside of top-tier brands.
HomeGrand Seiko Watches Grand Seiko Watches Known for accuracy and innovation, Grand Seiko was created out of the desire to match and beat the quality of Swiss watches. With a wide variety of styles and configurations – but all with a clean, upscale design – these watches offer a ruggedness that stands up to everyday wear. Considered an industry disruptor, buying a Grand Seiko means owning a luxury watch that weaves together technology and tradition. Discover elegant used Grand Seiko watches for sale in our collection.
Grand Seiko Watches Known for accuracy and innovation, Grand Seiko was created out of the desire to match and beat the quality of Swiss watches. With a wide variety of styles and configurations – but all with a clean, upscale design – these watches offer a ruggedness that stands up to everyday wear. Considered an industry disruptor, buying a Grand Seiko means owning a luxury watch that weaves together technology and tradition. Discover elegant used Grand Seiko watches for sale in our collection.
About Grand Seiko Watches In 1960, Seiko started producing the first Grand Seiko variants with the goal to match and beat the quality of watches that were being produced in Switzerland at the time. That lofty goal was achieved, and still guides the company’s product development today. The first watches were produced in 1960, and featured a 25-jewel, manual-wind 3180 caliber. Despite its early design, the watch set the tone for all Grand Seiko timepieces to come. Company watchmakers focused on several key design elements that continue to define the brand and its timepieces today. Grand Seiko’s watches are clean and upscale but rugged enough to stand up to daily wear. They feature strong, contrasting angles with cases that are shaped differently than the company’s closest competition from Switzerland. Finally, Grand Seiko watches adopted the now-famous Zaratsu polishing method that can be seen on several of the company’s timepieces. That technique can be found on several of Grand Seiko’s watches today. Timepieces with Zaratsu polishing carry an almost perfect mirror finish. The process, though completed by machine, takes years of training for a craftsperson to learn. Through the 1960s, Grand Seiko continued to refine its product and develop new models. Having dominated every chronometer competition on its home turf in Japan, Grand Seiko trained its focus on the Swiss watch industry. In 1967, Grand Seiko showed off its first automatic movement, and in 1968 the company took home best mechanical watches honors, besting Switzerland’s finest. Grand Seiko’s early movements are now the stuff of legend, but at the time they were regarded as groundbreaking. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the company’s V.F.A. (Very Fine Adjusted) movements were astonishingly accurate and were able to reach a monthly time deviation of just one minute. Company watchmakers continued iterating on the designs throughout the 1970s, which also included women’s mechanical watches. The advent of quartz watches brought new challenges to the entire watch industry, especially to those at the pinnacle of pricing and exclusivity. Some watchmakers folded entirely or drastically modified product offerings to stay afloat, but Grand Seiko was able to roll with the punches. In 1988, the company released its first quartz watch, which featured a shockingly accurate 95GS movement. With every component for the movement made in-house, Grand Seiko was able to achieve an accuracy of +/- 10 seconds per year, while also building a watch that had excellent temperature and shock resistance. In the 1990s, Grand Seiko continued to press forward with developing higher levels of accuracy and precision in its timepieces. The company devised its own accuracy rating and testing system which is more stringent than the one used to certify chronometers in Switzerland. Known as the GS Standard, the system requires more testing in more positions, and exposure to a larger range of temperatures over time. Today, every Grand Seiko must pass muster in these tests before being boxed up for customer delivery. Over time, that drive for accuracy and innovation yielded some of the most advanced watch movements ever made. Spring Drive movements, a Grand Seiko invention, took decades to develop and dozens of prototypes to perfect. Spring Drive movements combine a traditional mainspring with an electronic regulator, which brings the best of both quartz and mechanical watches. Power originates form the wearer’s movements as it does with mechanical watches, but timekeeping is regulated electronically for the ultimate in wearability and accuracy. The Spring Drive family of movements has grown over the years to include a variety of styles and case shapes. Grand Seiko developed chronograph and GMT versions of the movement and started putting it in watches of all types, including the super-popular SBGA211 “Snowflake” watches. With such a variety of styles and configurations, a dedication to accuracy, and industry-leading finishing quality, Grand Seiko has established itself as not just a competitor to the old-guard Swiss watch industry, but as an innovator and a disruptor. The company’s timepieces are among the most accurate and most innovative watches on the market today, and feature hand finishing that is hard to find anywhere outside of top-tier brands. Video: We FINALLY have Grand Seiko We are extremely proud to be the No. 1 online marketplace for buyers and sellers of luxury pre-owned watches. Our servicing and authentication efforts ensure maximum value for both buyers and sellers, and our data-backed pricing methodology provides all parties with 100% pricing. Interested in learning more about Crown & Caliber’s luxurious pre-owned watches? View our YouTube channel here.
About Grand Seiko Watches In 1960, Seiko started producing the first Grand Seiko variants with the goal to match and beat the quality of watches that were being produced in Switzerland at the time. That lofty goal was achieved, and still guides the company’s product development today. The first watches were produced in 1960, and featured a 25-jewel, manual-wind 3180 caliber. Despite its early design, the watch set the tone for all Grand Seiko timepieces to come. Company watchmakers focused on several key design elements that continue to define the brand and its timepieces today. Grand Seiko’s watches are clean and upscale but rugged enough to stand up to daily wear. They feature strong, contrasting angles with cases that are shaped differently than the company’s closest competition from Switzerland. Finally, Grand Seiko watches adopted the now-famous Zaratsu polishing method that can be seen on several of the company’s timepieces. That technique can be found on several of Grand Seiko’s watches today. Timepieces with Zaratsu polishing carry an almost perfect mirror finish. The process, though completed by machine, takes years of training for a craftsperson to learn. Through the 1960s, Grand Seiko continued to refine its product and develop new models. Having dominated every chronometer competition on its home turf in Japan, Grand Seiko trained its focus on the Swiss watch industry. In 1967, Grand Seiko showed off its first automatic movement, and in 1968 the company took home best mechanical watches honors, besting Switzerland’s finest. Grand Seiko’s early movements are now the stuff of legend, but at the time they were regarded as groundbreaking. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the company’s V.F.A. (Very Fine Adjusted) movements were astonishingly accurate and were able to reach a monthly time deviation of just one minute. Company watchmakers continued iterating on the designs throughout the 1970s, which also included women’s mechanical watches. The advent of quartz watches brought new challenges to the entire watch industry, especially to those at the pinnacle of pricing and exclusivity. Some watchmakers folded entirely or drastically modified product offerings to stay afloat, but Grand Seiko was able to roll with the punches. In 1988, the company released its first quartz watch, which featured a shockingly accurate 95GS movement. With every component for the movement made in-house, Grand Seiko was able to achieve an accuracy of +/- 10 seconds per year, while also building a watch that had excellent temperature and shock resistance. In the 1990s, Grand Seiko continued to press forward with developing higher levels of accuracy and precision in its timepieces. The company devised its own accuracy rating and testing system which is more stringent than the one used to certify chronometers in Switzerland. Known as the GS Standard, the system requires more testing in more positions, and exposure to a larger range of temperatures over time. Today, every Grand Seiko must pass muster in these tests before being boxed up for customer delivery. Over time, that drive for accuracy and innovation yielded some of the most advanced watch movements ever made. Spring Drive movements, a Grand Seiko invention, took decades to develop and dozens of prototypes to perfect. Spring Drive movements combine a traditional mainspring with an electronic regulator, which brings the best of both quartz and mechanical watches. Power originates form the wearer’s movements as it does with mechanical watches, but timekeeping is regulated electronically for the ultimate in wearability and accuracy. The Spring Drive family of movements has grown over the years to include a variety of styles and case shapes. Grand Seiko developed chronograph and GMT versions of the movement and started putting it in watches of all types, including the super-popular SBGA211 “Snowflake” watches. With such a variety of styles and configurations, a dedication to accuracy, and industry-leading finishing quality, Grand Seiko has established itself as not just a competitor to the old-guard Swiss watch industry, but as an innovator and a disruptor. The company’s timepieces are among the most accurate and most innovative watches on the market today, and feature hand finishing that is hard to find anywhere outside of top-tier brands.
Except where noted otherwise, the brands whose items we sell are not associated with Crown & Caliber, LLC, and the brand names are the trademarks of their respective owners. We are an independent dealer, and are not an authorized reseller of any of the items we sell. Except where noted, retail pricing information on our products are estimates based on multiple sources. Read more about how we arrive at our pricing values. Do not sell my info.
Seiko is one of the most popular brands when it comes to the world of watches. They are well known all across the world due to their extensive range of media partnerships. Take it from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Sigourney Weaver and Novak Djokovic, they all have been seen with the different Seiko watches throughout the history of Seiko. And one of the prominent features of Seiko watches is its precision, no wonder they were named as the official timekeepers in a number of sports events that included FIFA World Cups and Olympic Games.
Seiko began its journey in 1881 and was founded by Kintarō Hattori in Ginza, Tokyo. He was only 11 when he became an apprentice to a sundries wholesale. And by the time he was 13, he came up with a better idea of opening a clock shop where he could not only sell clocks but also repair them. So he started working in a clock shop where he learned everything he could and later in 1881 when he was at the age of 21 he founded the business of Seiko.
At an early age itself, Kintarō Hattori was proved to be the best entrepreneur. He handled his business wisely and had a fantastic relationship with the trading houses. He imported his clocks from a foreign trading house in Yokohama and due to his exceptional relationship, they allowed Kintarō to access the larger orders and provided him products earlier than his competitors. Thus the watch business achieved new heights by producing a wide range of new and exciting products.
The next aim of Kintarō was to become a manufacturer and to accomplish this goal he hired Tsuruhiko Yoshikawa, who proved to be an extremely gifted engineer. In order to start manufacturing high quality, high priced wall clocks he set up the Seikosha factory in 1892. And within the 8 weeks of opening the factory, they produced their first clock under the brand name Seikosha.
The Seiko Presage is an ideal dress automatic watch collection which consists of gorgeous dress watches in various style and colors. Some of this Seiko Presage watch also comes with the complications such as power reserve indicator, chronograph, and retrograde indicator. Thus with brilliant styling and build quality, the Seiko chronograph Presage watches are perfect to fit in the luxury collection.
Seiko Ranking Date Range: No. 1 Seiko Presage This ladies watch produced from the house of Seiko is a luxury collection for men. If you wear the Seiko Presage watch, it will add elegance and style to your fashion statement. This model is well equipped with 6R21 calibre accompanied by Japanese automatic movement. The dial color of this Seiko ladies watch is brown, and the shape is round. The case dimension is of 39.5mm and has got 12.4mm thickness. This piece of the watch has got sapphire, antireflection coating glass and has got a brown leather band. This timepiece consists of antimagnetic as well as a power reserve indicator feature. For any occasion, a party or business work, this watch can become your perfect style partner.
1 Seiko Presage This ladies watch produced from the house of Seiko is a luxury collection for men. If you wear the Seiko Presage watch, it will add elegance and style to your fashion statement. This model is well equipped with 6R21 calibre accompanied by Japanese automatic movement. The dial color of this Seiko ladies watch is brown, and the shape is round. The case dimension is of 39.5mm and has got 12.4mm thickness. This piece of the watch has got sapphire, antireflection coating glass and has got a brown leather band. This timepiece consists of antimagnetic as well as a power reserve indicator feature. For any occasion, a party or business work, this watch can become your perfect style partner.
This ladies watch produced from the house of Seiko is a luxury collection for men. If you wear the Seiko Presage watch, it will add elegance and style to your fashion statement. This model is well equipped with 6R21 calibre accompanied by Japanese automatic movement. The dial color of this Seiko ladies watch is brown, and the shape is round. The case dimension is of 39.5mm and has got 12.4mm thickness. This piece of the watch has got sapphire, antireflection coating glass and has got a brown leather band. This timepiece consists of antimagnetic as well as a power reserve indicator feature. For any occasion, a party or business work, this watch can become your perfect style partner.
The Look of this Seiko Prospex SBDL057 is themed on Pepsi color combination that means; it comes in a dark Blue and Red color, which is an amazing color scheme to pair it with any formal or casual wear. Apart from that, the wrist chain is in silver tone to make the look appealing. The watch is equipped with the movement power of Seiko automatic 6R15 and the power reserve is 50 hours along with the accuracy of +25/-15 sec/day.
Our highest priority is to make all our customers satisfied with our service. We are happy to provide our best possible after sales service for Grand Seiko, Seiko, and Pulsar watches.
Find out how to send your watch to us for service, approve repair estimates, and check repair status. At the top of each page you will also find navigation tools to other valuable information, including instruction manuals, FAQ’s, and a glossary of common terms.
Find out the easiest way to order parts, tools, batteries. You can also check parts pricing, availability and order status, and get parts order history together with much more information. Get information on how to send a watch to us for service, approve repair estimates, and check the repair status as well.
Find out how to send your watch to us for service, approve repair estimates, and check repair status. At the top of each page you will also find navigation tools to other valuable information, including instruction manuals, FAQ’s, and a glossary of common terms.
Find out the easiest way to order parts, tools, batteries. You can also check parts pricing, availability and order status, and get parts order history together with much more information. Get information on how to send a watch to us for service, approve repair estimates, and check the repair status as well.
For fifty years, the story of Grand Seiko has been the story of a team’s dedication to perfecting the deceptively simple idea of creating the ideal watch. Though times change, the spirit and essence of Grand Seiko has remained the same.
Grand Seiko For fifty years, the story of Grand Seiko has been the story of a team’s dedication to perfecting the deceptively simple idea of creating the ideal watch. Though times change, the spirit and essence of Grand Seiko has remained the same. Grand Seiko For fifty years, the story of Grand Seiko has been the story of a team’s dedication to perfecting the deceptively simple idea of creating the ideal watch. Though times change, the spirit and essence of Grand Seiko has remained the same.
Grand Seiko For fifty years, the story of Grand Seiko has been the story of a team’s dedication to perfecting the deceptively simple idea of creating the ideal watch. Though times change, the spirit and essence of Grand Seiko has remained the same.
Grand Seiko and Watches of Switzerland invite you to explore a collaborative pop-up exhibition: an innovative, meticulously personalized, and safe luxury retail experience. The Nature of Time Experience features the largest collection of Grand Seiko timepieces in the world in addition to eight immersive and educational zones for discovering the brand’s master craftsmanship.
Grand Seiko watches have a distinctive look that reflects Japanese artistic tastes. The design is notable for the purity, simplicity and subtlety of its lines. Grand Seiko calls it “functional beauty,” a style that does not interfere with the reading of the time, but enhances it with harmonious case lines and uncluttered, easy-to-read dials. Key to the design are polished surfaces that reflect rays of light. Since ancient times, Japanese people have admired the subtle gradations between light and shadow in nature. With that inspiration, Grand Seiko uses a simple case design composed of a flat plane and curved line that respond to the movement of light. Grand Seiko creates this hard-edged, flat-surfaced case through a process called Zaratsu, giving the case a mirror-like smoothness where light and shadow play. Grand Seiko makes watches with three different kinds of movements: mechanical, quartz, and Spring Drive. Spring Drive is a technical breakthrough invented by Seiko that combines the best of mechanical and quartz technologies. It’s an automatic watch that gives quartz accuracy without using a battery. No other watch company has this technology. It’s a testament to the watchmaking savvy of a firm that has made mechanical watches since 1895.
Collections Explore Grand Seiko diverse range of exceptional watches, all available to purchase at Watches of Switzerland. Elegance Collection With its distinctively fluid curves, the Elegance Collection epitomizes the aesthetic purity and simplicity that is at the heart of Grand Seiko. Go to Collection Heritage Collection Contemporary and refined, with design elements in seamless harmony, the Heritage Collection is true to Grand Seiko’s values of extraordinary craftsmanship and precision. Go to Collection Sport Collection Combining cutting edge technologies and robust construction, the Sport Collection offers watches of superior functionality and durability.
Elegance Collection With its distinctively fluid curves, the Elegance Collection epitomizes the aesthetic purity and simplicity that is at the heart of Grand Seiko. Go to Collection Heritage Collection Contemporary and refined, with design elements in seamless harmony, the Heritage Collection is true to Grand Seiko’s values of extraordinary craftsmanship and precision. Go to Collection Sport Collection Combining cutting edge technologies and robust construction, the Sport Collection offers watches of superior functionality and durability.
Grand Seiko Watches for Men & Women Grand Seiko watches have a distinctive look that reflects Japanese artistic tastes. The design is notable for the purity, simplicity and subtlety of its lines. Grand Seiko calls it “functional beauty,” a style that does not interfere with the reading of the time, but enhances it with harmonious case lines and uncluttered, easy-to-read dials. Key to the design are polished surfaces that reflect rays of light. Since ancient times, Japanese people have admired the subtle gradations between light and shadow in nature. With that inspiration, Grand Seiko uses a simple case design composed of a flat plane and curved line that respond to the movement of light. Grand Seiko creates this hard-edged, flat-surfaced case through a process called Zaratsu, giving the case a mirror-like smoothness where light and shadow play. Grand Seiko makes watches with three different kinds of movements: mechanical, quartz, and Spring Drive. Spring Drive is a technical breakthrough invented by Seiko that combines the best of mechanical and quartz technologies. It’s an automatic watch that gives quartz accuracy without using a battery. No other watch company has this technology. It’s a testament to the watchmaking savvy of a firm that has made mechanical watches since 1895.
The Grand Seiko catalog is packed with so many great models that it’d take a year to cover them all. The company’s watches are versatile and are all exercises in modern designs without betraying the precision and heritage that characterizes high-end watches coming out of Japan. To celebrate Grand Seiko joining the Crown & Caliber family of watches, we’ve chosen seven of our favorites from the company’s limited collection to share with you here. These are all models that you can find on our site, and they all feature advanced movements and versatile designs. Let’s dive in.
The Grand Seiko SBGR261 is a great example of the watches that have made the company such a legendary presence. With its cream dial, high level of legibility, and date window, the SBGR261 could easily be worn as a sports watch or as a daily driver. It’s also got highly polished surfaces and elegant lines, so it’s just as at home with a suit or in the boardroom. That flexibility and quality are hallmarks of Grand Seiko’s watches, including the SBGR261. The watch carries a Caliber 9S65 movement, which features a 72-hour power reserve and accuracy of +10/-1 seconds per day.
The SBGA011, commonly known as the “Snowflake,” is one of the best-known watches in Grand Seiko’s catalog. The textured white dial, classic 40mm size, and 100 meters of water resistance make the Snowflake a timepiece for all occasions. It features a 9R65 spring drive movement with a power reserve of 72 hours. On top of that, the case is made from titanium, which allows it to be super strong while remaining feather-light. Because of its popularity, the Snowflake is one of the most in-demand Grand Seikos around. Its successor, the SBGA211 Snowflake is nearly identical, but features new branding on the dial from Grand Seiko. Either watch is an excellent everyday wear, and either would make a solid foundation for a growing watch collection.
Believe it or not, there’s a quartz watch on our list. The Grand Seiko SBGX339 is an insanely capable dive watch with a rugged case, modern design, and a marvel of a movement. The Grand Seiko 9F61 movement is accurate to within +10/-10 seconds per year. So, there’s no worry that it will need to be reset. The 43.6mm case also features a water resistance rating of 200 meters, a screw-down crown, sapphire crystal, and a clean dial design that is devoid of a date window. The yellow accents and large hands might not be for everyone, but the SBGX339 offers ultimate legibility. It also has a modern design that helps it stand out from the crowd.
Anyone would be forgiven for looking at the SBGE209’s dial and getting stuck there, never to care about any of the watches numerous other features. It’s a gorgeous, textured white dial with a depth that gives the watch an intricate, elegant look. A 9R66 spring drive movement beats away under the hood, while a solid 100-meter water resistance rating keeps everything dry. Grand Seiko also endows the SBGE209 with strong antimagnetic properties. This makes it ideal for people who work in industrial settings or around large machines that produce magnetic fields. Making the watch even more special is its compact 39mm case size, which makes it comfortably wearable on a large variety of wrists.
There’s nothing particularly special about the SBGR255, but in a way that’s what makes it noteworthy. The watch features a subdued design with a plain white dial, Zaratsu polished case, and 9S55 movement. Those features combine with classic dimensions and a 100-meter water resistance to make the SBGR255 a solid daily-wear watch. It’s also got a 72-hour power reserve. Plus, an accuracy rating of +10/-1 seconds per day to keep its wearer on time and on the move.
Grand Seiko released the SBGP007 on its 60th anniversary. The watch features a 9F85 quartz movement that allows the ability to adjust the hour hand without stopping the seconds hand. As a result of that advanced movement, the SBGP007 is accurate to an astonishing +/- 5 seconds per year. The watch also brings a restrained, classy design to the table with its sunburst blue dial and red seconds hand. Like all Grand Seiko watches, the SBGP007 is elegantly designed with Zaratsu polishing, versatile 40mm case sizing, and a bracelet that can stand up to any activity.
Hand-wind watches might not be as popular as they once were, but there are still plenty of them around, and still plenty of companies willing to put the effort into making excellent timepieces with the movements. Grand Seiko did just that with the SBGW231. It features a 9S64 manual winding movement with a 72-hour power reserve. Its 37mm case size makes the watch wearable on a large variety of wrist sizes. Plus, it helps it slide under dress cuffs for trips to the office. When not in the boardroom, the SBGW211 can handle the nightlife, but it’s best when it stays dry, as it is only rated as being splash resistant.
Love watches, like watches, or maybe don’t know so much about them? Crown & Caliber is an exclusively online marketplace for pre-owned luxury watches, dedicated to taking the fear and skepticism out the watch buying & selling process. We do it because we are passionate about watches and the stories they tell about us, about our culture, and frankly, because they’re just really cool pieces of machinery.
Except where noted otherwise, the brands whose items we sell are not associated with Crown & Caliber, LLC, and the brand names are the trademarks of their respective owners. We are an independent dealer, and are not an authorized reseller of any of the items we sell. Except where noted, retail pricing information on our products are estimates based on multiple sources. Read more about how we arrive at our pricing values.
About Us Love watches, like watches, or maybe don’t know so much about them? Crown & Caliber is an exclusively online marketplace for pre-owned luxury watches, dedicated to taking the fear and skepticism out the watch buying & selling process. We do it because we are passionate about watches and the stories they tell about us, about our culture, and frankly, because they’re just really cool pieces of machinery.
Seiko Holdings Corporation (セイコーホールディングス株式会社, Seikō Hōrudingusu Kabushiki-gaisha), commonly known as Seiko (/ˈseɪkoʊ/ SAY-koh, Japanese: ), is a Japanese maker of watches, clocks, electronic devices, semiconductors, jewelries, and optical products. Founded in 1881, it is known for introducing the world’s first quartz watch as well as the world’s first quartz watch with a chronograph complication.
In 1881, a new age of Japan-made clocks and watches was dawning. Pioneers in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya were studying and producing pocket watches based on Western products. Japanese wholesalers needed to purchase all the imported timepieces from foreign trading companies established in Yokohama, Kobe, and other open port areas.[5] [6].
Over the years, Kintarō Hattori developed a close partnership with multiple foreign trading firms, including the likes of C&J Favre-Brandt, F. Perregaux & Co., Zanuti & Cie. and Siber & Brennwald, allowing him to obtain exclusive imported timepieces and machinery which was not available to anyone else at that time.[8] [9] [10] [11].
Hattori’s shop became increasingly popular due to the rarity of the imported watches the shop was selling, items that couldn’t be found anywhere else in Japan. This growing success allowed him to relocate the company to the main street of Ginza (Tokyo), still the epicenter of commerce in Japan to this day.
In 1891, 10 years after the establishment of K. Hattori & Co., the 31-year-old Kintaro was asked to take up two important positions in industry, one as a director of the Tokyo Clockmaker and Watchmaker Association and one as a member of Tokyo Chamber of Commerce.
In 1969, Seiko introduced the Astron, the world’s first production quartz watch; when it was introduced, it cost the same as a medium-sized car. Seiko later went on to introduce the first quartz chronograph.
In the late 1980s, Seiko produced the first automatic quartz that combined the self-energizing attributes of an automatic watch with quartz accuracy. The watch is entirely powered by its movement in everyday wear.[14] In 1991, to increase popularity, these watches were relaunched under the name Seiko Kinetic.[15].
Seiko is perhaps best known for its wristwatches, all of which were at one time produced entirely in house. This includes not only major items such as microgears, motors, hands, crystal oscillators, batteries, sensors, and LCDs, but also minor items such as the oils used in lubricating the watches and the luminous compounds used on the hands and the dials. Seiko watches were originally produced by two different subsidiaries. One was Daini Seikosha Co.,(now known as Seiko Instruments Inc.), and the other was Suwa Seikosha Co.(now known as Seiko Epson Corporation). Having two companies both producing the same brand of watch enabled Seiko to improve technology through competition and hedge risk. It also reduced risk of production problems, since one company can increase production in the case of decreased production in the other parties.
Seiko Corporation of America is responsible for the distribution of Seiko watches and clocks, as well as Pulsar and Lorus brand watches, in the United States. The models available in the United States are normally a smaller subset of the full line produced in Japan. Seiko Corporation of America has its headquarters (and Coserv repair center) in Mahwah, New Jersey. In the United States, Seiko watches are sold primarily by fine jewelers and department stores as well as 19 company stores located in various cities.
Seiko has made many different models of the “5” standard watch, including large as well as small divers, watches featuring different strap options such as leather or even nylon, transparent or sterile case-back versions and many other variations. Today, the Seiko 5 lineup mostly comprises entry-level mechanical watches that act as an affordable entry point for consumers looking to enter the world of automatic watches.
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.[23].
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:[24].
Seiko produces electronic devices as well. During the 1980s, the company produced a notable range of digital synthesizers, such as the DS-250, for use in electronic music. Today the music division (part of Seiko Life Sports) produces metronomes and tuning devices.
In 1968, Seiko introduced three ten beat (ten ticks per second) calibers, the automatic caliber 61GS, the manual winding 45GS[25] and 19GS[26] for women’s watch. The 61GS was Japan’s first automatic ten beat watch, and it was the most accurate mechanical watch due to the high beat calibers.[27] The calibers are considered high beat because normal mechanical movements beat six to eight times per second, and higher beat makes the watch more resistant to shock, thus achieving the high accuracy.[28].
In 2009, Seiko released the new ten beat caliber 9S85,[29] which is a completely new design from the previous high beat caliber. The new caliber also met the Grand Seiko Standard, a chronometer certification that the company claims to be more strict than the Chronometer Certificate in Switzerland.[30].
On December 25, 1969, Seiko released the world’s first quartz watch, the Seiko Quartz ASTRON, which marked the beginning of the quartz revolution.[44][45][46] The watch uses a crystal oscillator for accuracy, where the crystal generates steady vibration when voltage is applied to it. During the ten years of development at Suwa Seikosha, Seiko managed to create many parts which enabled the viable application of quartz in wristwatches. For example, Seiko cut the crystal oscillator into the shape of a tuning-fork, and developed an integrated circuit and step motor to operate with the signals from the crystal oscillator.
In 1978, Seiko released the Twin Quartz watch to address the impact of temperature on the frequency of the quartz crystal oscillator, which put a limitation on the accuracy of quartz watches. Seiko put a second crystal in the watch that is linked with a processor that detects the change in temperature and signals the main oscillator to compensate. The result was a huge improvement in the watch’s accuracy from 5 seconds per month to 5 seconds per year.
The Spring Drive was announced in 1997. It was developed by Yoshikazu Akahane and his team and inspired by Yoshikazu’s vision: “a watch wound by a mainspring and with one-second-a-day accuracy, a precision that only the finest electronic watches could deliver”.[49] This movement achieved high accuracy with one second per day, long power reserve (72 hours) with its special developed alloy, fast winding with the “Magic Lever” design and glide-motion movement with the watch hands.
Grand Seiko watches are well known in the global community as high-quality timepieces. Having won chronometry competitions in Japan, the watchmaking experts of Grand Seiko wristwatches have placed innovative engineering as their top priority. Grand Seiko watches continue to impress wearers and collectors around the world with their iconic designs and acclaimed mechanical precision. Inspired by nature and motivated by precision timekeeping, the Grand Seiko watch series would be an excellent choice for any luxury watch admirer. Looking for Grand Seiko watches for sale can be tough when you do not have the right help. If you are looking for the best place to buy Grand Seiko watches, Exquisite Timepieces can assist you. Exquisite Timepieces is a Grand Seiko authorized dealer.
The creation of Grand Seiko was followed by another wristwatch from the Seiko’s collection, called Marvel. At the time of its manufacture, which was in 1956, this mechanical timepiece stood as the most precise and one of the highest quality watches in Japan. This wristwatch, with its manual winding mechanism and 17 jewels, made a giant leap when it comes to precision of wristwatches. From thereon, Seiko competed and won first place for its innovative watch in many national chronometry competitions in Japan. Encouraged by its success, Seiko decided to put its engineers to work and create a watch that could potentially challenge round the world-acclaimed Swiss industry of timepieces. One of the most distinguished engineers at that time and for the time to come, was Tsuneya Nakamura, the person behind the Seiko Marvel and the person who was given charge of designing, developing and launching the brand new exclusive line of Grand Seiko wristwatches. He and his team aimed at making the most precise, durable and elegant masterpiece of a watch that would bring Japan to the forefront of the watch industry. The first Grand Seiko Ref. 3180 (also known as The First) made its debut on December 18, 1960, in Tokyo. It was based on the Suwa Seikosha’s proprietary movement, ticking at the speed of 18,000 vph and providing accuracy of -3/+12 seconds a day and 45 hours of power reserve. With the word “Chronometer” stylized on the dial, this watch carried itself with a simple and elegant design. Most of the Firsts had a gold case, with some being platinum, and nearly every one of the Grand Seikos, excluding few, has been carrying a lion symbol on the back of the case. This symbol was chosen by Suwa Seikoshi, for as he believed that the Grand Seiko would the King of all watches, in the same manner as Lion was the King of all animals. In 1964, a new Grand Seiko line came out and it was designed by observing the Teiko’s Grammar of Design series of 4 rules: first, each element of the watch had to be flat and geometrically impeccable so as to best reflect light; second, bezels had to be simple, two-dimensional faceted curves; third, no visual distortion was allowed and all cases and dials had to be mirror-finished; fourth, all cases must be one of a kind for each reference with no basic round case designs. The application of these 4 rules required for the standards of quality and finishing implemented in production to be changed and improved and for new and pioneering advertising techniques so that the new line of Grand Seiko watches would achieve success on the international market. This fresh and innovative design immediately stood apart from its predecessors upon its launch in 1964. This Grand Seiko 57GShad elongated, hexagonal case with flat angles and words Seiko Chronometer stylized on the dial. As imposed by the European Chronometer Official Association, a watch that was chronometer rated had to be tested by an independent external testing body in order to be conferred upon the Chronometer designation. Considering that Grand Seiko watches did not go through independent testing, and the 57GS carried the designation Chronometer, the ECOA demanded that the designation be taken off. The Japanese watchmakers decided to found a Japanese Chronometer Authorization Association that would act as an independent body that was supposed to test the compliance of watches with the chronometer standards and the 57GS was granted the right to continue using the Chronometer designation. After several unsuccessful trials with the Neuchatel Astronomical Observatory in mid-1960s, Seiko made some design and function changes and decided to resubmit its watches and the results were outstanding, with GS watches placing in the top ten. Several years after being consecutive in the top ten, Grand Seiko watchmaking team released the movements 61GS and 45GS. These Grand Seiko watches carried the designation “Very Fine Adjusted” as their accuracy levels were -2/+2 per day which was superlative when compared to the then current Swiss watches. The Grand Seiko watch Ref. 62GS, released in 1967, was the first automatic watch. The usual location of the crown was moved in 62GS to 4 o’clock, a move that was purposely taken to emphasize the fact that it did not need manual winding. The 62GS had a high-beat rate of 19,800 bph and in the years to come, Grand Seiko developed many high-beat movements, also known as hi-beat. Higher frequency meant that smaller units of time could be measured. The later years of the 1960s saw many watchmaking brands working on quartz movements; however Seiko was the first one to release a quartz movement inside a watch. The last Grand Seiko mechanical watch was released in 1972. Sixteen years after the manufacture of the entire brand ended, the 95GS was launched, featuring the first ever quartz movement inside a Grand Seiko. The calibre precision of 95GS was 10 seconds per year, superior to many other quartz movements. However, by that time, quartz was a thing of the past formany watch brand companies, who decided to go back to placing mechanical movements in their high-end watches. However, Seiko decided to continue using quartz movements, claiming that their quartz application was for simply technological purposes, as quartz meant higher accuracy. Although proud of their quartz calibres, in the mid 1990s, Seiko decided that in order to fulfil the demands of the market, it needed to reinvent its mechanical movement watches. In 1998, Seiko produced its first entirely new mechanical movement the 9S. It was available in two versions, the 9S51 with no date, and 9S55 with date. The 9S calibre was fitted with a special mainspring that, at a time when watches provided a 40-hour power reserve, made possible for a 50-hour power reserve, and was only available in Japan. This 9S calibre brought in the possibility for a mechanical GMT, thus the Grand Seiko 9S56 was created, featuring a fourth hand indicating GMT. The Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive, the idea that started in 1977 and was initiated by a young, aspiring engineer Yoshikazu Akahane, debuted in 1999. Yoshikazu Akahaneaimed to achieve an accuracy of a quartz movement inside a movement powered by conventional mechanical systems. He spent 21 years trying to achieve develop and perfect this technology with more than 600 prototypes and eventually succeeded. This Spring Drive technology is considered a hybrid of quartz, mechanical, brand new Seiko proprietary elements and designs, and it also pushed for the change of Grand Seiko visual design. Seiko’s designs are quite often said to be inspired by nature and the best example for this is the Grand Seiko Snowflake, or SBGA211, the most iconic Grand Seiko watch. The GS Snowflake is a beautifully accomplished timepiece, with a textured dial alluding to a wind-blown snow. In 2006, Seiko launched a Grand Seiko Spring Drive caliber featuring GMT, known as 9RSS. Besides the standard seconds, minute and hour hand, GS Spring Drive GMT also has a GMT, or Greenwich Mean Time, hand. The Spring Drive technology was also the base for a Grand Seiko Diver’s watch, not the first diving watch in the Grand Seiko line, but the first to have a power reserve indication and the accuracy of 1 second per day. Its water resistance rating is 200 meters.
Grand Seiko The creation of Grand Seiko was followed by another wristwatch from the Seiko’s collection, called Marvel. At the time of its manufacture, which was in 1956, this mechanical timepiece stood as the most precise and one of the highest quality watches in Japan. This wristwatch, with its manual winding mechanism and 17 jewels, made a giant leap when it comes to precision of wristwatches. From thereon, Seiko competed and won first place for its innovative watch in many national chronometry competitions in Japan. Encouraged by its success, Seiko decided to put its engineers to work and create a watch that could potentially challenge round the world-acclaimed Swiss industry of timepieces. One of the most distinguished engineers at that time and for the time to come, was Tsuneya Nakamura, the person behind the Seiko Marvel and the person who was given charge of designing, developing and launching the brand new exclusive line of Grand Seiko wristwatches. He and his team aimed at making the most precise, durable and elegant masterpiece of a watch that would bring Japan to the forefront of the watch industry. The first Grand Seiko Ref. 3180 (also known as The First) made its debut on December 18, 1960, in Tokyo. It was based on the Suwa Seikosha’s proprietary movement, ticking at the speed of 18,000 vph and providing accuracy of -3/+12 seconds a day and 45 hours of power reserve. With the word “Chronometer” stylized on the dial, this watch carried itself with a simple and elegant design. Most of the Firsts had a gold case, with some being platinum, and nearly every one of the Grand Seikos, excluding few, has been carrying a lion symbol on the back of the case. This symbol was chosen by Suwa Seikoshi, for as he believed that the Grand Seiko would the King of all watches, in the same manner as Lion was the King of all animals. In 1964, a new Grand Seiko line came out and it was designed by observing the Teiko’s Grammar of Design series of 4 rules: first, each element of the watch had to be flat and geometrically impeccable so as to best reflect light; second, bezels had to be simple, two-dimensional faceted curves; third, no visual distortion was allowed and all cases and dials had to be mirror-finished; fourth, all cases must be one of a kind for each reference with no basic round case designs. The application of these 4 rules required for the standards of quality and finishing implemented in production to be changed and improved and for new and pioneering advertising techniques so that the new line of Grand Seiko watches would achieve success on the international market. This fresh and innovative design immediately stood apart from its predecessors upon its launch in 1964. This Grand Seiko 57GShad elongated, hexagonal case with flat angles and words Seiko Chronometer stylized on the dial. As imposed by the European Chronometer Official Association, a watch that was chronometer rated had to be tested by an independent external testing body in order to be conferred upon the Chronometer designation. Considering that Grand Seiko watches did not go through independent testing, and the 57GS carried the designation Chronometer, the ECOA demanded that the designation be taken off. The Japanese watchmakers decided to found a Japanese Chronometer Authorization Association that would act as an independent body that was supposed to test the compliance of watches with the chronometer standards and the 57GS was granted the right to continue using the Chronometer designation. After several unsuccessful trials with the Neuchatel Astronomical Observatory in mid-1960s, Seiko made some design and function changes and decided to resubmit its watches and the results were outstanding, with GS watches placing in the top ten. Several years after being consecutive in the top ten, Grand Seiko watchmaking team released the movements 61GS and 45GS. These Grand Seiko watches carried the designation “Very Fine Adjusted” as their accuracy levels were -2/+2 per day which was superlative when compared to the then current Swiss watches. The Grand Seiko watch Ref. 62GS, released in 1967, was the first automatic watch. The usual location of the crown was moved in 62GS to 4 o’clock, a move that was purposely taken to emphasize the fact that it did not need manual winding. The 62GS had a high-beat rate of 19,800 bph and in the years to come, Grand Seiko developed many high-beat movements, also known as hi-beat. Higher frequency meant that smaller units of time could be measured. The later years of the 1960s saw many watchmaking brands working on quartz movements; however Seiko was the first one to release a quartz movement inside a watch. The last Grand Seiko mechanical watch was released in 1972. Sixteen years after the manufacture of the entire brand ended, the 95GS was launched, featuring the first ever quartz movement inside a Grand Seiko. The calibre precision of 95GS was 10 seconds per year, superior to many other quartz movements. However, by that time, quartz was a thing of the past formany watch brand companies, who decided to go back to placing mechanical movements in their high-end watches. However, Seiko decided to continue using quartz movements, claiming that their quartz application was for simply technological purposes, as quartz meant higher accuracy. Although proud of their quartz calibres, in the mid 1990s, Seiko decided that in order to fulfil the demands of the market, it needed to reinvent its mechanical movement watches. In 1998, Seiko produced its first entirely new mechanical movement the 9S. It was available in two versions, the 9S51 with no date, and 9S55 with date. The 9S calibre was fitted with a special mainspring that, at a time when watches provided a 40-hour power reserve, made possible for a 50-hour power reserve, and was only available in Japan. This 9S calibre brought in the possibility for a mechanical GMT, thus the Grand Seiko 9S56 was created, featuring a fourth hand indicating GMT. The Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive, the idea that started in 1977 and was initiated by a young, aspiring engineer Yoshikazu Akahane, debuted in 1999. Yoshikazu Akahaneaimed to achieve an accuracy of a quartz movement inside a movement powered by conventional mechanical systems. He spent 21 years trying to achieve develop and perfect this technology with more than 600 prototypes and eventually succeeded. This Spring Drive technology is considered a hybrid of quartz, mechanical, brand new Seiko proprietary elements and designs, and it also pushed for the change of Grand Seiko visual design. Seiko’s designs are quite often said to be inspired by nature and the best example for this is the Grand Seiko Snowflake, or SBGA211, the most iconic Grand Seiko watch. The GS Snowflake is a beautifully accomplished timepiece, with a textured dial alluding to a wind-blown snow. In 2006, Seiko launched a Grand Seiko Spring Drive caliber featuring GMT, known as 9RSS. Besides the standard seconds, minute and hour hand, GS Spring Drive GMT also has a GMT, or Greenwich Mean Time, hand. The Spring Drive technology was also the base for a Grand Seiko Diver’s watch, not the first diving watch in the Grand Seiko line, but the first to have a power reserve indication and the accuracy of 1 second per day. Its water resistance rating is 200 meters.
Those who know Seiko mainly for its lower-priced quartz watches — and even many who have discovered the Japanese brand’s high-horology Grand Seiko timepieces — may be unaware that Seiko’s history of watchmaking stretches all the way back to the late 19th century, and includes several watch-world firsts. As we celebrate the Grand Seiko model’s 60th anniversary year, we spotlight 12 of the most significant pieces.
Seiko founder Kintaro Hattori was only 21 years old when he opened the K. Hattori watch and clock shop in Tokyo’s Kyobashi district and began building and repairing watches and clocks. He was only 31 when he partnered with an engineer named Tsuruhiko Yoshikawa to set up the Seikosha watch factory, forerunner of today’s Seiko, in 1892. After several years of producing high-quality wall clocks, Seikosha released its first pocketwatch, called simply the Timekeeper, in 1895. The 54.9-mm silver case was made in Japan, but most of the 22-ligne movement was imported from Switzerland. The English name “Timekeeper” was a product of Hattori’s shrewd business sense, as he realized that such a name would expand future export possibilities for the product.
Hattori quickly recognized the growing worldwide popularity of the wristwatch and predicted that the demand for wristwatches would shortly outpace that for pocketwatches. Hence the debut of the Laurel in 1913, just 11 years after the first Hattori wall clocks. The Laurel had a silver case, 29.6 mm in diameter, a porcelain enamel dial, and a 12-ligne movement. At first, the need to import components meant that production was slow — just 30 to 50 piece