While Oracle Time is a UK-based magazine, we know that plenty of our digital subscribers are across the pond in America. Which is the perfect excuse to talk about the lovely new USA-Exclusive Heritage Collection 44GS SBGA507 and SBGA509 from Grand Seiko. Honestly you can give me any reason to talk about Grand Seiko and I would take it.
Jumping right into it, this pair of watches is inspired by the original limited edition trio that Grand Seiko released in 2018 as a celebration of the official opening of the Grand Seiko Corporation of America. Like those watches, these new ones feature dials that pay tribute to the traditional Japanese art of kirazuri ukiyo-e woodblock prints, a style of painting that uses pieces of mica to create a sparkling final product.
The first of the two watches, SBGA507, is a dusky blue representative of the dark draw of the sky towards evening. Then, SBGA509 is the rosy dawn that follows. The texture of the dials are almost like linen, featuring faintly crosshatched lines interweaving together. However, the individual lines are more intense and prominent than you’d find on a traditional linen dial. Although the added depth of the textures allows the metallic shimmer of the colours to be picked out as light plays across their faces.
Beneath the glinting surface of each Heritage Collection 44GS USA is housed the Spring Drive calibre 9R65, which has a power reserve of 72-hours and an astonishing accuracy of +/- seconds per month. That’s equivalent to +/- 1 second per day. It achieves this accuracy using a hybrid mechanism that integrates technology from traditional, mechanical watchmaking and quartz design. You can learn more about Spring Drive technology here.
It’s tough to rank where these sit in the tier list of best Grand Seikos of 2024. I do really like the texture and colours of the dials and the 44GS case is lovely, measuring 40mm x 12.5mm. But I find the power reserve indicator on the dial of Spring Drive models deeply distracting. I have to put the Genbi Valley at the top, followed by the Sakura-Wakaba but honestly the USA-Exclusive Heritage Collection 44GS SBGA507 and SBGA509 might clinch the third spot.
Each reference is limited to 300 pieces at a price of $5,600. Plus, as the name suggests, they are only available from Grand Seiko and authorised retailer boutiques in the US and the online Grand Seiko US Boutique. Normally at this point I’d complain about them not being available globally but Europe has had some solid love from the wider world of Seiko recently, so I’m satisfied to let America have its chance here.
Price and Specs:
More details at Grand Seiko Boutique.
