We’re back for another Friday Feature! This time, we’re going to head out of Switzerland, to Japan. We’ll briefly learn the history and dive into what has become potentially one of the best-known watch brands that offers some of the highest quality pieces available on the market. Grand Seiko’s popularity has continued to grow as more people are beginning to appreciate their attention to detail and the second to none level of finishing. One of the best parts, they have such a broad spectrum of offerings from the affordable entry level quartz to the king pin spring drives.
So, let’s take it back a bit…
Back in the day, the Seiko brand was always continuing to strive for the perfect watch that was impeccable when it came to time keeping while also maintaining the highest quality. Founded in 1881 by a young and up and coming entrepreneur, Kintaro Hattori. He opened his doors to repair pieces for others and it was just 11 years later, at the age of 32, he founded Seikosha which produced clocks, and just a short three years later, their first pocket watch.
Fast forward to 1958, the Lord marvel was created, then a year later the Seiko Crown. Both could be widely regarded as the predecessors or the grandfather to today’s Grand Seiko’s. It wasn’t until 1960 that the Grand Seiko was revealed, and the rest is history.
Today, Grand Seiko offers over 70 different options that can be viewed on their website, with prices ranging from $2,700 all the way to $18,500. That doesn’t include some of their super exclusive pieces and limited editions that have slowly been releasing this year.
Now, let’s look at our featured piece –
The Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT SBGE027 Limited Edition is a mouthful, but it’s one amazing timepiece. Now it looks familiar, and I know what you’re thinking – you don’t know what you’re talking about, that’s a SBGE227. Well, if this was the “normal” model, you would be right. This is special. It was made for the Japanese market, hence the slightly smaller case size to accommodate the market, but in our opinion, just an amazing package.
Not just a classy piece on leather that can be dressed up, it is also very functional. A power reserve indicator, date window, the amazing, and my personal favourite, the GMT function. The finishing on the hands, the applied hour markers, it’s like Grand Seiko is teasing us by showing us repeatedly how good they are at finishing a piece, no matter the price point.
So, a fan of high end, near perfect finishing, the GMT function, limited editions, then this is the piece for you. A dressy GMT option, from a well-respected house, all in a well-proportioned 39mm case. Click the link below to check it out.
Thanks everyone for reading and stay tuned for more blog posts!
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