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How long would it take you to invent an entirely new kind of watch movement? Five years? Ten years? If your answer was 27 years, you’d be on the right track. That’s how long it took the Spring Drive movement to go from idea to reality at Seiko. Initially conceived of by Yoshikazu Akahane in the 1970s, the development of the Spring Drive movement grew out of efforts to solve problems endemic to early quartz movements, though the project would not bear fruit until Baselworld 1999 when the first trio of Spring Drive watches was released to the public (something Akahane would, tragically, not live to see).
Five years later, Spring Drive would finally reach Grand Seiko with the introduction of the 9R series of movements in 2004. 20 years later, the 9R series of Spring Drive calibers remain a core pillar of the Grand Seiko catalog, and GS is ready to celebrate that anniversary with the introduction of two profoundly autumnal limited editions. Each of these limited releases is powered by a Grand Seiko 9R series movement and each is inspired by the fiery red tones found throughout the Hotaka mountain range come fall.
First up, we have the SBGY035, driven by a hand-wound Caliber 9R31 Spring Drive movement. Similar in execution and design to the popular SBGY007 Omiwatari, this thin dress watch claims inspiration from the vibrant leaves that coat the landscape of Hotaka each fall. An ombré finish made up of deep red tones is paired with a textured dial, and is accented by sparing rose gold touches. A reddish-brown crocodile strap complements the dial, and the slim Elegance case — which measures 38.5mm across and 10.2mm thick — serves as a perfect vehicle for this vivid dial.
Hot on its heels, we have the SBGA499. A slightly more quintessential take on the Grand Seiko Spring Drive watch, the SBGA499 is powered by the original 9R movement, the Caliber 9R65. Meant to evoke the striking colors of the early morning sun reflecting off the Hotaka mountains, the SBGA499 uses a bright red sunray dial paired with rose gold and copper pink accents (notably on the recessed power reserve indicator) to offer a winning take on a classic Grand Seiko formula. The SBGA499 measures in at 40.2mm across and 12.8mm thick and comes on a stainless steel bracelet.
The SBGY035 will be available in a limited edition of 700 pieces for $8,500 beginning in November 2024. The SBGA499 will be available from September 2024 in a limited edition of 1,300 for $5,800. Grand Seiko
