Grand Seiko’s Latest Spring Drive Is The Watch Of The Winter

Inspired by Asaboake, the rare moment in nature when the light comes through the morning’s mist and begins to reveal the remarkable mountain landscape of Shinshu, Grand Seiko’s latest Spring Drive timepiece —the Grand Seiko SBGY011 — captures the essence of Shinshu’s beauty.

This launch comes on the heels of Grand Seiko’s other new timepiece within the Heritage Collection, which launched earlier this summer, the SBGP017. Similar to the SBGP017, the new SBGY011 draws upon the legendary 44GS, which set the aesthetic standards for Grand Seiko Style over 50 years ago. Embodying the spirit of the 44GS, the SBGY011 features a case with a slim profile for a traditional feel.

The detail within the dial is what makes this timepiece incredibly unique and the ultimate timepiece for the winter, as the textured white dial mimics the idea of Asaborake, creating a dynamic design on the dial. The minute and seconds hands are gently curved by hand, so they are close to the indexes and minute track — this not only enhances the legibility of the time, measured with +/- 15 seconds a month precision, but it also allows the wearer to enjoy to the full the continuous glide motion of the seconds hand that is Spring Drive’s signature.

The timepiece is powered by the hand-wound Caliber 9R31, which delivers a 72-hour power reserve due to its Dual Spring-Barrel mechanism in which two springs are set in parallel within one single barrel.

The SBGY011 is the epitome of Grand Seiko Style: a horological technical feat housed in a sophisticated design that marries nature and high watchmaking.