Re-creations of the first Grand Seiko
SBGW257

The first Grand Seiko watch, faithfully re-created with an eye to the future

2020 is a special year for Grand Seiko as it is the 60th anniversary of its creation. The date was December 18, 1960. For some time, a determined team in Seiko’s Suwa facility in central Japan had been working on the creation of a watch that would be as precise, durable, comfortable and beautiful as humanly possible. On that day, the result of all their efforts was released. It was a watch with a 14k gold filled case and a slim movement whose precision met the highest international standard of the time. Such was the level of their achievement that it was decided to call the watch Grand Seiko. Now, in this special year, a new re-creation of the first Grand Seiko watch from 1960 takes its permanent place in the collection.

SBGW257J

SBGW257

Elegance Collection

USD 38,000.00

  • Available at the Grand Seiko Boutiques

Features

The 60th anniversary of Grand Seiko is marked by the re-creation of the 1960 original

2020 is a special year for Grand Seiko as it is the 60th anniversary of its creation. The date was December 18, 1960. For some time, a determined team in Seiko’s Suwa facility in central Japan had been working on the creation of a watch that would be as precise, durable, comfortable and beautiful as humanly possible. On that day, the result of all their efforts was released. It was a watch with a 14k gold filled case and a slim movement whose precision met the highest international standard of the time. Such was the level of their achievement that it was decided to call the watch Grand Seiko. Now, in this special year, a new re-creation of the first Grand Seiko watch from 1960 takes its permanent place in the collection.
The case shape and the softly curved dial and hands are entirely faithful to the 1960 original, but the case back is now in sapphire, revealing the beautiful finish of the movement. In line with today’s aesthetic, the case diameter has been increased from 35mm to 38mm and a three-fold clasp makes the watch easy to wear.
The case in the platinum version is in Platinum 950 and the dial carries the star mark that signifies that its hour markers are in 18k gold. The engraving of the Grand Seiko name on the dial is particularly sharp thanks to the fact that the dial, too, is in 18k gold.

Specifications

Exterior
Exterior: Platinum
Case back: See-through case back
Case back with 6 screws
Glass Material: Dual-curved sapphire crystal
Glass Coating: Anti-reflective coating on inner surface
Case size: Diameter 38.0mm Lug-to-lug 45.8mm Thickness 10.9mm
Band width: 19mm
Band Material: Crocodile leather
Clasp type: Three-fold clasp with push button release
Movement
Caliber no.: 9S64 Instructions
Movement Type: Manual winding
Power reserve: Approx. 72 hours(3 days)
Mean daily rate: +5 to -3 seconds per day
  • Mean daily rate is a mean value of daily rates in a condition where the movement before assembly in a case is measured in six positions in a fixed manner under artificially controlled environment for 12 days.
Normal usage accuracy: +10 to -1 seconds per day
Functions
Water resistance: Splash Resistant
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Other details / Features:
  • Platinum 950 clasp (partly PT900)
  • 24 jewels

The Platinum 950 re-creation recalls a legend.

As well as in 18k gold, the 1960 Grand Seiko was shortly after offered in platinum, a version that is remembered with great affection. The re-creation is in Zaratsu polished Platinum 950 with indexes in 18k gold standing out clearly against the 18k gold dial. The name Grand Seiko also has the visual prominence that only engraving can deliver. The SD (Special Dial) mark at the 6 o’clock position denotes the use precious metal on the dial.

Manual-winding Caliber 9S64

Caliber 9S64 has improved its duration from about 50 hours to about 72 hours (about 3 days) to achieve more stable accuracy.
This movement has a beautiful appearance with a sense of unity unique to manual winding movements.

Learn more about Caliber 9S64

The birth of Grand Seiko, a high accuracy watch with a quiet, Japanese refinement

The first Grand Seiko born on December 18, 1960.
It was the determination to excel that brought about the birth of Grand Seiko in 1960. During its development and ever since, the idea that drove the designers and engineers was that Grand Seiko should be the ‘ideal’ watch with standards of precision, durability and beauty that would lead the world.

History of Grand Seiko