Twenty years after Grand Seiko first released the Spring Drive with the smooth sweeping seconds hand, Grand Seiko released two new manual wind Spring Drive movements in four different models . All four are in the new Grand Seiko Elegance Collection line up and being on the dressier side, measuring a nice 38.5mm case diameter.
The one I want to show you is probably my favorite of the bunch, the SBGY003.
While the movement inside isn’t as decorated as the two limited edition platinum models with the nicely beveled edges, this one will hold it’s own as it still retains the +/-1 second per day accuracy performance of the Spring Drive while also has the impressive 3 day power reserve.
The power reserve indicator for all four models are located on the case back, thus preserving the dial symmetry often difficult to maintain due to date windows and power reserve indicators. We can’t show you as the piece we held had a dummy movement fitted, next time..
The watch is also thin, with the case standing just over 10mm tall at 10.2mm. The dial, in typical Grand Seiko fashion as we have come to expect does not spare any details as it has a sunray-like guilloche. The indexes are applied and the hour and minute hands have the sharp polish that reminds me of samurai swords.
With all the attention to detail and new movement inside and limited to 700 pieces, the watch comes at a suggested retail price of 8,200 EUR