Watches And Wonders 2022: Grand Seiko- Evolution 9 Enters The Sports Arena
5 min read
Grand Seiko's Evolution 9 Collection is a substantial part of the brand's vision for the future. The Evolution 9 Collection, based on the Grand Seiko Style, launched at Watches And Wonders 2022 had pushed Grand Seiko's readability and comfort to new heights.
The Hi-Beat 36000 80 hours, which won the Men's Watch prize at the 2021 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, was one of the first watches of the Evolution 9 Collection. The Evolution 9 Collection has grown with the launch of five new Spring Drive sport watches today. Two of the watches have a GMT calibre, two of the watches are GMT chronographs, and the fifth is a 200m diver's watch.
While the Grand Seiko Style's pedigree is unmistakable in every watch, the Evolution 9 Style's advancements are equally apparent. The lugs are bigger, and the bands are more sturdy, with a low centre of gravity, just like the cases, to ensure that the watches sit pleasantly and securely on the wrist. The hands are larger and more distinct for improved legibility, and the numerals on the bezel are a unique font created just for the Evolution 9 Collection.
The cases and wristbands are made of high-intensity titanium, which is 30 percent lighter and brighter in colour than stainless steel. The hands and indexes are coated with enough Lumibrite to make the time even more legible at night. In both sports and regular use, the crown guard is precisely constructed to avoid being caught by sleeves.
Spring Drive's unique glide motion seconds hand reflects the passage of time in a continuous, silent, and smooth manner. It is possible to get as close to the nature of time as possible by watching the seconds hand travel serenely and without a 'tick' across the dial. The light grey dial with an intricately textured design inspired by the morning mist in winter in the Shinshu region, frequently a portent of a sunny day, enhances this impression of being close to nature in one of the two Spring Drive GMT watches. Shinshu is the location of the Grand Seiko Spring Drive watchmaking studio.
Two Spring Drive GMT watches will be available in August at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and Grand Seiko retail partners worldwide.
The first of the two chronographs has a blue dial and has been altered to reach an enhanced accuracy rate of 10 seconds per month in honour of the Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph's 15th anniversary. It is available in a limited edition of 700 copies. The watch has a rotating bezel and a GMT hand, which allows it to show a third time zone in addition to the 12-hour chronograph.
The second chronograph has a black dial and has a monthly accuracy of 15 seconds. In every other way, it is identical to the limited edition in terms of design and features. The limited-edition will be available in June, and the second version will be available in July at Grand Seiko boutiques and retail locations.
Price:
SBGE283: CHF 8684 approximately
SBGE285: CHF 8684 approximately
SBGC249: CHF 12770 approximately
SBGC251: CHF 11749 approximately
SLGA015: CHF 12055 approximately
