Grand Seiko‘s latest horological reflection on the Japanese environment looks to the skies, and it is the newest powder blue dial option for those looking for one this year.
The inspiration for the SBGP017’s light blue textured dial comes from the “sea of clouds that form around the mountains” in Japan’s Shinshu region, where all Grand Seiko quartz watches are made, as part of Grand Seiko’s 55th anniversary celebrations of its brand-defining 44GS case shape.
The Calibre 9F85 temperature-compensated quartz movement in the 40mm stainless steel watch offers accuracy of +/- 5 seconds per year – twice as accurate as standard quartz movements, as indicated by the gold star on the dial – and is one of the few quartz movements with an exhibition caseback.
The Grand Seiko 9F quartz calibres are also known for features found in quartz movements that are rarely seen, such as an anti-backlash mechanism that eliminates “shudder in the second hand” and instantaneous date change. Even its own quartz crystals are grown and aged by the company.
The Grand Seiko SBGP017 Sea of Clouds will be released in July as a numbered limited edition of 2,000 pieces, priced at $3,800 USD.
