22 Mar 2017
Press Release

The Black Ceramic Collection. Titanium and ceramic in perfect harmony.

Spring Drive Chronograph GMT. SBGC223

In 2016, Grand Seiko expanded into the sports realm by presenting a limited edition of four Spring Drive watches executed in a dramatic combination of high-intensity titanium and zirconia ceramic with crocodile straps. This series was widely admired. For 2017, Grand Seiko will further widen its appeal of the brand and enrich the variation in the sports arena. Three new creations are added, all with the same sports design and a remarkable new hybrid titanium-ceramic bracelet construction. The new series also features a more powerful dial design with the Grand Seiko logo under the eleven o'clock position. This new collection will be available worldwide from June 2017.

A sports watch of enduring beauty

The essential characteristics of Grand Seiko, precision, legibility, comfort and durability are nowhere more prominently expressed than in these new creations. The Spring Drive Chronograph may well be the most accurate luxury chronograph in the world, offering a precision of one second a day or, in the case of the limited edition model, ten seconds a month. The dial is supremely easy to read, thanks to the diamond-cut hands and markers, extended GMT and minute hands and the Lumibrite inserts on the hands as well as the markers. The watch is also delight to wear, primarily because of the light-weight hybrid titanium-ceramic case and bracelet. As the zirconia ceramic parts are raised slightly above the level of the titanium, the bracelet is virtually impervious to scratches and will retain its pristine appearance just as long as the watch case itself. Remarkably, given the technical difficulty of polishing ceramics, the ceramic parts in the center of the bracelet are polished to a mirror finish and the signature Grand Seiko sharpness of the angles on each component has been achieved.

  • Zirconia ceramic is stronger and tougher than any other fine ceramic and seven times harder on the Vickers scale than stainless steel.

A limited edition in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Spring Drive Chronograph GMT.

The limited edition has enhanced accuracy. SBGC219

The collection comprises three versions, of which the undoubted star is the limited edition, created to mark the tenth anniversary of the Spring Drive Chronograph GMT caliber. It is different in both function and design. The bezel has a tachymeter and, as noted above, the caliber, 9R96, is specially adjusted for enhanced accuracy. The Grand Seiko blue is matched for the first time with the rose gold tone of the hands and markers and the oscillating weight carries an 18k rose gold Grand Seiko lion to mark the enhanced precision. The 18k rose gold Grand Seiko logo also graces the buckle.


Grand Seiko Black Ceramic Collection: SBGC219, 221, 223

SBGC219
SBGC221
SBGC223

Spring Drive Chronograph GMT 9R96 (SBGC219), 9R86 (SBGC221, 223)
  Driving system: Automatic
  Power reserve: 72 hours
  Accuracy: 9R96 ±0.5 seconds per day (±10 seconds per month)
  9R86 ±1 seconds per day (±15 seconds per month)
  GMT hand
  Chronograph up to 12 hours
  Number of jewels: 50

Specifications
  High-intensity titanium and ceramic case
  High definition dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
  Screw see-through case back, Screw-down crown
  Water resistance: 10 bar
  Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
  Diameter: 46.4mm, Thickness: 16.2mm
  High-intensity titanium and ceramic bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button release

Approximate recommended retail prices in Europe: 19,800Euro (SBGC219) / 18,700Euro (SBGC221, 223) 


Limited edition of 500 pcs (SBGC219)

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