Grand Seiko Elegance SBGY003 Spring Drive mechanical 38 mm Full Set 2020

Getting to know you

Expanding the Elegance collection was a priority for Grand Seiko in 2019. The Japanese brand has always offered dress watches within its lineup, but it wasn't until the SBGY series debuted, that this collection really caught on with the brand's fans. Initially, this line only featured precious metal watches, but this SBGY003 changed the game when it was launched. Indeed, it celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Spring Drive caliber at Grand Seiko and is offered in a limited edition of 700 pieces. It was then the only version offered in steel. A real success!

The profile of this SBGY003 is simply superb and elegant, just as the name of the collection "Elegance Collection" indicates. Its case offers contained measurements (38.5 mm in diameter for 10.2 mm thick), and a finish at the height of GS. Indeed, the combination of Zaratsu polished surfaces and beautiful satin brushed finishes is simply stunning.

Elegance is also on the face with a silver dial adorned with a sunburst pattern in the Nipponese sense of the word, not the Helvetic one: the surface of this Grand Seiko's dial is indeed carved with fine grooves that originate at the hand well and irradiate the dial as they approach the peripheral minute track.

Playing the sobriety card to the hilt, the markings are kept to a minimum and the dial surface of this Spring Drive SBGY003 is punctuated with faceted indexes and hands that are one of the identifying markings of Grand Seiko productions.

Exceptional mechanics

This Grand Seiko Elegance is powered by the exceptional hand-wound caliber 9R31! Unveiled in 2019 alongside the caliber 9R02 which is produced by Micro Artist Studio, the 9R31 commemorated the 20th anniversary of Spring Drive. This slim, high-performance movement features a double barrel structure, which allows it to offer a large 72-hour power reserve while still being compact. Its power reserve indicator is visible on the back of the watch through the sapphire caseback.

This movement is beautifully decorated, with its exposed rubies, blued screws and diamond-cut beveled bridges. Precisely, this 9R31 features a unique brushed finish bridge. Similar to the 3/4 plates used in German watchmaking, this construction is perfect for maintaining high shock resistance and improving the efficiency of the gear train. In total, the caliber 9R31 has over 200 components and is the second thinnest Grand Seiko Spring Drive caliber after the caliber 9R02. It is produced by the Shinshu Watch Studio, right where the room under the stairs of the Micro Artist Studio and its watchmakers trained by Philippe Dufour is located!

The package

This Grand Seiko is in excellent condition and will be delivered to you Full Set, with its original case and all its papers. The warranty card is dated 2020. This SBGY003 which is numbered 618, has been authenticated and checked by our watchmakers and as such benefits from the Lepage Vintage 1 year warranty.