Grand Seiko Heritage 44GS mechanical white dial steel bracelet 36.5 mm

A history of style

In 1967, Grand Seiko introduced the 44GS, a watch that would embody the design code known as the Grand Seiko style. This style consists of 9 distinct elements that govern the design of every detail of the watch, from the shape of the case to that of the 12 o'clock index to the flat surface of the dial. As Grand Seiko enthusiasts well know, the 44GS was designed to make watch design history. With its iconic case geometry, distortion-free finish and eye-catching dial, the 44GS was then - and remains to this day - exemplary of Grand Seiko's focused design language.

In 2013, Grand Seiko unveiled the modern interpretation of the 44GS style, adapting the founding 1967 model to contemporary sensibilities. Now, 55 years after its first appearance, the brand presents this SBGW97, a hand-wound model commemorating the 44GS design, in a reasonably sized case. All the elements of Grand Seiko's style are brought to the fore in this model, contributing to the "quality sparkle" that defines the brand. All case facets, hands and indexes are designed to reflect the slightest ray of light, creating infinite combinations of light and shadow that change with every movement. Zaratsu-polished and brushed surfaces complement each other perfectly. It's this crisp, clear and unique aesthetic that allows us to say, "This is a Grand Seiko."

Inspired by the "Kamisen"

With a diameter of 36.5 mm, a thickness of 11.6 mm and a horn-to-horn length of 42.7 mm, the SBGW297's smaller case has all the features that made the historic model and the modern 44GS memorable and enduring, but with proportions closer to those of the 1967 original. This makes the timepiece compact and easy to wear.

Brand enthusiasts know that the Manufacture likes to draw inspiration from the Japanese environment, which offers a rich variety of memorable craftsmanship. For this reference, Japanese designers have taken up these emblematic codes of Japanese culture for the dial of this timepiece. Echoing these traditional Japanese artifacts, the watch's dark blue dial expresses the passage of time.

The sunburst pattern of this model is created from a series of flat surfaces and protruding edges reminiscent of kamisen, Japanese folding paper fans. The art of Japanese fan-making involves many stages, requiring great patience and precision on the part of the craftsmen. The characteristic angular shape of folding paper fans allows for a complex interplay of light and shadow. The flame-blued steel seconds hand marks time on the textured white dial of reference SBGW297.

This sunburst pattern plays beautifully with light, creating countless combinations of light and shadow. The bezel, multi-faceted indexes and hands have also been reimagined to fit the reduced dimensions. Protecting the dial, a box-shaped sapphire crystal lends warmth to the design, further linking the watch to its mid-century "ancestor"

The Grand Seiko caliber 9S64

Behind its engraved caseback is the Manufacture calibre 9S64. This is one of the lion brand's rare hand-wound mechanical movements. Offering a comfortable power reserve of around three days (72 hours) when fully wound, it is designed to be stable and precise. As Grand Seiko's chronometric standards are stricter than those of the COSC, the movement has been set to 6 positions, guaranteeing a precision of -3 to +5 seconds per day, with a balance beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour.
The movement is hand-assembled by craftsmen at the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, close to Mount Iwate! Daily inspiration for the Manufacture's watchmakers...

In brief

• A watch with an iconic design in a case 36.5 mm in diameter
• A Manufacture manual mechanical caliber
• A perfect finish and a sunburst dial to great effect!