Grand Seiko Elegance Spring Drive "Hotaka Sunrise" red dial steel bracelet 40 mm

The story

The development of Spring Drive began in the 1970s, but it took Seiko and Grand Seiko a few decades and many prototypes to present their first movement equipped with Spring Drive technology. It first appeared in a Seiko watch marketed in 1999, at the time under the aegis of Seiko, with the hand-wound caliber 7R68. It took another five years for Grand Seiko to unveil its top-of-the-range version, with the launch of its own movement, the automatic caliber 9R65. Indeed, GS waited until it could reach its own standards before launching its 9R, which had to be even more precise and enduring! It was one of the few calibers of its time to offer 72 hours of power reserve. Introduced in 2004, and thus celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, this technology remains unique on the market and perfectly demonstrates all the contrasts that can be observed in Japan and at Grand Seiko.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 9R caliber, Grand Seiko today launches a colorful limited edition of one of its icons, presenting the Elegance Spring Drive Hotaka Sunrise reference SBGA499.

A “Nature of Time” dial

The texture of this dial and the illustration of Grand Seiko's respect for nature have since captured the hearts of watch lovers around the world. The dial of this timepiece features a bright red color, representing the Hotaka mountain range and its vibrant autumn foliage, bathed in the golden light of the rising sun. This mountain range is visible from the Shinshu Watch Studio, where all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches are made. The recessed power reserve indicator in coppery pink lends depth to the watch, enhancing legibility and adding a point of contrast to the design. The rose gold color of the GS logo and the intensity of the red dial brilliantly capture the fascinating color change of leaves in all their autumnal splendor. The seconds hand of the Spring Drive movement glides in fluid motion across the dial, reflecting the natural flow of time.

The model

At first glance, one immediately recognizes the familiar design of the “Elegance” collection, shared with other iconic models! The design is simple but effective: a fully polished Zaratsu steel case, a smooth bezel framing a box-saphed sapphire crystal, a domed middle and beautifully designed lugs with a lightly polished, slightly twisted facet. The glass has an anti-reflective coating on the inner surface to ensure a clear, unobstructed view of the dial from any angle. The dimensions are also ideal, with a diameter of 40.2 mm and a thickness of 12.8 mm. To ensure versatility, this watch is fitted with a 3-link steel bracelet, with a three-fold buckle with push-button.

An exceptional Spring Drive caliber

This SBGA499 is powered by a Manufacture 9R65 self-winding Spring Drive caliber. This unique movement from Manufacture Grand Seiko demonstrates the Japanese brand's expertise and mastery of movement design. It combines all the group's technologies, with a mechanical caliber base, but where the traditional escapement has been replaced by a “Tri-synchro”, housing a quartz crystal. Few watchmakers can offer such a caliber, as it is highly complex and unique on the market. This movement produced at the Shinshu Watch Studio offers exceptional precision of one second per day, as well as a 72-hour power reserve.