It’s been 25 years since Grand Seiko introduced its landmark 9S, a movement born of uncompromising desire for the highest precision in mechanical watchmaking. When the 9S debuted in the SBGR001 in 1998, it ushered in a new era for Grand Seiko and it laid the groundwork for the many mechanical watchmaking achievements that would unfold over the next quarter-century. These ranged from the first 9S Hi-Beat models to the more recent introduction of 9SA5, the most advanced Hi-Beat Grand Seiko movement to date. This year, a new limited edition commemorates the pivotal introduction of 9S and symbolizes the continued evolution of this movement family over the last two and a half decades. And it does so in the form of a moderately sized wristwatch that respects the diameter of the 1998 original.
The 9S family of movements are crafted in Shizukuishi, the spiritual home of Grand Seiko mechanical watchmaking. Known for its bucolic vistas and breathtaking landscape, the town’s name is appropriately poetic. It translates to “water dripping on stone.” The scenic beauty is further enhanced by nearby Mt. Iwate, an imposing, snow-capped peak that emerges from surrounding clouds at daybreak. The contours of these clouds inspire the SBGH311’s silver-colored dial in a dramatic effect brought to life through the Grand Seiko’s skill and advanced manufacturing techniques. On the back, a titanium oscillating weight completes the vivid scene with a sky-blue color achieved through anodic oxidation.
The movement at the heart of SBGH311 is the Hi-Beat Caliber 9S85, which is painstakingly created by the skilled craftsmen and women of the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi. It is presented in a comfortable and 37mm case that matches the diameter of the original SBGR001 from 25 years ago.
