Grand Seiko "Asaborake" SBGY011

In 1967, a new watch was added to the Grand Seiko Collection that was destined to become one of its defining creations. It was the 44GS, the first watch to embody the Grand Seiko Style, the design grammar that gave Grand Seiko its distinctive look and that still today, 55 years later, inspires each new creation. This hand-winding Spring Drive watch brings alive again the spirit of the 44GS in a slim dress case.

The delicately textured white dial evokes Asaborake, the brief time when, as dawn breaks, the light penetrates the morning mist and begins to reveal the mountain landscape of Shinshu, where this, and all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches, are made. The minute and seconds hands are gently curved by hand so that they are close to the indexes and minute track. This not only enhances the legibility of the time, which is measured with +/- 15 seconds a month precision, but it also allows the wearer to enjoy to the full the continuous glide motion of the seconds hand that is Spring Drive’s signature.

As with the original 44GS, the glass is box-shaped to give the watch its traditional feel but the thickness of the glass rim is reduced to lower the overall center of gravity of the watch and to provide a slim profile and a comfortable fit on the wrist.

The hand-wound Caliber 9R31 delivers a 72-hour power reserve thanks to its Dual Spring Barrel mechanism in which two springs are set in parallel within one single barrel.