Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Grand Seiko Sports Spring Drive Chronograph GMT SBGC240
A powerful two-tone limited edition forms part of the 140th-Anniversary collection.
Last year Grand Seiko celebrated the 60th anniversary of its foundation. This year, the entire Seiko Corporation, founded in 1881 by Kintaro Hattori, celebrates its 140th anniversary. As you would expect, multiple commemorative watches have been and will be launched as a tribute to the brand’s founder. Next in line for the 140th-anniversary collection is a powerful, bold and complex chronograph Spring Drive watch, with a luxurious appeal. Meet the new Grand Seiko Sports Spring Drive Chronograph GMT SBGC240.
This new chronograph limited edition is based on a model that has been around in the collection for some years already: the reference SBGC203. However, the new Spring Drive Chronograph GMT SBGC240 is more than just new colours and materials, as it also updates multiple design elements and opts for different functionalities.
Housed in a robust 100m water-resistant stainless steel case with a 43.8mm diameter and 16.1mm height, it isn’t a small model. This watch is bold and powerful, which is reinforced by the striking colour scheme chosen by Seiko. Worn on a stainless steel bracelet, its case is adorned with18k yellow gold accents – namely, the screw-down crown, the new pump pushers and the unprecedented 12-sided bezel. The bezel also features a new black ceramic insert with an engraved tachymeter scale. The case combines brushed surfaces and Zaratsu polished accents.
The dial follows the same spirit as the case; powerful, complex and striking. The black background offers great contrast with the gold-coloured hands, indexes and sub-dial rings. More than just a simple chronograph, the SBGC240 packs a host of functions. Besides the classic hour/minute hands and the date, a small seconds sits at 9 o’clock and a power reserve indicator at 7 o’clock. The right side is devoted to the chronograph, with a 30-minute and a 12-hour counter, combined with the central seconds. Finally, an independent GMT hand is positioned on the central axis and points to a 24-hour scale on the dial’s periphery.
The Grand Seiko Sports Spring Drive Chronograph GMT SBGC240 is powered by an in-house Spring Drive movement, a column-wheel chronograph comprising more than 400 parts – all made and hand-assembled by the skilled craftsmen and women in the Shinshu Watch Studio. This movement relies on the proprietary “hybrid” Spring Drive technology, with automatic winding and high-precision quartz regulation. This results in an accuracy of ± 1 second a day whether the chronograph is in use or not. The movement is visible through a sapphire caseback.
The watch is delivered on a steel bracelet, closed by a folding clasp adorned by a GS gold emblem. An additional crocodile strap with gold-coloured stitches is also included in its presentation case.
The Spring Drive Chronograph GMT SBGC240 will be a limited edition of 500 pieces, available from boutiques and retailers in July 2021. It will be priced at EUR 19,200.
More details at www.grand-seiko.com.
1 response
I love the Seiko Chronographs, specially those ones from the 70’s with caliber 6138 because of their simple and easy to read dials and fantastic movement. These days, I love the Seiko Spring Drive Movement, the most precise movement in the market so far, but I hate the complexity and difficult to read (for me) dials. I would love to see a Spring Drive Chronograph with the simple Tri-Compax arrangement with date at “4”, and the elimination of the power reserve indicator. I wear my chronos daily, even when I sleep, so no need to check if the watch is fully wounded or not. Just MHO. Asides from that, these Grand Seiko show in boatloads their high level of Craftsmanship!!