Caliber 9S 20th Anniversary Limited Editions
Three special movements, a new case and a unique dial
To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of 9S caliber, the Grand Seiko team has created a series of three limited edition timepieces, each of which pays homage, in its own way, to the remarkable heritage of the 9S caliber.
To mark this 20th anniversary, Grand Seiko’s award-winning designer, Nobuhiro Kosugi, has crafted a new design based on the foundation of his original 1998 Caliber 9S model.
Hi-Beat 36000 V.F.A. – SBGH265J
A landmark in Grand Seiko’s pursuit of precision,
V.F.A. is honored in platinum.
Limited Edition: 20 Pieces
Platinum 950 case
Nobuhiro Kosugi, the designer of the original 9S, has mounted this remarkable movement in a platinum 950 case that is a new interpretation of his most widely admired Grand Seiko design.
New dial pattern
The dial is exceptional. Its design incorporates the special insignia used back in the 1960’s to designate watches made by Daini Seikosha, the company known today as Seiko Instruments Inc. This long-cherished insignia alternates with the initials “GS” in a delicate mosaic that radiates out from the center of the dial in a geometric pattern.
MOVEMENT
Caliber 9S85 V.F.A.
This new 2018 creation proudly carries on the V.F.A. tradition, its 9S85 Hi-Beat 36000 caliber exhibiting an extraordinary precision of +3 to -1 seconds per day.This level of accuracy can only be achieved by the highest level of adjustment and a 34-day testing program.
New dial pattern
“SPECIAL” is inscribed on the dial in testament to this higher standard of accuracy. The dial is exceptional. Its design incorporates the special mark used back in the 1960’s to designate watches made by Daini Seikosha, the company known today as Seiko Instruments Inc. This long-cherished mark alternates with the initials “GS” in a delicate mosaic that radiates out from the center of the dial in a geometric pattern.
MOVEMENT
Caliber 9S85 Special
The gold version’s 10-beat movement Caliber 9S85 operates at the higher-precision “Special” standard of accuracy. First established in 1998, the GS Standard is even more precise than the most widely recognized global standard. However, the Grand Seiko Special Standard is higher still. Because it takes an extremely skilled watchmaker many years to reach this standard of accuracy, the number of watches that can be produced each year is limited.
This version is adjusted to the Grand Seiko Special standard and delivers a precision rate of +4 to -2 seconds per day.
Limited editions of 1,500
New dial pattern
The dial is exceptional. Its design incorporates the special mark used back in the 1960’s to designate watches made by Daini Seikosha, the company known today as Seiko Instruments Inc. This long-cherished mark alternates with the initials “GS” in a delicate mosaic that radiates out from the center of the dial in a geometric pattern.
A special oscillating weight
The watch is equipped with a special oscillating weight made of titanium and tungsten.
The blue titanium surface, achieved by means of anodic oxidation*, is accented in yellow with a GS Lion Emblem and is engraved the words “Caliber 9S 20th Anniversary Since 1998”.
*Anodic oxidation treatment
This is a surface treatment in which metals are subjected to electrolysis so as to generate artificially an oxide film. Titanium oxide film produces color according to the light refraction index, enabling production of different colors by varying the thickness of the oxide film.
*In an actual product, the case back direction might be different from the photograph.
MOVEMENT
Hi-Beat 36000 Caliber 9S85
The challenge of making a high-beat movement is one that only a few watchmakers choose to accept. With its higher oscillation rate of ten beats per second, greater accuracy is achievable, but this increased precision comes at a price because the faster rotational speed can take its toll on the power reserve and even the longevity of the whole movement. Grand Seiko’s 10 beat movement meets these challenges and delivers an accuracy of +5 to –3 seconds a day, a power reserve of 55 hours and the durability for which every Grand Seiko watch is renowned.