At the Baselworld 2012, Grand Seiko has presented a pair of limited-edition versions of its GMT collection. The Grand Seiko GMT SBGM029 10th Anniversary Edition looked the most impressive with its noble blue dial and striking yellow gold accents.
The Compact Body
Originality 4/5
Versatility: 5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Ergonomics: 5/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5Value for Money: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
The limited-edition model arrived in a compact (at least, when compared to current Swiss watches with a similar “sporty” design) sub-40mm stainless-steel body.
For example, an IWC Worldtimer IW326201 and the Zenith Pilot Doublematic measure about 45mm in diameter. There’s nothing wrong with their size except that it significantly reduces their overall versatility
Just 39.20 millimeters in diameter, it rocks a set of relatively long horns that accommodate its extremely refined solid-steel bracelet. The watch will probably look great on an average wrist.
The overall styling of the case makes it as versatile as a modern Rolex. You don’t need to be “bold” to wear it with a business suit and you won’t look like a square using it with a polo shirt and a pair of blue jeans.
The Extra Time Zone
There’s nothing new about the way the watch tells time.
The SBGM029 uses an arrow-shaped, gold-toned indicator to display current time in the other time zone. The secondary hour hand looks different enough from the pair of dauphine-shaped hands used to display hours and minutes in our current city.
My only complaint here is the lack of lume on the dial. It is a sporty watch and its owner will often find himself in a situation where he won’t be able to read time just because it is too dark on the street!
I have seen several live shots made during the Baselworld 2012 event and I have to admit that I like the exterior. However, sometimes I wonder why most Japanese watchmakers try to *ahem* speak Alemannic dialects when their own culture has such a beautiful design language.
The New Caliber 9S66A
The timekeeper is powered by a new Seiko caliber 9S66A automatic movement. Built on 35 jewels, it beats at 28,800 vph and offers an impressive power reserve of 72 hours.
Skillfully decorated, the movement is equipped with a lightweight titanium rotor with a tungsten oscillating weight that makes winding more efficient. Painted blue, the rotor looks like a stylized blue lotus flower and matches the color of the dial.
Availability & Pricing
The GMT 10th Anniversary Edition will be produced in a limited run of only 700 pieces. They will retail across the world and EU in general at an impressive (for a model in steel) price of €6600 (around $8600 at the current exchange rate.)
See also: Grand Seiko 130th Anniversary Targets The Calatrava
Photos: Seiko
Grand Seiko GMT SBGM029 10th Anniversary specification
Price: $8600 (Discontinued model)
Movement: Automatic, Caliber 9S66A, Made in Japan
Number of jewels: 35
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Finish: Stripes on bridges, the blue winding rotor
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, second time zone (GMT)
Power reserve: 72 hours
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 39.20 mm
Case height: 13.90 mm
Crystal: Sapphire, anti-reflective
Back: Sapphire
Dial: Blue
Numerals: 24-hour GMT scale on the bezel, Arabic
Hour markers: Applied, steel
Hands: Dauphine-shaped, steel; gold-toned GMT hand
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Solid stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push-button release