The Superb Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Day Now in Rose Gold & Sparkling Black Dial Watch Review

The Superb Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Day Now in Rose Gold & Sparkling Black Dial Watch Review

The Superb Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Day Now in Rose Gold

Inside a recent personal piece, our editor-in-chief Frank, gave credit (really, let's refer to it as an appreciation letter) towards the superb Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Days. The timepiece he discussed was the platinum / white-colored dial version that Grand Seiko (don't give them a call Seiko any longer, as GS has become a brandname by itself) introduced in 2016. It was certainly one of individuals rare occasions where we featured a wrist watch with no classic escapement and balance, also it was fully justified for many reasons. Well, today we're doing the work again, as there's a brand new kid around: the Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Days, now in Rose Gold having a Sparkling Black Dial (Ref. SBGD202).

To create things short

The Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Days may be the epitome from the quarta movement watch through the Japanese manufacture. It's everything: we've got the technology, using the signature Spring-Drive movement (an hybrid mechanical/quarta movement) the design, having a large but very elegant and daring style the preciousness and-finish appeal, with an amount of finishing that's that are awesome. It may be controlled with a quarta movement very however this watch (ref. SBGD201) simply rules. No balance wheel and Swiss-lever escapement? Whatever, we've got the technology inside is astonishing! No Geneva stripes along with a movement that doesn't show a lot of its entrails?  You may have to reconsider what these folks can do?

 Sparkling Black Dial Watch

In 2016, Grand Seiko launched this watch, the Spring Drive 8-Days ref. SBGD201, a wrist watch born in the middle of Seiko's sanctuary, the Micro Artist Studio in Seiko's facility in Shiojiri, central Japan, in which the Spring Drive Minute Repeater, Sonnerie and Eichi watches for Credor were also born. This kid was the flagship of Grand Seiko's savoir-faire, discussing the majority of the features present in Credor watches (when it comes to technology, finishing and decoration). If it is looks weren't so much like those of other GS watches, it might have easily been placed with Credor around the dial (editor's note: Credor is really a high-finish make of Seiko, having a collection which includes (amongst others) one minute repeater, a sonnerie, a tourbillon and artistic craftsmanships for example hands-enameling).

For 2017, this same stunning watch now is available in another edition, however, this time, thinking about the prosperity of the very first platinum version, forget about limitation which doesn't mean it will likely be simple to get hold of one. Same movement, same design, same situation and overall specifications, however now, a rose gold situation along with a sparkling blanc dial (more about that later.) The very first version was cold and technical, this second iteration becomes a lot more present, although not without any elegance.

The evolution around the situation with this Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Days Ref. SBGD202 only concerns the fabric used. Indeed, the scale along with the finishings remain comparable to the platinum version, meaning a 43mm x 13.2mm situation, fully polished. This isn't a little watch at all, nevertheless it wears pretty comfortable. The lugs are rather short and also the strap is attached low, and therefore it hugs the wrist. Obviously, don't consider it as being an effective dress watch, but more like a statement piece having a very elegant shape.

The polishing from the situation, which matches throughout (lugs, bezel, casebands) is performed with a Seiko-developed technique, named Zaratsu and provides the situation dramatically defined edges and bevels similar to the platinum version, this situation is among the very best finished cases you'll find available on the market. Sharp like a razor, perfect, very shiny. Obviously, it's now produced in 18k rose gold, using the characteristics of the metal: lighter than platinum but nonetheless having a significant heft into it, warm and dressy.

The Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Days Ref. SBGD202 combines a gold and black theme, surprisingly, having a brown crocodile leather strap however it just appears to operate. However, it's the dial of the SBGD202 that actually captures your attention. It's inspired with a starry sky during the night. Seen instantly as well as in certain light conditions, it'll mainly appear like a glassy black dial. However, once the sun hits the top so when your perception at length, you'll see its beauty revealed also it starts sparkling.

Because of a unique procedure that combines both plating and painting, the dial from the Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Days SBGD202 seems as though sprinkled with stardust. It's lively, very refined yet bold and different. Around the photo above, this sparkling dial continues to be enhanced so that you can view it in most its beauty. Yet, in additional standard conditions, this method leaves only a slightly shining texture, no more (see below), as well as on a sunny day?-sparkles! For that rest, the dial remains equally legible and shows exactly the same hands and indexes because the platinum version, yet produced in rose gold to complement the situation. Both of them are carried out with an enormous focus on detail and precision, with razor-edge polishing and beveling. As you can tell, no Seiko around the dial but rather the GS emblem in gold and applied and Grand Seiko printed below.

 Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Day Rose Gold Sparkling Black Dial SBGD202 Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Day Rose Gold Sparkling Black Dial SBGD202 Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Day Rose Gold Sparkling Black Dial SBGD202

When it comes to movement, no evolutions. Within the Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Day Ref. SBGD202 remains the stunning calibre 9R01. While the majority of the Spring-Drive movements by Seiko offer 72 hrs of power reserve (with a single barrel), the 9R01 shines by having an 8-day power reserve, because of three barrels in series. To reduce transmission loss, the 3 barrels and ratchet wheels are linked with no intermediate wheel ¡§C and fewer friction means less put on and fewer lack of energy. Rubies are placed in to the barrels to lessen this friction between your barrels and also the arbors. The ability reserve could be continue reading a passionate indicator around the movement side.

Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Day Rose Gold Sparkling Black Dial SBGD202As stated

This movement is really a Spring-Drive, and therefore it's a hybrid. As you can tell, no balance and lever escapement here, because the movement is controlled with a quarta movement very. However, the power isn't supplied by a typical battery but by winding the 3 barrels, much like inside a classical mechanical watch. This mechanical energy then drives the gears and rotates both your hands. A small fraction of the power in the primary spring can be used to develop a small electric energy, which forces a quarta movement oscillator. The primary purpose of this movement is way from emotional, however, it's driven by one goal: precision. Indeed, this Calibre 9R01 is precise to 0.5 second each day (10 seconds monthly)  much better than any mechanical movement available?- Frank described the Spring Drive technology at length here, in the overview of the platinum SBGD201.

What sets this movement apart too

Aside from the 8-day power reserve, is its finishing. Not too regular Grand Seiko movements are badly finished (not even close to that) however this the first is just on other level. The plates and bridges are constructed from German silver. The outline from the bridge and also the beveling round the rubies and holes are hands polished. As you can tell, the anglages aren't flat but slightly rounded, something which only a number of manufactures (even just in Europe) is capable of. The bridges and plates are rhodium-plated, the top is straight-grained and also the screws are blued. Overall, it remains an very discreet movement that has to have a connoisseur's eye to become fully understood. It's on componen most abundant in exclusive manufactures of Europe.