Manufacturer: Grand Seiko Year: Circa 2018 Reference No: SBGA384 Case No: No. 31/50 Model Name: “Spring Drive” Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 9R15A, 30 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Grand Seiko deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Grand Seiko Certificate of Limited Warranty dated April 27, 2019 and stamped Timeless, fitted presentation box, hang tag, U. S. Limited 2018 certificate, product literature and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive Limited Edition 2018 was the brand’s first model designed exclusively for the U.S. market. Limited to just 50 examples, the watch featured a special dial inspired by the Kirazuri method. A painting technique employed by Ukiyo-e, it is a genre of Japanese art that was popular during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, and known for strong shapes and design, unshaded flat colours, and expansive backgrounds.
The watch is powered by the caliber 9R15 providing a high level of precision with extreme accuracy with every component, inside and out, executed with masterful craftsmanship. The Spring Drive movement is a hybrid of sorts invented by Seiko which features a standard mechanical gear train. However, instead of an escapement and balance wheel, one finds a “regulator” which contains a powerful magnet that rotates between two electromagnets, generating current to power a quartz timing package which, in turn controls (via the same electromagnets) how fast the regulator turns. The Spring Drive movement is Seiko’s synergistic solution to merge the beauty and complexity of a mechanical movement with the accuracy of quartz.
Consigned by the original owner, the present 18 karat pink gold example is preserved in excellent condition, and complete with warranty, hang tag and presentation box.
The present lot is further offered with a one-year warranty provided by Grand Seiko Corp of America.
Ref. SBGA384 A very fine and attractive limited edition pink gold “Spring Drive” wristwatch with date, power reserve, warranty, hang tag and presentation box
Circa 2018 40mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and clasp signed