Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph Limited Edition

July 13, 2015

A 55th anniversary doesnt seem quite as important as, say, a 50th or a 60th, but Seiko released a new watch this weekthe Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronographthat challenges this preconceived notion. Seiko isnt notorious for releasing extortionately priced or over-the-top watches, and most consumers are familiar with their more accessible products, like the Seiko 5 line. Seiko isnt often cited as the purest embodiment of haute horlogerie, and it isnt typically considered to be luxury. Enter Grand Seiko.Since its inception in 1960, Grand Seiko has served as a higher-caliber, costlier, punchier effort to prove that Seiko can compete with the luxury Swiss playersto prove, essentially, that Japans watches are made of the same mettle as Switzerlands. The standard for mechanical Grand Seiko watches is 3 and 5 seconds a day. Seikos Spring Drive, with its hybrid quartz-mechanical regulating system, typically performs even better; the Spring Drive chronograph caliber 9R86 is rated to +/- 1 second per day. The 55th Anniversary Grand Seiko Spring Drive uses caliber 9R96, and according to Seiko, the movement can be expected to keep time to within +/- 0.5 seconds per day.The 9R96 movement isnt the only notable feature Cthe Grand Seiko Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph also features a ceramic bezel, an unusual feature (Seiko has used it previously on the Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT.) Combine the deeply black bezel with the dark blue dial and accents of white and yellow on the hands and markers, and the result is a vivid, striking ?combination of colors. If the chronograph wasnt enough, theres also a GMT handjust in case you wanted to time your flight to the nearest half-second and wanted the time back home when you touch down. The Spring Drive technology allows for precise accuracy, and for the signature smooth, gliding second hand. Seiko also opted to make this watch in titanium, so its light and sturdy, as well as highly corrosion resistant Ctitanium can scratch easily but Seiko uses a special titanium alloy (which they refer to as high intensity titanium thats highly scratch resistant..It seems fitting that the rotor on the new 9R96 movement has Grand Seikos symbolic yellow-gold lion emblem inlaidthe message from Seiko and its 55th anniversary watch is clear: hear me roar.Grand Seiko 55th Anniversary Spring Drive Chronograph Limited EditionCase/Bracelet: "High Intensity" TitaniumDiameter: 43.5mmThickness: 16.5mmPower Reserve: 72 hoursPrice: Roughly $10,500 USDLimited Edition of 400 pieces