Introducing: The Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 VFA SBGH265 For 20th Anniversary Of Caliber 9S

March 22, 2018

This is the second year in which Grand Seiko has stood alone as an independent brand, rather than a sub-brand of Seiko. It's also another important anniversary: the 20th year for the Grand Seiko mechanical caliber 9S, which was launched in 1998 as the first mechanical Grand Seiko caliber of the new era (it was also the first mechanical Grand Seiko caliber in 20 years). The VFA designation stands for "Very Fine Adjusted" and this anniversary VFA model is rated to +3/-1 seconds per day, versus +5/-3 seconds per day for the standard Hi-Beat caliber 9S85. Initial Thoughts This is a watch for the well-heeled Grand Seiko enthusiast, of which there are an increasing number these days (the same folks who are Eichi I and II lovers will probably be very interested in this model as well). It's an important anniversary for Grand Seiko. The caliber 9S was designed from the ground up to be a thoroughly reliable, accurate, and sturdy modern movement and was specifically intended to fulfill the Grand Seiko ideal of creating the perfect every day watch C one that could shrug off the rigors of daily use with ease and look good doing it. Since its introduction in 1998, caliber 9S has undergone a series of incremental improvements, including the introduction of better alloys, such as the SPRON series of alloys developed by Grand Seiko for mainsprings and balance springs (mainspring metallurgy may not sound like the sexiest thing in the world but as the mainspring is the engine driving the watch, it's absolutely critical to good chronometry).?One of the most important additions to the 9S family was of course the Hi-Beat 9S85, which debuted in 2009, as well as the Hi-Beat 9S86 GMT, which in 2014 powered the SBGJ005. This watch won the Petite Aguille at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genve, in that same year. The VFA designation is also one with enormous importance to Grand Seiko historically. 2018 is just one year short of being the 50th anniversary of VFA; the very first VFA watch, the 61GS VFA, came out in 1969 with a guaranteed accuracy of one minute a month. And the fact that this anniversary VFA is a Hi-Beat Grand Seiko, running at 36,000 vph, also marks yet another anniversary: in 1968, the first Hi-Beat automatic Grand Seiko came out, making this not only the 20th anniversary of caliber 9S, but the 50th anniversary of Hi-Beat automatics as well.? The dial actually pays homage to this 50th anniversary of the Hi-Beat automatic. The spiral pattern incorporates both the letters of the Grand Seiko logo, as well as the mark used to designate watches made by Daini Seikosha, the Seiko division that created the first Hi-Beat watches (now Seiko Instruments Inc.). This anniversary model in a platinum case, with its elaborately engraved dial, is going to be made in very small numbers but if you're a serious Grand Seiko collector with the budget to collect at this level, this is going to be a hard watch to resist. The fact that next year is the 50th anniversary of VFA also makes me wonder what Grand Seiko might have in store for 2019 C a Hi-Beat VFA in steel in larger numbers as part of the regular GS collection is something I think a lot of us wouldn't mind seeing at all. The Basics Brand: Grand SeikoModel: 20th Anniversary Of Caliber 9S VFA Limited EditionReference Number: SBGH265Diameter: 39.5mmThickness: 13mmCase Material: Platinum 950, Zaratsu polishedDial: Engraved with Daini Seikosha and Grand Seiko logosIndexes: Applied and diamond polishedWater Resistance: 100 metersStrap/Bracelet: Crocodile with platinum folding clasp The Movement Caliber: Grand Seiko Caliber 9S85Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, dateDiameter: 28.4mmPower Reserve: 55 hoursWinding: AutomaticFrequency: 5 Hz (36,000 vph)Jewels: 37 jewelsChronometer Certified: Seiko Very Fine Adjusted; internally controlled to +3/-1 seconds per dayAdditional Details: MEMS fabricated skeletonized escape wheel with micro-oil reservoir teeth; MEMS fabricated skeletonized lever Pricing & Availability Price: $53,000Availability: TBDLimited Edition: 20 piecesFind more technical info on the Hi-Beat caliber 9S85 here; visit Grand Seiko right here.