New: Grand Seiko Asaborake SBGY011

Grand Seiko introduces a new 44GS inspired watch featuring the design language first surfaced in 1967. Presenting the Asaborake SBGY011 hand wound Spring Drive Grand Seiko.

Press Release information with commentary in italics.

New: Grand Seiko Asaborake SBGY011

The Grand Seiko Asaborake SBGY011 retails SGD 12,000., and in Japan JPY 935,000. Both prices inclusive of GSR/Japanese VAT.

Commentary

Grand Seiko continues the winning streak to introduce new inspirations from the much vaunted 44GS and the design codes it embodies. We have seen the 44GS revisioned several times. Their Heritage lineup currently totals some 23 watches. From the compact time only SBGW291 and SBGW293 to the Heritage 44GS Spring Drive SBGY009, which features a textured blue dial and is a limited edition. This novelty being presented here is based on the same watch with a different dial but not limited.

The dial inspiration comes from Asaborake, a phrase in Japanese which describes the time when light of dawn just appears as daybreak. The white dial represents the light penetrating the morning mist to reveal the mountains of Shinshu.

The movement remains the same Caliber 9R31. This is a hand wound Spring Drive movement, The pricing remains the same level as the limited editon SBGY009 at JPY 935k.

Release Details

In 1967, a new watch was added to the Grand Seiko Collection that was destined to become one of its defining creations. It was the 44GS, the first watch to embody the Grand Seiko Style, the design grammar that gave Grand Seiko its distinctive look and that still today, 55 years later, inspires each new creation. This hand-winding Spring Drive watch brings alive again the spirit of the 44GS in a slim dress case.

Asaborake, the moment when dawn draws back the veil of night

The delicately textured white dial evokes Asaborake, the brief time when, as dawn breaks, the light penetrates the morning mist and begins to reveal the mountain landscape of Shinshu, where this, and all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches, are made. The minute and seconds hands are gently curved by hand so that they are close to the indexes and minute track. This not only enhances the legibility of the time, which is measured with +/- 15 seconds a month precision, but it also allows the wearer to enjoy to the full the continuous glide motion of the seconds hand that is Spring Drive’s signature. 

As with the original 44GS, the glass is box-shaped to give the watch its traditional feel but the thickness of the glass rim is reduced to lower the overall center of gravity of the watch and to provide a slim profile and a comfortable fit on the wrist. 
 
The hand-wound Caliber 9R31 delivers a 72-hour power reserve thanks to its Dual Spring Barrel mechanism in which two springs are set in parallel within one single barrel.

Grand Seiko SBGY011 Specifications

Exterior

Exterior:	Stainless steel
Case back:	See-through & Screw case back
Glass Coating:	Anti-reflective coating on inner surface
Case size:	Diameter 40.0mm Lug-to-lug 46.2mm Thickness 10.5mm
Band width:	19mm
Band Material:	Crocodile leather
The perimeter of Band:	195mm

Movement

Caliber no.:	9R31 Instructions
Power reserve:	Approx. 72 hours(3 days)
Accuracy:	±15 seconds per month (±1 second per day)

Functions

Water resistance:	10 bar
Weight:	77 g
Other details / Features:	30 jewelsPower reserve indicator