Description
An almost perfect copy of the classic 44GS, issued in a limited edition of 700 to commemorate the centenary of Seiko; the case and dial are identical to the original; the only real difference is in the movement, and the 9S64 fitted to this limited edition is quantifiably better than the 4420 in the original.
The case is stunning, a perfect example of Seiko’s famed ‘Zairatsu’ finishing with mirror polished case flanks, with razor sharp edges delimiting the flanks from the brushed areas of the case top. In his review, when the watch was launched SJX described it as “the best Grand Seiko case I have seen” and I won’t argue. It has a flat top sapphire crystal perfectly copying the profile of the mineral crystal on the original.
Seiko, and particularly Grand Seiko, are renowned for their dials and this one shows exactly why – it might appear pretty plain compared to the ‘snowflake’ or the ‘white birch’ versions; but take a loupe to it & you will admire it as much as I do. It has a sunburst silvered white finish with multi-faceted applied indices, applied Seiko logo and the text is printed, most unusually, on top of the clear lacquer – meaning that it seems to float above the dial. Grand Seiko are known for their hands, but these are the very best hands I have ever seen on one of their watches. They are the classic needle pointed dauphine shape, but unusually they have three planes – a brushed flat surface with two sloping sides which are mirror polished; no matter what angle you hold the watch, you can read the time instantly. There is also a grey steel sweep seconds hand.
Notice how the sides of the bezel actually slope inward, then look closer and observe how the top of the bezel is grained in a radial pattern (that is the direction all seems to come from the centre of the watch) and then see how that contrasts with the mirror polishing of the near vertical surfaces. Then look at the lugs, look at the absolute precision of the line between the outer brushed surfaces and the inner polished ones; then look at the sides of the lugs, notice how they are cut away at an acute angle and how this angle mirrors that on the bezel. Then think about why they are cut away, this means that the area on your wrist can remain small (and so fit on a smaller Asian sized wrist) but the top of the watch can be that much larger (and therefore easier to read) than if the sides of the case were vertical.
A great deal of thought has been put into the case design and the usability of the watch, now let’s look at the dial; once more look at the end view of the watch & see how both the ‘SEIKO’ and ‘GS’ logos seem to float above the dial, that is because they do. Like most metal logos, they are applied to the dial with metal pins going through the dial; however, unlike almost everyone else, Seiko chose to leave a tiny millimeter of space between the bottom of the logos and the dial, this massively emphasizes the three dimensional aspect of the dial.
As I said this is a limited edition watch, only 700 were made and this is number 390; of course all were sold within days of the launch, but this isn’t just a normal one of the limited editions – it is a unique piece, as the strap is signed by Nobuhiro Kosugi, the design director of Seiko who was responsible for the look of this model.
The watch is, of course, complete with all boxes and papers.
The case is in 99% condition, whilst the dial and the movement are 99+%. The watch has been worn no more than half a dozen times and still retains the plastic film on the case back.
The watch measures 36.5mm across, 43mm lug to lug and 11.5mm high, it takes an 18mm strap and the original Seiko alligator strap with signed steel buckle is still fitted.
SOLD
