SEIKO – Grand Seiko HERITAGE SLGH002 Hi-Beat 36000 60th Anniversary Limited Edition 2020
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A high beat caliber opens a new chapter
in the history of Grand Seiko
In 1998, the creation of the 9S mechanical caliber opened a new chapter in the Grand Seiko story. Today, the pages turn again with the launch of a new high beat mechanical caliber, 9SA5, which, in its design and functionality represents an advance just as important as the first 9S.
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9SA5 is more than just a new caliber. It is an entirely new movement and the foundation upon which a whole new generation of Grand Seiko mechanical watches will be created. Deploying all the skills and experience we have gained over the past 60 years, 9SA5 is, beyond doubt, the finest mechanical caliber that we have ever created.
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A watch offered in a limited edition of 100 will be the first to be powered by this new caliber. It will be available at the Grand Seiko Boutiques in August 2020.
Design and function in perfect harmony.
36,000 vph, 80 hours of power reserve and a slim profile.
The challenge for any watchmaker who creates a high beat movement is to strike the perfect balance between precision, power and size without compromising on any of these parameters.
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In developing the
9SA5 caliber, the
Grand Seiko development team set out to deliver the same level of stable accuracy as that of their existing
36,000 vph movement but to deliver a longer power reserve and so makes the watch even more practical in everyday life.
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They succeeded in characteristically uncompromising style.
Caliber 9SA5 has a precision rate of +5 to -3 seconds a day and a power reserve of
80 hours.
The three technical advances that make the difference
The precision, power and slimness of
Caliber 9SA5 are the result of the radical re-design of three key structures and some components within them for which several patents are either already granted or pending.
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1. Dual Impulse Escapement
The escapement is entirely new and was developed in-house. It enables
the escapement wheel to transmit power directly to the balance, leading
to an efficiency increase.
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It is
unique in that, in one direction, power
is transmitted directly to the balance while in the other it is via the
pallet fork, as in a traditional escapement. Both pallet fork and
escapement wheel are made using
MEMS technology.
2. Grand Seiko Free-sprung Balance
9SA5 uses a new and special free-sprung balance developed for this caliber. It retains its precision for longer and is more resistant to shock and friction.
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While the current
Caliber 9S uses a flat hairspring,
9SA5 uses an overcoil, whose curve shape was decided after more than
80,000
simulations with the result that its performance is optimized in every
possible position. The uniqueness is that it can improve the
isochronism.
3. Horizontal Gear Train
The new caliber is
15% slimmer than the current
Grand Seiko high beat caliber, thanks to the innovative horizontal layout of the barrel and gear trains.
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In addition to these three new components,
Caliber 9SA5 has other features that contribute to its extraordinary performance. Two barrels, arranged in sequence, enhance the power reserve, the date change is virtually instantaneous and the positioning of the winding stem close to the rotor allows the watch to sit closer to the wrist.
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The movement is as beautifully finished as it is efficient. The bridge has a gently curving outline that is inspired by the shapes of Mt. Iwate and a bend in the Shizukuishi River that runs near the studio where the watch is made.
A new design for a new era
Just as
Caliber 9SA5 makes a significant and defining statement about the next stage of
Grand Seiko’s technical development, the design also has a distinctive look that marks a new beginning. The watch is, of course, true to the
Grand Seiko Style that was defined back in
1967 with the celebrated
44GS but it is subtly different in ways that are much more than cosmetic.
This new design has all the hallmarks of
Grand Seiko but also offers enhanced comfort and legibility.
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The slimness of the caliber does much to ensure that the watch can sit easily but it is combined with slightly wider lugs so that the watch also stays more solidly on the wrist.
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The already legendary legibility of
Grand Seiko is further enhanced by the increased volume of the hour hand and by the hour markers that are more prominent, just as they were in the first
Grand Seiko of
1960. The
Grand Seiko logo, indexes and calendar frame are in 18k yellow gold.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Collection HERITAGE
Model: Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Edition
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Ref.
SLGH002
Movement
Caliber 9SA5 Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours
Driving system: automatic. Stop seconds hand function
Diameter: 31.6mm, Thickness: 5.18mm
Vibrations: 36,000 vibrations per hour (
10 beats per second)
Accuracy: +5 to
-3 seconds per day (when static)
Power reserve: 80 hours
Number of jewels: 47
Instant date change
Date display
Case
18k yellow gold case and clasp
Diameter: 40.0mm, Thickness: 11.7mm
High definition box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Screw see-through case back
Case back with lion emblem
LIMITED EDITION on the case back
Serial number engraved on the case back
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Strap
Crocodile strap
Clasp type: 18k yellow three-fold clasp with push button release
Retail price
Approximate recommended retail price in
Europe: €45,000
Edition
Limited edition of
100 pieces
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SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION
Mr Noboru Miyadera
2-8-10, Toranomon, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 105-8467
Japan
Telephone+81 3
6739 2150
Telefax+81 3
6739 2071
seiko-pr@seiko-watch.co.jp
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