The hand-wound model celebrates the first anniversary of its first boutique in the region at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
When it comes to business, sometimes it feels like any Japanese organisation either moves extremely conservatively or at a breakneck speed. In Southeast Asia, Grand Seiko Asia-Pacific (GSAP) has its gears permanently stuck in overdrive. It’s been under two years since the watchmaker established the APAC office, after the Americas and Europe. Since then, the team has pushed forward with new boutiques across Southeast Asia, added a second store at Changi, and introduced its for the region last year.
Now, as the MBS store turns one, GSAP has surprised all of us with another limited-edition watch exclusive to the boutique. Keeping things classy as always, the 38mm SBGW315 is styled in its Elegance collection, which pays tribute to the OG Grand Seiko watch from 1960. The simple, graceful lines of the watch are joyous to behold, with a three-hand dial that is both utilitarian and genteel.
Flip the Brilliant Hard Titanium case over, and you can admire the carefully assembled Calibre 9S64, which was first introduced in 2011 and further improved upon to provide a 72-hour power reserve, so you can wind it on a Friday, leave it till Monday, and it keeps running. While it’s not a high-frequency movement, it still has a COSC-beating accuracy of 5/-3 seconds a day and a normal usage accuracy ranging between 10 and -1 seconds.
This watch also has a special strap produced by Kyoto Leather, with foil stamping to create a beautiful metallic sheen. This is a part of the Cool Japan project that combines Japanese traditional crafts with leather making between Kyoto Yuzen or Nishijin textile artisans with tanners from the Himeji district, known for its fine leathers.
The Grand Seiko SBGW315 is priced at S$12,800 and is limited to an auspicious 88 pieces. We’re guessing the lucky ‘8’ numbered pieces have all been allocated, but it doesn’t hurt to head down to the MBS boutique and see what you might get.
The foil-stamped Kyoto Leather strap is the result of a partnership between traditional craftsmen and tanneries in Japan.
Information:
Pre-owned: Grand Seiko SBGW315
Reference: SBGW315
Dated: 2024
Limited: 88 Pieces
Bracelet: Blue leather strap and foil-stamped Kyoto Leather strap
Case Size: 38mm x 10.9mm
Case Metal: Brilliant Hard Titanium
Movement: 9S64 - Manual
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds
Box and Papers: Inner/outer boxes and warranty card
Crystal: Sapphire
Bracelet size: 7.5”
Condition:
Maybe worn a handful of times with no wear.
About Grand Seiko
Grand Seiko emerged in 1960 as a high-end watch line from Seiko, aiming to challenge Swiss dominance in luxury watchmaking. The brand quickly established itself with Japan's first chronometer-grade watch and later gained renown for its innovative Spring Drive technology, which combines the best of automatic and quartz movements. In 2017, Grand Seiko became an independent entity, solidifying its position in the luxury watch market.
The brand's design philosophy, known as the "Grammar of Design," was established in 1967 with the Grand Seiko 44GS. This aesthetic approach emphasizes legibility, refined appearances, and distinctive features like multi-faceted markers and hands, a half-recessed crown, and the meticulous Zaratsu polishing technique. Grand Seiko continues to push boundaries in watchmaking, as evidenced by recent innovations like the "Kodo Constant-Force Tourbillon," while maintaining its commitment to precision engineering and unique design language.
