Honoring Legacy: Grand Seiko Releases The 44GS 55th Anniversary Limited Edition

By Adrienne Faurote July 19, 2022

In 1967, Grand Seiko defined its house design code, Grand Seiko Style, through the 44GS timepiece. It was the first time a watch embodied all nine design elements that now define the distinct Grand Seiko aesthetic. The nine elements guide the creation of every detail of the watch, from the curved angle of the case and the flatness of the dial to the highly mirror-polished surfaces. In fact, the nine elements are derived from the three leading design principles: The design should have flat surfaces and two-dimensional curves, the flat surfaces of the case, dial, and hands should be as wide as possible, and every surface should be distortion-free and have a mirror surface.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Grand Seiko

Today, the brand honors the legacy of the defining landmark by releasing the new limited edition Spring Drive watch, celebrating the 55th anniversary: The 44GS 55th Anniversary Limited Edition / SBGY009. Limited to 1,500 pieces, each timepiece features an engraved caseback with the individual serial number and the words ‘Limited Edition.’

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Grand Seiko

Like all Grand Seiko creations, the deep blue hue of the dial finds inspiration from the beauty in nature. This model, in particular, captures the full moon in the night sky above the Shinshu mountains that can be seen from the studio in Shinshu where this and all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches are created. Juxtaposing the darkness of the blue is the seconds hand and ‘GS’ in delicate gold. The watch is also fitted with a dark blue leather strap. Housed inside the modern masterpiece is the manual-winding Spring Drive Caliber 9R31, which features an innovative Dual-Spring Barrel with two mainsprings set in parallel and delivers a power reserve of 72 hours.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Grand Seiko