The GS9 Club was created to bring together the Grand Seiko collectors’ community, build bonds, and create memorable experiences. At the annual event, the GS9 Club Experience 2022, we proudly announced the next step in the progression of the GS9 Club.
Connoisseurs of Grand Seiko admire the signature traits of the brand that make Grand Seiko so unique. Accuracy, legibility, durability, and beauty are some of the defining values of Grand Seiko. Still, comfort, longevity, practicality, and versatility are other essential attributes that Grand Seiko collectors have grown to love. For 2022, the GS9 Club USA has launched its first member’s exclusive limited edition based on these values: reference SBGY023.
The slim Spring Drive caliber 9R31 was chosen for its precision, robustness, long duration, compact size, and beautiful aesthetic with its tempered blue screws and delicate hairline finish. The innovative movement uses a Dual–Spring barrel with mainsprings set in parallel within a single barrel that winds and unwinds simultaneously to achieve the 72-hour duration in such a compact size. The single-piece bridge enhances rigidity, while the hairline finish creates a beautiful contrast of light and shadow when paired with the mirror-polished edges of the openings.
The thin profile Elegance Collection “thin-dress series” design was selected for its 38.5mm diameter and slimness of 10.2mm. A dramatically dual-curved sapphire crystal that follows the curvature of the case lugs and a short case length create wearability and a sense of comfort that is versatile for daily wear.
The GS9 Club USA 2022 Limited Edition draws inspiration from Shinshu, the region of Japan where all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches are born. In Showa 9 (The ninth year of the Showa era, approximately 1934), a woodblock print, done in the style known as ukiyo-e, was created depicting the famed Matsumoto Castle of Shinshu. This castle is a National Treasure of Japan, built upon stonework, and its exterior was originally black, though it has faded to grey over the years.
The warm grey tone of the GS9 Club USA Limited Edition was chosen to pay tribute to Matsumoto Castle at dusk in Autumn. The kirazuri dial pattern, which adorned the first USA exclusive models in 2018, was selected as a tribute to these first USA exclusives and the ukiyo-e woodblock print depicting Matsumoto Castle. The term kirazuri translates roughly to “sparkling painting” and refers to a technique of sprinkling mica powder on ukiyo-e prints to create an exquisite sparkle. This dial features the sparkling kirazuri pattern at its center, with the minutes track finished to contrast with the centerpiece of the dial. The dial is curved to follow the shape of the crystal, and the minutes and seconds hands are curved by hand to create high legibility and to follow the contour of the dial and crystal. The seconds hand is individually tempered blue, and the remaining hands and markers are multi-faceted and diamond-cut to enhance beauty and legibility. To create a pure and highly legible dial, the power reserve indicator is visible through the sapphire caseback.
Only 299 pieces will be made of the GS9 Club USA 2022 Limited Edition SBGY023. The watch will be featured on a matching grey crocodile leather strap.
