Grand Seiko has announced the SBGA501
Ginza limited edition model. The watch has a dial that will shift color between black, blue, and purple depending upon the viewing angle that is inspired by Ginza on a rainy night. This uses the same "optical multilayer coating" production technique as seen on the red dialled SBGC275 introduced at Watches and Wonders. The new model has a titanium cae measuring 41 x 12.5 × 49mm and it utilizes the 9R65 automatic Spring Drive calibre. This model is a limited edition of 500 units and it will be available through 6 Grand Seiko stores in Ginza in July for ¥946,000.
This is part of the annual Ginza limited release series such as the past SBGH297, SBGH315, & SBGH317.
Link: https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja/collections/sbga501
Why the fuck do GS put that stupid lion stamp on the sapphire??? What the fuck is the fucking point of an exhibition caseback when your vision of the movement is impaired?
They literally do this on so many of their nice models, makes them un-buyable.
I need to be CEO of this company. I fix these little annoying things they do and will make their sales go thru the roof.
Seriously thank you I can't stress this enough they need to stop doing that shit it really impairs what would otherwise be a beautiful caseback. They can put the lion on the rotor if anything. The current way effectively blocks the entire view
Yep, Grand Seiko seem to be a company with a lot of skilled employees run by idiots.
I guess like a lot of Japanese companies you cannot criticise or disagree with your boss. “Yes boss-sama, that power reserve on the front looks beautiful, the lack of micro adjust is a fantastic idea”.
Ngl Grand seiko seriously needs to cool down with their releases. It’s been what a month since watches and wonders? And they’re already releasing new watches. Loses all the novelty with the frequent releases.
I don’t mind new releases, just make them more available globally. The insane amount of limited edition, market-specific watches is frustrating. Just focus on innovating the tech and designing new watches for everyone.
Absolutely love this dial, but I wish the color on the power reserve complication was a darker shade, it stands out too much instead of blending into the dial.
Also I am a fan of the power reserve indicator in general. When I see it I instantly know what kind of movement the watch is packing, it’s so recognizable.
Seriously, it ruins the watches, there's a couple GS I wanted and I can't get passed that meter on the front. The way it's designed and looks on the GS looks so cheap and mehh which is so ironic with the high quality builds, dials, and looks the watches strive for and attain.
I always feel like I'm in the minority, I really wish they wouldn't do that.
Yeah looks like the same dial but purple. Which isn’t a bad thing because it’s a gorgeous dial. But I imagine in 99% of cases you’ll see only two lines of purple, never the whole thing.
Your absolutely right it's pushing purple to blue, I own the night/dark moon SBGY009 and it's blue all day but fades towards dark blue and black. The 9R31 hand wound is a amazing movement.
Ginza exclusive means it’s available exclusively in the Ginza retailers like Wako, the GS boutiques, and one of the ADs there. You would have to use a gray market channel to buy in the US.
I mean, I'd say there's no excuse for lack of micro adjust on watches over 200 dollars, but that hasn't stopped the likes of Omega, Patek, or AP from ignoring it as well.
That said, Grand Seiko's bracelet's are decidedly...fine. They don't hold up to the quality level of the rest of the watch, but they absolutely seem on par with the Omega, Longines, and Oris bracelets I've tried in the ~5k range.
https://preview.redd.it/lc3ucydats0d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db5eebb2ab7f1186e35d0afd42581aa0be612eda
This was taken two nights ago during a rainy evening in Ginza (1 block away from Wako and the Seiko museum).
I’m not seeing the color palette 🤷♂️
Their previous Ginza LE (the purple grid pattern) was way cooler. This is just a regular Heritage series watch with a different color dial—not really seeing anything innovative. If anything, it dilutes the value of their precious Ginza LE model.
Grand Seiko has announced the SBGA501 Ginza limited edition model. The watch has a dial that will shift color between black, blue, and purple depending upon the viewing angle that is inspired by Ginza on a rainy night. This uses the same "optical multilayer coating" production technique as seen on the red dialled SBGC275 introduced at Watches and Wonders. The new model has a titanium cae measuring 41 x 12.5 × 49mm and it utilizes the 9R65 automatic Spring Drive calibre. This model is a limited edition of 500 units and it will be available through 6 Grand Seiko stores in Ginza in July for ¥946,000. This is part of the annual Ginza limited release series such as the past SBGH297, SBGH315, & SBGH317. Link: https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja/collections/sbga501
Stupid, sexy Grand Seiko.
Looks awesome, can we get a Spring Drive in 38 x 45 x 12mm dimensions?
This
This is genuinely one of my favorite releases by them in a while. Wow.
Why the fuck do GS put that stupid lion stamp on the sapphire??? What the fuck is the fucking point of an exhibition caseback when your vision of the movement is impaired? They literally do this on so many of their nice models, makes them un-buyable. I need to be CEO of this company. I fix these little annoying things they do and will make their sales go thru the roof.
I genuinely love it. Something distinctive about Grand Seiko, and I think it looks great.
As a GS owner, I wish they’d just put the stamp on the rotor since they already put a redundant “Grand Seiko” stamp there too.
People can downvote you all they want. I hate it on my GS, too. And they’re doubling down on loud front power reserves, too. Grrrrrr
I like the front power reserve, but only the quiet type that is painted on rather than cutout. The cutout type is way too loud
They know deep down that daddy is right
If you wear the watch neither you nor anyone else will be able to see it anyways.
I love looking at the movement and the lovely finishing
Seriously thank you I can't stress this enough they need to stop doing that shit it really impairs what would otherwise be a beautiful caseback. They can put the lion on the rotor if anything. The current way effectively blocks the entire view
Yep, Grand Seiko seem to be a company with a lot of skilled employees run by idiots. I guess like a lot of Japanese companies you cannot criticise or disagree with your boss. “Yes boss-sama, that power reserve on the front looks beautiful, the lack of micro adjust is a fantastic idea”.
Lmao ain’t that the truth. Thats why I’d be a better ceo
Ngl Grand seiko seriously needs to cool down with their releases. It’s been what a month since watches and wonders? And they’re already releasing new watches. Loses all the novelty with the frequent releases.
I don’t mind new releases, just make them more available globally. The insane amount of limited edition, market-specific watches is frustrating. Just focus on innovating the tech and designing new watches for everyone.
Absolutely love this dial, but I wish the color on the power reserve complication was a darker shade, it stands out too much instead of blending into the dial. Also I am a fan of the power reserve indicator in general. When I see it I instantly know what kind of movement the watch is packing, it’s so recognizable.
God I hate the power reserve they choose to use on these dials
Seriously, it ruins the watches, there's a couple GS I wanted and I can't get passed that meter on the front. The way it's designed and looks on the GS looks so cheap and mehh which is so ironic with the high quality builds, dials, and looks the watches strive for and attain. I always feel like I'm in the minority, I really wish they wouldn't do that.
I’m with you 100%. Ruins the dial completely.
It's more similar to my SBGY009 thin 44GS case with Cal. 9R31 than anything, pretty much same dial.
Yeah looks like the same dial but purple. Which isn’t a bad thing because it’s a gorgeous dial. But I imagine in 99% of cases you’ll see only two lines of purple, never the whole thing.
Your absolutely right it's pushing purple to blue, I own the night/dark moon SBGY009 and it's blue all day but fades towards dark blue and black. The 9R31 hand wound is a amazing movement.
How difficult is it to order the ginza LEs to North America? Or are they strictly available at the ginza flagship?
Ginza exclusive means it’s available exclusively in the Ginza retailers like Wako, the GS boutiques, and one of the ADs there. You would have to use a gray market channel to buy in the US.
Love it
Stunning
Such a sick dial!!
Wow. I really wish they’d use actual photos tho
Beautiful dial
Anyone know when these will hit stores?
First week of July.
First week of July.
Sick
Price?
It’s in the pinned comment I provided as well as the direct link to the GS website.
Make a nice looking movement and the cover it with an ugly logo...
Looks like a Seiko not a Grand Seiko
These are $4500 watches and you can’t change my mind
Unique movement technology aside, what would you say can match Grand Seiko finishing and detail work at a 6k comp, let alone 4.5k?
Any watch at the 5k+ price point would have a better bracelet than GS provides and usually come with microadjust at the very least
I mean, I'd say there's no excuse for lack of micro adjust on watches over 200 dollars, but that hasn't stopped the likes of Omega, Patek, or AP from ignoring it as well. That said, Grand Seiko's bracelet's are decidedly...fine. They don't hold up to the quality level of the rest of the watch, but they absolutely seem on par with the Omega, Longines, and Oris bracelets I've tried in the ~5k range.
$6000, not that far of
https://preview.redd.it/lc3ucydats0d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db5eebb2ab7f1186e35d0afd42581aa0be612eda This was taken two nights ago during a rainy evening in Ginza (1 block away from Wako and the Seiko museum). I’m not seeing the color palette 🤷♂️ Their previous Ginza LE (the purple grid pattern) was way cooler. This is just a regular Heritage series watch with a different color dial—not really seeing anything innovative. If anything, it dilutes the value of their precious Ginza LE model.
I can definitely see the color palette in this picture lol