New Grand Seiko SBGW291 & SBGW293
Eqotime has taken a look at the new Tudor Ranger, a watch with a solid history tested under harsh conditions.
Text: Aleksandar Mladenovic
Today Grand Seiko launches two new references in its Heritage collection. A smaller, more compact interpretation of the classic 44GS model in silver and brown. Let's take a closer look!
Earlier this year we at Eqotime got to acquaint ourselves more closely with the novelties from Grand Seiko during Watches & Wonders and apparently the manufacturer had more up its sleeve for this year. Now it is launching two models within the Heritage collection that are clearly inspired by the original 44GS model from 1967.
The case is smaller and more compact than the siblings in the collection. It measures 36,5mm in diameter with a thickness of 11,6mm. The other watches have exclusively been 40mm (apart from a pink-dialled limited edition) and the editorial team likes that the range is being broadened with a wearable size for those of us with narrower wrists. The length of the watch is 42,7mm from lug to lug, which spontaneously feels very wearable.
So we have two new references – SBGW291 with a silvery sunburst dial and SGBW293 with a brown sunburst dial. The stainless steel cases have brushed and polished surfaces in true Grand Seiko spirit. If there is something Grand Seiko is known for apart from their exquisite movements, it is the finishing and the "Zaratsu" polishing.
Naturally the indices and hands are also beautifully finished and facetted. It is quite simply a pared-down design that really comes to life thanks to the interplay between the brushed and polished surfaces on the case as well as the hands and indices.
Both watches come on matching dark grey and brown alligator leather straps respectively.
Inside the watches ticks Grand Seiko's in-house calibre 9S64, which is a manual movement specced to +5/-3 seconds per day, ticking at 28,800bph and with a power reserve of a comfortable 72h. The movement cannot be viewed as the caseback is solid and adorned with Grand Seiko's lion.
The watches are not limited and are available at your local Grand Seiko retailer starting in September. We do not have a Swedish list price at the moment but the European list price is €5,200.
Technical specifications
Brand: Grand Seiko
Model: Heritage Collection
Reference number: SBGW291 & SBGW293
Diameter: 36,5mm
Thickness: 11,6mm
Case material: Steel
Water resistance: 100m
Dial: Silver and brown sunburst
Bracelet: Dark grey and brown alligator leather strap
Buckle: Steel
Movement: 9S26
Complications: hour, minute, second
Power reserve: 72h
Winding: Manual
Price: 5,200 euro
