Grand Seiko GMT Automatic

Above is a a new automatic GS GMT model that I discovered recently. I have a post on various automatic GS GMT models in my windows.live space dated 28th Jan 2008 and with this new discovery, I am re-posting the article here with the new model updated.

Here’s the article:

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This post is about the Grand Seiko GMT Automatic but before that, here’s a quick look at the successive 9S movements after the introduction of the 9S55 and 9S51 in 1998 as documented by Seiya-san in his great article, The History of Grand Seiko (http://www32.ocn.ne.jp/~kseiya/gs/)

Year 2001: 9S54 – Handwind movement
(SBGW001, SBGW003, SBGW005, SBGW007, SBGW008)

Year 2002: 9S56 – Automatic movement with GMT hand
(SBGM001, SBGM003, SBGM007, SBGM009)

Year 2006: 9S67 – Automatic movement with 72 hrs power reserve and indicator hand
(SBGL001, SBGL003)

Year 2009: 9S85 – Hi-beat Automatic movement (36000bph)
(SBGH001, SBGH003)

Note: Some models above may not be released in the same year as their movements.

Grand Seiko GMT Automatic
The GS GMT uses the 9S56 movement which was introduced in year 2002. Prior to that, if you look at the different Grand Seiko models from the very first model right up to the 9S51/9S55 models, you will notice that most of them came with the standard hour, minute and second hands and a date window. There are also some models with day/date window and some without. Hence, the GMT hand can be considered the first complication that was added to the Grand Seiko in so many years of its history.

Master Shop and Regular Editions
The SBGM001 is first model in the GS GMT family. It is a Master Shop edition released in year 2002. The watch comes with black dial and red GMT hand, as well as a stainless steel, non-rotating GMT bezel. Because of it design, it is often compared to the Rolex Explorer II. The SBGM001 has a water resistance rating of 100m and comes with screw in crown. Most Grand Seiko’s have 19mm lug width and the SBGM001 is one of the rare ones that has 20mm lug width.

SBGM001

SBGM001 caseback

The SBGM003 is the second GS GMT model. It was release in year 2004. This watch has a classic design and is fitted with crocodile strap and a beautiful GS folding buckle. It has blue GMT hand and is water resistant to 30m. Unlike the SBGM001 that uses a screw in backback, the SBGM003 uses six screws to secure its caseback. The SBGM003 is also the first GS GMT to be sold outside Japan. In 2005, Seiko launched it’s GS line in Asia and the SBGM003 was included as part of the lineup.

SBGM003

SBGM003 caseback (photo by watch-tanaka.com)

SBGM003 buckle (photo by watch-tanaka.com)

In 2007, two more models, SBGM007 and SBGM008 were added. The SBGM007 is essentially the SBGM003 on a metal bracelet and the SBGM009 appears to be a variant of the SBGM003 with black dial and red GMT hand.

SBGM007

SBGM009

Special Edition – Isetan
Besides the above GS GMT models, an Isetan Limited Edition (SBGM005) was released in 2005. This watch is similar to the SBGM001 except it has blue dial, orange GMT hand and display back. It is limited to 21 pieces and sold exclusively at Isetan.

SBGM005

SBGM005 caseback

Special Edition – Morioka Seiko
The is a special edition by Morioka Seiko Instruments Inc. It looks identical to the SBGM003 except it is installed with display back and has a gold colored winding rotor printed with the Kanji characters ‘雫石高級時計工房’ or ‘Shizukuishi Watch Studio’. The model number is SBGM00C.

SBGM00C

SBGM00C caseback

Special Edition – Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores
This year 2009 special edition is made for Hankyu Hanshin Department Store in Osaka and has a limited production of 30 pieces only. It has the same classic GS GMT case but comes with black dial and gold hour markers and hands. Model number is SBGM011.

http://www.seiko-watch.co.jp/gs/mastershop/shopdetail/hankyu_umeda.html

SBGM011

SBGM011

Here’s the earlier version of this article:
http://yeomanseiko.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!3318BA07329CD633!1053.entry