Home » Seiko Watches » Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph Watch
This wonderful watch represents the best that Japanese watchmakers can do. However, the amazing construction and the mechanism of the highest possible quality inside, a serious number of functions and an extremely easy-to-read dial are more than enough to put Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph among the world’s best timepieces.
Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph Watch SBGC001
Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph Watch SBGC005
A simple fact that the Japanese watchmaker fused its most renowned Grand Seiko Collection, with the most accurate mechanical movement ever made, speaks enough about the quality of these Seiko watches. I have already published the review of Grand Seiko Spring Drive Titanium watch, where you could get familiar with this remarkable fusion.
Spring Drive 9R86 Movement
Here, you will be informed about the watch that incorporates the fantastic Spring Drive 9R86 movement, with a column wheel 12-hour chronograph. Thanks to a revolutionary component – the Tri-Synchro regulator and an efficient winding system, this self-winding mechanism provides fantastic precision (1 second +/- per day) and a power-reserve of 72 hours, when it is fully wound.
Those who are familiar with the Grand Seiko Collection expect a wonderful design simplicity, stylishness and superb resistance. Besides, these Seiko watches are extremely easy to wear and easy to read, which are great qualities felt only by those who had one of these pieces on a wrist.
Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph has all those qualities. It has an unusually robust case, compared to other timepieces from the collection. Made of high-intensity titanium or stainless steel, perfectly hand-polished, this case has 43.5 mm in diameter, which looks even bulkier with large comfortable pushers and a crown.
Two Variations
The dial is specious, simple and legible. Black for the titanium version SBGC005 and white for the stainless steel SBGC001 version, dials feature three chronograph sub-dials – the 30 minutes counter is at 2 o’clock position, 12 hours counter is located at the 4 o’clock position, while the 60 seconds sub-dial takes the 9 o’clock position.
Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph Watch SBGC005
A large date window is at the 3 o’clock position, while a power-reserve indicator finds its place at the 7 o’clock position. Dials also have beautifully polished raised hour indices, as well as the second, 24 hours track, for a GMT function. Time in the second time zone is indicated by the forth central hand. Finally, a minute track with Arabic numerals goes around the outer rim.
Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph Watch Caseback
A high definition, dual-curved sapphire crystal, with an anti-reflective coating covers the watch on the both sides, providing a clear look at the mechanism through the transparent caseback. Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph is water resistant up to 100 meters (330 feet) and features either a steel or titanium bracelet, with a three-fold clasp buckle, with a push button release.
This Seiko’s collection has simple and modern watches with excellent resistance. My favorite is the model with golden hands and hours. It has such a dial that I can combine it with yellow and white gold jewelry.
Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph (SBGC005) is a really wonderful piece of this collection. Philip is right that this watch can be combined with yellow and white gold jewelry and it is a big advantage of this model.
The watch SBGC001 has the most beautiful dial. Its dial looks 3D because of its sub dials. It has a very expensive appearance. Seiko brand is the synonym for excellent quality.
Grand Seiko is one of the best collections from Seiko watches, no doubt. And this watch has everything what one good Seiko needs to have. It is good looking, with a nice design and features, as well as long tradition. But there is one mistake in my opinion. Look at the chronograph buttons. Are they a little higher than it should be?
You are right, Jordan, they are big. That is absurd.
The design of the dial is good, except that part. The dial is beautiful. Functions also. I do not know what happened with the buttons.
I like this watch. It is nice, it looks good and I like the power reserve of 72 hours. But I do not know anything about its movement. Can anybody tell me something about Calibre 9R86?