As part of its celebrations to commemorate the formation of Grand Seiko Corporation of America in 2018, the Japanese manufacturer unveiled a trio of limited-edition watches that were exclusive to the United States and fitted with dials inspired by kirazuri (which means “sparkling painting” in Japanese). Now, for its latest release of 2024, Grand Seiko has announced a new pair of limited-edition models that also embrace a kirazuri-inspired theme, and just like the original trio from 2018, the new Grand Seiko SBGA507 and SBGA509 will only be available within the American market.
Based on the brand’s famous 44GS case profile, the new Grand Seiko USA-exclusive SBGA507 and SBGA509 watches are both crafted from stainless steel, with zaratsu-polished surfaces and thick, angular lugs. Measuring 40mm in diameter by 12.5mm thick, the overall external package provided by the new USA-exclusive SBGA507 and SBGA509 models should hold little surprises for those who are familiar with similar offerings from Grand Seiko, and just as you expect, a signed winding crown sits at the 3 o’clock location, while the top of the case is furnished by a finely-polished fixed bezel and a double-domed sapphire crystal (with anti-reflective treatment).
Similar to the original trio of USA-exclusive Grand Seiko models from 2018, the pair of the new USA-exclusive limited editions offer 100 meters of water resistance, and while the specs for the models state that they are fitted with display-style casebacks, Grand Seiko does not include any images of the reverse side of the watches. Grand Seiko has a history of printing images on its display casebacks, although the brand has increasingly refrained from this practice in more recent years, and I personally hope that the caseback windows are entirely unadorned in order to allow owners to admire the finely finished components of the Spring Drive movements that power the watches.
Internally, the Grand Seiko USA-exclusive SBGA507 and SBGA509 both rely on the Caliber 9R65 Spring Drive movement, which has faithfully served as the foundation for a significant number of the brand’s models throughout the years. While the Grand Seiko Cal. 9R65 was first introduced a full two decades ago in 2004, it still represents one of the industry’s most innovative calibers, and just like all of the brand’s Spring Drive movements, the Caliber 9R65 offers a mechanical ownership experience paired with a degree of precision that is typically only found among quartz watches, and this allows it to offer an accuracy rating of +/-15 seconds per month with a power reserve of approximately 72 hours.
Just like most Grand Seiko watches, the dials are the standout features of the new USA-exclusive SBGA507 and SBGA509 watches, and while their surfaces showcase a new style of finishing, the overall design is virtually identical to similar models that have been produced throughout the years. Baton-shaped hour markers and dauphine hands display the time, and they are finished with brushed upper surfaces and brightly polished facets running down their edges. Additionally, just like other models with this same dial layout, a framed date window appears at 3 o’clock, while an arc-shaped power reserve indicator sits on the lower left part of the dial, and the Grand Seiko “GS” name is rendered as a golden applied element below the 12 o’clock marker.
Popular during the Edo period in Japan, the “sparkling painting” art of kirazuri uses mica powder to create a shimmering effect, and it can be observed in the ukiyo-e woodblock prints created during this era. The faintly textured metallic surfaces of the dials fitted to the pair of Grand Seiko USA-exclusive watches are intended to be reminiscent of the qualities of kirazuri, and the SBGA507 is the blue version, while the SBGA509 is the model fitted with a dusty rose-colored dial. Since this wouldn’t be a proper Grand Seiko release without some type of Japanese nature inspiration, the pair of new U.S.-exclusive watches pay tribute to the transitioning sky over Lake Suwa in the region where the brand produces its Spring Drive movements, and the blue SBGA507 is intended to represent the evening sky, while the pink SBGA509 is inspired by early sunrise.
Fitted to the lugs of the new Grand Seiko USA-exclusive SBGA507 and SBGA509 watches is the brand’s usual multi-link bracelet, which consists of largely brushed surfaces complemented by two thin rows of high-polished center links. Grand Seiko uses this same style of links for a number of its bracelets, although the type of clasps can differ depending on the specific type of model. That said, since Grand Seiko has produced this same style of watch with a variety of different dials, it is more than likely that the bracelets fitted to the new USA-exclusive watches are completed by the same standard style of folding clasp, which means that it operates with a double push-button release, although it doesn’t include any type of integrated extension system.
Both the blue SBGA507 and pink SBGA509 USA-exclusive Grand Seiko models will be produced as limited editions of 300 pieces, and both watches will be priced at $5,600 USD, which places them right in line with other 44GS-inspired offerings that are powered by the same movement. All things considered, the new kirazuri-inspired Grand Seiko USA-exclusive SBGA507 and SBGA509 watches appear to be rather aesthetically pleasing timepieces, and while most of the industry has seen significant price increases over the course of the last several years, it is refreshing to see that Grand Seiko is maintaining a reasonable price point for its entry-level Spring Drive models. For more information on the Grand Seiko USA-exclusive SBGA507 and SBGA509 watches, please visit the brand’s website.
