Reference SBGC240 is the latest addition to Grand Seiko's Spring Drive chronograph lineup and it's a limited edition honoring Seiko founder Kintaro Hattori and the 140th anniversary of the company he started.
The bezel catches the eye immediately with its dodecahedron shape, its zirconia ceramic outer layer, and 18k gold base. Thanks to this combination of materials, it is both strikingly beautiful and highly durable for everyday wear. The case, too, uses contrast to deliver a visually arresting impression. Also noteworthy are the redesigned, which have been scaled down in size.
The chronograph is highly legible. A 30-minute register is positioned around two o’clock, a twelve-hour register below that at four, and an active seconds hand is placed at nine. Additionally, there is a power reserve indicator around seven. There is also A GMT hand for tracking a second time zone.
Caliber 9R86 features a vertical clutch and column wheel design, and it has an accuracy rating of +-15 seconds per month (which extends to the elapsed time), making it the world’s most accurate spring-driven chronograph. It is made of more than 400 parts, and each movement is hand assembled by the skilled craftsmen and women of the Shinshu Watch Studio.
