Grand Seiko 50th Anniversary Collection Watch In Platinum

This is probably the first time that an over $25,000 platinum Seiko watch was been offered in the US - so it will take us some getting used to. I recently discussed Grand Seiko's entrance into the world market here. If you aren't familiar with their high-end timepieces, then this sounds like a diamond encrusted Toyota. Ironically enough, this watch is part of a new collection from Seiko that celebrates the 50th Anniversary of their high-end Grand Seiko watch collection. So Seiko has had 50 years to refine this collection. The style is all about tradition, and the movements are superbly made. The dials each have the gold Grand Seiko lion logo on the dial and on the 18k gold automatic rotor (save for the quartz model).

For the 50th Anniversary model collections, the watches each have a similar style but come with three different movements and different sizes. At the top of the heap is this limited edition Grand Seiko Spring Drive in solid platinum (Ref. SBGA065). It has 40.2mm wide case with crocodile strap (with platinum buckle). Inside the watch is a Caliber 9R15 Spring Drive movement. Price is a whopping 2,100,000 yen (just over $25,000) and it is limited to just 30 pieces. The Spring Drive 50th Anniversary watch also comes in a 41mm version in steel with metal bracelet that is about $7,000 limited to 300 pieces (the pieces in the collection are generally limited to either 300 or 500 pieces).

In addition to the Spring Drive models, the Grand Seiko 50th Anniversary collection is offered in a pure automatic mechanical version as well as a quartz movement version. These are in steel and range from 37-40mm wide. Prices start at about $3,800.