Grand Seiko’s Latest Sporty GMT Puts a Familiar Style in a New Package
Grand Seiko?s 9F powered quartz GMTs have become cult favorites since their release a few years ago. The SBGN003 and SBGN005 might initially beg comparisons to another, better known, sports watch with similar styling made by a little brand based in Geneva with a crown logo. But after spending some time with either SBGN GMT, it?s very clear that in spite of the brushed steel bezel counting off a full 24 hours, the watches themselves are very much their own thing. Of course, they?re finished to Grand Seiko?s uncompromising specs, have a compact wearability that we?ve never heard anyone complain about, and that 9F derived movement is scarily accurate. If you?ve been curious about the SBGN003 or 005, but for some reason bristled at the thought of spending luxury watch dollars on something that runs on a battery, Grand Seiko has just announced a pair of GMTs that are definitely worth checking out, and seem uncannily familiar.Â
The SBGM245 (with a blue dial) and SBGM247 (in hunter green) can most easily be understood as very slightly different variations on the SBGN models referenced above. They have the same dial layout (including laser cut hands and hour markers), the same locked 24 hour bezel in brushed stainless steel, and the same endlessly practical GMT complication (complete with local jumping hours). What?s different about these watches is that they?re powered by an automatic movement, the 9S66. This caliber has a power reserve of 72 hours and is rated to +5/-3...
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