Back when Grand Seiko announced the SBGW289, their pink dialed limited edition with a smaller, vintage inspired 44GS case, I speculated that it could be a sign we?d see more watches in a general, non-limited release with this same case at some point down the line. This, of course, was not a dangerous prediction to make. It?s basically the Grand Seiko playbook at this point to introduce a new product family via a limited edition, and then follow up models that are more accessible to the general public at a later date. Still, I probably wouldn?t have guessed that we?d see the first of those watches less than four months removed from the original?s announcement. But here we are, right in the middle of Grand Seiko?s big 44GS anniversary year, and we have a pair of new watches featuring this smaller case that you shouldn?t need an AD hookup to purchase. 
The previously mentioned SBGW289 was an exciting release for a lot of Grand Seiko enthusiasts because of that case shape, but the pink dial was certainly more of a niche choice by the brand. While a great choice for an LE, a pink dial isn?t quite as versatile and doesn?t cast a wide net in terms of interest from the public. For the first watches in this new case shape that are part of Grand Seiko?s permanent collection (they?ll live in the Heritage line), the brand has gone with decidedly more sober and classic choices. 

The SBGW291 has a silver dial with a sunray finish and the SBGW293 has a chocolate brown dial wi...