BY JOVAN KRSTEVSKI
Grand Seiko, a brand deeply rooted in heritage, continues its legacy with the 44GS Midsize Watches, a trio of exclusive U.S. models inspired by Mount Iwate’s changing seasons. The watches, SBGW313, SBGW311, and SBGW309, echo the 44GS’s signature sharp lines and feature textured dials capturing the essence of each season. Powered by hand-wound movements, these refined timepieces showcase Grand Seiko’s artisanal tendencies.
The new 44GS Midsize Watches retain the signature case design of their predecessors while introducing fresh dial colors and patterns inspired by Mount Iwate’s seasonal splendor. Their 36.5mm x 11.6mm stainless steel cases feature sharply angled lugs and a box-shaped sapphire crystal, echoing the classic 1967 44GS.
Maintaining the classic aesthetic, the 44GS Midsize Watches feature signed push-pull crowns, solid casebacks with the iconic Grand Seiko lion emblem, and 100 meters of water resistance, complemented by a stainless steel bracelet. These timeless details align the new models with the brand’s Heritage Collection.
The dials serve as centerpieces, featuring a clean, time-only layout with baton-style markers. They are adorned with Grand Seiko’s signature “Mt. Iwate” pattern, a unique radial texture inspired by the ever-changing landscape around the majestic mountain. Enhancing the dial’s elegance are dauphine-style hands, subtly differentiated in finish to complement the respective dial colors.
The SBGW313 “Hanami” embodies the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms in full bloom, with a vibrant pink dial and a crisp green seconds hand. The SBGW311 “Tsuyu” captures the essence of the rainy season, featuring a smoky green dial and a golden “GS” logo. The exclusive SBGW309 “Juhyo” pays homage to winter’s icy landscape with a striking blue dial and a polished 12 o’clock marker.
Inside, the Caliber 9S64 manual-wind mechanical movement operates at a frequency of 4 Hz and provides a power reserve of 72 hours. Notably, it adheres to Grand Seiko’s strict timekeeping tolerances, which are -3 to +5 seconds per day, exceeding COSC chronometer standards.
All three models are priced at $5,900, the SBGW313 and SBGW311 are available through authorized Grand Seiko channels, while the SBGW309 “Juhyo” is exclusively reserved for GS9 Club members through Grand Seiko’s online boutique and GS9 Club events.
