Grand Seiko SBGR315 Review
Combining exquisite design and expert craftmanship, Grand Seiko has consistently released a series of watches for the past 60 years. Joining the heritage collection of the Japanese watchmaker is the Grand Seiko SBGR315.
The new Seiko’s SBGR315 is designed and crafted by hand by the same craft masters who have been making all of Grand Seiko’s watches in their factory in Japan. The SBGR315 comes with the caliber 9S65 automatic winding movement system which has immense advantages.
In summary, the new SBGR315 is a watch for all watch enthusiasts. Although designed for the male gender, women who enjoy sporty watches and appreciate class can also buy and use this watch. The Grand Seiko SBGR315 is also made to be durable while retaining its original look for as long as possible, due to the superior materials used in making it.
Exterior
The exterior of Seiko’s SBGR315 is made from quality sourced materials and is designed for the comfort of the watch’s bearer. The case of the watch is made from stainless steel that is crafted and fabricated in Japan. Measured as 40mm in diameter and 13mm in thickness, the case has a brushed finish, and some parts, an almost mirror-like finish.
To help fasten the watch to the wrist, chain-like, stainless steel bracelets are attached to the case. The perimeter of the bracelet band is 195mm, and it also has a finishing identical to that of the casing. The bracelet comes with a three-fold clasp with the push-button release for easy clasping.
Protecting the dial, and offering the bearer a clear view of time is glass made from dual-curved sapphire crystals. This glass is coated internally to prevent the reflection of light, and it is also anti-scratch. Furthermore, the screw back case of the watch prevents the influx of water, and it has the lion emblem signature of Grand Seiko.
In conclusion, the external design of the SBGR315 is beautiful and sporty in look, and the materials used in making it are that of high-quality, tested and certified for the safe and durable timekeeping experience.
Movement
Grand Seiko SBGR315 comes with the automatic with manual winding capacity, caliber 9S65 movement system. The 9S65 movement caliber is the most standard and sophisticated, automatic movement system in the 9S mechanical series. Not only was the design revised as compared to the design of other 9S calibers, but the materials used in making this caliber were also revised, and Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) was also applied.
Furthermore, Grand Seiko changed the winding system of the 9S65 predecessor – the 9S55, from the magic lever mechanism, to the reverse gear train system in the new caliber 9S65. The component of the new movement system was also mechanically hardened to increase the durability of the system by reducing wear and tear.
Using 35 jewels, the caliber 9S65 is designed to make 28,800 vibrations per hour, and it has a power reserve of 72 hours (3 days). Finally, the caliber is designed to be +5 to -3 seconds accurate per day when static, and about +10 to -1 second accurate when in use.
Functions
To achieve the aim of accuracy as a time keeping device, Grand Seiko added some functions to the SBGR315.
The first of these functions is the water resistance capacity of the SBGR315. Making sure that the crown of the watch is screw-down, and also that its back case is screwed, the SBGR315 is able to stay water resistant up to a depth of 100 meters (10 bar).
Another function added to the SBGR315 is its magnetic resistance capability. Even though there are lots of moving parts made from metal inside the watch, it isn’t affected by magnets. This ensures that the watch stays accurate even when used in/near a magnetic field.
Finally, the SBGR35 has a stop second-hand function. What this implies, is that the SBGR315 has a mechanism that halts movements to achieve the aim of to-the-second precision when the time is being synchronized.
Display
Grand Seiko SBGR315 comes with a silver dial with no Arabic numerals. There are an hour and seconds indexes set to precision, which is legible enough to read easily. The hour, minute and blue seconds hands are also to precision, aligning perfectly to each of the indexes.
There is a rectangular date window at the 3 o’clock position, and the GS logo of Grand Seiko is at the 12 o’clock mark. The case back of the SBGR315 is designed to be see-through, displaying to the pleasure of the bearer of the watch, the caliber 9S65 movement system.
Price
You can get the Grand Seiko SBGR315 at our store for a price of $4,700
