Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph SBGC203 Review
Grand Seiko’s incredibly precise Spring Drive caliber is a major feature of their SBGC203. It maintains precise timekeeping by offering the accuracy of a quartz watch alongside the high torque of a mechanical watch. The result of this is that the Grand Seiko SBGC203 embodies the spirit of combined quality and comfort. It’s hailed as the first-ever Grand Seiko chronograph timepiece and is included in their Sport Collection.
The Spring Drive also allows the SBGC203 to include impressive chronograph integrations, along with a 72-hour power reserve. This is maintained even when the SBGC203 is in constant use. A power reserve indicator is located at the seven o’clock position and shows the current power level at a glance. Another elegant feature that Grand Seiko added to the SBGC203 is their original glide motion, with the chronograph’s second hand drifting effortlessly across its face. This second hand is highlighted in blue steel.
The Grand Seiko SBGC203 includes a 24-hour hand to allow for the dual time display functionality. This is coupled with 24-hour numbers that are staggered between the standard twelve on the SBGC203’s black dial. Taking this step even further, numbers to indicate seconds are also on display, staggered every five seconds up to 60 seconds in total. The SBGC203 even has a calendar-linked time difference adjustment function, with the current date displayed at the three o’clock position. Finally, the chronograph both includes both 30-minute and 12-hour displays.
The SBGC203’s chronograph can be adjusted thanks to an easy-to-use Ready/Start button setup. This button utilizes a half-press the shutter to engage the Grand Seiko SBGC203’s ‘ready’ stage and arm it with a half button push. This allows the wearer to significantly cut down on potential mistakes when making adjustments on the fly. A half-press button like the one employed by the SBGC203 also results in more accurate starts, effectively guaranteeing precision timekeeping no matter what. The Grand Seiko SBGC203 also utilizes a stop-seconds hand function that works alongside a column-wheel system. This stops the seconds hand as the button is pressed.
This attention to detail sums up Grand Seiko’s adherence to ensuring their watches are both comfortable and elegant. In keeping with their overall vision, the Grand Seiko SBGC203 has been designed with ergonomics and comfort in mind. Even the resistance of the Ready/Start button has been finely tuned to produce an audible click at an optimal resistance level. The screw case back is see-through to grant a unique view of the inner workings of the SBGC203. The case back is embossed with a lion emblem, which is a nice touch.
Grand Seiko ensured that the SBGC203 kept in line with the rest of their Sport Collection, including magnetic resistance and 10 bar water resistance. Magnetic resistance protects the watch’s timekeeping mechanism from fluctuations in the Earth’s magnetic field, enabling it to maintain exact accuracy for longer periods of time. The SBGC203’s 10 bar rating is handy because it allows for dives up to 100 meters and protects the watch from everyday water damage.
The Grand Seiko SBGC203 weighs 187 grams and incorporates the 9R86 Spring Drive movement, powered by a mainspring. This allows the SBGC203’s movement mechanism to be completely autonomous. It can run in perpetuity with no need for an outside power source and offers smooth motion. This means that the Grand Seiko SBGC203 is accurate within ± 1 second per day and ± 15 seconds per month on average.
The band of the Grand Seiko SBGC203 is opened or closed with the aid of a three fold clasp and an 18mm push-button release buckle, measuring 201mm in diameter. The case itself is 43.5mm in diameter and 16.1mm in diameter and is made of stainless steel. The bezel is similarly made of stainless steel. The watch’s glass material is dual-curved sapphire finished with an anti-reflective coating on its inner surface. The SBGC203 is set with 50 jewels in total and is the pinnacle of rugged luxury.
