Seiko Watch Corporation launches a new caliber, its first ever hi-beat GMT. Caliber 9S86 has been created on the platform of the hi-beat caliber 9S85 that, since 2009, has been the leading watch in the Grand Seiko collection. It has all the features of the existing caliber, with the addition of a 24-hour GMT hand with easy hour adjustment.
Thanks to its rapidly increasing success in Japan and its growing presence in Europe and other markets, the Grand Seiko collection is expanding in 2014 to include not only three new models with the hi-beat GMT caliber but also five new additions to the historical collection.
The leading creation for 2014 is the Hi-beat 36,000 GMT Limited Edition, designed especially to celebrate the launch of the new caliber. The caliber has a high accuracy of +5 to -3 seconds a day and a power reserve of 55 hours. The GMT hand can be used as a dual time indicator with the hour hand being adjustable independently as the time of day hands continue to mark time. It is the perfect watch for the international traveler.
The case is based on the highly acclaimed 44GS design that was shown at Baselworld 2013. It is a contemporary reinterpretation of this iconic Grand Seiko design and offers highly polished, distortion-free surfaces and perfect comfort on the wrist. The beauty of the dial complements the simplicity of the case. It has a delicate radial pattern that is inspired by the manyridged contours of Mt. Iwate, the mountain that is visible through the wide windows of the Shizukuishi Watch Studio where all Grand Seiko mechanical watches are designed, manufactured and assembled, by hand, by the studio’s craftsmen and women. Through the sapphire case-back glitters a specially designed titanium oscillating weight. The upper part of the oscillating weight is treated with an anodic oxidation* of the titanium to deliver a special gold tone. Titanium is used for its high elasticity and vibration absorbency, which reduces distortion of the oscillating weight and impact on the weight bearings.
There are just 600 watches in this Limited Edition. Two additional 9S86 creations are also being released at Baselworld 2014, one with a white dial and one with black. The case is identical in all three variations.
