Grand Seiko SBGH279 Watch Review
When someone talks about luxury watches it is impossible not to mention Grand Seiko. Grand Seiko has always ensured quality when it comes to their watches in both aesthetics and performance. The SBGH279 is no different. Launched as part of Grand Seiko’s Heritage Collection, this model was created to pay tribute to the company’s Japanese heritage.
The Exterior
Grand Seiko watches are known for their elegant exteriors and the SBGH279 lives up to this reputation. The SBGH279 uses the iconic 44GS case shape common to most watches in the Heritage Collection. The case is polished with the trademarked zaratsu polishing technique which gives it a classy look. Due to this polishing the surface of the case is smooth. It measures 40mm in diameter and the 46.2mm lug-to-lug is designed with a three-link steel bracelet which alternates between brushed and polished surfaces, making it look like a five-link bracelet. This graceful touch, combined with the size of the watch, gives it a modern look even though the case was designed in 1967.
In addition to the sophisticated bodywork, one shouldn’t forget that the material used for the body’s construction is top tier. While the case is made with stainless steel, the crystal used to cover the dial is made with sapphire. When it comes to watch crystals, no material beats sapphire in terms of durability.
The Showstopper
For any watch, the dial is the component which makes or breaks things when it comes to stylistic superiority, and the brushed granite-grey dial on the SBGH279 is exceptional.
As surprising as it may sound, Grand Seiko hasn’t done anything extravagant or revolutionary with the design of this dial. On the contrary, Grand Seiko has focused on offering beauty in the rawest form. They haven't reflected any natural components nor have they tweaked time-honored techniques; instead, they have utilized the element of simplicity to create a striking, timeless dial.
The SBGH279 has a dark, brushed granite-grey dial. Although it may seem like a basic color, the design of the dial is as such that the light will bring out a hint of steel blue and even light mocha in the granite-grey dial. This beautiful color is paired with Grand Seiko's iconic chisel-like baton indices and dauphine hands. This continues the polished theme of the watch to give it a seamless look.
Inner-workings
Some watches in the market focus so much on the aesthetics that they end up sacrificing performance. The SBGH279, however, isn't one of them. Constructed with a Caliber 9S85 movement system, the SBGH279 offers the high-beat movement most watchmakers find challenging to integrate into their models.
Working at an oscillation of 10 beats per second, the SBGH279 meets the challenge of maintaining a balance between rotational speed and longevity flawlessly. Not only does it offer a power reserve of 55 hours, but the SBGH279 also delivers an accuracy of +5/-3 seconds. This rotational speed and accuracy are achieved by the use of Sopron alloys for the hairsprings and mainsprings of the watch as well as Manufactured Escapement Components.
The SBGH279 offers water resistance as well. Even though it isn’t a sport watch, this luxury Grand Seiko model is 10 bar, which means that it can tolerate water pressure of up to 100 meters deep. Watches like this are often called divers watches due to the high water resistance they offer.
