Grand Seiko STGK003 Watch Review
The Grand Seiko STGK003 is the epitome of a luxury watch for women. Launched as part of the Grand Seiko Elegance collection at Baselworld 2019, the STGK003 is by far the most extravagant watch in the collection. This opulent Grand Seiko model is a true personification of luxury, and the specifications of its design will show you why.
The Casing
Within the Grand Seiko Elegance collection, two watches are made of stainless steel while the remaining three are made of 18 karat gold. The STGK003 is one of these three, with a case made of 18 karat white gold. The polished look of this white gold casing accompanied by a red alligator leather strap is stunning. When you look at the finesse of the white gold casing contrasted by the rugged texture of alligator leather, you will fall in love with this watch.
With a diameter of 28.77mm and a thickness of 10.9mm, this watch leans towards sleekness rather than bulkiness. In addition to the gorgeous appearance of the watch, it has incredible functionality. The three-fold clasp is perfect for a good fit while the dual-curved sapphire crystal offers sturdiness and scratch resistance. To further perfect the exterior of this watch, the inner surface of the crystal is coated with an anti-reflective coating, which prevents bright lights from changing look of the watch.
The Interior
The Grand Seiko STGK003 has a white Mother of Pearl dial. Obtained from mollusks, this white Mother of Pearl dial offers an elegant touch. The creamy texture of the dial pairs well with the boldness of the red crocodile strap.
To further add to this watch’s ornate design, Grand Seiko equipped it with zaratsu polished hands and diamond markers. While the zaratsu polishing refines the hands to maximize their smoothness, the diamond markers stand out as little markers of luxury amongst the otherwise smooth components of the dial. Designed for a true luxury watch enthusiast, this watch comes with 35 brilliant jewels.
The Movement
At the 2018 Baselworld exposition, Grand Seiko introduced a limited edition caliber 9S25 designed specifically for women's watches. The Grand Seiko STGK003 utilizes an even newer, upgraded movement system: the calibre 9S27.
This system is made, assembled, and adjusted by hand at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio in Northern Japan. In addition to the flawless craftsmanship, the balance spring for this movement is made of the latest SPRON 610 alloy, which is anti-magnetic and shock-resistant. Equipped with a pallet fork and escapement wheel made by MEMS engineering, this watch is put through a rigorous 17-day testing procedure.
All of these factors combine to give this watch its precision and high-beat qualities. With a power reserve of 50-hours, the STGK003 offers an accuracy of +8 to -3 seconds per day when static and +10 to -5 seconds when used normally. To further boost its functionality, Grand Seiko designed the movement system of this watch to be automatic but with a manual winding capacity. Apart from the highly efficient movement system, this bejeweled luxury masterpiece also offers water-resistance up to 100 meters. Grand Seiko did not compromise on the practicality of this watch to make it luxurious.
Brilliant Pattern Mother of Pearl, 55 Diamonds (0.73c)
