Grand Seiko Superman: Celebrating 60 Years Of Excellent Watchmaking
The Grand Seiko Superman was officially introduced to the world in 2020. It was one of the numerous watches released by the Japanese luxury brand in celebration of its much-awaited 60th anniversary. Since it was meant as a homage to Grand Seiko’s storied journey in the industry, the Grand Seiko Superman is a limited edition model, with only 1,500 pieces available.
Without further ado, let us take a look at the stylish Grand Seiko Superman and see how it carries on the prestigious Grand Seiko tradition.
All About The Grand Seiko Superman SBGH281
The Grand Seiko Superman SBGH281 serves as the culmination of Grand Seiko’s mastery over the horological craft and its decades of experience in watchmaking. This is why it boasts the best-of-the-best in terms of both design and mechanisms.
The Grand Seiko Superman also pays tribute to the brand’s 44GS model from the 1960s. The 44GS is famous for being the first Grand Seiko watch to truly embody the refined style that it has honed over the years, a style which is inherited by the Grand Seiko Superman.
Case and Bezel
Housed in a high-quality stainless steel case, the Grand Seiko Superman has a case diameter of 40mm, with a thickness of around 13.3mm. These measurements are quite standard, allowing the Grand Seiko Superman to fit nicely around wrists of all sizes. Affixed to the top of the case is a fixed stainless steel bezel, which protects the watch’s face from any external damage. This bezel has a very subtle and simple design, allowing the Grand Seiko Superman’s dial to truly stand out.
One of Grand Seiko’s most impressive feats is its mastery of the Zaratsu polishing technique. This approach was first utilised by Grand Seiko in the 1960s, with the 44GS, as a way to stand out from its competitors. The brand continues to demonstrate its proficiency with the technique by applying it to the case of the Grand Seiko Superman. The Zaratsu polished finish creates sharper-looking angles and distortion-free surfaces. It gives the Grand Seiko Superman’s case its more brilliant, razor-edged look.
On the underside of the Grand Seiko Superman, you will find a see-through caseback made of sapphire crystal. It gives you an up-close-and-personal view of the well-crafted movement that powers this watch. The watch’s details are also engraved on the stainless steel sections of the caseback, such as its serial number and country of manufacture. Moreover, the secure, screw-down structure of the caseback also contributed greatly to the Grand Seiko’s Superman’s 100-metre depth rating.
Bracelet
In order to bring out the full elegance and sophistication of the Grand Seiko Superman, the brand paired it with a 19mm stainless steel bracelet. Like the watch case, this three-link bracelet bears the Zaratsu polished finish, giving it an unparalleled lustre.
This bracelet also comes with a three-fold clasp that keeps it securely fastened to your wrist. This watch clasp operates through a push-button release, which allows you to easily and quickly remove the bracelet when necessary.
Dial
One of the most captivating aspects of the Grand Seiko Superman is its watch face, which is also the source of its “Superman” nickname. This watch shows off a handsome blue sunray dial that effortlessly draws you in. It contains sharp, bevelled dauphine hands, applique hour stick indices, and a date window outlined in steel at 3 o’clock. The dial’s hour markers are all treaed with luminescent pigment, which allows for optimal legibility even in the dark.
Lively red accents are also scattered across the Grand Seiko Superman’s dial. You can see them on the watch’s vibrant red seconds hand and on the red inscriptions placed above the 6 o’clock markers. The combination of the blue backdrop and red highlights are the very colours associated with the watch’s superhero namesake. Along with the golden GS logo located at 12 o’clock, the Grand Seiko Superman’s dial boasts a rich tapestry of colours that is incredibly appealing to the eye.
Movement
While it is undeniable that the Grand Seiko Superman showcases unmatched aesthetics, there is also a lot more to it than meets the eye. It has one of the most impressive interiors on the market, with an impressive movement at its core.
The Grand Seiko Superman is powered by a high beat Calibre 9S85. It shows off an excellent accuracy rate of +5/-3 seconds per day and a power reserve of approximately 55 hours. Although this is an automatic movement, it also comes with manual winding capacities. It also comprises 37 jewels, newly-developed Spron 610 alloy springs, and an escapement mechanism using MEMs (Micro Electro Mechanical System) technology. These advanced components contribute to the movement’s outstanding resistances against shocks, impacts, and strong magnetic forces, while also boosting its efficiency.
Reputation
There are many factors that can affect the reputation of a watch. Aspects such as value, history, sales, initial reception, and more can be crucial in making or breaking people’s long-term opinions of a watch.
With the Grand Seiko Superman, the Japanese brand spent years developing cutting-edge technology in order to prepare its patrons for this special launch. In other words, people’s expectations were already high even before the Grand Seiko Superman was released – and yet, the Grand Seiko Superman was still able to meet these expectations with flying colours.
Price
The Grand Seiko Superman has a price tag of approximately $6,300 USD. While it is certainly not cheap, this is quite a reasonable price for such a highly-regarded luxury watch.
Final Thoughts
As a tribute piece, the Grand Seiko Superman represents the absolute pinnacle of Grand Seiko’s watchmaking mastery. Born out of years of research and experience, this watch boasts a gorgeous design and top-notch watch technology. Ultimately, the Grand Seiko Superman serves as proof of the brand’s steadfast commitment to creating the best timepieces possible using impressive Japanese watchmaking techniques.
Photo Credits: Grand Seiko Website
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