Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

Grand Seiko celebrates the 20th anniversary of Spring Drive with these limited edition watches

Grand Seiko celebrates 20th anniversary of Spring Drive

By
Grand Seiko SBGA497 Pink snowflake
Grand Seiko

As Grand Seiko watches commemorate two decades of excellence in Spring Drive technology, they have proudly introduced two exquisite limited-edition watches that exemplify the pinnacle of timepiece mastery. Although the inaugural Spring Drive movement debuted in 1999, it wasn’t until half a decade later that the premier Grand Seiko Spring Drive timepiece graced the market. The year 2004 heralded the formal commencement of the renowned 9R lineage of Spring Drive movements.

Grand Seiko SBGA497 pink snowflake dial
Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Automatic Spring Drive watches

With the release of the SBGA497 from the Heritage Collection and the SBGE305 from the Sport Collection, Grand Seiko reaffirms its commitment to crafting watches for men that are as aesthetically captivating as they are technically superior. In honor of the 20th anniversary of the illustrious 9R Spring Drive movement, Grand Seiko unveils a captivating duo of limited edition timepieces, each paying homage to the breathtaking sunrise at Mount Hotaka. Situated near the Grand Seiko workshop in Shiojiri, Mount Hotaka serves as an enduring muse, inspiring the exquisite dials of these exclusive watches.

Recommended Videos

The Heritage Collection Caliber 9R 20th Anniversary “Pink Snowflake”

The SBGA497, part of the Heritage Collection, pays homage to Grand Seiko’s rich legacy while embracing the cutting-edge advancements of the 21st century. Powered by the Spring Drive Calibre 9R65, this timepiece epitomizes precision with an accuracy of ±1 second per day, or ±15 seconds per month. Boasting a power reserve of 72 hours, the SBGA497 ensures reliable performance even in the most demanding of situations. This limited edition model exudes understated elegance and durability and is encased in high-intensity titanium and adorned with a dual-curved sapphire crystal. With water resistance of up to 10 bar and magnetic resistance of 4,800 A/m, it is as robust as it is refined.

Learn More

The Sports Collection Spring Drive GMT Caliber 9R 20th Anniversary

In contrast, the SBGE305, part of the Sport Collection, embraces a more adventurous spirit while maintaining the hallmark precision of Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive technology. Equipped with the Spring Drive Calibre 9R66, this timepiece offers not only exceptional accuracy but also the convenience of a GMT hand for dual time zone functionality. With a power reserve of 72 hours and the same ±1 second per day accuracy, the SBGE305 is the epitome of reliability for the modern globetrotter. Encased in stainless steel and featuring a ceramic bezel, this limited edition model exudes a sporty yet sophisticated allure.

Both watches feature dual-curved sapphire crystals with anti-reflective coating, ensuring optimal legibility in any lighting condition. The three-fold clasp with push-button release provides a secure and comfortable fit, while the meticulous attention to detail is evident in every aspect of its design.

Learn More

Grand Seiko SBGE305
Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko 20th anniversary watches: How much are they?

Regarding its pricing, the Grand Seiko Heritage Collection Caliber 9R 20th Anniversary SBGA497 crafted from titanium is $6,300 and has a March release date. In contrast, the Grand Seiko Sport Collection Caliber 9R 20th Anniversary SBGE305, housed in stainless steel, is slightly cheaper at $6,200 and will ship in June.

Sarah Veldman
Sarah Veldman
Former Freelance Writer
Sarah has been a freelance writer for over 7 years now, having started while she was living out of a suitcase and traveling…
Topics

Editors’ Recommendations

Lancia and Eberhard unveil a bold new HF watch celebrating racing heritage
Lancia and Eberhard & Co. launch HF luxury watch honoring iconic racing legacy
The 'High Fidelity' timepiece up close

Bringing together the finest in Italian design and Swiss watchmaking mastery, Lancia and Eberhard & Co. have teamed up to create the Lancia HF ('High Fidelity') luxury watch — a striking timepiece that revels in the brand’s iconic motorsport history. The collaboration marks another milestone in Lancia’s resurgence, merging cutting-edge technology with timeless racing heritage.

Released at Lancia Design Day, the HF timepiece epitomizes the fearless spirit of the brand’s legendary High Fidelity (HF) performance badge, a symbol of speed and innovation. Eberhard & Co., a Swiss watchmaker revered since 1887, has masterfully crafted a chronograph reflecting Lancia’s dynamic aesthetic while upholding the highest standards of precision engineering.

Read more
Grand Seiko’s claw-inspired watch costs $16,400
Angular evolution: Grand seiko's tokyo lion tentagraph features brilliant hard titanium construction
Grand Seiko Tokyo Lion

Grand Seiko added a watch to its Tokyo Lion collection— the Sport Collection Tokyo Lion Tentagraph. This watch comes with the brand's first mechanical chronograph movement and holds to the angular design that has set the series apart since 2019. The watch costs $16,400 and will be available in August 2025. This 43mm watch shows a clear step forward for the collection.
The lion sign stays important to Grand Seiko's identity—it stands for how easy a watch is to read, how long it lasts, how comfortable it feels, and how good it looks. This symbol has been part of the brand's history since 1960. The Tokyo Lion collection turns this symbol into a bold, angular shape that copies a lion's paw through its geometric form and surface finishes.
The newest Tentagraph watch shows more of the feline idea. Its surfaces have hairline finishes that look like claws, and this design brings out cat-like shapes across the case. The watch measures 43mm across and 15.6mm thick—these large sizes catch the eye right away. The watch feels good to wear because of how it is shaped to the body.
Grand Seiko uses Brilliant Hard Titanium in the Sports Collection for the first time. This metal is twice as hard as regular stainless steel. The alloy looks brighter than common titanium and also resists rust and scratches better, which is needed for sports watches.
The chronograph buttons have a new shape—this change makes them easier to use when someone is active. The three small dials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock look three-dimensional. A Lumibrite coating on them makes sure a person can read them in all light, from bright day to full dark.
A brown silicon rubber strap comes with the watch, it has a lion's paw design on the back that adds a subtle design touch. The strap bends easily, so it feels good to wear. The case back has a slight curve. These details make the watch comfortable to wear in many places, and the watch also holds out against water down to 200 meters.
The Tentagraph Caliber 9SC5 is the main technical feature. It has a chronograph part that works at 5Hz. This fast-moving part runs for 72 hours on one charge and also protects against magnetic fields up to 4,800 A/m—these are important features for a modern sports watch.
The chronograph functions add to the Tokyo Lion's sports appeal while keeping the collection's specific look. Grand Seiko's mechanical skill joins with its angular design idea, forming watches that go against how people usually think about sports watches.
People can get the watch in August 2025. It will be on Grand Seiko's website and at stores that sell its watches, this makes it easy for people around the world to buy good Japanese mechanical watches. The $16,400 price shows the better materials, the in-house movement, and the special design that set Grand Seiko's sports watches apart.
This Tentagraph shows Grand Seiko's continued step forward in expensive sports watches. It shows how old Japanese craftsmanship can take on modern design styles while keeping its technical lead and wearing comfort for demanding uses.

Read more
Ulysse Nardin dazzles with blast sparkling rainbow high jewelry limited edition
Ulysse nardin's blast sparkling rainbow features mystery-set sapphires
Ulysse Nardin Sparkling Rainbow Liminited Edition

Ulysse Nardin transforms its avant-garde Blast collection into spectacular high jewelry territory with the Blast [Sparkling Rainbow], an eight-piece limited edition priced at CHF 451,700 that fuses haute horlogerie with gem-setting artistry. The timepiece showcases 211 rainbow-colored sapphires totaling 13.33 carats across the entire watch construction.
The original Blast collection, introduced in 2020, drew inspiration from stealth aircraft design to marry high function with unconventional aesthetics, establishing Ulysse Nardin's reputation as avant-garde icon. This high jewelry interpretation elevates that foundation through unprecedented gem-setting complexity while maintaining the collection's distinctive architectural language.
Central to the technical achievement sits the in-house UN-172 skeletonized movement featuring flying tourbillon, silicon escapement, and platinum micro-rotor visible at 12 o'clock. Operating at 18,000 vibrations per hour with 72-hour power reserve, the caliber demonstrates Ulysse Nardin's silicon innovation expertise dating to 2001's legendary Freak timepiece.
The 45mm white gold case receives invisible setting treatment across 211 individually selected sapphires cut into 85 unique shapes. This rainbow spectrum creates seamless gradient effect encircling the entire watch while employing "mystery setting" technique that allows light passage through gems, creating floating stone illusions without visible metal frameworks.
Gem-setting complexity extends beyond case architecture to encompass bezel, dial, crown, and clasp applications, ensuring complete chromatic coverage across every visible surface. The rainbow arrangement requires precise color matching and graduated placement to achieve the seamless transition effects that define the piece's visual impact.
Construction challenges multiply when combining high jewelry techniques with complex movement architecture. The skeletonized dial must accommodate both sapphire setting requirements and tourbillon visibility while maintaining structural integrity and shock resistance expected from luxury sports watches.
The integrated white rubber strap and deployant clasp receive matching sapphire applications, completing the rainbow aesthetic while ensuring practical wearability. Despite extensive gem setting, the watch maintains 50-meter water resistance, demonstrating successful integration of jewelry and timepiece functionality.
Limited production to eight pieces emphasizes exclusivity while highlighting the intensive handwork required for each example. The mystery setting technique demands exceptional gem-setting expertise, with each sapphire requiring individual cutting and placement to achieve the floating effect.
This release continues Ulysse Nardin's tradition of pushing horological boundaries through unconventional materials and techniques. The brand's silicon escapement innovations combine with high jewelry craftsmanship to create timepieces that challenge traditional luxury watch categories.
The CHF 451,700 pricing reflects both the extensive gemwork and limited availability, positioning the piece among the most exclusive offerings in Ulysse Nardin's contemporary catalog. Eight-piece production ensures immediate collector status while showcasing the manufacture's high jewelry capabilities.

Read more