Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT SBGJ277 “Sekkei”
A traveller’s triple time zone model evoking the scenery and textures of a snowy mountain valley in a sporty case, powered by a Hi-Beat automatic movement.
Since its independence from mother brand Seiko in 2017, Grand Seiko has left its imprint outside Japan with its continuous stream of excellent watches. Impressively built, finished and powered, some of the most popular models are those with nature-themed dials. Unveiled by Grand Seiko at Watches & Wonders 2024, the new Hi-Beat 36000 GMT SBGJ277 Sekkei features a silvery white textured dial paired with two-tone green and white bezels. Powered by a Hi-Beat movement and equipped with a true GMT complication to keep track of a second time zone, the 24-hour bezel can also be used to display a third time zone.
The latest Hi-Beat GMT joins Grand Seiko’s Sport Collection, home to other GMT models like the Hotaka Peaks or the SBGE275 20th-anniversary limited edition with its glacial white dial, both powered by Spring Drive movements. First appearing with a Hi-Beat movement with the SBGJ239 and SBGJ237 references, the latest GMT SBGJ277 Sekkei shares the same specifications but flaunts a magical snowy textured dial.
Textured dials inspired by nature are now a hallmark feature of Grand Seiko’s repertoire, from high-end dress watches to robust sports watches. Nature is a cornerstone of Japanese culture, revered and feared with equal measure. It is also a predominant theme at Grand Seiko, and the setting of the Japanese brand’s manufactures is intentionally studied to inspire the Takumi (artisans). All Grand Seiko mechanical watches (not including Spring Drive calibres; these are made at the Shinshu Studio) are manufactured in Shizukuishi in the Iwate prefecture, home to the imposing 2,038m Mount Iwate.
The snowy white dial of the new SBGJ277 captures the verdant green vegetation of the summer months when there is still snow on the ground. Referred to as “Sekkei”, these snowy valleys are the inspiration for the dial and two-tone bezel. Similar in texture to the Sakura dials, the irregular patterns suggest a crisp, frosty surface that plays with the light to produce brighter, whiter reflections and subtler greyer areas of shadow.
As a member of the GS Sport Collection, legibility is accentuated, and the large applied mirror-polished indices at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock have a LumiBrite insert matching that of the hour and minute hands. Useful when travelling, the date window with a white background is positioned at 4 o’clock and is indexed to local time. To capture the contrasting green colours of the snow valleys, the central arrow-shaped GMT hand is dark green, and the 24-hour track on the inner flange is picked out in white and green.
The sporty 200m water-resistant stainless steel case has a diameter of 42.2mm, a thickness of 14.4mm and a sealed caseback. Beautifully finished to GS standards, the case features finely brushed surfaces and mirror-polished accents using the brand’s signature Zaratsu polishing technique.
The bidirectional rotating 24-hour bezel is coated with sapphire crystal, a nod to old Bakelite bezels of mid-century watches. Picked out in green and white, representing night and day, the application of LumiBrite on the white area of the two-tone bezel and the numerals in the green area means that the bezel can be consulted in the dark.
As a traveller’s or true GMT model (as opposed to an office GMT), the local hour hand can be adjusted independently via the crown in one-hour increments in both directions without stopping the seconds hand. Capable of offering three different time zones, the local time is set with the central hour and minute hands, while the arrow-shaped hand can be used to set home time. If desired, a third time zone can be visualised by aligning the 24-hour scale of the bezel in front of the local hour hand.
Powered by Grand Seiko’s Hi-Beat calibre 9S86 beating at 36,000 vibrations/hour or 5Hz, the accuracy of the automatic movement is rated at +5 to -3 seconds per day, surpassing chronometer standards and a robust power reserve of 55 hours. The Grand Seiko SBGJ277 comes with a stainless steel 3-link bracelet with brushed and polished surfaces and a triple-folding clasp with push-button release.
Availability & Price
The Grand Seiko Sport GMT SBGJ277 retails for EUR 7,400 and will be available from 1 May 2024 at Grand Seiko Mastershops, Salons and Boutiques. it is part of the permanent collection. For more information, please consult grand-seiko.com.
