Grand Seiko SBGD213 in blue sapphires is a fitting tribute to the white lion
It was only in 2020 that Grand Seiko introduced a jewellery watch into its Masterpiece Collection. The iconic Lion would be replaced by the regal white lion, and soon enough, Spring Drive jewelry timepieces would set a new standard for the Maison. At Watches and Wonders Geneva, the latest Spring Drive 8-day jewellery would be met with a glorious reception, leading to some of the most sought-after divers in the world.
In the case of the majestic SBGD213, this timepiece honors Seiko’s signature color with its collection of blue sapphires. It’s a piece of great distinction, with only eight in circulation.
The watch itself enjoys an imposing profile. After all, there’s just something about 266 diamonds and 27 blue sapphires that capture someone’s attention. All gems, of course, are set by hand between pairs of very thin 18k white gold rail by some of the most skilled jewellery craftsmen in the world.
Inspired by the symbol of the white lion, Grand Seiko made use of white and blue gemstones. Embedded to represent the hour and minute markers, for instance, 12 baguette-cut blue sapphires and 60 diamonds adorn the bezel. It’s carefully placed by hand between 18k white gold thin rails. This in turn, creates a flat surface that perfectly pairs with the mother-of-pearl dial in blue.
The SBGD213 also exemplifies Grand Seiko’s vision for an ‘everlasting’ watch. At the heart of the piece is the revered 9R Spring Drive calibre movement, the same mechanism that would take Grand Seiko almost three decades to perfect.
It combines the beauty of both mechanical and electronic watch movements, providing the piece with a certain horological character. It also enables the watch to portray an accurate ±10 seconds per month and offers a power reserve of eight days or 192 hours, thanks to its three barrels arranged in sequence.
SBGD213 retails for approximately US $260,000. Visit Grand Seiko for more information.
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