Grand Seiko Heritage Collection 40 ref. SBGA373 Spring Drive – Full set, 2021

The Japanese are a proud people who hold a profound respect for their traditions and heritage and thus invariably incorporate them into the objects and artifacts they create. It is precisely this attitude that made Seiko into the international powerhouse of watchmaking that we know and love today. The watch on offer here – the Spring Drive SBGA373 – is part of Grand Seiko’s Heritage Collection, and it embodies decades of history and expertise.

Every square millimeter of the SBGA373 – from the dial to the buckle – is immaculately hand-finished and crisp. A combination of Zaratsu-style mirror polishing and satin-like brushing maximizes the watch’s interaction with the light, highlighting its complex architecture. The sunburst champagne (its silver, but only under certain light) dial, meanwhile, complements the luminous steel that encases it, and the dauphine hands and faceted applied indices lend the watch an unmistakable air of assertiveness. As informed enthusiasts already know, the engineering marvel that powers the SBGA373, the 9R65 Spring Drive, is often cited as one of the most exceptional modern automatic calibers. What makes it so remarkable is that it is neither a quartz movement nor a strictly mechanical one – not in the sense we’re used to thinking about the two. Instead, the 9R65 uses three different types of energy to regulate its moving parts and establish synchronicity – mechanical, electric, and electromagnetic. It features a quartz oscillator, which serves as a reference of accuracy so that a magnetic brake can be applied to regulate the unwinding of the mainspring. The brake also allows for the fluid movement of the seconds hand, popularly referred to as “sweep seconds”.

Our offering is very good condition, comes in a full set of boxes and papers, and is outfitted with its original bracelet.

Covered by manufacturers international warranty (started in 03.2021).