Grand Seiko SBGA111 Spring Drive 10th Anniversary Limited Edition in stainless steel: Celebrating Spring

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Grand Seiko SBGA109 Spring Drive 10th Anniversary Limited Edition. Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the launch of Seiko’s Spring Drive (2004 to 2014). Indicative price at around HK$60,000 / SGD9,800 (Singapore dollars) / MYR25,300 (Malaysian Ringgit). Photo: © TANG Portfolio. 2014 BaselWorld

The 39.9mm Grand Seiko SBGA111 Spring Drive 10th Anniversary Limited Edition in stainless steel. Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the launch of Seiko’s Spring Drive. Production is limited to 1,500 pieces. Indicative price at around HK$48,000 / SGD7,800 (Singapore dollars) / MYR20,300 (Malaysian Ringgit). Photo: © TANG Portfolio. 2014 BaselWorld

When Seiko’s Spring Drive was first launched at the 2005 BaselWorld watch fair, it was hailed as the brand’s most important movement after the famed Astron quartz watch of 1969.

While timing in a mechanical watch is regulated by the escapement, this is not the case for Seiko’s Spring Drive.

There is no escapement in the Spring Drive; rather timing is controlled by what is termed the Tri-synchro regulator which boasts of an accuracy of plus / minus 0.5 seconds a day.

At the annual BaselWorld watch fair in 2014, Seiko unveiled three Grand Seiko Spring Drive models powered by the Calibre 9R15 where two are in steel and one is in platinum. Moreover, these pay tribute to the Seiko “Self-Dater” watch of 1964.

However, there are more: the Grand Seiko SBGA111 Spring Drive in stainless steel (seen above) and the Grand Seiko SBGA109 in titanium, both commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Spring Drive.

The Grand Seiko SBGA111 also utilises the Calibre 9R15 spring drive movement which has 72 hours of power reserve after being fully wound.

Observe the dial and you’d see a patterned dial with multiple “GS” alphabets (for Grand Seiko). This commemorative edition has two blued steel hands: one is for the power reserve indicator hand and the other is for the continuous sweep seconds hand.         

Take a close look and one can visualise a “cross” on the dial which is symbolic of the numeral “10” in Mandarin. Obviously, this is a special design highlighting the 10th anniversary of the Spring Drive.

The Grand Seiko lion emblem can be seen at the 2 o’clock position. As this is the reference index for10 minutes or 10 seconds, it is also apt to have the lion emblem here to symbolize the 10th anniversary of the Spring Drive. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. 2014 BaselWorld. Photo taken with a Leica D-Lux 5

The Grand Seiko lion emblem can be seen at the 2 o’clock position. As this is the reference index for10 minutes or 10 seconds, it is also apt to have the lion emblem here to symbolize the 10th anniversary of the Spring Drive. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. 2014 BaselWorld. Photo taken with a Leica D-Lux 5

There is even the Grand Seiko lion emblem on the dial; this can be seen at the 2 o’clock position. This logo is placed here as this is the reference for the 10 minute index, aptly representing the 10th anniversary of the Spring Drive.

Production of the Grand Seiko SBGA111 Spring Drive 10th Anniversary Limited Edition is limited to 1,500 pieces.

The indicative pricing of the Grand Seiko SBGA111 at the time of writing is around HK$48,000 / SGD7,800 (Singapore dollars) / MYR20,300 (Malaysian Ringgit).

To compare the SBGA111 in stainless steel with the Grand Seiko SBGA109 Spring Drive limited edition in titanium, check out the timewerke.com article: “Grand Seiko SBGA109 Spring Drive in titanium: 10th Anniversary Limited Edition: Spot the lion and the differences“

Baume & Mercier: Celebrating the moments

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“A Birth” – photography by Peter Lindbergh for Baume & Mercier’s “Celebration Campaign” in line with the brand’s tagline: “Life is about moments”. Photo: © Baume & Mercier

“A Birth” – photography by Peter Lindbergh for Baume & Mercier’s “Celebration Campaign” in line with the brand’s tagline: “Life is about moments”. Photo: © Baume & Mercier

Pssst, have a moment to share?

If you have captured images of celebrations or special moments in your life, then perhaps you can consider sharing them, notably on Baume & Mercier’s official Facebook and Twitter pages or Instagram as part of the brand’s social media contest.

Open from 7 April 2014 to 5 May 2014, participants of the contest are also encouraged to tell the story behind their submitted images and / or videos.

(Use hashtag #celebratemoments on Instagram or Twitter to share your images and / or videos).

What themed images and / or videos should one submit?

Here’s a hint: be inspired by Baume & Mercier’s tagline which is “Life is about moments” and your life’s celebratory events.

We will also recommend thinking about famed photographer Peter Lindbergh’s comment that: “Photographs are truly magical… when they capture moments that cannot be seen with one’s eyes to be captured.”

Alternatively, you may wish to focus on the ladies celebrating their moments as Lindbergh’s more recent book is entitled: “Images of Women”.

The best entry will receive a Baume & Mercier Clifton automatic watch (ref. 10052) valued at CHF2,500 (Swiss francs) and an autographed copy of Lindbergh’s limited edition book: “Images of Women”.

This Baume & Mercier Clifton wristwatch (ref. 10052) will be awarded to the winner of the brand’s social media contest which runs from 7 April 2014 to 5 May 2014. Photo: © Baume & Mercier

This Baume & Mercier Clifton wristwatch (ref. 10052) with the value of CHF2,500 (Swiss francs) will be awarded to the winner of the brand’s social media contest which runs from 7 April 2014 to 5 May 2014. Photo: © Baume & Mercier

Three runner-ups will each be given an autographed copy of Lindbergh’s limited edition book as well.

Do check Baume & Mercier’s website for more details and the terms of conditions of the contest.

Happy sharing!