BASELWORLD 2018: Grand Seiko Watches: High-Beat & High Precision

Baselworld 2018 is an anniversary year for Grand Seiko’s legendary 9S high-beat 36,000 VpH automatic caliber; the Caliber 9S 20th Anniversary Limited Editions are the stars of the show. First introduced in 1998, the Grand Seiko 9S receives a 20th anniversary salute in the Baselworld 2018 novelties High-Beat 36,000 VFA SBGA265, the High-Beat 36,000 Special SBGH266, and the High-Beat 36,000 SBGH27; all models feature the Grand Seiko caliber 9S85 automatic 36,000 VpH High-Beat movement and 100-meter water resistance. The 2018 Grand Seiko Baselworld collection flagship is the High-Beat 36,000 V.F.A. This platinum limited edition of 20 pieces pays tribute both to the original 1998 Grand Seiko 9S and the 1969 Grand Seiko V.F.A. 61GS. Adjusted to Grand Seiko’s highest timing tolerance - +3/-1 per day, the VFA standard and related Grand Seiko watches require 34 days of observation and regulation by the hand of Grand Seiko’s master watchmakers. The Grand Seiko High-Beat Special SBGH266 includes a yellow gold case in the series’ standardized 39.5mm size. Grand Seiko’s famed “Zaratsu” optically smooth polishing is applied to the SBGH266’s complex faceted form. The Grand Seiko High-Beat 36,000 SBGH267 is the only stainless steel model in the Caliber 9S 20th Anniversary Limited Edition collection. Its stainless steel case features the Zaratsu polish, but the handsomely finished case shares the stage with a spectacular “mosaic” dial in blue and a blue oxidized winding rotor on its disp