Grand Seiko Elegance SBGW323 Kiri

Zach Blass

• Grand Seiko expands its vary of 36.5mm 44GS watches with a brand new purple “Kiri” dial.
• Although the “Kiri” is a flower, its hue is paired with the Mt. Iwate dial sample.
• The chrome steel watch is pushed by a manually-wound motion, and priced at US$5,600.

Again in 2022, Grand Seiko kickstarted its efforts to convey forth extra mid-sized watches into its catalogue. Beforehand, watches largely hovered near (and past) 40mm, joined by very tiny  items nearer to 30mm. We’ve got since seen a number of iterations of the 36.5mm 44GS, starting with the restricted version and cherry blossom-inspired SBGW289, after which later the leather-strapped SBGW291 and SBGW293 references in 2022. In 2023, 36.5m 44GS watches bought on a bracelet turned a configuration for normal manufacturing with the SBGW297 and SBGW299 together with the U.S.-exclusive SBGW309, SBGW311, and SBGW313 that shortly adopted. In fact, it’s value mentioning we now have seen a 38mm 62GS case enter common manufacturing and we now have 37mm Spring Drive watches as soon as once more with the brand new Ice Forrest duo. However furthering the midsize Grand Seiko dialog, the model additionally debuts the SBGW323 at Watches and Wonders with a light-weight purple dial.

Nearly everything of the design framework is acquainted, offered in a 100-metre waterproof chrome steel 44GS case that measures 36.5mm in diameter, 11.6mm thick and 42.7mm lug-to-lug. It’s also as soon as once more pushed by the model’s entry-level, in-house mechanical calibre, the manually-wound 9S64, with 72 hours of energy reserve and a regulation commonplace of +5/-3 seconds per day. The novelty lies solely in its dial, executed in a brand new gentle purple color that’s impressed by the kiri flower – the official flower of the Iwate area (akin to the bellflower and its that means to the Shiojiri area). This hue is paired with Grand Seiko’s Mt. Iwate sample.

It’s finally a good-looking addition to Grand Seiko’s catalogue, and a color I hope to see integrated into its Evolution 9 designs with extra superior actions. Whereas the sunshine purple definitely caters to a unisex technique, its unusual use in watchmaking may very well be a pleasant technique of refreshing acquainted faces in different segments of {the catalogue}. With its 100 metres of water resistance, the Grand Seiko SBGW323 is a powerful choice to buy contemplating it’s each fairly and strong. Its daily-wearer functionality blended with its elegant aesthetic locations it within the “strong magnificence” class I typically tout, each seashore and boardroom acceptable.

Grand Seiko Magnificence SBGW323 Kiri pricing and availability

The Grand Seiko SBGW323 ‘Kiri’ is on the market now for buy. Worth: US$5,600