Grand Seiko evokes rosy cherry blossom with the Hana-ikada SBGY026
Borna Bošnjak- Grand Seiko makes the most of their gorgeous cherry blossom-inspired dial, this time in a rose-gold case
- The SBGY026 will appeal to the smaller-wristed, measuring in at 38.5mm in diameter and just 43.7mm lug-to-lug
- A manually wound Spring Drive 9R31 movement keeps the watch slim at just a smidge over 10mm
It’s safe to say that Grand Seiko have a seemingly endless source of dial inspiration, constantly updating their Evolution 9 or 44GS cases with new nature-inspired looks. This time around, however, Grand Seiko opted to use an existing dial, the successful pink texture from the SBGA413 Shunbun, but this time in an 18k rose-gold Elegance case for a more refined proposition.
Measuring in at 38.5mm in diameter, 10.2mm in height and 43.7mm lug-to-lug, the proportions are perfect for a dress watch, or a dressy-oriented everyday companion for those preferring a smaller watch. Fully polished, save for the thin case sides, the surfaces match the high polish of the dauphine handset and the faceted indices.
For those who’ve had a chance to check this dial out in person, you’ll know that it’s not as pink as it may seem from some of the press shots. The subtle rosy tones only appear at certain angles, and I can easily understand GS’ decision to pair it with the warmth of rose gold. The dial is otherwise as minimal as it gets on a modern watch, with only three lines of text – an applied GS logo, bold blackletter Grand Seiko script, and Spring Drive denomination above 6 o’clock.
It is indeed a spring drive movement that powers the SBGY026, visible through a sapphire display caseback. Pretty much the entirety of the 9R31 calibre is covered by a large plate, dotted with heat-blued, countersunk screws and chaton-encased jewels. The movement is accurate to within a second per day, with the added utility of a power reserve indicator sitting right next to the sunburst-brushed barrel, telling you just how much of the 72-hour reserve is remaining.
Grand Seiko SBGY026 Hana-ikada pricing and availability:
The Grand Seiko Elegance Spring Drive “Hana-ikada” SBGY026 is available now for pre-orders in a limited edition of 100 pieces. Price: A$37,950, US$27,500
| Brand | Grand Seiko |
| Model | Elegance Spring Drive “Hana-ikada” |
| Reference Number | SBGY026 |
| Case Dimensions | 38.5mm (D) x 10.2mm (T) x 43.7mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | 18k rose gold |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Dial | Textured pink |
| Crystal(s) | Double-domed sapphire front, sapphire back |
| Strap | Crocodile leather with three-fold clasp |
| Lug Width | 19mm |
| Movement | 9R31 calibre, in-house, Spring Drive, manual winding |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Limited to 100 pieces |
| Price | A$37,950 US$27,500 |