Time and Tide Watches

Australian Watch Authority

  • Home
  • Shop
  • Reviews
  • Watch Fairs
    • Baselworld 2019
    • SIHH 2019
    • Baselworld 2018
    • SIHH 2018
    • Baselworld 2017
    • SIHH 2017
  • Club
  • Partners

25.02.2021
Zach Blass

HANDS-ON: The Grand Seiko SBGC240 140th Anniversary Limited Edition with newly developed polygonal bezel

The 140th Anniversary celebrations for Seiko are continuing, hot on the heels of the news that – and this is remarkable – both brands actually experienced growth in key markets in 2020. This was revealed last night in a global summit, along with several new models, including this one. A key reason for the upward trajectory is the fact their products are genuinely unique and distinct in nature. Another aspect that sets Grand Seiko apart from other manufacturers is their proprietary Spring Drive technology that leverages a predominantly mechanical movement with a regulated quartz escapement. The new stainless steel and yellow gold Grand Seiko SBGC240 140th Anniversary Limited Edition chronograph uses this Spring Drive tech in a vertical clutch column wheel chronograph GMT caliber and newly developed 12 sided polygonal bezel.

Grand Seiko SBC240

The case

Grand Seiko SBC240

The Grand Seiko SBGC240 140th Anniversary Limited Edition marks the first time the brand has featured a combination of 18k yellow gold and black ceramics. The majority of the case and watch is fashioned in stainless steel, but the 43.8mm x 16.1mm case introduces hints of gold in the framing of the polygonal bezel and the crown and pushers on the 100 meter water-resistant case. In terms of its finish, it’s similar to what you find on an SBGA211 with satin brushed lug hoods, with distortion free finishes applied to their bevelling as well as to the case flanks.

Grand Seiko SBC240

The newly developed polygonal yellow gold bezel has a 12 square shape that matches the total number of hour indexes, ensuring visibility from various angles while producing a variety of light expressions – a design aspect Grand Seiko has become renowned for. The Zirconia ceramic provides excellent scratch resistance, ensuring the original beauty of the watch is maintained for many years to come.

The dial

Grand Seiko SBC240

Considering it is a foundational principle of Grand Seiko’s grammar of design, it is no surprise that the black dial of the Grand Seiko SBGC240 is highly legible. The contrasting gold tones of the hours/minutes hands, hour indices, chronograph subdial rings, and even the dedicated tachymeter scale track displayed stepped within the inner bezel are very easy for the eye to discern.

The steel central seconds hand and elapsed time register hands are very visible as well. A little insight into the finishing decisions for Grand Seiko watches; the reason the golden hours and minutes hands are satin brushed on their top facet is because brushed surfaces typically brighten when hit with light straight on whereas a distortion free mirror finish goes black when straight under a light source (think black polish). Think of the SLGH003 versus the SLGH005. The satin brushed hands brighten up against the rich blue dial of the SLGH003 and the mirror finished hands darken against the bright white birch dial of the SLGH005. If the hands were to darken, instead of brighten, they would be harder to read on the gloss black dial. With a lot of information on the dial, it is crucial that you can quickly read all of its indications and the tonal switch up across indicators is helpful to separate and frame the various functionalities.

Grand Seiko SBC240

At 9 you have the running seconds register, between 1 and 2 the elapsed minutes register (30 minute scale), and between 4 and 5 the elapsed hours register (12 hour scale). Adjacent to the 7 index is the power reserve indicator and in place of a 3 hour index is the white on black date window framed in a polished golden square. Between the hashed outer minutes track and hour indexes is a radial 24 hour scale that corresponds to the central GMT hand.

The bracelet

Grand Seiko SBC240

The stainless steel bracelet with three fold push button clasp takes on the familiar format of having five components to each link, with the three broader components satin brushed and the narrower two mirror finished. The outer shoulder flanks of each link have a hairline mirror polish for added elegance. And speaking of elegance, the bracelet has a nice taper as you moved from the case integrating link down to the clasp. Being a stainless steel bracelet, each of the removable links are secured by screws found within the mirror polished sides of the links – making the watch relatively easy to size on your own so long as you have the appropriate screwdriver and a steady hand.

The movement

Grand Seiko SBC240

Whenever a column wheel chronograph is mentioned, the first thought that comes to mind is butter smooth start and stop actuation. Many brands utilize column wheel architecture movements in their top-tier chronographs, but none are like the caliber 9R86 produced in-house by Grand Seiko. The chronograph GMT caliber pairs the smooth start/stop pusher sensation of a vertical clutch column wheel movement with the timing and hand fluidity only Spring Drive can provide. The 9r86 boasts a power reserve indicator, dual time functionality with 24-hour hand, quick correction function of time difference adjusting to a calendar, and of course the stopwatch functionality of a chronograph. Another neat feature is its 72 hours of power reserve, which is unaffected by chronograph usage.

Grand Seiko SBGC240 140th Anniversary Limited Edition pricing and availability:

Grand Seiko SBC240

The Grand Seiko SBC240 140th Anniversary Limited Edition is a limited edition of 500 pieces, and will be available via the Grand Seiko Online boutique beginning June 10th and in Grand Seiko Salons and Boutiques July 2021. Price: $27,750 AUD

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Email

BECOME A SUBSCRIBER

Don't miss any of the action! Join the community to get access to our weekly news round-up, behind the scenes stories, and entrance into exclusive competitions.


SIGN UP NOW
BRANDS
A
A. Lange & Sohne
Aegir Instruments
Akrivia
Alpina
Angelus
Apple
Aquadive
Archimede
Audemars Piguet
Australian Brands
Autodromo
B
Ball Watch Co
Bamford Watch Department
Baume et Mercier
Bausele
Bell & Ross
Blancpain
Breguet
Breitling
Bremont
Briston
Bulgari
Bulova
C
Cartier
Casio
Chanel
Chopard
Christopher Ward
Corum
Creux Automatiq
CT Scuderia
Cvstos
D
Dan Henry
Dior
Doxa
E
Edox
Erroyl
Eterna
F
Farer
Filson
Franck Muller
Frederique Constant
G
Gavox
Girard-Perregaux
Glashütte Original
Glycine
Gorilla
Grand Seiko
Gucci
H
H. Moser & Cie.
Haigh & Hastings
Halios
Hermes
Hublot
HYT
I
Ianos
IWC
J
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaquet Droz
K
Kurono
L
Linde Werdelin
Longines
Louis Vuitton
Luminox
M
Martenero
Maurice Lacroix
MB&F - Maximilian Büsser & Friends
Melbourne Watch Company
Mido
Ming
Monta
Montblanc
N
Nodus
Nomos
O
Oak & Oscar
Omega
Oris
P
Panerai
Parmigiani Fleurier
Patek Philippe
Perrelet
Piaget
R
Rado
Ralph Lauren
Raymond Weil
Ressence
Richard Mille
Roger Dubuis
Rolex
S
Seals
Seiko
Sevenfriday
Sinn
Spinnaker
Stowa
Swatch
T
TAG Heuer
Tangramatic
Tiffany & Co
Tissot
Tudor
U
Ulysse Nardin
Undone
Unimatic
Urwerk
V
Vacheron Constantin
Van Cleef & Arpels
Victorinox
Z
Zenith
Zodiac
  • Company
  • The Team
  • Contact
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Refund and Exchange Policy
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

The original content on Time and Tide Watches is copyright protected. Please email us before re-posting our content elsewhere. When sharing our images on Pinterest or Instagram please use the credit ‘via Time+Tide' THANK  YOU

TIME+TIDE | MELBOURNE | AUSTRALIA | INFO@TIMEANDTIDEWATCHES.COM

© COPYRIGHT 2019 TIME+TIDE

  • Home
  • Shop
  • Subscribe Now!
  • Reviews
  • Video
  • Club
  • Partners
This site uses cookies as outlined in our cookie policy. Find out more.