On the occasion of Grand Seiko’s 60th Anniversary, the Japanese watchmaker has created numerous limited edition timepieces.

They’ve announced four limited editions with blue dials, which we wrote about earlier in the year. And now, a fifth limited edition, also sporting a blue dial.

For the purist, this may be the best option yet. Presented in the classic 40 mm x 13 mm 44GS-inspired case, and powered by automatic caliber 9S65, this is the Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Ref. SBGR321.

The gorgeous dial design was inspired by the early morning sun that beams over Mt. Iwate outside the Shizukuishi Studio, punctuated by contrasting silvery light-reflecting faceted applied indices, Grand Seiko’s signature Dauphine-style blade hour and minute hands, and a bright red-tipped needle-shaped sweeping center seconds hand.

Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGR321

While not the same as the new GS 5Hz Hi-Beat caliber 96A5 with ultra-premium finishing, a free-sprung balance wheel, and Grand Seiko’s new proprietary escapement — the 9S65 is still pretty impressive visually and horologically.

Beating at 4Hz the automatic 9S65 features a special blue 360-degree rotor that matches the bright blue of the dial and is surrounded by a red-colored ring. The movement has 35 jewels, is adjusted to better than chronometer standards at a mean daily rate of -3/+5 before being cased up, has an antimagnetic rating of 4,800 A/m, features upscale finishing such as striping on the bridges, can be hand-wound, has hacking seconds, and boasts a 72-hour power reserve.

Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGR321 caseback

The Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGR321 case has a screw-down crown, with a sapphire crystal and a fixed bezel on the front, a screw-in sapphire caseback, and is water-resistant to 100 meters. The stainless steel bracelet is secured by a three-fold clasp with a push-button release.

Retail is approximately $5,200. Limited edition of 2,500 pieces.

Posted by:Jason Pitsch

Jason is a writer, photographer and is the founder of Professional Watches.