Lately, Grand Seiko has focused on developing its Spring Drive movements and a slightly updated nature-oriented design language – take a look at the mighty White Birch model for a good example of this strategy – the brand is also a solid supplier of sports watches, including very reliable diver's watches. Today, the brand releases two new classic watches in the sports model family, with automatic Hi-Beat movements and typical GS technical specifications. Meet the new Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 200m Diver SBGH289 and SBGH291.
Grand Seiko is certainly no stranger to the diving watch category and has been playing with this concept for many years. It even released some truly impressive models, such as the SBGH255 and SBGH257, or more recently the SLGA001, which was also equipped with a new Spring Drive movement. Today's watches are less instrumental and more akin to classic watches for amateur diving. Slightly less robust, slightly less bulky, but still well-performing underwater or simply with casual attire on weekends. In fact, considering the brand's recent history, the new 200m Diver SBGH289 and SBGH291 can very well be considered the automatic counterparts of the well-known Spring Drive model SBGA231, as they return most of the design elements but with a different movement.
The case of the new Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 200m measures a relatively large 43.8 mm and has a sturdy shape, typical for the brand's sports watches. It has strong shoulders and prominent lugs, with a combination of matte surfaces and polished (of course, Zaratsu-polished) accents. The case is equipped with all the necessary equipment for recreational diving, including crown protection, a screw-down case back, a screw-down crown, and is water-resistant up to 200 meters.
But beyond these classic specifications, the watches are equipped with interesting details, such as a unidirectional bezel with a black polished ceramic insert, equipped with a fully graduated 60-minute scale. Note that the bezel consists of four parts, allowing it to be easily disassembled and reassembled at Grand Seiko service centers to keep the watch clean after dives. The watches are also equipped with sapphire crystal, and the deep notches on the bezel ring provide a comfortable grip.
As already mentioned, two versions of the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 200m Diver are presented today, and the difference is not only in the dial color. The first model, SBGH289, features a stainless steel case and bracelet along with a dark blue dial. The other version, SBGH291, is housed in a titanium case and a matching bracelet, providing lightness, strength, and comfort on the wrist. The model has a black dial and a gold-colored GS logo. As you can see, there is a slight difference in texture and color between the two cases.
The dial is simple and typical for diver's watches, with readability and contrast in mind. It features oversized applied indices identical to the discontinued SBGA231 model. The same applies to the hands, each with its own distinctive design to ensure easy and unmistakable time reading. All elements are significantly filled with LumiBrite luminous material and contrast well against the dark matte blue or matte black background. The display is complemented by a framed date window at the 3 o'clock position.
Under the screw-down case back is the Caliber 9S85, an automatic movement characterized by a high frequency of 5 Hz or 36,000 vibrations per hour. The power reserve when fully wound is 55 hours, and the accuracy is stated to be in the range of -3 to +5 seconds per day (which quite meets chronometric standards).
As mentioned, both models of the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 200m Diver SBGH289 and SBGH291 come on a metal bracelet, respectively in stainless steel or grade 5 titanium. The three-link design and combination of matte and polished surfaces are classic, and it closes with a folding clasp with an adjustable diver's extension.
The two models of the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 200m Diver Automatic will be released as part of the permanent collection from October 1, 2021. The steel model SBGH289 will retail for 7,200 euros, and the titanium one for 8,600 euros. For more detailed information, visit grand-seiko.com.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – GRAND SEIKO HI-BEAT 200M DIVER AUTOMATIC
Case: diameter 43.8 mm – stainless steel case (SBGH289) or grade 5 titanium (SBGH291), matte with polished accents – sapphire crystal – unidirectional bezel with black ceramic insert and 60-minute scale – screw-down crown and case back – crown protection – water resistance 200 meters
Dial: matte blue (SBGH289) or matte black (SBGH291) dial with applied hour indices and hands with LumiBrite luminous coating
Movement: Caliber 9S85, in-house – automatic – 37 jewels – high-frequency escapement with 36,000 vibrations/hour (or 5 Hz) – 55-hour power reserve – adjusted to -3/+5 seconds per day – hours, minutes, seconds, and date
Bracelet: 3-link stainless steel or titanium bracelet, matte with polished accents, with folding clasp and adjustable diver's extension
References: SBGH289 – steel, blue dial
SBGH291 – titanium, black dial
Price: 7,200 euros for SBGH289
8,600 euros for SBGH291