Introducing: Spring Is In Bloom With The Grand Seiko’s New SBGW323 Kiri
What We Know
Springtime is in the air, and there’s nothing that signifies its start more than blooms coming in, which is precisely what this new release from Grand Seiko connotes. The SBGW323 is a mechanical watch with a dial that combines the iconic Mt. Iwate pattern with a purple color inspired by the kiri, the official flower of Iwate Prefecture.
Located on the northeastern coast of Honshu, Japan’s main island, Iwate is known for its purple kiri flowers, and this latest offering from Grand Seiko beautifully captures their essence. The Mt. Iwate dial pattern, a classic in its own right, takes on new life with this distinctive purple hue.
A dress watch at its core, the SBGW323 offers no complications, bringing the watch’s serene dial into complete focus symmetrically within the 36.5mm mid-sized case. This watch is next in line with the 44GS lineage and certainly brings an air of refinement to the collection. The immense detail on the dial showcases Grand Seiko’s craftsmanship and is genuinely a pleasure to marvel at.
The stainless steel case complements the purple dial nicely, and if you happen to be out galavanting on the first spring day, as many of us tend to do coming out of hibernation after winter and getting caught in a rain shower, do not worry. With 100m of water resistance and a 72-hour power reserve, this elegant timepiece is ready for whatever the season (or activity) brings.
What We Think
Purple is rare on a watch for a reason—it’s hard to pull off. However, Grand Seiko threads the line perfectly between paying homage to the actual color of the flower and not going overly violet.
This adds a nice pop of color to the Grand Seiko catalog, and at a very lovely case size of 36.5mm, it could be a good fit across many wrist sizes. With a price coming in at $5,600, slightly lower than some typical GS models, this could be a good entry point for Grand Seiko admirers looking to add something unique to their collection.
Stay tuned for more over the coming days from Watches and Wonders – you can follow all of the show’s new releases right here.
The Basics
Brand: Grand Seiko
Model: SBGW323 Kiri
Diameter: 36.5 mm
Thickness: 11.6 mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial Color: Purple
Lume: No
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap/Bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold
The Movement
Caliber: 9S64
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Winding: Manual winding
Jewels: 24
Pricing & Availability
Price: $5,600
Availability: Available now
For more, click here.
Hodinkee
