Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 200m Divers

Grand Seiko is the darling of contemporary watch collectors today, and after taking even a cursory glance at their watches’ specs — or better yet, an example in the metal — it’s easy to see why. The artisanal talent that goes into the design and manufacturing process of GS dials alone is stupefying. Depending on the angle, the color and composition of a textured dial will look completely different. They’re truly works of art steeped in Japanese tradition! The particular GS we have here, an SBGH289 from circa the 2010s, isn’t one of the brand’s more classically inspired dress models, but rather, a full-fledged diver with 200m of water resistance. Housed in a sturdy 43.8mm stainless steel case with ‘holey’ lugs, a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, and a black ceramic dive bezel, it features a lovely navy blue dial with applied luminous indices, a matching handset, and a date window at 4:30.  Powered by the impressive Grand Seiko Caliber 9S85 Hi-Beat movement and paired to a stainless steel multi-link bracelet with a signed, push-button deployant clasp, this is a modern diver built to exacting specifications that doesn’t want to be babied. This is a perfect foray into the world of Grand Seiko, and a watch not to be missed!