Sometimes all you need to do is refresh a product a bit to draw attention to it. Today, Grand Seiko has done just that to two of its lesser-popular models in its four-watch Sekki collection, featuring titanium dress pieces each inspired by a different season.
While the spring-themed Shunbun (SGBA413) and winter-themed Taisetsu (SBGA415) are the lodestones of the set, and have remained unchanged for now, the Japanese watchmaker has chosen to bring some small evolutions to the Rikka and Shūbun counterparts.
Few and Subtle Changes
Replacing the SBGH271 and SBGH273, which have been around since the Sekki launched in 2019, are the green-dialed SBGH351 Rikka and the blue-dialed SBGH353 Shūbun, respectively. Swapping titanium for Grand Seiko’s proprietary steel alloy called Ever-Brilliant Steel, which, as you could probably guess, gives off more brilliance than your standard steel while also improving corrosion-resistance. The bracelets are also made from Ever-Brilliant Steel, with a three-link layout and a folding clasp.
In terms of the dials, these two watches feature the same texturing, both compared to one another and the outgoing titanium models. Evocative of the blue night sky during autumn, the Shūbun is a bit brighter this time around, although GS has retained the steel handset and indices (with a gold-colored seconds hand and GS logo) that the previous Shūbun had. On the other hand, the green color used in the summer-evoking, grass-colored Rikka is essentially identical as last time, although its dial features have been changed to match the Shūbun — meaning, steel for the hands and hour markers, and gold for the seconds hand and brand logo.
Much of the Same
We’re really diving into the few changes because, honestly, not much has changed from the previous models to these current iterations. Still based on the Heritage 62GS model that harkens back to the ‘60s, the new Rikka and Shūbun are still 40mm in diameter and 12.9mm in thickness, with the same 47mm lug-to-lug. Even the box sapphire crystal and 100m of water resistance remain the same. Likewise, the movement here is still the 9S85 automatic — Grand Seiko’s Hi-Beat 36000 caliber that’s among the best in the biz.
Spec Sheet
Case Size: 40mm
Lug-to-Lug: 47mm
Case Thickness: 12.9mm
Case Material: Ever-Brilliant Steel (proprietary steel alloy)
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Grand Seiko Caliber 9S85 automatic
Band: Ever-Brilliant Steel bracelet
Limited Edition?: No
Pricing & Availability
Part of the permanent collection starting February, the Heritage 62GS Sekki watches, Rikka and Shūbun will be priced at $7,200 — only $200 more than the watches they’re replacing. Head over to Grand Seiko’s website to learn more.
Recap
Grand Seiko Heritage 62GS Sekki Rikka & Shūbun
Grand Seiko updates the titanium cases of the summer- and autumn-themed Sekki dress watches with their proprietary Ever-Brilliant Steel material.
