In addition to the recent Sakura watches, Grand Seiko have released a third new hi-beat watch in the form of the Sunrise at Mount Iwate SBGH345G. While it contains the same hi-beat movement, it features a completely different case and style of dial in a glorious red colour. As part of the Mount Iwate range, it’s a boutique exclusive.
Starting with the case, it’s 40mm in diameter and made from Grand Seiko’s ‘ever-brilliant’ steel, a particularly corrosion resistant steel alloy. It’s based on the 44GS design that has been popular for the previous Mount Iwate editions. The sharp facets and Zaratsu polishing giving it a distinctive look and quasi-sporty edge.
As for the dial, it’s red with a subtle flecked pattern in a radial sunray pattern. As the name of the watch suggests, it’s inspired by the sunrise at Mount Iwate – making it a sort of cousin to the Morning Glow of Hotaka Peaks, each dedicated to sunrise at significant mountains in the north and south of Honshu respectively. It’s actually one of my favourite interpretations of the Mount Iwate pattern, which in previous editions has looked a little plain in comparison to watches like the Sakura-Wakaba. Here it’s vibrant and energetic.
It houses the 9S85 hi-beat with 55-hour power reserve, the same movement as used in the aforementioned Sakura releases. It’s really interesting that in the three drops GS have done in February, the first was entirely quartz, the second was exclusively Spring Drive and now this latest suite is Hi-Beat, giving some love to all of their calibres across the spectrum.
The Sunrise at Mount Iwate SBGH345G is an online boutique exclusive and is priced at £6,500. That puts it in the middle of the Mount Iwate price range between the smaller models at £6,250 and the GMT editions at £6,650. It makes me excited to discover what, if any, new dial textures and patterns Grand Seiko have planned for the rest of the year.
Price and Specs:
More details at Grand Seiko Boutique.
