To mark 100th years of Seiko watchmaking, the company has created a limited edition reissue of the 44GS of 1967, equipped with the manual wind 9S64 movement.

Grand Seiko 44GS replica in steel SBGW047

Named after the cal. 4420 inside, the 44GS was the first Grand Seiko produced by Daini Seikosha (now Seiko Instruments Inc or SII), back in 1967. With its angular and clean case lines, the 44GS had a more modern look than the earlier Grand Seiko models, establishing the signature Grand Seiko aesthetic that still characterises the line today. Seiko has remade the 44GS for its 100th anniversary, in three colours of gold as well as steel. Like the commercially successfully 130th anniversary reissue of 2011, the new 44GS reissue is faithful to the original. The case is 37.9 mm wide and 11.5 mm high, with wide, polished flanks. Seiko uses a technique similar to black polishing (or speculaire) to finish the case, resulting in extremely precise and distortion free surfaces. The box shaped sapphire crystal have antireflective coating on the inside.

Inside is the 9S64 movement with three days power reserve. It cannot be seen however, as the case back is solid with the Grand Seiko medallion, just like on the original 44GS. Four models are available (prices do not include Japanese value added tax): SBGW043 in 18K white gold and limited to 70 pieces, JPY1.6 million (~US$16,300) SBGW044 in 18K yellow gold and limited to 70 pieces, JPY1.575 million (~US$15,300) SBGW046 in 18K rose gold and limited to 70 pieces, JPY1.575 million (~US$15,300) SBGW047 in steel and limited to 700 pieces, JPY450,000 (~US$4600) While all are nearly like for like reproductions of the original 44GS, the steel model is actually identical as it has the exact same silver dial as the 1967 model. The watches will be available in Japan and internationally, with delivery from 8 June 2013 onwards. – SJX

SBGW043 in 18K white gold

SBGW044 in 18K yellow gold

SBGW046 in 18K rose gold