F.P. Journe has just unveiled a unique version of its bestselling quartz sports watch that will be sold to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), an American non-profit that raises funds for medical research. The Élégante Titalyt “Pink” is based on the large 48 mm model with an oxide-coated titanium case. Making it unique is the hour numeral “1” in pink, a detail that is matched by a pink rubber strap.

Introduced a decade ago, the Élégante is F.P. Journe’s take on a fuss-free sports watch. Although the Tortue case is historically inspired – and also identical to the case of the Vagabondage models – the Élégante is equipped with the brand’s only quartz movement. Developed in-house, the cal. 1210 features a motion detector that activates “sleep” mode.

If the watch is stationary for 35 minutes, the movement goes into hibernation and the hands freeze but the movement continues to keep time. Once the watch is picked up, the hands will travel to show the correct time.  In normal time-telling mode the Élégante will run for eight to ten years on a fresh battery, and in “sleep” mode a battery lasts up to 18 years.

The quartz movement of the Élégante has red gold tracks on the circuit board, a reference to the red gold bridges and plates in the brand’s mechanical movements

All of the proceeds from the sale of the watch will go to the BCRF. Conducted by Phillips, the auction will take place at a private event on Miami on March 2, however, bidding can also be done online or via telephone. To register for the sale, contact the F.P. Journe boutique in Miami.

Correction February 26, 2024: The pink rubber strap is not a limited edition but available in the regular collection, while the watch goes to sleep after 35, not 15, minutes. Lastly, the plate in the movement is gold plated, while the tracks are solid gold.

Having just opened its first boutique in Singapore, Grand Seiko has now announced a limited edition especially for the store. The Elegance Collection Singapore Boutique Exclusive SBGW315 is essentially a new take on the “First” cal. 3180 remake. Instead of traditional colours and materials, the SBGW315 renders the familiar design in titanium with a patterned, powder blue dial.

Initial thoughts

Grand Seiko releases a lot of limited editions – a Spring Drive pair was just announced two weeks ago – but the SBGW315 unexpectedly manages to be different. For one, the base model of the edition is infrequently iterated. The last variant of the “First” remake I can think of was from early 2023 when Grand Seiko unveiled a version with a maki-e lacquer dial.

Additionally, past “First” limited editions were more traditional in colour, with plain dials in either silver, cream, or dark colours like black or blue.

The SBGW315, on the other hand, combines the aesthetics of the “First” with a decidedly contemporary powder blue dial finished with a radial feathered pattern. While the colour and pattern are hardly novel, they give this watch a distinctive look.

Even amongst the numerous Grand Seiko limited editions, the SBGW315 stands out. And it will continue to be uncommon as long as Grand Seiko doesn’t roll out more version of the model in additional colours – which is an overly optimistic assumption given the brand’s inclination towards such watches.

A new(ish) look

The basics of SBGW315 are well known, since it is largely identical to earlier models. The case has good, vintage-inspired proportions and measures 38 mm wide and 10.9 mm high. Unusually for a vintage remake, it is in titanium. Specifically, the case is made of “Brilliant Hard Titanium”, Seiko’s proprietary titanium alloy that is harder and can be polished to a finer mirrored finish than the typical titanium alloys used for watches.

Visible through the back is the cal. 9S64, Grand Seiko’s hand-wind calibre with a 72-hour power reserve. The sapphire back is printed with the Grand Seiko emblem and “Limited Edition”, both of which are unnecessary as the case is already engraved with the edition number, and also obscure the view of the movement.

More novel is the dial, which is finished with the same radial “Mount Iwate” motif found on the Tentagraph SLGC001. The SBGW315 is perhaps the first “First” remake – no pun intended – with a patterned dial.

Like practically every other Grand Seiko, the colour of the dial is inspired by the natural landscape around Grand Seiko’s workshops. The pale blue is meant to evoke the blue sky in winter around Mount Iwate, a peak that sits nears Seiko’s facility in Shizukuishi, a town in the province named after the mountain.

Key facts and price

Grand Seiko Elegance Collection Singapore Boutique Exclusive
Ref. SBGW315

Diameter: 38 mm
Height: 10.9 mm
Material: Titanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: Cal. 9S64
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Winding: Manual wind
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 72 hours

Strap: Crocodile strap with folding clasp, additional strap in foil-stamped calfskin

Limited edition: 88 pieces
Availability: Now at Grand Seiko boutique Singapore
Price: 12,800 Singapore dollars including GST

For more, visit grand-seiko.com.