BASELWORLD 2019 NOTABLES
GRAND SEIKO
Spring Drive 20th Anniversary Limited Editions
Alongside several beautiful manual-wind Spring Drive
watches, Grand Seiko in 2019 also adds three new
sporty Spring Drive models, all of which underscore the
twenty-year anniversary of Spring Drive’s debut. Each
new version of the movement is adjusted to enhanced
precision (an incredible 0.5 seconds per day) while also
being protected within a super-secure 44.5mm Zaratsu-
polished titanium or gold case. All the hands on these
new models are larger than those on previous Grand
Seiko sports models, plus there’s more lume, better lug
curvature and a new, snug-fit bracelet with thicker links.
One of the two new GMT chronographs has a rose gold
case (pictured) and a rich burgundy dial while the other
is cased in titanium, with an interesting metallic green/
brown dial. The three-hand model (also pictured) is also
cased in titanium. All three are limited editions and will
be available starting in May. Prices: $42,000 (SBGC230,
rose gold, limited to 100 watches), $12,900 (SBGC231,
GMT chronograph, limited to 500 watches) and $10,600
(SBGA403, three-hand, limited to 500 watches.)
ORIS
Aquis Date Mint & Brown Editions
In addition to expanding its excellent
vintage-inspired Diver Sixty-Five
series and adding a new set of colorful
Big Crown Pointer Date watches,
Oris in 2019 continues to offer new,
pleasing variations within its bedrock
Aquis collection of affordable dive
models. This year, within the mix of
Aquis debuts look for new models
with smaller diameter case sizes. One
36.5mm Aquis Date watch, with a
fetching brown dial, is squarely aimed
at women divers. A second Aquis
Date model, sized for any wrist at
39.5mm in diameter, is pleasingly set
with a mint-green gradient dial and a
grey tungsten bezel. Both are water
resistant to a full 300 meters, glow
with generous SuperLuminova markers
and operate with Sellita automatic
movements. Prices: $1,900 and $2,100
(steel bracelet).
76 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | SUMMER 2019