Grand Seiko Elegance SBGW325 “Arabic Blue”

Grand Seiko’s limited-edition SBGW325 “Arabic Blue” revisits the SBGW003 with a navy dial, Arabic numerals and manual Calibre 9S64. Price: €5,700

The new Grand Seiko Elegance SBGW325 “Arabic Blue” stands out within the brand’s collections with its distinctive Arabic numerals, a dial feature rarely found on the Japanese manufacture’s timepieces, which predominantly feature baton-style hour markers.

The limited edition pays tribute to the SBGW003, launched in 2001 with Grand Seiko’s first manually wound 9S-series movement, by revisiting its characteristic dial design.

The deep navy dial reflects traditional Japanese indigo-dyeing techniques. Boldly raised Arabic numerals add depth and definition, whilst a subtle golden tone on the Grand Seiko logo at 12 o'clock and the central seconds hand creates a striking contrast against the dark background.

The 37.3 mm stainless steel case measures 11.7 mm in thickness and 44.3 mm from lug to lug, with a 19 mm lug width. 

Its rounded profile and gently sloping lugs give the watch a soft silhouette, while Zaratsu polishing creates the distortion-free mirror finish characteristic of Grand Seiko’s casework. 

A box-shaped sapphire crystal, with anti-reflective coating on its inner surface, protects the dial. Water resistance is rated to 30 metres.

The SBGW325 is powered by the manually wound Calibre 9S64, a mechanical movement with 24 jewels and a power reserve of 72 hours. Its specified accuracy is +5 to −3 seconds per day. 

As the mainspring unwinds, the movement’s torque decreases gradually, a characteristic addressed in its design to help maintain stable timekeeping. Magnetic resistance is rated at 4,800 A/m.

The watch is supplied with two interchangeable straps: an indigo-dyed crocodile leather strap using traditional Japanese hon-ai techniques, and a white pebbled leather alternative. 

Both use leather sourced from Leather Working Group (LWG)-certified tanneries, an organisation of which Grand Seiko is a member.

Limited to 600 pieces worldwide, the Grand Seiko Elegance SBGW325 “Arabic Blue” features a numbered caseback with a sapphire crystal window revealing the finished movement. The watch retails at €5,700 or US$5,800. grand-seiko.com