What We Know
It’s likely that very few people, save the Grand Seiko diehards, remember the first manually winding 9S caliber in the GS collection. A distinction within a distinction, it did set the stage for a number of deeply loved models and the eventual development of one of my favorite movements, the relatively recent 9SA4. But back in 2001, Grand Seiko launched the SBGW003, a relatively simple-looking watch with an opaline white dial and distinctive applied gold numerals. It might seem a bit anachronistic, but that’s why Grand Seiko is honoring the 25th anniversary with a very modernized homage, the Elegance SBGW325 ‘Arabic Blue.’
To be fair, the new SBGW325 looks so much newer because the original was also a tribute to the past, furthering the aesthetic divide. Now, the watch features a deep navy blue dial inspired by Japan’s indigo craft heritage, with silver-toned hands and indices, including the distinctive applied numerals to honor the original. There’s also a touch of gold, a reference to the original indices, I’d imagine, with the central seconds hand and GS logo. The serif on the numerals seems to have been softened a bit as well.
The Zaratsu-polished stainless steel case measures 37.3mm by 11.7mm with a 44.3mm lug-to-lug, capped by a box-style crystal. The watch is limited to a 30m water resistance but comes with a display caseback through which you can see the 9S64 caliber movement. That gives a 72-hour power reserve running at 4Hz. But overall, the watch maintains the same proportions as the original from 25 years ago.
Yes, the new SBGW325 ‘Arabic Blue’ is another limited edition (which are actually being scaled back by Grand Seiko, to be fair) and is limited to 600 pieces. The price is quite attractive at $5,800 when it becomes available in October.
What We Think
Despite being a part of the Elegance collection, there’s something kind of nostalgically sporty about this new watch. I am a big fan of the dial color—indigo anything is right up my alley—but I wasn’t sure about the Arabic indices, which is kind of the entire point. But I do like that they’ve softened some of the hard edges on the serifs and brought it all together in a way that feels a bit more unified. That said, as I’ve been looking at it, I’m starting to like it more and more. I’ve written before about watches that help sports watch wearers feel comfortable wearing something slightly more dressy. I think this also works in the opposite direction, giving someone who doesn’t feel much like a sports watch person a chance to step slightly away from something too formal. In all, it’s a great middle-ground watch, and the price seems quite fair as well.
The Basics
Brand: Grand Seiko
Model: SBGW325 ‘Arabic Blue’
Diameter: 37.3mm
Thickness: 11.7mm
Lug-to-Lug: 44.3mm
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Dial Color: Deep navy
Indexes: Applied Arabic
Lume: None
Water Resistance: 30m
Strap/Bracelet: Blue Crocodile Leather with buckle, 19mm lug width; Includes additional strap
The Movement
Caliber: Grand Seiko 9S64
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 4Hz
Jewels: 24
Chronometer Certified: No, but stated at +5 to -3 seconds per day (when static)
Additional Details: Display caseback
Pricing & Availability
Price: $5,800
Availability: October 2026
Limited Edition: Yes, 600 pieces
For more, click here.
