Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 Professional 600m Divers SBGH257
Angus Davies gets hands-on with the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 Professional 600m Divers SBGH257, a timepiece with an impressive magnetic resistance of 16,000 A/m.
This detailed review of the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 Professional 600m Divers SBGH257 includes live pictures, specification and pricing.
In 1965, Seiko created its first ever diver’s watch with a maximum water resistance of 150m. Thereafter, the Japanese watch brand continued developing divers’ watches with increasingly impressive water resistance.
Ten years later, in 1975, Seiko launched its first ‘Professional’ diver’s watch, a timepiece suitable for saturation diving.
This year, at Baselworld 2017, Grand Seiko unveiled a watch blending Grand Seiko luxury, a hi-beat movement and a ‘Professional’ diver’s watch suitable for saturation diving as described by JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) and ISO6425 Divers’ watches – Annex A. The Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 Professional 600m Diver’s SBGH257 represents a new epoch in the history of the Seiko diver’s watch.
The dial
Chunky hour and minute hands, lined with luminescent fill, ensure ease of read off both on land and in water. Indeed, they successfully sidestep any ambiguity, clearly imparting information in a succinct and easy to interpret form.
The dial of this limited edition timepiece is blue and features a motif comprising of a series of small squares. The motif grants depth and interest to the dial, making it both captivating and attractive. Indeed, beyond its functional remit, the dial is exceedingly handsome, inviting the wearer to study its surface at close quarters. Furthermore, the dial is made of iron to protect the movement from the harmful effects of magnetism.
The central sweep seconds hand is similar to the hand found on the Grand Seiko Spring Drive Diver’s Watch SBGA029. The counterweight, resembling a luminous lollipop, is affixed to blackened metal while the main body of the central sweep seconds is silver toned.
Surrounding the dial is a combination of applied circlets and rectangular batons, each lined with luminous fill. These indexes are framed with a gleaming section of metalwork, making them exceedingly noticeable.
A date aperture is positioned at 4 o’clock and features Grand Seiko’s impressive optimally shaped and sized numerals which prove simple to discern.
The case
The high-intensity titanium case is especially tough and durable. Moreover, the lightweight metal is noted for its hypoallergenic properties. The 46.9mm case beautifully gleams, courtesy of the brand’s legendary Zaratsu polishing. The case has a hewn from granite robustness and incorporates the tried and trusted Seiko L-shaped gasket, preventing ingress of dust and moisture. Furthermore, the watch delivers ‘valve-free helium resistance’.
The unidirectional bezel has a lustrous appearance and incorporates deep grooves along its vertical flank, aiding adjustment while wearing diver’s gloves.
Seiko has endowed the Hi-Beat 36000 Professional 600m Diver’s SBGH257 with an incredible magnetic resistance of 16,000 A/m.
Grand Seiko has also thought about ease of servicing with the watch benefitting from a four part bezel, intended for ease of disassembly and subsequent reassembly. The crown, positioned at 4 o’clock, together with the stem and case are also constructed in such a way as to facilitate servicing.
The watch is supplied with an extendable titanium bracelet as well as a blue extra-strong silicon strap. The rear of the watch features a solid case-back, sporting the brand’s lion logo.
The movement
The Caliber 9S85 is a tried and tested hi-beat movement. The heightened frequency of the movement, 36000 VpH (5Hz), ensures excellent precision in static conditions and bestows notably impressive results when worn.
Additionally, the hi-beat movement is less susceptible to any physical impact. Moreover, the accuracy of the movement is less likely to be effected by the position in which the watch is held.
While the Caliber 9S85 is hidden behind a solid case-back, I have personally viewed the exposed movement at close quarters and confirm it is beautifully adorned with a series of stripes, similar in concept to Côtes de Genève. The main-plate is decorated with perlage.
The movement features the brand’s own hairspring and mainspring. The latter confers a power reserve of 55 hours, despite the greater energy consumption experienced with high-frequency movements.
Closing remarks
The Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 Professional 600m Divers SBGH257 upholds Seiko’s reputation for crafting divers’ watches par excellence. Indeed, this latest diver’s watch is a paragon of subaquatic horology.
The dial and bold hands lucidly convey the time while proving aesthetically appealing. Interestingly, the iron dial also serves to protect the movement from magnetic fields. It is such attention to detail which distinguishes a Grand Seiko as special.
Grand Seiko has constructed the Hi-Beat 36000 Professional 600m Divers SBGH257 of titanium, proffering the benefits of low mass and skin friendliness. The Zaratsu polishing is exemplary and upholds the brand’s reputation for delivering distortion free, super-smooth surfaces.
The in-house Caliber 9S85 high frequency movement, confers an array of benefits, including, most pertinently, exceptional accuracy. Furthermore, it illustrates the impressive vertical integration of the Japanese company, which even produces its own hairsprings.
Yet again, Grand Seiko has produced a horological gem, imbued with an array of attributes making it ideal for “Professional” use underwater or as a stylish accoutrement for life on land.
Further information
Technical specification
- Model: Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 Professional 600m Divers SBGH257
- Case: High-intensity titanium; diameter 46.9 mm; height 17.0mm; sapphire crystal to front and solid case-back; water resistance 60 ATM (600 metres)
- Functions: Hours; minutes; central sweep seconds; date
- Movement: caliber 9S85; Self-winding movement; frequency 36,000 VpH (5Hz) power reserve 55 hours
- Strap: Titanium bracelet with three-fold clasp. Additional extra-strong silicone strap also supplied
- Price: £10,000 (RRP as at 10.9.2017)