Grand Seiko offers three new flavors of the 44GS, just for the US

If you’ve ever had a conversation with a Grand Seiko fan about the object of their affection, you’ll be aware that they’re partial to a reference number. So it’s entirely fitting that one of the most famous references in all of the brands nomenclature isn’t a watch, or even a movement, but rather a case. The 44GS case, with its broad, highly polished shoulders, is a design first laid down in 1967, and it’s more than proven itself over the years.

To celebrate this famous case, Grand Seiko has released three editions exclusive to the significant US market, manually wound watches in midsize 36.5mm cases, featuring dials inspired by — as we’ve come to expect — the boundless beauty of the Japanese landscape.

Grand Seiko 44GS Midsize “Hanami” SBGW313

Inspired by ‘Hanami’, or the viewing of cherry blossoms, this handsome fellow has a beautiful pink dial in the signature Mt. Iwate pattern. Offered on a steel bracelet and powered by the manual Caliber 9S64, this compact case sits 11.6mm tall.

Grand Seiko 44GS Midsize “Tsyu” SBGW311

Next is the SBGW311, which draws inspiration from ‘Tsuyu’, the early summer rainy season in Japan. On the dial this translate to a green hue, lush and fertile, like the landscape around Mt. Iwate.

Grand Seiko 44GS Midsize GS9 Exclusive “Juhyo” SBGW309

Finally, a model made exclusively for US members of the GS9 club, SBGW309. With a cool blue dial evoking ‘Juhyo’ or ‘Snow Monster’, a poetic term for wind-blown, ice-covered trees. But make no mistake, the blue here is rich and vivid, not cold and icy like some other Grand Seiko iterations.

These three new models are, by now, playing an established tune laid down by Grand Seiko. The smaller case came out last year, and now we’re starting to see some color variations. The Mt Iwate finish plays well with a wide range of hues, and of the three, I think the pink and the green are the most interesting, though no doubt the blue will be incredibly popular too.

Tech Specs

Grand Seiko 44GS Midsize “Hanami” SBGW313

Movement: Caliber 9S64, manual winding, 72 hours of power reserve
Case: Stainless steel, 36.5 x 11.6mm, water resistant to 100M
Dial: Pink
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp
Price and availability: USD 5900

Grand Seiko 44GS Midsize “Tsyu” SBGW311

Movement: Caliber 9S64, manual winding, 72 hours of power reserve
Case: Stainless steel, 36.5 x 11.6mm, water resistant to 100M
Dial: Green
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp
Price and availability: USD 5900

Grand Seiko 44GS Midsize GS9 Exclusive “Juhyo” SBGW309

Movement: Caliber 9S64, manual winding, 72 hours of power reserve
Case: Stainless steel, 36.5 x 11.6mm, water resistant to 100M
Dial: Blue
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp
Price and availability: USD 5900, exclusive to GS9 members