The Grand Seiko 9S movement is celebrating its 20th anniversary and the novelties this year revolve around a new improve version of that movement, the 9S85. There are three limited versions: platinum, gold, and steel.
The model that stood our for me was the platinum, which also includes the moniker V.F.A. (very fine adjusted) on the dial. The special adjustment of the newly improved Hi-Beat 36000 movement performs above chronometer specification at a cool +3 to -1 seconds a day. All movements are also now tested at least 34 days, double previous efforts.
The two additional limited models are in gold with alligator strap and in steel on bracelet with blue dial. They are not finely adjusted as the platinum but all share the same size case of 39.5 mm and 13 mm in height.
The "Special" gold model includes the hi-beat 36,000 movement and a special dial composed of a logo pattern Seiko had used in the past which is repeated and radiates inward in a spiral. Some of the pics above capture the resulting dial up close, but you really have to see in person to fully appreciate to subtle yet beautiful result.
Finally, there is also a steel Spring Drive model that includes a beautiful blue sun radial dial and improved movement and the newly refined case. As a proud owner of a GS "snowflake" Spring Drive model I can attest to the high-level of craftmanship and precision that these watches offer. And the models shown this year continue this tradition and with the new movements, perhaps an even higher level of seikosha.
One of the winners in the 2019 GPHG awards in the first week of November was a two year old upstart watch brand from Kuala Lumpur named MING Watches. The young brand won best watch in the Challenge category at the Geneva show to the delight of its founder and watch aficionados who have regularly helped sell out the brand’s 11 prior releases since its debut of the 17.01 watch.
MING watches are not limited per we but are produced in small batches of a few hundreds, which in effect make them limited. A quick perusal to their web site shows that all models, except for the two new 2019 models have sold out. Interestingly the new models are also priced much higher than the previous ones. However, before getting ahead of ourselves, how does one go about seeing or trying on a MING watch?