Godzilla was developed by Japanese filmmakers in the 1950s as an allegory (in part) for the threat of nuclear weapons. The Spring Drive is novel timekeeping tech developed by Japanese watchmaking giant Seiko in which watch mechanics are augmented by electronics for uncommon accuracy. This year they both have landmark anniversaries: The Spring Drive turns 20, and the King of Monsters is 65.
Grand Seiko is celebrating both with the commemorative limited edition Grand Seiko SBGA405, an edgy, spring-driven luxury watch with a bold design that reflects its association with the fearsome fictional monster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKwKbj30K5c
What do the SBGA405 and Godzilla really have in common besides anniversaries? According to Grand Seiko (Seiko’s luxury line of watches), more than you’d think.
Godzilla first stomped into Japanese movie theaters in 1954, and in that movie, the monster rampages through Ginza—Seiko’s birthplace—and obliterates the Seiko clock tower atop the Wako store, where the watchmaker first opened a retail outlet in 1952.
The Grand Seiko SGBA405 design was inspired by Godzilla in subtle ways. The watch has a red dial and black rays reminiscent of Godzilla’s back crackling with fire under the surface before it bellows heat from its mouth.
A black-coated shark strap underscored by red accents suggests the monster’s hide, and the watch’s sharp-edged design, in general, is meant to smack of Godzilla’s romping, stomping, fire-breathing legacy.
Of course, it’s just a novelty timepiece without specs worthy of the name Grand Seiko. It certainly has them:
- An automatic Spring Drive Caliber 9R15 with excellent shock and temperature resistance.
- The SGBA405 has been calibrated for enhanced precision to the tune of just 0.5 second daily.
- 72 hours of power reserve.
- 30 Jewels.
- Durable titanium case.
- The bezel is made from crystal sapphire as is the dome, which has anti-reflective coating.
- It has a see-through screw case back which is stamped with the scene from the movie in which Godzilla takes down the clock tower.
- The Grand Seiko SGBA405 is a generous 44.5mm and 14.3mm thick, with 20 bars of water resistance.
The SGBA405 is limited to just 650 pieces and the current MSRP is €12,700 or $14,070 USD. Learn more here, at Grand-Seiko.com.