SpringDrive

Seiko Galante Spring Drive 5th Anniversary Special Edition Watch

Wow, has it already been five years of deprivation from this awesome watch? Only in Japan can you (officially) get one of these very cool timepieces. This is the Galante Spring Drive watch. Galante is a Seiko sub brand, and has been spicing things up for Seiko in Japan for the "youthfully stylish - but wealthy" demographic. I understand that they are growing in popularity there.

The Galante watches are far from just image. These are extremely well constructed and designed, hand assembled watches that include the very impressive (and accurate) Seiko Spring Drive mechanical hybrid movements. They are the best of what Seiko offers and are considered by many to be a modern pinnacle of mechanical watch making.

I haven't handled this specific 5th Anniversary Special Edition model, but have handled very similar Galante watches on the metal bracelet. I was quite wowed by them, especially given the jewelry-like quality and feel of the steel bracelet. The design as I said is youthful and inspired, with unique decoration. As you can see, the rotating bezel is engraved with a form of floral decoration, and if you look closely on the dial, you can make out the forms for roses (as see from the side) that are part of the dial design.

The watch is nicely sized at 44.5mm wide, and houses the Seiko 5R66 Spring Drive movement that includes the time, power reserve indicator, date, and GMT hand. Seiko makes sure that each of its luxury watches are a complete timepiece package. Meaning they are well made, function well, and look good. Price is gonna be over $5,000 (not sure of exact amount) and as far as I know you'll have to contact a Japanese Seiko dealer if you want one.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 5th, Anniversary, Galante, Japan, Seiko, Special Edition, SpecialEdition, Spring Drive, SpringDrive, watch, watch of the day, WatchOfTheDay

Seiko: The Luxury Watch Brand You Didn't Know Existed

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Have you, or anyone you know, ever complained about how Japan gets cool stuff that the rest of the world is left longing for? Electronics, games, cars, and also luxury watches. Sure you can get Seiko watches all over the world. In fact, Seiko is one of the most popular watch brands on the planet. Not all Seiko watches are made alike though. One the one hand you have most 'rank and file' Seiko watches that are known to be inexpensive and reliable watches. The "Toyota of watches" as many people call them.

On the other hand, there the other side to Seiko, the luxury watch maker. Deep inside Japan are several Seiko watch manufacturers making some of the best and most reliable luxury watches ever created. These are the "Lexus of watches." Until recently such highly desirable watches have been mostly for the Japanese domestic market only. Bearing such names like Grand Seiko and Credor, most Westerners didn't even know of their existence. There also exists a large population of American and European (among other places) watch lovers who are aware of the Seiko treasures in Japan, and are almost pained by the fact that they cannot get them locally. The good news is that is about to start changing.

Enter the Seiko Ananta line of watches. Finally a global high-end product from Seiko that contain the high-end 100% manufacture-made movements and watches. Why the important of "manufacture-made?" Today everyone speaks about "manufacture movements." These are movements in watches made all in-house by the manufacturer with out having third part companies make them. Such in-house movements are considered to be at the top of the heap for luxury watch desirability. The majority of watch brands don't make their own movements. Seiko does however. In fact, Seiko is of the few totally vertically integrated watch makers in the world.

Gallery: seiko ananta watches