No items found.
No items found.
2011 Grand Seiko 'First' 130th Anniversary LE
Reference
SBGW033
Diameter
35.8 mm
Condition
Good
Box/Papers
Full set
A 'First' reissue with a superb cream dial, a faithfully compact case, and the Grand Seiko 9S64 hand-wound movement.
Overview
Since its founding in 1881, Seiko’s watchmakers have dedicated their efforts to producing some of the most durable, highly precise, and expertly finished watches in the world. An important milestone in that pursuit was realized in 1960 with the introduction of Grand Seiko and its first watch. The Grand Seiko “First”, as it’s aptly named, featured a 35mm gold-plated case with beveled lugs, diamond polished indices, and flat dauphine hands. Most notably, the hand-wound caliber 3180 inside was the very first chronometer-rated movement made in Japan, boasting an impressive accuracy of +12/-3 seconds per day. Seiko made certain to highlight this accomplishment by proudly displaying “Chronometer” below the Grand Seiko branding on the dial.
In 2011, to celebrate its 130th anniversary, Seiko re-issued the Grand Seiko “First” in stainless steel with a limited production run of 1300 pieces. The new SBGW033 was a near copy of the original, sharing the same 35mm case, “S” marked crown, engraved lion medallion case back, and Grand Seiko branding at 12. The dial was also given a lovely cream color, presumably to add to the vintage aesthetic. Grand Seiko would go on to release subsequent versions, including one in 2017 with an upsized 38mm case and a stark white dial. However, the SBGW033 remains the most faithful re-issue of the original and in recent years has seen a tremendous spike in collectibility thanks to its modest proportions and relative scarcity.
Specifications
Brand:
Grand Seiko
Model:
'First' 130th Anniversary LE
Reference:
SBGW033
Year:
2011
Case Number:
1068/1300
Case Material:
Stainless steel
Diameter:
35.8 mm
Lug Width:
18 mm
Thickness:
11.2 mm
Lug-to-Lug:
43.4 mm
Dial:
Cream
Lume:
None
Crystal:
Sapphire
Movement:
Hand-wound
Caliber:
Grand Seiko 9S64
Bracelet/Strap:
Grand Seiko black alligator strap with tang buckle
Max Wrist Size:
Hand model has a wrist size of 6.1 in
Condition
Good
:
Case may have a few moderate scratches or nicks. Lugs are thick and full but may have softened edges. Dial and hands may have light stains or marks. Lume may have cracks or discoloration.
Case: The stainless steel case shows light signs of wear with a couple hairlines, tiny scuffs, and micro dings present. The overall presentation is very clean. The lugs are nice and thick and the bevels retain excellent definition. The case side opposite the crown has several light scratches and a notable ding near the bottom of the case that has left a small dent. However, this is not noticeable while on the wrist. The caseback shows faints scuffs and hairlines throughout, which is common for this reference. The model and serial number engravings remain legible.
Dial, Hands, & Crystal: The cream dial and polished hands are in pristine condition with no notable imperfections. The sapphire crystal is squeaky clean and scratch free.
Bracelet/Strap: The Grand Seiko alligator strap shows moderate signs of wear with some creasing near the buckles and darkening of the leather on the back side. There is no chipping or fraying though and the strap has plenty of life left to give. The stainless steel buckle is in nice condition, showing light wear that's consistent with the rest of the watch.
Performance
Functions: All functions including the crown winding and time setting are working as expected.
Service History: The watch recently underwent a full service by Grand Seiko Service Studio that was completed on 09/28/2023.
What’s Included
What’s Included
watch
Watch
Grand Seiko 'First' 130th Anniversary LE on a black alligator strap.
inventory_2
Box/Papers
Boxes, instructions, movement inspection certificate, hang tags, and guarantee dated December 2018.
add_circle
Extras
Travel case and service record from Grand Seiko Service Studio dated September 2023.
You May Also Like
check_circle
Added to bag
2011 Grand Seiko 'First' 130th Anniversary LE
SBGW033
6800
Authenticity Guarantee
Each watch is thoroughly evaluated and guaranteed to be authentic unless explicitly stated otherwise. Prior to any sale, we are happy to provide additional photos or videos of the watch, movement, and accessories at your request. Once you receive the watch, we allow a 72-hour inspection period during which you may return the watch for a full refund if it is misrepresented.
We spend a considerable amount of time researching any watch we plan to source. This includes cross-checking the visual details, case numbers, and movements using examples sold by other reputable dealers and buying guides published by subject matter experts. We set very high standards and will not consider any watch with questionable parts or inconsistencies that cannot be verified elsewhere.
Free Expedited Shipping
All watches, regardless of their value or destination, ship for free using an expedited service with signature confirmation. We can deliver to over 80 countries outside of the United States, including most major markets. Please contact us prior to purchase to confirm that your country is available for international shipping.
You may use the following table to determine the carrier and service available for your location.
Condition Grades
We use the following rubric to assign each watch a condition grade that best represents its external appearance.
Timegrapher Readings
These readings were taken on a Weishi No. 1000 timegrapher approximately one hour after fully winding the watch.