Grand Seiko U.S. Special Edition GMT 'Urban Bamboo'

Grand Seiko has an uncanny talent for capturing the quiet poetry of nature and turning it into something you can wear. With the SBGJ259 "Urban Bamboo", the brand looks to a Japanese bamboo garden path—its vertical stalks, shifting greens, and the sense of calm they create—and translates it into a dial that feels alive; it is a brand signature in which they excel. The striated pattern plays with light in long, thin waves, oscillating between deep forest and bright spring greens. It's one of those dials you catch yourself staring into, finding a new shade every time you glance down.

Behind that hypnotic green dial is the Hi-Beat Caliber 9S86, Grand Seiko's traveler's workhorse: 36,000 bph, a 55-hour power reserve, and accuracy tuned to within +5/-3 seconds a day. Add in a true GMT function—complete with a 24-hour hand and a calendar-linked hour adjustment—and you have a watch built for the road, even if the inspiration comes from a moment of stillness in nature. It's a U.S. Special Edition, which only sharpens the appeal for collectors who favor the slightly off-the-beaten-path references GS loves to slip stateside.

Sized at 40mm in stainless steel with a dual-curved sapphire crystal, screw-down crown, see-through caseback, and that signature mix of polished and brushed surfaces, it wears exactly as a modern Grand Seiko should: substantial without being loud, refined without being delicate. The bracelet features a three-fold clasp with push-button release, making it a proper daily companion. For anyone drawn to Grand Seiko's nature-inspired artistry—a subculture that's quietly becoming a category all its own—the SBGJ259 is one of the standouts.

A vibrant nature-inspired dial, a high-precision Hi-Beat GMT movement, and U.S.-exclusive status—this is Grand Seiko at its poetic, technical best.  

Who said it wasn't easy being green? 

The Grand Seiko was created by Taro Tanaka, a young designer whom Seiko had hired right out of school. Inspired by the way Swiss watches “sparkled brilliantly,” Tanaka set out to design a watch with sharp edges, brushed surfaces, and a mirror finish that would rival anything created by the Swiss. In 1960, the first Grand Seiko—Reference 3180—debuted.

Other models of Grand Seiko would follow, coupling those elegant “sparkling” cases with high-grade (often hi-beat) manually-wound or automatic movements. When compared to the no-nonsense tool watches like the 6309 line of divers, the Grand Seiko was worlds away—refined, elegant, and cosmopolitan. Seiko intended the watch to be an answer to dress watches crafted by the Swiss, and at that it certainly did succeed.

Well-regarded in its home country, the Grand Seiko reached a global audience in 2010—and has captivated consumers ever since.

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Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.