Seiko Le Grand Sport Introduction
The Seiko Le Grand Sport collection brings together the best elements of Seiko’s dress watches, along with the rugged style and features of the company’s sports watches. Le Grand Sport watches appeared in Seiko’s Japanese catalog as early as 2007, under references associated with the Seiko International Collection. While the Le Grand Sport series is less well-known than other Seiko collections, it appeals to collectors searching for unique examples that are not often found in the US.
Seiko Le Grand Sport Models and Movements
Seiko’s JDM catalog is expansive and filled with hundreds of watches designed for the Japanese market. Before the internet simplified the process of learning about JDM watches, the incredible diversity of Seiko’s catalog was difficult to comprehend and somewhat mysterious. The Le Grand Sport Collection is one of Seiko’s many midrange offerings. This series expanded the options for Solar and Kinetic watches in the dressy sports watch category. While no specific references to the collection appear in Seiko’s catalogs, several Le Grand Sport models appear in catalogs from 2007, 2008 and 2009 as part of the International Collection.
Dozens of men’s and women’s Le Grand Sport watches were produced by Seiko, including perpetual and retrograde calendars, alarm chronographs and classic three-hand models. Most Le Grand Sport watches were powered by Seiko’s quartz movements. However, automatic variants were also produced. Automatics like the SSA243 featured a display caseback. They are easy to identify, due to the open heart window on the dial. The quartz watches were available with standard battery-powered movements, as well as Kinetic and solar-powered versions. Seiko Kinetic watches transform normal body movement into electric energy to power the quartz movement. Solar-powered watches, on the other hand, generate electricity from sunlight or any other light source. Since batteries are not used, and the movement’s capacitors can last for many years, both options provide eco-friendly power and low-maintenance operation.
Le Grand Sport Design and Features
Seiko Le Grand Sport watches have a classic style with several modern elements. Cases are primarily found in polished or brushed steel, and are available in yellow- and rose gold-plated, black-coated and two-tone styles. Seiko also produced the Le Grand Sport in titanium (SLC033). Men’s versions are usually sized from 36mm to 41mm, while women’s watches measure 25mm to 30mm. Leather straps were used on some models, but a sleek steel bracelet that weaves vertical and horizontal links with a folding deployment clasp is most common. The visual appeal of most variants is further enhanced by the high polish on the faceted lugs and the presence of crown guards. Water resistance is at least 50 meters, though watches with screw-down crowns are rated at 100 meters.
Coin-edge detailing on the sideline, a cabochon crown and Roman numeral hour markers add an elegant dress aesthetic to most models. Diamonds are frequently used as hour markers, and they also appear on the bezels of both men’s and women’s models. A range of colors is used on the collection’s dials — including black, white and a rich blue with gold highlights (SNE428). Mother-of-pearl dials on the women’s watches add a creamy shimmer, especially when paired with diamonds and either rose gold or yellow gold hands, markers and case embellishments. Solid and skeleton Dauphine hands are used throughout the collection with straight hands occasionally substituted on select women’s models. A date window appears on all models except the “Open Heart” automatics (SSA24x). Le Grand Sport watches also feature either sapphire or mineral crystals.
Seiko Le Grand Sport Value and Collectibility
Seiko is one of the world’s largest watchmakers. The company is a vertically integrated manufacturer that controls the production of its components. Therefore it is able to build affordable high-quality and accurate quartz and mechanical watches of. Collectors will appreciate the value in Le Grand Sport watches, especially since the features and complications found in the collection typically command much higher prices. Watches in the Le Grand Sport collection fit squarely into Seiko’s midrange price point. Original retail prices on most models fall into the $350-$550 range. Some of the more complicated watches, like the Kinetic perpetual calendar, are priced closer to $700.
Prices on the resale market are significantly lower. Plenty of unworn new stock is available, even on discontinued models. Prices on new watches are typically discounted by 50% or more from the retail price. Preowned models sell for even less. Kinetic perpetuals regularly sell for around $300, and most of the other models can be found for less than $150 in steel, rose gold and two-tone. The retrograde date (SNT001) with its curved date indicator at 9 o’clock and skeletonized hands is a great value. It has sold for less than $100. The diamond version of the retrograde day/date watch (SRL001) is valued in the $250-$350 range, which makes it one of the more expensive Le Grand Sport watches. With so many options, Seiko Le Grand Sport watches offer the wearer an exceptional value. The watch’s style features a classic design — one that’s both elegant and sporty.