We have had the opportunity to offer a Grand Seiko Diver several times before, but for the first time, we have managed to get our hands on their newest representative – the SBGH289.

Of course, the manufacturer has preserved all the best aspects of the previous model, perfected them, and added new nuances – not only to make them easier to distinguish, but also to adhere to Seiko's creed of constant development and improvement. The differences compared to previous versions are mainly in the dial design, and on the current one, the GS Grand Seiko brand is now located in its designated and usual place for this purpose – below the 12 o'clock marker. The impeccable finish of the case, using the Zaratsu technology, the patented luminescent compound Lumi Brite, and, of course, the unique Hi-Beat movement – all of this is present in this model as well, which once again demonstrates the brand's pursuit of perfection.

Examining it for the first time, we are reminded of all the opinions we have read about the brand and the model, the polarized camps of "European versus Japanese," "Is Seiko Grand Seiko," "Is Spring Drive automatic," and so on. The very fact that the brand provokes such discussions speaks volumes.

The Grand Seiko Diver is indeed a worthy adversary to all the European high-end timepieces with which it is often compared, and yes – Grand Seiko has nothing to do with Seiko – it is a separate brand, a separate philosophy, and a completely different approach from the manufacturer.

The SBGH291 version of the Grand Seiko Blue Diver is quite clean, offered with a classic black dial in a very contemporary size of 43.8 mm and has water resistance up to 200 m.

In the design of this watch, the manufacturer has not tried to make it very different by adding any embellishments, additions to the case, more crowns, or disproportionate bezels – and it is precisely with this simplicity that the watch looks very thoroughbred, and this is also where the biggest criticism of these watches from the "Seiko followers" comes from – according to them, this watch is "too European" – for them this is a minus, but personally for me, this is a great advantage. The watch's bracelet is in the so-called "Speedmaster-style" with three brushed links separated by polished connecting elements, and what truly distinguishes Grand Seiko from Seiko are the detail and the materials used for the dial. Such attention and precision in the craftsmanship of every marker, hand, and inscription is rarely seen even in the most established brands and models with centuries of tradition. The other thing that deserves attention is the bezel and especially its coating – we do not know how the Japanese did it, but regardless of the fact that it looks as if it is quartz, it is in fact steel, treated and polished with a special technology – in person, the impression is indescribable.

Inside the watch beats the brand's in-house caliber 9S85 with an accuracy unique for a mechanical watch and a power reserve of 55 hours! And the watch itself easily meets the international standard for diver's watches, ISO 6425 (the standard includes special resistance to corrosion, shock resistance, anti-magnetism up to 4,800 A/m, etc.).