====== Grand Seiko 44GS ======

{{wst>author|[[Foskett, Stephen|Stephen Foskett]] ([[https://grail-watch.com/|Grail Watch]])}}
{{wst>image_cr|Grand Seiko|44GS (1967)}}

The **44GS** was a high-end [[hand-wound]] mechanical watch from [[Seiko]].

===== Overview =====
Introduced in late [[1967]], the **44GS** is widely considered to be the progenitor of the classic [[Grand Seiko]] look, and it set the trend of "Grand Seiko Style" for decades of Seiko watches. But this watch was derived not from a Grand Seiko but the [[King Seiko 44KS]]. Indeed, the producer, Daini Seikosha, was shut out of producing Grand Seiko models in favor of in-house competitor, Suwa Seikosha. Rather than resign themselves to the lower-end market, Daini set about producing their own high-end model, the [[King Seiko]]. The resulting model was so accurate that, with a revised case, it was accepted into a three-watch Grand Seiko model lineup in 1967.

The 44GS is a simple but elegant watch, with no date window or other complications. It is manually-wound and runs at a leisurely 18,000 A/h. It was only available in stainless steel, though a screw-back case gives 50 m water resistance.

Both the 44GS and automatic [[Grand Seiko 62GS|62GS]] appeared in late [[1967]], selling alongside the venerable [[Grand Seiko 57GS|57GS]] for a year. The stainless steel version (4420-9000/44GS 020) was priced at just 24,000 Yen, 3,000 Yen below the outgoing steel [[Grand Seiko 57GS|57GS]] (though that model had a date complication) and 11,000 Yen lower than the contemporary 62GS. Despite the lower price and attractive design, the 44GS does not appear to have been a strong seller, lasting just two years. It was phased out in favor of the Daini-produced [[Grand Seiko 45GS]] in [[1969]].

===== Variants =====
There were two revisions of the Daini 4400 watch 

  * 4420A was introduced in [[1964]] as a King Seiko, and is known today as [[King Seiko 44KS|44KS]]
  * 4420B appeared in [[1967]] as a Grand Seiko with the legendary 44GS case

The 44GS was re-made by Seiko in [[2013]] in two forms: a same-size remake and a larger-cased concept with a [[sapphire]] back.

===== See Also =====
  * [[King Seiko 44KS]]
  * [[Grand Seiko]]
  * [[Seiko]]

===== External Links =====
  * [[http://www.seiyajapan.com/pages/the-history-of-grand-seiko|The History of Grand Seiko]]
  * [[https://thegrandseikoguy.com/2018/09/15/seiko-catalogue-1968-volume-1/|Seiko Catalogue 1968 volume 1]]


<WRAP ud ud_mod>

**Movement:**
  * [[Self-winding]] movement [[Seiko 4400]]
  * 27 [[jewels]]

**Case:**
  * [[Stainless steel]]

**Dial:**
  * White
  * Applied indexes

**Functions:**
  * Hours, minutes, [[central seconds]]

**Production:**
  * Production [[1967]]-[[1969]]
  * Predecessor [[Grand Seiko 57GS]]
  * Successor [[Grand Seiko 45GS]]
</WRAP>

{{tag>Watch_models Seiko_models Grand_Seiko_models}}