Politician Abdul El Sayed spotted wearing a Grand Seiko

At a pivotal campaign moment following his historic primary victory, Abdul El Sayed, the Democratic Senate candidate for Michigan and the first Muslim elected to the US Senate, appeared wearing a Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT Chronograph Ref. SBGC231. The timepiece was visible on his wrist as he addressed supporters, adding a layer of horological substance to the political milestone.

The SBGC231 represents Grand Seiko's pursuit of precision through unconventional means. Rather than relying on a traditional mechanical chronograph movement, it pairs Spring Drive—Seiko's proprietary quartz technology—with a mechanical chronograph mechanism. The 44.3mm stainless steel case houses a Caliber 9R86, which oscillates at 10 Hz for smooth-sweeping chronograph hands. The black dial features white applied indices, Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, and subsidiary dials for 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph registers plus a 24-hour GMT hand. The blue ceramic bezel, graduated with 24-hour markings, underscores the watch's dual-time capability. Water resistance reaches 100 meters, suitable for daily wear despite its professional chronograph credentials.

The SBGC231 entered production in 2018 and remains in the current Grand Seiko catalog, though availability fluctuates. Its hybrid mechanical-Spring Drive approach appeals to collectors seeking chronograph sophistication without traditional escapement friction. The combination of chronograph function and GMT complication in a single movement is rare at this price tier. Blue ceramic bezels on Grand Seiko sports models have proven popular among enthusiasts, as has the restrained dial design characteristic of the brand's Instruments collection.

El Sayed's choice of a Japanese precision instrument aligns with Grand Seiko's identity as a thinking person's sports watch—technical, understated, and built for performance over ostentation. The Spring Drive GMT Chronograph conveys horological knowledge without corporate logo excess, a sensible companion for public appearances requiring both professionalism and authenticity.

Retail pricing for the SBGC231 hovers around $7,000 USD. Grey-market availability typically runs $6,200–$6,800, depending on condition and seller. Waitlists remain common at authorized dealers given steady collector demand.