My second Grand Seiko in two months-This never ends well for my pocketbook!😬🙈😜
Ever since acquiring my first Grand Seiko in the SLGA413 🌸 two month ago, I haven’t been able to get Grand Seiko out of my head. During the past two months, I would continually find myself going outside and staring at my watch‘s dial and taking pictures in different lighting situations. I’ve been consuming a barrage of Grand Seiko content from multiple content creators on YouTube and it’s pushed me to want to expand the Japanese side of my collection. I was shocked by my obsession with Japanese horology. I always thought the best timepieces worth collecting came from Switzerland or Germany. Oh, how wrong I was!! Their Spring Drive technology captivated me with its buttery smooth seconds hand and out of this world accuracy. My SBGA413 is running at +.3sec a day! After owning my Spring Drive watch for a couple months, I can attest to its insane accuracy. Less than 10 seconds deviation over a month!! Having read up on Grand Seiko’s High-Beat movements, I was keen to try out their newest High-Beat movement in the 9SA5.
I don’t know about any of you guys, but I only like a few of Grand Seiko’s case designs. Not a huge fan of the 44GS but I love the 62GS (like the SBGA413 & SBGA415) as well as the new Evolution 9 series that they have debuted. As GS puts it- “The overall look of the watch is known as the Evolution 9 Style and it will be an important part of the Grand Seiko’s signature in the years to come. Its powerful hands and grooved, prominent markers ensure perfect legibility, its Zaratsu polished, distortion-free mirror finish and delicate hairline finish alternate give the case a quiet and harmonious glow. The case has wide lugs and a low center of gravity that ensures that the watch sits easily and securely on the wrist. The design is true to the Grand Seiko Style defined back in 1967 with the celebrated 44GS, but its heritage is combined with a powerful contemporary feel that points towards a new era.“
“But of course, where this case truly excels is in the finishing department (or, perhaps, the work of the finishing department truly excels through the case). Though GS might be known for their Zaratsu polishing, which can be found in wide bands along the edge of the case, the hairline brushing on the perfectly flat sides, tops of the lugs and bezel, are almost more eye-catching. Additionally, the polished facets on the insides of the lugs, vis-a-vis the 62GS design, create a continuous flow of lines from the sides of the case, up to the bezel. It manages to be aggressive, but elegant, and thoroughly luxurious-just like- insert my favorite sports car here”: Porsche 911.
Another thing to note about this new Evolution 9 design is the construction and design of the bracelet. It looks similar to their five link bracelet, but without the polished center links. It has a nice brushed finish to it with Zaratsu polished ends. Overall, the watch is a killer. It sits nice and low on the wrist and straddles the sporty and dressy aesthetic rather well. I suppose aggressive but elegant is really the theme here.
“Every angle is stunning – it’s exotic, luxurious, and handsome… The finishing of the case makes you realize what “good finishing” really is, and the dial texture is just out of this world. It’s an everyday watch that will make you look forward to having to wear a suit or blazer, as it’s just going to look the business when you dress up.…”-Worn&Wound
At $9,100 the Grand Seiko SLGH005 “White Birch” is a luxury watch through and through. From its finishing to its mechanics to its price tag, it exudes refinement and decadence. It really does feel much more stout compared to their titanium counterparts like the SBGA413. I can’t wait to enjoy this White Birch over the coming years. 🥂
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What did you end up deciding? Did you pick it up from your local AD?
What did you end up deciding? Did you pick it up from your local AD?
I did indeed. Local AD has earned my trust over the years. They’ve truly looked out for me and advocated on my behalf on numerous occasions when issues arose during servicing. They’ve even covered repair bills and eaten the cost to do right by me. I was happy to give them the business and keep the relationship going strong.
Congrats, its a stunner.
Very nice, and made to last a lifetime.
Exceptional piece from Grand Seiko! Well chosen and well earned. 👍
Wow gorgeous ! Congratulations on a beautiful GS piece. I love Grand Seiko. I've owned the SBGA463 & Snowflake (can never remember that number) I am interested in the new Evolution 9 GMT. I love Zaratsu finish BUT always feel the bracelets have too much polish. Dial, case, etc. All worthy of that fit and finish. Probably why I miss my Snowflake on a blue band. I digress. The Evolution 9 series seems to give us the polish where we love it and brush where brush looks best. You have 2 great watches for sure. Like you, I looked to Switzerland or Germany 1st. I am in love with Japan these days. My Marine Master 300m has Zaratsu finish, an unregulated GS movement that needs no regulation and is tough as nails. I look at both Grand Seiko & the LX Spring Drive pieces as true luxury time pieces
Congratulations! I’ve been lusting for a GS lately too. Even the 9F models are spectacular!
You keep acquiring grails o mine!
that’s a great watch!
(Clarification - grails I’d like, but haven’t got 😂)
GS has some awesome watches! Congrats :)
Wow just wow that watch is just class
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WBfKJ4Erhg
I have fallen head over heels for GS. Own two of their quartz models (SBGN003 & SBGP015). Love them both. The latter was purchased last week and I’m already lusting after a spring drive model. I now have a whole new fascination with Japanese craft and dedication to excellence. Not really interested in Swiss watches these days
I have fallen head over heels for GS. Own two of their quartz models (SBGN003 & SBGP015). Love them both. The latter was purchased last week and I’m already lusting after a spring drive model. I now have a whole new fascination with Japanese craft and dedication to excellence. Not really interested in Swiss watches these days
I completely agree with your sentiments. After having bought an SBGA413 🌸 “Sakura” two months ago I have been browsing the Grand Seiko website practically nonstop. The Spring Drive Movement captivated me and I decided that I had to experience Grand Seiko’s Hi-Beat mechanical excellence with their new caliber 9SA5. I used to constantly browse the websites of Rolex, Tudor, Nomos, Omega, Glashutte Original, etc.. But now all I do is browse Grand Seiko and try and decide what my next acquisition will be! 🙈 I really love the new Evolution9 case design with its combination of brushed and Zaratsu polished surfaces. The White Birch truly spoke to me when I put it on my wrist. I immediately fell in love. Japanese craftsmanship and dedication to perfection blows my mind. The amount of watch you get for you money is simply incredible. I‘m already eying my next GS in the SLGH013 with the Ever-Brilliant Steel.
GS describes it as follows “For the first time in a mainstream Grand Seiko creation, Ever-Brilliant Steel* is used not only for the case but also for the bracelet. This high-grade steel is bright in appearance and has a very high level of corrosion resistance that ensures the watch’s durability.
* This stainless steel has a PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) value 1.7 times higher than that of the grade of steel used in most high-class watches.”
I’m super excited to try out that new steel because I hate scratches and hope it helps prevent some. Sorry for the rant. Have a good evening! Cheers!!
Wow gorgeous ! Congratulations on a beautiful GS piece. I love Grand Seiko. I've owned the SBGA463 & Snowflake (can never remember that number) I am interested in the new Evolution 9 GMT. I love Zaratsu finish BUT always feel the bracelets have too much polish. Dial, case, etc. All worthy of that fit and finish. Probably why I miss my Snowflake on a blue band. I digress. The Evolution 9 series seems to give us the polish where we love it and brush where brush looks best. You have 2 great watches for sure. Like you, I looked to Switzerland or Germany 1st. I am in love with Japan these days. My Marine Master 300m has Zaratsu finish, an unregulated GS movement that needs no regulation and is tough as nails. I look at both Grand Seiko & the LX Spring Drive pieces as true luxury time pieces
I agree with you about the Evolution9 design. Some of their case designs have too much Zaratsu polishing, but Evo9 has that brushed look along the side of the case and into the lugs. Plus, the Zaratsu polish on sides of the links on the bracelet It’s just enough-subtle. It’s another reason why I picked the SBGA413- because they limit the amount of Zaratsu polishing along the bracelet and on the case. The next GS I’m looking at (SLGH013) has a bit more Zaratsu than I’m used to but I love the dial enough to want to try it out. Its case measures just 11.7mm in thickness, making it thinner than many of the modern 44GS models offered in the past- due to the reduced thickness of the 9SA5 caliber inside. And the use of Ever-Brilliant steel makes me think it’s a winner. Cheers! 🥂