Pulled the trigger on new Titanium Lake Suwa
Apologies for the long read
I’ve had my eye on the limited edition Lake Suwa SLGA007 pretty much since it came out in 2021. At the time it came out, I was not collecting Grand Seiko, so I didn’t purchase the watch. But I never stopped thinking about it. My main issue was the asking price on the secondary market. Many people were asking 10-11k for a watch that retailed at $8,700. I know that for some people a few thousand dollars is nothing but to me it matters-especially for a GS. AD’s should be handing out significant discounts on most Grand Seiko models. I hate paying over sticker for anything! It comes down to principle. And my AD always takes care of me. I am aware that the prices on these newer Evolution9 are slightly higher than the $8.7k on the original Lake Suwa but that’s a reflection of the times and the fact that this edition is made from Grade 5 Titanium instead of stainless steel. I actually prefer grade 5 titanium over stainless steel and my reasons might be wildly different than most people. I suffer from a degenerative connective tissue disorder and sometimes my joints get inflamed and it hurts to wear a heavy watch. I know a lot of people love the weight of gold, platinum, & steel but sometimes it can be a bit much- not all the time, but sometimes. Another super valuable characteristic of this titanium alloy- it’s scratch resistance. I’ve owned my Mist Flake for over half a year now, and there are barely any hairline scratches on that watch. I even hit it against a cabinet one time and there wasn’t a single scratch on her. Remarkable. I am also extremely impressed with the level of Zaratsu polishing on the case since it’s made from grade 5 titanium, which is extremely hard to polish. I can’t wait to start participating in #BlueWatchMonday from now on!! Oh, let’s talk about the movement for a quick sec. It’s comes with the new 5-Day Spring Drive 9RA2 which is 0.8mm thinner than previous Spring Drive calibers and has a much longer PR of 120 hours. Another differentiating factor is the accuracy of the quartz oscillator in the Tri-Synchro Regulator. Grand Seiko rates the precision of the movement at +-0.5sec/day and most operate much better than advertised. I have many friends with this same caliber that hasn’t gained or lost a second in over a month. 🤯🤯 It’s truly mind blowing. You guys are gonna start seeing this watch a lot on WRUW!
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That is stunning! Congrats on the beautiful watch!
Gorgeous watch ❤
Oh no way! I just “really needed” a true blue dial watch 🤪😝 I also placed the order for this watch back in March/April during Watches & Wonders. I mean I could’ve cancelled the order but I really love textured dials from GS and this one is truly spectacular. 🥂
One beautiful watch. Love Grand Seiko.
Wow. That is BLUE! Stunning.
Need a shot of the watch with that lake in the background
That’s a sexy watch! So were you able to get the discount?
Beautiful watch! One of my grails at the moment. Congratulations
Another stunner to your beautiful collection! Couldn’t quite determine from your post but did you acquire from the AD after all - at retail? Congrats! 🤙🎯❤️
That’s a sexy watch! So were you able to get the discount?
Of course!! 😉
Another stunner to your beautiful collection! Couldn’t quite determine from your post but did you acquire from the AD after all - at retail? Congrats! 🤙🎯❤️
I did buy at my AD with a nice discount. I love giving my local shop business if they can provide me a discount. I prefer brand new watches and my AD knows me so well they didn’t even touch the box before I arrived. I was the first person in the entire store to open the box and see the watch. I had to show the entire sales staff the watch before I left so they would be able to say they’ve seen one.
I did buy at my AD with a nice discount. I love giving my local shop business if they can provide me a discount. I prefer brand new watches and my AD knows me so well they didn’t even touch the box before I arrived. I was the first person in the entire store to open the box and see the watch. I had to show the entire sales staff the watch before I left so they would be able to say they’ve seen one.
That’s so awesome! Congrats again! I’m equally fastidious and my ADs accommodate me accordingly ❤️🤙
What a lovely looking dial
Nice buy, had a chance to get the original one with the gold second hand at the GS Boutique but I chickened out.. I wish I would have picked that one up, one of my favorite Grand Seikos
Nice buy, had a chance to get the original one with the gold second hand at the GS Boutique but I chickened out.. I wish I would have picked that one up, one of my favorite Grand Seikos
Maybe go check this guy out at an AD if you have a chance. It’s remarkable.
That's a gorgeous watch! I kinda liked the gold second hand on the SLGA007 but hey the titanium build of this makes up for it I suppose. Definitely looking forward to adding this to my collection!
I really want a mistflake one day. Congrats on your acquisition.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am incapable of paying over MSRP myself. I am always one to go for Seiya/Sakura discounts, but I have never spent over $3k on a Seiko / GS. I agree with you that they polish titanium like no other. I have an old 7x Astron and the polish on that is amazing. I cannot imagine how good you $9k GS must be. Enjoy the watch, and the next time you let it wind down, record the dial on video as you wind it up. Supposedly the hand spins fast until slowing down. I have always wanted to see that (I have never owned a Spring Drive).
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am incapable of paying over MSRP myself. I am always one to go for Seiya/Sakura discounts, but I have never spent over $3k on a Seiko / GS. I agree with you that they polish titanium like no other. I have an old 7x Astron and the polish on that is amazing. I cannot imagine how good you $9k GS must be. Enjoy the watch, and the next time you let it wind down, record the dial on video as you wind it up. Supposedly the hand spins fast until slowing down. I have always wanted to see that (I have never owned a Spring Drive).
You are correct. I actually watch out for that every time I start one of my spring drive watches from a dead stop. It’s really cool. It sweeps super fast for about 10 or 15 “seconds” they say it’s because the integrated circuit can’t deal with the extra pulse of power that gets sent to it when the main spring is first wound
I really want a mistflake one day. Congrats on your acquisition.
The MistFlake is awesome. I feel so lucky and blessed to be able to own many of GS’s most iconic timepieces.
Absolutely stunner
hahaha 😅🤪 Ya, I’m so afflicted with the disease it’s hard to stop. I do recognize that I’m extremely blessed to have the ability to partake in this hobby and collect what I’m passionate about. I hope you’re having a great week my friend! 🥂
Were you able to see and hold all the GS Suwa models together and compare? Was this one by far the best??? Your watch is only just released, crazy you got it so fast.
BTW - did you see the new Ginza GS released in Japan. Supposed to be amazing in person. fairly limited numbers but I could probably get wifey to grab one since she’s there. But moot since I super can’t afford, and really wish it was grade 5.
Can you tell your new Suwa is grade 5? My 413 looks Ti but pics of yours make it look brighter and whiter
Anyway already thinking to sell my rare Evo 9 GSblue glacier 1/250 to fund one of these different ones
Ok , I’m rambling now!
You are correct. I actually watch out for that every time I start one of my spring drive watches from a dead stop. It’s really cool. It sweeps super fast for about 10 or 15 “seconds” they say it’s because the integrated circuit can’t deal with the extra pulse of power that gets sent to it when the main spring is first wound
I’ve never seen that!!
I’ve got a 9RA5, 9R65 and 5R65… need to let one wind down to test this!
I’ve never seen that!!
I’ve got a 9RA5, 9R65 and 5R65… need to let one wind down to test this!
Edit - the new Evo 9 does it! But I can’t post video here. But yes, first 15 seconds go weirdly fast, but oh so smooth, then suddenly back to gentle speed of perfect time
Were you able to see and hold all the GS Suwa models together and compare? Was this one by far the best??? Your watch is only just released, crazy you got it so fast.
BTW - did you see the new Ginza GS released in Japan. Supposed to be amazing in person. fairly limited numbers but I could probably get wifey to grab one since she’s there. But moot since I super can’t afford, and really wish it was grade 5.
Can you tell your new Suwa is grade 5? My 413 looks Ti but pics of yours make it look brighter and whiter
Anyway already thinking to sell my rare Evo 9 GSblue glacier 1/250 to fund one of these different ones
Ok , I’m rambling now!
Alan, you legit crack me up bro. I saw the SLGA021 about a week and a half ago in Nashville at Diamond Cellar. It’s very dark. Tomorrow when I have the sunlight come out, I’ll take a picture of my White Birch next to this Lake Suwa so you can see the difference in the metals.
Let me go take a look at that. I’ll get back to you later today! 🥂
You never did get back to me 😄
You never did get back to me 😄
Sorry I forgot. I didn’t notice any play but it could also have a bit of it. I always wear gloves when handling my watches so it could’ve had some play that I didn’t feel. I’ll make you a deal, I’ll take the watch off tomorrow and play with the crown gloves off. That’s the best I can answer right now. 🙈😅🙏🏼
Sorry I forgot. I didn’t notice any play but it could also have a bit of it. I always wear gloves when handling my watches so it could’ve had some play that I didn’t feel. I’ll make you a deal, I’ll take the watch off tomorrow and play with the crown gloves off. That’s the best I can answer right now. 🙈😅🙏🏼
Haha that's awesome. I'm mainly just curious if all evo9 gs has this quirk. My only other gs is a quartz and crown doesnt have any wiggle when pulled out (since its non screw down).
Haha that's awesome. I'm mainly just curious if all evo9 gs has this quirk. My only other gs is a quartz and crown doesnt have any wiggle when pulled out (since its non screw down).
Well, I’ve got four of them, so let me check out my other Evo9 mechanical White Birch against my other spring drive driven models. The Mist Flake is an Evo9 design so I’ll check it out too. Only one I have that isn’t an Evo9 design is my SBGA413 Shunbun. But now I’m curious about this quirk. 🤔🤨
Well, I’ve got four of them, so let me check out my other Evo9 mechanical White Birch against my other spring drive driven models. The Mist Flake is an Evo9 design so I’ll check it out too. Only one I have that isn’t an Evo9 design is my SBGA413 Shunbun. But now I’m curious about this quirk. 🤔🤨
Many thanks🤗
Wow that is a lot of GS 🤩