Ok this one is getting to me. I may well have liked all the “snowflakes” and the slew of recent special dial treatments coming out of Grand Seiko the last few years, but while they were interesting they did not necessarily call me. This one is calling me, though I am still on the fence about the choice of the hands.
Grand Seiko just released the new 2021 SLGH005. Yet another homage to the beauty of their surroundings, this time with the texture of their white birch trees in mind.
The new watch has a beautifully textured whitish face that is meant to pay tribute to the Shirakaba, or white birch trees, in the forests near the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi.
The new watch uses what they are calling the Series 9 design, with powerful hands and prominent markers that are a bit different from the more svelte hands you may be used to. The case has wide lugs and sits low on the wrist for increased comfort and ease of wear.
The watch uses Grand Seiko Calibre 9SA5, the latest iteration of the Hi-Beat 3600 Calibre. This new movement, released in 2020, uses a new Dual Impulse Escapement, the Grand Seiko free-sprung balance, and a horizontal green train. This increased functionality comes with a slimmer profile and 80 hours of power reserve.
The Grand Seiko SLGH005, from their Heritage Collection
Mechanical Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours Caliber 9SA5
Driving system: Automatic
Vibrations: 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second)
Accuracy (mean daily rate):+5 to -3 seconds per day
Power reserve: 80 hours
Number of jewels: 47
Specifications
Stainless steel case and bracelet
Box shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
See-through screw case back
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 40.0mm, Thickness: 11.7mm
Three-fold clasp with push button release