Grand Seiko today announced a new Grand Seiko watch powered by the best Grand Seiko mechanical movement (Mechanical Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours Caliber 9SA5)ever created- SLGH005. With its intricate texture, fine detail and delicate subtlety, this new timepiece is a window that opens onto the distinctive natural environment of Japan and the exquisite craftsmanship of Grand Seiko. The overall look of the watch is known as the Series 9 Design and it will be an important part of the Grand Seiko Heritage Collection’s signature in the years to come.
Grand Seiko SLGH005 captures the dynamism of the white birch tree forests near the studio in Shizukuishi, where all Grand Seiko mechanical watches are crafted. Its powerful hands and grooved, prominent markers ensure perfect legibility, its Zaratsu polished, distortion-free mirror finish and delicate hairline finish alternate to give the case a quiet and harmonious glow. The case has wide lugs and a low center of gravity that ensure that the watch sits easily and securely on the wrist.
The high-beat watch is powered by the revolutionary Caliber 9SA5, which offers a power reserve of 80 hours thanks to its enhanced energy efficiency. The movement is as beautiful to behold as it is efficient in operation. From the very beginning, the designers were determined that the movement they were creating would have an aesthetic appeal that matched the high level of its performance and its ultimate appearance was always front of mind at every stage of its development.
At first glance, it is the many curves and rounded surfaces that catch the eye and give the movement a warm and almost organic feel. This reflects the designers’ sense of their place in nature.
The bridge has a gently curving outline that is inspired by the shape of Mt. Iwate and a bend in the nearby Shizukuishi River that runs past the studio where the watch is made. The second impression the movement creates is one of texture. From every angle, different textures are to be seen in harmony. The side of the movement has a matte finish and a subdued tone that absorbs the light whereas the ridges, edges and screw holes are sharply cut and polished to a brilliant finish that sparkles with precision.
Caliber 9SA5 incorporates several new inventions, one of which is an overcoil. Created especially for this movement, this new overcoil has a unique curved shape that was decided after more than 80,000 simulations, as a result of which its performance is optimized in every possible position. The secret lies in the precision manufacture of the components and in the extraordinary adjustment skills of the watchmakers at the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi.
To reflect the high precision of the movement, a new date change mechanism was created for Caliber 9SA5 which ensures that the date changes much more quickly. It uses a new movable date finger whose complex shape and small size were made possible by MEMS technology, which also increases the precision of its operation and its durability. This Hi-Beat 36000 watch will be available on 6th March 2021 at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and selected retail stores worldwide for approximately 1,045,000 yen ($9,906).
