As often when it comes to Grand Seiko creations, it is the dial that catches the eye first (and second, and so on). Confirming the nickname of this reference, amateurs will have notice that the pattern applied to this dial is identical to the one of its popular elder : SLGH005 “White Birch”. The shades are, however, quite the opposite : while silverish on the former, this latest release adorns a beautiful dark dial.
True to Grand Seiko’s motto, “the Nature of Time”, inspiration is once again to be found in the Manufacture’s surrounding environment. The dial captures the atmosphere of the white birch trees forests on the Hiraniwa Plateau at night.
As light as it gets, this reference benefits from Grand Seiko’s very own High Intensity Titanium. This alloy developed in-house allows Grand Seiko to produce a material lighter yet more resistant than stainless steel, while assuring that the texture and density allow Zaratsu polishing and hairline finish to be performed and beautifully achieved. With a weight of 114g, this SLGH017 is approximately 35% lighter than its stainless steel elder SLGH005 and its 178g.
Apart from these differences, this SLGH017 follows the design codes of recently identified Evolution 9 Style. 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 bears wide lugs and low center of gravity which, together with the shape of the bracelet itself, ensure that the watch sits easily and securely on the wrist. As for the bracelet, its shape is very slightly updated for a better comfort at wrist.
Finally, as the letters in the reference suggest (SLGH017), a high frequency mechanical heart is beating behind the dark dial : Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours 9SA5 caliber.
After the wide acclaim given over many years to the Caliber 9S series of mechanical movements, it had long been Grand Seiko’s goal to push the boundaries back further and create a new mechanical movement with enhanced performance, just as the first 9S movement had done two decades before. The decision was taken to aim for a new 10-beat movement that would offer a greatly increased power reserve. This is how Caliber 9SA5 was born.
It thus benefits from a 80 hours power reserve made possible thanks to the twin barrels and the newly designed Dual Impulse Escapement, which altogether enhance the efficiency of the caliber. The later, combined with the free-sprung balance wheel and overcoil hairspring, participate in the quest for accuracy of the concerned timepieces.
Beautifully drawn, this caliber is also slimmer than previous generation 9S85, and this is where technology meets design : thanks to this improved thickness, another aim pursued by the Shizukuishi Watch Studio when developing caliber 9SA5, we have been able to produce slimmer watches and therefore further improve the comfort at wrist.
With the release of SLGH017, Grand Seiko offers a new variation of its birch forests inspired Hi-Beat creations, after its SLGH005 “White Birch” and the upcoming online Boutique exclusivity SLGH011 “Green Birch”.
SLGH017 "Night Birch"
SLGH005 "White Birch"
SLGH011 "Green Birch"
This SLGH017 “Night Birch” will be available worldwide from August 2022, from selected Grand Seiko authorized stores.
Grand Seiko SLGH017
Recommended Retail Price : 10,500 €
Case and bracelet : High Intensity Titanium
Dimensions : 40mm diameter x 11,7mm thickness
Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours 9SA5
Availability : August 2022 only from Grand Seiko Boutiques and Grand Seiko Salons
