Grand Seiko Evolution 9 SLGW002 and SLGW003 White Birch

Quick specs Grand Seiko Evolution 9 SLGW002 and SLGW003 White Birch
Price:
$ 10,700 | € 11.700 | £ 10,300 | CHF 11’700 (titanium)
$ 45,000 | € 49.500 | £ 43,600 | CHF 49’500 (rose gold)
Size: 38.6 mm
Reference:
SLGW002 (rose gold) – limited to 80 pieces
SLGW003 (titanium)

The Grand Seiko Evolution 9 SLGW002 and SLGW003 White Birch are two new references with a brand new manual winding mechanical movement. For a brand that is experimenting with hybrid constructions combining automatics with quartz techniques, a hand-winder sounds like they go back in time. But you can also cheer the fact that the Japanese brand takes care of their heritage.

As in the 1960s, when they started as a sub brand of Seiko, they also developed high-beating movements, and yes, also hand-winding. So, you can see this new caliber (the name is 9SA4) as a nod to their past and a demonstration of their innovations with their past in mind. Anyway, it also saves some millimeters when it comes to the thickness of a watch.

Bark dial

The dial has been given some swing with a bark pattern coming from the birch tree. Grand Seiko calls it “white birch” and it refers to the trees that are in the surroundings of their factory. Somehow it looks like the GS designers spend a lot of time looking out the windows of their offices. Check this Grand Seiko Heritage SBGW309 / SBGW311 / SBGW313 – Mt. Iwate pattern models for instance.

The 38.6-millimeter case is either from titanium or 18k rose gold and have a typical dress watch style. Apart from the decent dial, the hands and indexes are in line with other Grand Seiko dress watches and in line with the case colors as well. Just subtle, nothing fancy here. Which changes when you look inside.

The Grand Seiko Evolution 9 SLGW002 and SLGW003 White Birch have a power reserve of 80 hours

As said, the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 SLGW002 and SLGW003 White Birch runs with the first new hand-wound, high-beat movement from GS in more than 50 years. Which is the Grand Seiko caliber 9SA4 with a power reserve of 80 hours thanks to two barrels. It is based on the automatic 9SA5 and has an improved winding system that makes a “click” when you wind it. This, thanks to a ratcheting part of the winding system. It should give the winder a kind of good feeling – it’s always nice to hear and feel what you do.

Wagtail bird in the winding system

The part that makes the click has the shape of the head of the local Wagtail bird. Local means, the place where they produce these watches in Japan. The surroundings there are always a source of inspiration as we already mentioned, and although you might think it’s very, very far-sighted, GS is bloody serious about it.

You can see the bird at the back, the place where the power reserve indicator is as well. So, the case back is sapphire. Which also allows you to admire the finishing of the movement, with purple jewels, gold engravings and brushed surfaces.

The Grand Seiko Evolution 9 SLGW002 and SLGW003 White Birch come on a crocodile leather strap with three-fold clasp in the material of the case. Only the rose gold version is limited to 80 pieces.