Hot Take: Grand Seiko SLGH003 9SA5 Hi-Beat (Live Pics)
Earlier this year, Grand Seiko introduced its new caliber 9SA5 movement in this beautiful gold watch, reference SLGH002 (you can read about it here). Today, Grand Seiko introduces a steel watch with this new hi-beat movement: meet the Grand Seiko SLGH003.
Earlier this year, we went on a trip to Paris to see the Grand Seiko flagship boutique (click here for our boutique visit report) and to talk with Grand Seiko Europe President Frédéric Bondoux. You can watch our conversation in the video of our Paris boutique report. What we didn’t tell you then, is that we already had the chance to see the Grand Seiko SLGH003 under embargo at the time. And believe me, it was tough to keep this as a secret from you.
Grand Seiko SLGH003
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Grand Seiko, and despite the drawback of the current situation where traveling is limited (or not allowed even), they surely made a mark. Not only with the introduction of beautiful GS 60th Anniversary limited editions (click here), but also with the introduction of a new range of movements. One of them is this 9SA5. The others being the 9RA5 and T0. We covered the caliber 9SA5 in this article already, so let’s have a closer look at what the Grand Seiko SLGH003 has to offer.
Thinner Case
The Grand Seiko SLGH003 is a 40mm watch that uses a case shape inspired by the 44GS. Due to the thinner movement, Grand Seiko also managed to keep the watch relatively thin at 11.7mm. This is considerably thinner than my Grand Seiko SBGJ201 with Hi-Beat movement. I’ve tried the watch on, and it wears very comfortably. Less height means it also sits a bit tighter to the wrist in my opinion. Of course, the case has all the features it should have, including the very special “Z-word” polishing techniques. To me, this specific style case is a no brainer when it comes to Grand Seiko watches. They are just absolutely stunning with all the different facets on the lugs.
Bracelet with gold logo
The press release we received today from Grand Seiko doesn’t mention a lot about the bracelet of the SLGH003. But when I saw this watch in the flesh, I was impressed. The Speedmaster-style bracelet on most current Grand Seiko models is well built and finished, but it lacks a bit of identity. This new bracelet looks slightly different. It is wider, the smaller links aren’t polished anymore, and there’s a little 18K gold GS medallion in the clasp. It all feels a bit more solid than the other bracelets, including the folding clasp with two release buttons. The proof of the pudding is in the eating though, so I can’t wait to get my hands on this watch to give it a proper try.
Dial changes
Grand Seiko’s SLGH003 has a beautiful blue dial, which the brand defines as “Grand Seiko blue”. The sunburst finish on the dial is perhaps not as exciting as the snowflake or Mt. Iwate motifs, but it looks stunning nevertheless. What I liked about this new Grand Seiko SLGH003 are the hour markers and hands. Grand Seiko is giving them a bit more presence by enlarging them. Making them more important on the dial. The wide hour markers have this 1960s feel to them. The 12 o’clock marker might be something you need to get used to, but I like it.
Caliber 9SA5
Just like on the gold SLGH002 that was introduced earlier, the dial indicates that this watch has a power reserve of 80 hours. A big step forward compared to the 9S85 movement with “only” 55 hours of power reserve. Grand Seiko uses a twin-barrel system inside a movement that’s just 5.18mm tall. In most cases, watch brands are able to increase power reserve by decreasing the operating frequency of the movement. That does not apply to Grand Seiko, however. The Japanese juggernaut maintains a high-beat of 36,000vph while boasting a hearty power reserve.
This new Grand Seiko 9SA5 movement is a big leap forward, and together with the new 9RA5 and their T0 constant-force tourbillon movement, the brand has proved that it can do more than finishing cases at a very high level.
Price and availability
The Grand Seiko SLGH003 is a limited edition of 1,000 watches in total, whereas the gold SLGH002 was limited to 100 pieces only. Based on the feedback we already received today, people are in love with this new watch (and movement). I guess these 1,000 pieces will not be much of a problem to sell. The price in Europe is €10,000 (and $9,700 in the USA). Grand Seiko expects the watch to be available in December 2020.
More information via Grand Seiko online.
