Watch of the Week: Grand Seiko SLGH011 Green Birch

Inspired by the lush Northern Japanese white birch forests, the Grand Seiko SLGH011 is a stunning boutique online exclusive that echos the beauty through its unparalleled craftsmanship and dynamic watchmaking details.

Grand Seiko SLGH011 Green Birch

Photo Credit: Grand Seiko

The new Grand Seiko studio has found a new home in Shizukuishi, a Northern Japanese town surrounded by the stunning white birch tree forests. These trees’ distinct coloration and texture greatly inspired the latest addition to the Evolution 9 collection: the Grand Seiko Boutique Online Exclusive, SLGH011.

Initially introduced with reference SLGH002 in 2020, Evolution 9 has solidified itself as the name of the Grand Seiko new design language. Evolution 9 promises to be an essential part of the brand’s extensive collections for years to come; thanks to its complex faceted case, large hands, prominent markers, Zaratsu-polished, distortion-free finish and highly ergonomic proportions.

The deep green dial, accompanied by a distinct vertical texture, captures the serene mood of the white birch tree forest during the Iwate prefecture summers. The complex dial is pressed several times to create high depth. In fact, it utilizes more clear coating than found in other Grand Seiko models.

Photo Credit: Grand Seiko

Led by movement designer Hisashi Fujieda, the caliber 9SA5 was initially presented in 2020 and was developed from the ground up after nine years of development. 9SA5 is a 10-beat movement boasting 80 hours of power reserve and a precision rate of +5 to -3 seconds a day. It incorporates three important developments: Grand Seiko’s new Dual Impulse Escapement, free-sprung balance, and horizontal gear train. Deploying all the skills and experience gained over the past six decades, Grand Seiko created what is beyond a doubt the finest mechanical caliber in its repertoire.

Photo Credit: Grand Seiko