hello everyone.
This time, we would like to focus on the new Spring Drive movement, Caliber 9RA2, announced by Grand Seiko in 2021, and introduce the models that are equipped with it.
This year, Grand Seiko has decided to participate in Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022 , a luxury watch exhibition to be held in Geneva, Switzerland from March 30th to April 5th, 2022 .
Participating brands at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022
- LVMH Group (Zenith, Tag Heuer, Hublot)
- Richemont Group (including IWC and many others)
・【Rolex】
・[Patek Philippe]
What is the appeal of the new Spring Drive movement, Caliber 9RA2, which will likely be unveiled at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2022? Let's take a look at it along with the new model.
[What is the new Spring Drive "9RA2"?]
The Spring Drive movement, Caliber 9RA2, is a next-generation movement that has the same performance as the Caliber 9RA5, which was released in 2020, but by placing the power reserve indicator on the case back, the position of the hands has been lowered and the case has been made thinner.
It features a blued steel indicator hand and is finished with a "Shinshu frost finish" that resembles the frost that can be seen in the Shinshu region during the coldest months of the year. Its beautiful appearance can be viewed through the case back.
In addition to achieving a high level of precision of ±10 seconds per month, something that was previously thought to be impossible, the watch also uses an "offset magic lever" that makes it 0.8 mm thinner than conventional models.
*Offset Magic Lever Reference: GRAND SEIKO.COM
In addition, to provide an even better wearing experience, the crown has been positioned as close to the case back as possible, lowering the watch's center of gravity.
*Dual size barrel Reference: GRAND SEIKO.COM
Furthermore, the dual-size barrel, which uses two barrels of different sizes to save space, achieves a power reserve of 120 hours, far exceeding the conventional 72 hours.
*One Piece Center Bridge Reference: GRAND SEIKO.COM
In addition, while ensuring the robustness, durability, and shock resistance of the thinner movement, it is a "Spring Drive" movement that incorporates Grand Seiko's unique technologies such as the "One-Piece Center Bridge."
Model equipped with "Spring Drive" movement "Caliber 9RA2"
[Water surface]
"Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection"
"Ref.SLGA007"
The Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection, featuring a dial inspired by the surface of Lake Suwa, located southeast of the Shinshu Toki no Takumi Kobo at Seiko Epson Corporation's Shiojiri Plant, is now available.
"Ref.SLGA007".
This "Minamo pattern" allows the blue of the dial to show different expressions depending on the angle of the light. The smooth sweeping movement of the second hand is reminiscent of the soft ripples of Lake Suwa, and the gold Grand Seiko logo and second hand are accents that resemble sunlight reflected on the water's surface.
The buckle also has a subtle 18K yellow gold logo with the letters "GS" shaped on it... what a nice touch. The case design was created in pursuit of the essence of a wristwatch, inheriting the design established in 1967 with the "44GS", while cherishing the Japanese sensibility of finding beauty "between light and shadow".
The distortion-free case, achieved through Zaratsu polishing, shines with a harmonious shine, and the deeply grooved indexes and three-dimensional hour and minute hands, which are highly distinctive due to their strong contrast, provide unmatched visibility. Furthermore, the bracelet provides a better grip, and the case is designed to fit comfortably on the wrist while keeping the center of gravity low, improving the wearability.
"We have already stocked this watch at our store, Commit Ginza, and it has been very well received by our staff due to the beautiful dial."
⇩⇩Previously sold products are here⇩⇩
[Water Surface] "Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection" "Ref.SLGA007"
Domestic suggested retail price: 990,000 yen (tax included)
Limited to 2021 bottles worldwide (500 in Japan) *Sales start at the end of 2021: Pre-orders sold out
[Source] Grand Seiko
[Birch]
"Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection"
"Ref.SLGA009"
When it comes to Shirakaba, many people may remember the popularity of the "SLGH005" equipped with the "Mechanical Hi-Beat" movement "Caliber 9SA5."
This "SLGA009" is equipped with the latest "Spring Drive" movement, "Caliber 9RA2," and the dial features a meticulous embossing that represents one of Japan's finest birch forests, located near "Shinshu Toki no Takumi Kobo."
The design of the "SLGA009", which is classified as part of the Evolution 9 Collection, is based on the Seiko style, incorporating Japanese aesthetic sensibilities such as "the beauty created by light and shadow" and "shapes that beautifully flow light", and further developing the Seiko style into the " Evolution 9 Style ", which was born in 2020.
"Evolution 9 Style" Three core principles of design
1. "Evolution of aesthetics"
With an emphasis on making Japanese aesthetics and views of nature clearer, the design incorporates the richness of beauty between light and shadow, and soft, subtle gradations to create a form that lets light flow beautifully. As a rule, the design does not incorporate distorted curved surfaces, but instead expresses the "black of darkness" and the "white of light" with distortion-free, smoothly polished mirror surfaces, while coexisting with hairline surfaces that embody the "brightness and darkness" between light and shadow, aiming for a design that responds to Japanese aesthetics.
2. "Improved visibility"
Modeled after the first Grand Seiko model, which was released in 1960, the hands and indexes have been given a more pronounced shape to improve visibility. The hands have been given a multifaceted cut, the indexes have been three-dimensionally grooved, and other careful considerations have been made to make it easier to read the time.
3) "Improved wearability"
By lowering the center of gravity of the case and making the lug width wider, lateral wobble is reduced, the case fits better to the wrist, and a comfortable, stable fit is achieved.
The "SLGA009" also features a distortion-free mirror finish achieved by Zaratsu polishing and a case finished with delicate lines, with the same specifications as the "Water Surface" model released last year. The dials of the "SLGH005" and "SLGA009" are slightly different in design, with the "SLGH005" dial impressing with a powerful birch forest, while the SLGA009 dial gives the impression of a delicate and soft birch forest. It is scheduled to be released in February 2022, and is likely to be a very popular watch.
⇩⇩Previously sold products are here⇩⇩
[White Birch] [Grand Seiko] "Heritage" "Ref. SLGH005"
Domestic suggested retail price: 1,045,000 yen (tax included)
[Source] Grand Seiko
summary
What did you think.
In 2017, Grand Seiko became an independent brand, and perhaps due to this influence, it seems to have become even more sophisticated as a watch brand, with unprecedented designs and new attempts. As a Japanese person, I would like to continue to keep an eye on this leading domestic brand.
see you!