Grand Seiko SLGW003

In 1968 the 45GS launched as the first Grand Seiko with a 10-beat manual winding movement. The 2024 ‘Birch Bark’ introduces the first Grand Seiko 10-beat manual winding movement in 50 years: the in-house built 9SA4.

This piece presents a new dial pattern, inspired by the horizontal patterns on white birch tree bark – found in the forests near Shizukuishi studio where all Grand Seiko mechanical watches are crafted.

The Birch Bark features box sapphire crystal glass with an anti-reflective coating, revealing a silver-coloured dial. Crafted with its case, crown and clasp made from ‘brilliant hard titanium,’ this timepiece has a silver-coloured and hour and minute hand alongside a blue steel second hand. Brilliant Hard Titanium ensures that this piece is not only beautiful and lightweight but also highly resistant to corrosion and scratches this Grand Seiko proprietary alloy is brighter than traditional titanium, causing the Zaratsu-polished surfaces to appear even more radiant while commanding a hardness double that of standard stainless steel.

The exhibition case back showcases the new in-house 9SA4 10 beat manual-winding calibre, accurate to +5/-3 seconds per day, with a power reserve of approximately 80 hours due to its twin barrels and the efficient dual impulse escapement. The mechanism is based on the 9SA5 movement, but has a newly designed manual-winding mechanism, a new bridge shape, and a new wheel finish. The power reserve is now located on the bridge for convenience.

Designed to be slim at less than 10mm in depth it is accompanied by a crocodile leather strap.

Every Grand Seiko features signature high standards of precision, durability and legibility, handcrafted in Japan by Takumi artisans.