The All New Grand Seiko SLGA007

When it comes to texture, Grand Seiko is king. And to celebrate it’s 140th Anniversary, they release a new model to it’s ever-growing Spring Drive Heritage Collection. Inspired by the waters of Lake Suwa in Japan, the all-steel sports watch evokes some calming vibes and really rounds out the brands penchant for evoking nature-inspired imagery on their dials.

THE BASICS:

Brand: Grand Seiko

Model: SLGA007 Limited Edition

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Crystal: Sapphire with Exhibition Caseback

Case Size: 40mm x 11.8mm

Water Resistance: 100 Meter

Movement: Calibre 9RA2

Movement Specs: Automatic Manual Wind Spring Drive, 120H Power Reserve. 38 Jewels

Strap Options: Steel Bracelet

Price & Availability: $8,700 and Limited to 2021 Pieces

The beautiful Spring Drive 9RA2 Movement

The Grand Seiko SLGA007 has a lot of firsts for the brand. For starters, the 9-series case makes it’s first appearance with the Spring Drive movement. You’ll remember this case because the white birch dial SLGH005 featured it, which, in turn, sent watch enthusiasts into a frenzy. The key difference being that the SLGH005 features the Hi-Beat 9SA5 movement, and not the Spring Drive movement included in the SLGA007.

Second, this is the first non-dive watch with the new Spring Drive movement. Because of it’s smaller size (14% to be exact), the movement can actually fit in the slimmed down case. This leaves a much cleaner, lower profile version of the Spring Drive.

Thirdly, check out the dial. Notice anything? No? Good. Because the Power Reserve Indicator has been moved to the back of the watch. There is no power reserve indicator on the dial. A major pet-peeve I’ve had with a number of the Grand Seiko Spring Drive models in the past.

Overall, I feel like this is a big win for Grand Seiko. Even being limited to 2021 pieces, this watch will sell out in no-time. The slimmer, smaller case looks really clean, and the brand’s bracelet has always been beyond comfortable. And since 2021 seems to be the year of textured dials, I’m going to have a hard time thinking any brand will be able to compete with Grand Seiko in this space and price-point.

Read more about the Grand Seiko SLGA007 here.