Grand Seiko continues to marry exquisite craftsmanship with refined technical mastery, as demonstrated in their 2025 launches: the SLGC006 “Sunrise Tentagraph” and the SLGW007 “Moonlit Birch” from the Evolution 9 Collection . Both timepieces are emblematic of the Japanese house’s commitment to natural inspiration and mechanical innovation, with aesthetic and horological details that set the bar for contemporary haute horlogerie.
Anchored in the serene landscapes surrounding Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, both SLGC006 and SLGW007 are poetic tributes to Iwate Prefecture’s spectral beauty. The SLGC006 captures the morning majesty of Mount Iwate as sunlight dances across its copper-pink dial, while the SLGW007 channels the quiet luminescence of birch trees under moonlight, rendered in a textured navy blue. Each watch distils its landscape’s spirit with remarkable technical prowess and an eye for detail that reveals Grand Seiko’s dual dedication to nature and precision .
Born from nature and tradition
The dial of the SLGW007, the moonlit birch motif is both sophisticated and evocative. A deep navy blue serves as backdrop to an irregularly patterned surface, reminiscent of birch bark illuminated in weak moonlight on Hiraniwa Plateau. The dial’s slender indexes are matched by a minimally sculpted bezel, echoing the refinement of the collection’s dress watches, whilst its overall aesthetic remains faithful to Grand Seiko’s tradition of textural storytelling . The hand-applied detailing and subtle layering produce a tactile sensation that genuinely brings the moonlit forest scene to life.
Turning to the SLGC006 displays an innovation both artistic and technical, its copper-pink hue a first for Grand Seiko, designed to evoke the warmth of Mount Iwate bathed in sunrise. The intricacies of the dial’s pattern mirror the geological history of landslides that have shaped the mountain’s ridged silhouette. Gold-plated indexes and hands glint against this sunrise background, pairing with subsidiary counters whose layout is tailored for optimal chronograph legibility: the sub-seconds at three o’clock is aesthetically and functionally distinct from the chronograph’s own counters, maintaining a harmonious balance among its features .
Technical refinement
For the SLGW007, Grand Seiko introduced the 9SA4 manual-wound Hi-Beat 36,000 calibre in 2024, a rarity after more than five decades dedicated to automatic movements. This movement benefits from two barrels and the Dual Impulse Escapement, a system delivering energy efficiently to the balance wheel while safeguarding amplitude. With a free-sprung balance wheel and an overcoil hairspring, the calibre maintains rate stability and resistance to external shocks. The power reserve extends to eighty hours, serving both practicality and tradition. The finishing is equally thoughtful: the plates are adorned with brushing and crisp anglage, and the distinctive wagtail-shaped click offers engaging visual drama during hand-winding. The combination of technical audacity and meticulous decoration reflects a profound respect for Japanese watchmaking heritage.
At the heart of the SLGC006 lies the caliber 9SC5 “Tentagraph”, Grand Seiko’s first mechanical chronograph movement introduced in 2023. This high-frequency calibre beats at 36,000 vibrations per hour, or ten swings per second, providing robust precision rated at +5 to -3 seconds per day. With a three-day (72-hour) power reserve and automatic winding, the movement is equipped with a column wheel and vertical clutch for smooth, reliable chronograph operation. The chronograph hosts a 30-minute counter at nine o’clock and a 12-hour counter at six, demonstrating practical virtue and classic configuration. The finishing of the 9SC5 is as compelling as its engineering, with the “Shizukuishi River” stripes motif adorning the plates and bridges, a nod to the nature enveloping Grand Seiko’s manufactory. Attention to finishing details underscores the movement’s place in fine watchmaking.
Metals and finishes
Grand Seiko Ref. SLGW007 case is an exercise in subtlety and elegance. It embraces stainless steel for a sleek, classic profile, with the diameter reduced to 38.6mm and thickness kept at an impressively slender 9.95mm. This ensures that the dress watch sits close to the wrist, underscoring comfort and discretion. The texture and colour of the cow leather strap, in navy blue, complement the dial’s moonlit birch motif. The deployant clasp is also crafted in stainless steel, signifying a thoughtful cohesion between dial and strap textures. Water resistance is 3 bar, with magnetic resistance matching that of the SLGC006 at 4,800 A/m. The box-shaped sapphire crystal features anti-reflective coating for pristine legibility as well as a see-through case back, allowing unobstructed admiration of the movement .
The SLGC006 features Grand Seiko’s signature High-Intensity Titanium case, paired with a titanium bracelet for durability and wearing comfort. In an Evolution 9 twist, the bezel and chronograph pushers are crafted from 18-carat rose gold, harmonising perfectly with the copper-pink dial and infusing added warmth into the overall aesthetic. The black bezel insert, formed from robust zirconia ceramic, is engraved with a clear white tachymetric scale, a hallmark of Grand Seiko chronographs. Measuring 43.2mm in diameter and 15.3mm thick, the case is robust yet designed for wearability, with a three-fold clasp featuring an 18-carat gold GS medallion completing the package. Water resistance is rated at 10 bar, while magnetic resistance reaches 4,800 A/m, ensuring reliability in diverse environments.
A narrative of place, artistry and progress
Both the SLGC006 “Sunrise Tentagraph” and the SLGW007 “Moonlit Birch” stand as eloquent expressions of Grand Seiko’s capacity to blend technical prowess, evocative artistry, and cultural homage. The SLGC006, limited to 300 pieces, offers an unrivalled combination of chronograph innovation and sunrise-inspired aesthetics, destined to become a touchstone among connoisseurs seeking a mechanical marvel paired with Japan’s timeless natural beauty. SLGW007, meanwhile, seeks allure in quietude – its moonlit navy dial, slender case and the debut of calibre 9SA4 offer a pure hand-wound experience, a dress watch that whispers rather than shouts, and a direct connection to the spirit of the birch forests of Iwate.
In these watches, Grand Seiko proposes more than an object to wear: it encapsulates a narrative of place, artistry, and progress, firmly establishing the brand’s forward-looking position in haute horlogerie whilst remaining in touch with its roots.
