Though the Grand Seiko line was launched in 1960, it was Seiko’s launch of the 44GS watch in 1967 that definitively established the gathering. It is because the 44GS’s design language would go on to outline the aesthetics of all subsequent Grand Seiko timepieces, even at this time, with Grand Seiko now working as a separate entity from Seiko itself.

In 2020, Grand Seiko up to date the aesthetic code set down by the 44GS. The reworked design language, Evolution 9, was conceived to signify probably the most up to date type of watchmaking at Grand Seiko. Greater than this, nevertheless, Evolution 9 is now additionally a standalone assortment throughout the model’s line-up, with choices starting from sporty chronographs to dressier time-and-date watches. The most recent addition to this line is the SLGA021, which bears a textured dial impressed by the view of Lake Suwa earlier than daybreak.

Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive-equipped watches are produced on the model’s Shinshu Watch Studio within the city of Shiojiri, some three hours’ drive from Tokyo. To the manufacture’s southeast sits Lake Suwa, a distinguished landmark that has lengthy impressed its watches’ designs. The main target this time is on a well-recognized pre-dawn surroundings, when Lake Suwa continues to be clothed in tranquil darkness. Throughout this era, the gentlest breeze stirs up rippling waves that create an undulating floor bearing numerous shades of blue, every mixing into one another whereas additionally taking part in with the ambient mild otherwise.

It’s this picturesque view that the brand new SLGA021 alludes to, with its dial bearing a textured sample harking back to the lake’s floor. The vignette is made full by the dial’s midnight blue tone, which captures precisely how the lake seems simply earlier than the primary rays of daylight emerge over the horizon.

As a part of the Evolution 9 assortment, the SLGA021 bears the 9 design components that collectively outline the up to date 44GS aesthetic. Faceted arms and indices with rigorously balanced proportions for improved legibility, a skinny case with a decrease centre of gravity that sits nearer to the wrist, and extra extensively spaced lugs which higher distribute the watch’s weight are just a few salient options right here. What these components signify is equally vital: an evolution of a legacy that has been equally codified to mirror Grand Seiko’s watchmaking philosophy.

The 9RA2 calibre that powers the watch parallels this. Its Spring Drive know-how is proprietary to Grand Seiko, and offers the SLGA021 an astonishing accuracy of ±10 seconds monthly. Visually, the motion additionally units itself aside with its completely clean second hand — a results of the hybrid Tri-synchro Regulator that melds the very best qualities of each quartz and mechanical actions.

The SLGA021 is cased in metal and sized for the up to date wearer with its 40mm diameter. In contrast to an earlier iteration, the SLGA007, which was restricted to 2,021 items worldwide, this watch can be a part of the common assortment.

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