Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Spring Drive U.F.A pale blue dial titanium bracelet 37 mm

The evolution of the Grand Seiko style: the Evolution 9 collection

The SLGB003 belongs to the prestigious Evolution 9 collection, which perpetuates the legacy of the iconic Grand Seiko style. Inspired by the iconic 44GS from 1967, this contemporary design is based on clean lines and optimal readability. The large hands and prominent hour markers ensure clear reading in all circumstances. The case benefits from the famous Zaratsu polishing, the signature of the Japanese company, offering a distortion-free mirror effect, contrasted by finely brushed surfaces. This alternation of textures gives the watch a harmonious, subtle but striking radiance.

The 37 mm diameter High-Intensity Titanium case guarantees exceptional comfort thanks to its low center of gravity. The bracelet is equipped with a new micro-adjustment clasp, allowing tool-free adjustment in 2 mm increments, ensuring a perfectly adjusted fit on the wrist.

The history of the quest for precision: from V.F.A. to U.F.A.

Since the creation of the first model in 1960, Grand Seiko has always sought to achieve excellence in watchmaking precision. Less than ten years after its foundation, the Japanese company launched the V.F.A. (Very Fine Adjusted) mechanical calibers, movements of remarkable precision with a monthly drift of only ±1 minute.

The quest for ultimate precision continued with the development of Spring Drive in the 1970s. In 2004, the 9R65 caliber marked a decisive breakthrough by combining the force of a mainspring with electronic regulation, achieving a monthly rate of ±15 seconds. Today, this quest reaches its pinnacle with the Spring Drive caliber 9RB2, bearing the designation U.F.A. (Ultra Fine Accuracy), which breaks new ground by offering an annual precision of ±20 seconds. An unparalleled accomplishment in mechanical watchmaking, testifying to the exceptional know-how of Grand Seiko.

A dial inspired by the natural beauty of Shinshu

To the east of the Shinshu Watch Studio, the high plateaus of Kirigamine are cloaked in frost during the winter months, offering a unique spectacle of icy forests. This poetic landscape inspired the design of the SLGB003 dial, with its subtle texture and silvery blue hue. The intricate finish reflects the purity of the ice-covered trees, while the flame-blued second hand evokes the light piercing through the frost. This elegant and soothing composition captures the essence of Japanese winters, paying homage to the natural surroundings of the studio where this watch is made.

The heart of precision: the 9RB2 caliber

The 9RB2 caliber embodies the culmination of years of research and refinement. Thanks to improved manufacturing processes and the integration of a highly stable quartz oscillator, this movement achieves an unrivaled precision of ±20 seconds per year. To guarantee this exceptional performance, the oscillator and the sensor are vacuum-sealed, eliminating variations due to temperature, humidity or static electricity. A thermo-compensation system adjusts the frequency according to thermal variations, while an integrated sensor monitors the impact of these variations 540 times a day.

For the first time in the history of Spring Drive, a regulating switch allows watchmakers to adjust the precision during a service, compensating for any possible drift in the long term. This level of sophistication ensures the stability and longevity of precision, the signature of a truly exceptional timepiece.

The inner beauty of an exceptional movement

The transparent sapphire crystal case back makes it possible to admire the oscillating weight finely engraved with “SPRING DRIVE ULTRA FINE ACCURACY”. The mirror-polished bevels enhance the elegance of the movement, while the sparkling jewels evoke the stars illuminating the mountains of Shinshu during the cold winter nights. Each component is meticulously crafted to capture light from different angles, reminiscent of the delicate frost that covers the region where these unique watches are made.