Grand Seiko Unveils Daybreak-Impressed “Ice Forest”

It was solely half a yr in the past that Grand Seiko unveiled the Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2 at Watches and Wonders Geneva, within the type of the Evolution 9 SLGB001 (in platinum) and SLGB003 (in titanium), each with dials that evoke the frost-covered forests within the Kirigamine Highlands of the Shinshu area of central Japan, east of Grand Seiko’s Shinshu Watch Studio the place all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches are crafted.

Now the model has launched a follow-up, the Evolution 9 Spring Drive UFA SLGB005, in a brand new dial of darkish purple in addition to in Ever-Sensible Metal, a stainless-steel alloy unique to Grand Seiko with distinctive corrosion resistance and shine.

A restricted manufacturing of 1,300, accessible beginning this November, the SLGB005 additionally options the “Ice Forest” motif, characterised by the textured herringbone-like sample, nevertheless it stands other than its predecessors by referencing a fleeting second not in full daylight however because the darkish of evening subsides. Deep purple gently lightens up going inward towards the cannon pinion. The theme of frost continues on the motion’s end, seen via the sapphire- crystal caseback.

Transferring onto the case and bracelet, Ever-Sensible Metal is brighter than customary chrome steel and boasts a Pitting Resistance It was solely half a yr in the past that Grand Seiko unveiled the Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2 at Watches and Wonders Geneva, within the type of the Evolution 9 SLGB001 (in platinum) and SLGB003 (in titanium),each with dials that evoke the frost-covered forests within the Kirigamine Highlands of the Shinshu area of central Japan, east of Grand Seiko’s Shinshu Watch Studio the place all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches are crafted.

Now the model has launched a follow-up, the Evolution 9 Spring Drive UFA SLGB005, in a brand new dial of darkish purple in addition to in Ever-Sensible Metal, a stainless-steel alloy unique to Grand Seiko with distinctive corrosion resistance and shine.

A restricted manufacturing of 1,300, accessible beginning this November, the SLGB005 additionally options the “Ice Forest” motif, characterised by the textured herringbone-like sample, nevertheless it stands other than its predecessors by referencing a fleeting second not in full daylight however because the darkish of evening subsides. Deep purple gently lightens up going inward towards the cannon pinion. The theme of frost continues on the motion’s end, seen via the sapphire- crystal caseback.

Transferring onto the case and bracelet, Ever-Sensible Metal is brighter than customary chrome steel and boasts a Pitting Resistance Equal Quantity (PREN) score 1.7 instances greater than that of chrome steel. These qualities complement Grand Seiko’s signature Zaratsu sprucing, which creates a mesmerising mirror end that, along with brushed-finish surfaces, ends in a harmonious glow.

As a part of the Evolution 9 assortment, the SLGB005 options the Evolution 9 type of arms and outstanding grooved indices. The 37mm case is designed with a low centre of gravity and comes fitted with a strong bracelet of considerable width and thickness, for a balanced and safe match, although curiously the SLGB005 foregoes the brand new and shortly nicely acquired Grand Seiko microadjustment clasp.

As for the motion, it’s the new Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2 behind each the SLGB001 and the SLGB003 – probably the most correct wristwatch motion powered by a mainspring, in accordance with Grand Seiko.

The motion bears the UFA designation, for Extremely High-quality Accuracy, which claims a said accuracy of plus or minus 20 seconds a yr, an achievement that outcomes from new manufacturing and processing strategies for the quartz oscillator and newly designed built-in circuit system. And if timekeeping ever grows much less correct, the motion even comprises a regulation swap that may appropriate divergences in accuracy over lengthy intervals.

This story was first seen as a part of the WOW #81 Autumn 2025 Challenge

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