First of all, the good news comes from the proportions. One important thing with this SLGH005 is also about its consistency and coherence. That could have come at the risk of being overdone, though, but it’s not. Case, dial, hands and indexes, crystal, movement, and even the bracelet have stories to tell. There’s no forgettable parts, no side of this watch that would simply let you say, “ok, let’s move to something else” and look at another detail. There’s a lot to say, simply because there’s a lot going on with this watch. So let’s start deciphering this new Grand Seiko Hi-Beat SLGH005. Innovation for the sake of innovation is not something you’ll see at Grand Seiko. So, in addition to launching a new model with the SLGH005, Grand Seiko is also sending the message that the Calibre 9SA5 and its Dual Impulse Escapement are here to stay and they do indeed perform in the real world. Producing it on a larger scale and being confident enough in its reliability and precision is another. Creating an innovative movement and offering it in limited edition models is a thing. Whatever the fact that the White Birch is a mix of already existing elements, it remains one great surprise. And, in addition, there’s this new dial… and what a dial it is. Now with the SLGH005 White Birch, both the case’s design and this movement are appearing in the brand’s catalogue in non-limited production. Then, still part of the 60th-anniversary collection, Grand Seiko unveiled a stainless steel limited edition with a blue dial, the reference SLGH003. The Grand Seiko Elegance 60th Anniversary SLGH002, which introduced in March 2020 a new case design and the Hi-Beat Calibre 9SA5 In tune with the jubilee celebrations, Grand Seiko indeed presented this new movement, inside a limited edition gold watch, the reference SLGH002 – the starting point here, as we’re basically talking about identical watches here, with just different materials and colours. What this SLGH005 is the first model in the permanent collection to be equipped with both a new design language and, most importantly, the brand’s new automatic movement, featuring an innovative escapement, the Hi-Beat Calibre 9SA5. It is built on existing foundations, which were introduced in the context of Grand Seiko’s 60th-anniversary, celebrated back in March 2020. This SLGH005 is a new reference in the brand’s collection but isn’t entirely a novelty. So let’s have a closer look at this new Grand Seiko Hi-Beat SLGH005 White Birch. And having this piece with us at the office for a review only confirmed what we imagined. Mechanical noblesse, slightly renewed design language merged with respect of the brand’s traditions, exquisite finishing and a dial that is out of this world. There’s no turning around, this SLGH005 represents the best of what GS can do for its permanent, classic collection. The presentation in early 2020 of the Grand Seiko “White Birch” or “Shirakaba” already gave us a great impression and it clearly was one of the watches I was eager to see in the metal.
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