In a short four years, Grand Seiko has made great strides as a premier watch brand that promises impeccable design, strong functionality, and the guarantee that it’s made of sturdy, quality material. And as the virtual launch that emanated from Japan made very clear, all over the world, the brand actually grew in 2020, despite the ongoing COVID pandemic. Akio Naito, president of the Seiko Watch Corp., was proud to relay all this, and I have to commend him on his command of the English language.
Known for their mechanical and spring drive movements, their feather in the cap this year is the 9RA2 spring drive caliber. And this new caliber can be found in the two new limited-edition watch models unveiled during the online event; namely, the SLGA 007, a stainless steel watch, and the SLGA 008, an 18k rose gold beauty.
Regarding the 9RA2 spring drive caliber, the Grand Seiko movement designer was happy to extol its virtues. With a Shinshu Frost finish, inspired by the winter where the watch manufacturing facilities are located, its appearance and finish are technological marvels. There’s a new slimness that’s aesthetically exciting, and the movement’s rigidity (it’s offset magic lever and one piece center bridge) is hard to beat. There’s 120 hours of power reserve, thanks to its dual size barrels, and a high accuracy of plus, minus 10 seconds per month.
As mentioned above, the SLGA 007 and 008 are both limited-editions, so snap them up right away. The 007 is Lake Susa-inspired, with subtle blue on blue undulations on the watch face, mimicking the ripples on the lake. As for the 008, it’s made with 18k rose gold, a true design masterpiece.
In closing, let’s be reminded of the message of Mr. Naito of how beyond the dedicated Grand Seiko shops that exist from Paris to Tokyo, their online boutique has become a resounding success over the last year. So there’s really no excuse for not getting your hands on the watch that spells now and the future so effectively. Seiko, a brand with so much provenance, just got grander!