Grand Seiko’s SLGH005, with a white dial textured made to look like the bark of birch trees surrounding its studio in Shizukuishi, Japan, was one of the best watches launched in 2021.
The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève agreed, presenting the men’s watch of the year gong to the three-hand automatic with date.
That watch is powered by the Caliber 9SA5, which offers a power reserve of 80 hours and accuracy of +8 to -1 seconds per day with normal usage.
It is selling today for $9,100.
Grand Seiko’s first launch of 2022 looks very, very similar.
It has the same 40mm steel case and bracelet, but inside the manufacturer has used a Spring Drive Caliber 9RA2 with 120 hour power reserve and accuracy of +/- 0.5 seconds per day.
Remarkably, despite the upgrade, Grand Seiko has lopped $500 off the price of the Grand Seiko White Birch Evolution 9 (ref. SLGA009), which can be pre-ordered today for $8,600.
It will go on general sale in February.
It appears that they have unpruned the $500, so both white birches have the same retail price now.