Japanese watch giant Grand Seiko's new diver watch SLGA023 is getting ready to become the king of deep blues.
Grand Seiko, Japan's shining star in luxury watchmaking, keeps dazzling with its 2023. Grand Seiko SLGA023, one of the new models produced in line with the Evolution 9 concept, which carries the glorious past of the brand to the future, is under the spotlight with all its details.
Before moving on to the new model, let's talk briefly about the brand's Evolution 9 concept. Grand Seiko defines the basic design philosophy of the modern product line with the Evolution 9 concept. Taking the legendary Ref. 44GS model introduced by the brand in 1967 as its starting point, the concept is at the focus of an ambitious yet justified definition like the Grammar of Design. Nine key elements define the Evolution 9 concept:
A flat dial
Curved side profile of the case
Double wide index at 12 o’clock
Multi-faceted hour and minute hands
Deep middle grooves on the indices
Multi-faceted case with a flat upper surface and contrasting finishing
Lower center of gravity on the wrist
A bracelet at least half the width of the case
A bracelet with the right thickness and heft
The Grand Seiko SLGA023, which meets all these requirements, raises the bar one step further in the journey from the sketches of Grand Seiko's talented team to reality.
The new model comes with a stylish case designed with a diameter of 43.8mm and a height of 13.8mm. The sporty case is produced from Grad5 5 titanium alloy, which is known in the watchmaking industry for its ultra-light structure and durability, as well as requiring a more complex machining process than stainless steel. The alloy, named high-density titanium by Grand Seiko, combines the new model’s sporty character with elegance and superior craftsmanship, thanks to the traditional Japanese Zaratsu surface finishing. On the front of the matt brushed and polished case, there is an AR-coated scratch-resistant sapphire crystal that stands out with its impeccable clarity. The unidirectional diver bezel, which takes its place around the crystal bearing the signature of Seiko, one of the world's largest optical manufacturers, is home to a blue insert made of a ceramic alloy that defies the wear and tear of time with its ultra-hard structure. Equipped with a screw-in crown and solid case back, the sporty case is waterproof up to 200 meters. The case is compatible with ISO 6425 standards, which gives the green light to professional use.
The new model hosts a unique dial designed in blue and decorated with the Ushio pattern. The blue Ushio pattern combines the professional instrument-oriented character of the model with elegance and unrivaled attention to detail, with a design that makes you feel the tides of the oceans surrounding the coast of Japan. The dial, which looks almost “alive” under the light coming from different angles, includes hands and indices that impress with their excellent workmanship. The elegant dial, hosting a quarter-circle power reserve indicator and a framed date window, offers excellent legibility in almost any environment with the help of LumiBrite phosphor material.
Grand Seiko Diver 200m SLGA023 Blue Ushio beats by the manufacture Caliber 9RA5 movement. The high-tech mechanism stands out with its Spring Drive architecture, which, unlike traditional movements, is based on the principle that the energy coming from the mainspring is controlled by an electromagnetic circuit, instead of a traditional balance spring. Thanks to this, the caliber, which can offer an extraordinary accuracy of ±10 seconds per month, redefines the industry standards with its 5-day power reserve.
The new model comes with a multi-link metal bracelet made of the same material as the case. The bracelet, which successfully balances the 150-gram weight of the model on the wrist, also includes the diver extension link, which provides the user with the extra extension required to wear the watch on a diving suit with a simple click.
Presenting the concept of "perfection" with the philosophy of Grand Seiko, the model promises a completely different experience with its unique details, not only in its segment but even at higher levels.
