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Grand Seiko SLGA025 Atera Blue and SBGA499 Calibre 9R 20th Anniversary Limited Edition



Autumn brings another incredible set of dial inspirations to Grand Seiko.

Every year, Grand Seiko creates a series of themed pieces that are inspired by the natural beauty of the Shinshu region where the watchmaker is based. Japan experiences multiple micro-seasons, and each change brings something new and surprising to the Grand Seiko watchmakers.

This year, there is one more important reason for Grand Seiko's autumn releases. Because the 9R Spring Drive movement is 20 years old. This movement is the masterpiece of Yoshikazu Akahane, who is responsible for designing the electromechanical hybrid movement. The 9R65 movement took 600 prototypes and 26 years to come to fruition.

The first 9R65 movement boasted a 72-hour power reserve, magic lever winding, and high-precision chronograph functions, features that remain core features of the brand 20 years later. To celebrate the occasion, the brand has launched a limited edition Grand Seiko Elegance SBGA499 Calibre 9R 20th Anniversary Limited Edition. The watch’s persimmon red dial reflects the morning sun shining over the Shinshu Hotaka Mountains, as well as the beauty of the region’s autumn leaves.

The watch’s dial features a sunken pink copper power indicator with a groove pattern like a paper fan, and a date display at 3 o’clock. It’s housed in a 40.2mm steel case with a matching bracelet, and features the latest version of the self-winding 9R65 movement. The movement is accurate to 15 seconds per month and still retains a power reserve of three days.

While the performance of the 9R65 remains the same, Grand Seiko has invested a lot of effort in innovating the technology behind Spring Drive. In 2020 and 2021, the Japanese watchmaker introduced new Spring Drive calibers 9RA5 and 9RA2 with 120-hour power reserves. The extended power reserve is due to the development of the mainspring metal alloy and a unique dual barrel system, as they are eccentrically sized. They relax in different ways to ensure consistent and enhanced power output.

The second Spring Drive watch of the season is not a limited production, but the SLGA025, equipped with the 9RA2 with a monthly error of 10 seconds. The blue-green color is inspired by the Atla River, which has a pure water flow through the Atla Valley. The unevenly distributed brushed effect on the dial, which is pressed separately, resembles the swirls and flow of the river. To enhance its beauty, the watchmaker used a gradient coloring effect with a near-black tone on the edges. The Evolution 9 model is housed in a high-strength titanium case and measures 40 mm.

But the dial design alone feels like a high-end artwork from a miniature artist's studio. If you are interested, you can take a moment to consider it.