2021 Grand Seiko Spring Drive Lake Suwa SLGA007G
Ref: SLGA007G (9RA2-0AA0)
Specification
Lugs : 22mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko Box, swing tags, and paperwork. It comes paired with its 22mm Grand Seiko brushed stainless steel bracelet with a three-fold push-button release clasp; all links are provided. The watch is from December 2021 and is sold in worn condition, but overall, it is in very fair condition, as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/155VbmaISEXpgik9u_VGxueqAoIMDSXmq?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 15:28 - https://youtu.be/jLLegPMeQrE
The Watch
Here we have a 2021 Grand Seiko Spring Drive Lake Suwa SLGA007G limited to 2021 pieces made to celebrate their 140th Anniversary. The elegant 40mm stainless steel case has been expertly polished for an exquisite finish, and a subtle curve of the lugs sits perfectly on the wrist; the lug-to-lug length of 47mm and a case thickness of 11.5mm ensure a comfortable fit. On the right side, a signed crown. The stepped brushed and polished smooth bezel holds a domed sapphire crystal AR coated on the inside above a stunning textured blue dial that resembles the ripples of the incredibly blue waters of Lake Suwa, applied faceted indexes marking the hours have chamfered edges Zaratsu hand polished which shimmer in the light as you rotate your wrist, elegant dauphine hands are Zaratsu polished with razor edges complemented by a gold coloured sweeping second hand, at 12 o’clock we have the applied gold coloured “GS” and Grand Seiko underneath, at 6 o’clock “Spring Drive” “5 Days” completes this incredible dress watch. On the reverse is a screw-down exhibition case back inside a Spring Drive Grand Seiko Cal. 9RA2, the innovative Spring Drive movement, is mechanical, but with an electromagnetic escapement regulated by a quartz oscillator, it has 38 jewels and a power reserve of an impressive five days. Its sole power source is a mainspring that drives a series of gears, a rotor connected to the end of these gears then generates a small electrical charge that activates an electronic circuit and quartz oscillator; therefore, there is no need for a battery. The movement has Dual-size barrels and a one-piece centre bridge, which provides strength, durability and shock resistance. The watch comes paired with its 22mm Grand Seiko brushed stainless steel bracelet with a three-fold push-button release clasp, all links are provided, and the watch comes with its Grand Seiko presentation box, swing tags and paperwork.
Personal Note
The interest in this model has been incredible since launch and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about... I can safely say I am not disappointed! The dial is mesmerising, the movement with the 5-Day Reserve is incredible and the bracelet is super comfortable. I am also a big fan of how this watch wears a tad larger than Grand Seiko's typically do, with a minimal taper on the bracelet it feels very different to most Grand Seiko's we have had in stock. Book an appointment and come see it for yourself, you'll see exactly what I mean.
The Brand
The first Grand Seiko debuted in Tokyo in 1960. Suwa Seikosha made the reference 3180. Rather than sending its 25 Jewels Chronometer movement to the Swiss to be tested, Seiko decided to do the testing themselves. The European Chronometer Official Association believed that a chronometer-rated watch had to be independently tested to be awarded that designation. Seiko watches were not independently tested, so, therefore, they could not be chronometers. The ECOA did what irritated watchmakers do: they wrote a stern letter to Seiko requesting that the designation of Chronometer on Grand and King Seiko watches stop. Seiko obliged and ceased using the "Chronometer" on their watches. In response, the Japanese Chronometer Authorization Association was started in 1968 as an independent group to test timepieces to chronometer standards. The Association was short-lived: due to the rise of quartz watches, it closed in 1983. Today, Grand Seiko movements are tested over 17 days in 6 positions compared to COSC testing over 15 days in 5 positions. In 1985, Suwa Seikosha became Seiko Epson Corporation. In 2017, Seiko announced that Grand Seiko would become an independent brand.