2022 Grand Seiko 18ct Rose Gold 'Tree-Rings' SLGA008J 40mm Limited

Here we have the beautifully executed 2022 Grand Seiko 18ct Rose Gold 'Tree-Rings' SLGA008J limited to 140 pieces. Created to celebrate the 140th Anniversary of Seiko, it encapsulates the essence of the 1967 44GS. The 40mm 18ct Rose Gold is exquisitely Zaratsu polished and precisely brushed drawing the eye towards the tapered screwed lugs. Its delicate curve of the case leads to a lug-to-lug length of 47mm and a case thickness of 11.5mm, ensuring a comfortable fit on your wrist. On the right side, there is a deeply knurled, signed screw-down crown. The stepped bezel features Zaratsu-polished edges and a brushed top surface, transitioning perfectly to hold a dual-curved sapphire crystal, Ar-coated on the inside, above an incredible wood grain brown dial that captures the ‘Nature of Time’ with its intricate light and dark tree rings and warm tones. An outer minute chapter ring surrounds facet-edged Zaratsu polished and brushed 18ct Rose Gold indexes marking the hours, at 3 o’clock, a framed colour matched date window, the large Zaratsu polished and brushed 18ct Rose Gold hour hand has a groove aligning perfectly with the indexes alongside the Zaratsu polished and brushed 18ct Rose Gold minute hand, complemented by a tapered second hand. At noon, we have the applied 18ct Rose Gold ‘GS’ above Grand Seiko, at 6 o’clock ‘Spring Drive 5 Days’, and the Grand Seiko ‘Special Dial’ mark signifies the use of gold for the indexes, completing this incredible nature-infused timepiece. On the reverse, a screw-down sapphire exhibition case back engraved with the details of the watch around its edge, inside a Spring Drive Grand Seiko Cal. The 9RA2, an innovative Spring Drive movement, is mechanical, but with an electromagnetic escapement regulated by a quartz oscillator, it features 38 jewels and boasts an impressive power reserve of 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 features dual-size barrels and a one-piece centre bridge, which provides strength, durability, and shock resistance. It comes paired with its 22mm Grand Seiko Crocodile strap, secured by an 18ct Rose Gold push-button-released three-fold clasp. This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko box, swing tags and Grand Seiko paperwork.

This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko box, swing tags and Grand Seiko paperwork. It comes paired with its 22mm Grand Seiko Crocodile strap, secured by an 18ct Rose Gold push-button-released three-fold clasp. The watch is from November 2022 and is sold in worn condition, but overall it is in very fair condition; as you can see from the photos, a full case refurb can be provided at an additional cost. The watch comes with our 12-Months Warranty.

Some watches stop you in your tracks when they are handed to you, this Grand Seiko 'Tree-Rings' SLGA008J was exactly one of those watches. The dial is mesmerising with its beautifully executed tree rings finish, contrasting warmly against the bold rose gold indices and hands. Then you come to this heavy and substantial 18ct rose gold case, you know it is on your wrist, and yet it remains incredibly comfortable, a delicate balance. All powered by the amazing spring drive Grand Seiko calibre 9RA2, which has an impressive 5-day reserve with a power reserve visible through the back, leaving the dial uninterrupted. With only 140 produced total and with an RRP of €50,000, this is a great opportunity to add one to your collection for a fraction of that price!

Reference : SLGA008J (9RA2-0AC0)
Movement : Spring Drive Grand Seiko Cal. 9RA2
Age : November 2022
Year : 2022
Case Size : 40mm
Case Thickness : 11.5mm
Lug to Lug : 47mm
Lugs : 22mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : 18ct Pink/Rose Gold
Warranty : 12 Months Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

The first Grand Seiko debuted in Tokyo in 1960; the reference 3180 was made by Suwa Seikosha. 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 they could not be chronometers. The ECOA did what irritated watchmakers did; 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 Authorisation 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.