2022 Grand Seiko 'Green Birch' Hi-Beat 40mm SLGH011G
Ref: SLGH011G (9SA5-00C0)
Specification
Lugs : 22mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : Manufacturer Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko box, swing tag & Grand Seiko paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original Grand Seiko 22mm, 3-link stainless steel bracelet, expertly brushed and polished with a push-button release folding clasp, all links included. The watch is from December 2022 and is sold in worn condition, however, as you can see from the photos the watch is in very fair condition. The watch comes with its Manufacturer's Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-piWLUtgctPkkjPq1PO597HnBmaNPjhi?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 9:01 - https://youtu.be/hm13BLBtHIw
The Watch
Here we have a 2022 Grand Seiko 'Green Birch' Hi-Beat 40mm SLGH011G, the elegant 40mm stainless steel case has been expertly polished for an exquisite finish, and a subtle curve of the drilled lugs sits perfectly on the wrist, the lug-to-lug length of 46.5mm and a case thickness of 12mm, ensure an ergonomically pleasing fit. A polished chamfer edge flows around the case and brushed surfaces transition with crisp lines. On the right side, a signed crown. The stepped brushed and polished smooth bezel holds a box-shaped sapphire crystal AR coated on the inside above a stunning textured deep green birch textured dial that resembles the distinctive bark pattern of the birch trees found in the forests of northern Japan near their Grand Seiko studio, a outer minute chapter ring surrounds applied faceted indexes marking the hours have chamfered edges Zaratsu hand polished which shimmer in the light as you rotate your wrist, at 3 o’clock a framed date window, elegant dauphine hands are Zaratsu polished with razor edges complemented by a blue sweeping second hand, at 12 o’clock we have the applied “GS” and “Grand Seiko” underneath, at 6 o’clock “High-Beat 36000” “80-Hours” completes this incredible inspired by nature dress watch. On the reverse a screw-down exhibition case back, inside an automatic Grand Seiko Cal. 9SA5, 47 jewels, beating at 36,000 beats per hour. Developed at their Grand Seiko Studio in Shizukuishi, fitted with a skeletonised rotor, dual impulse escapement, and twin barrels that deliver more power, the movement has been adjusted to six positions and temperatures at the factory, and finished with attractive Cotes de Geneve decoration, the movement has been developed with Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Technology where precise components are produced using advanced semiconductor manufacturing. The watch comes paired with its Grand Seiko 22mm, 3-link stainless steel bracelet, expertly brushed and polished with a push-button release folding clasp and the watch comes with its Grand Seiko presentation box and paperwork.
Personal Note
Grand Seiko has become synonymous with beautiful dials and finishing that rivals the very best in the watch world. This SLGH011G 'Green Birch' demonstrates that from the dial to the Hi-Beat Automatic movement! It's a thing to behold on the wrist and one well worth booking an appointment to see in the metal for yourself!
The Brand
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 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.