The new Grand Seiko SLGH013 means the 9SA5 x 44GS case combo has arrived in standard production
Zach BlassDon’t get me wrong. The Evolution 9 case geometry has a stellar aesthetic. But when we first saw Grand Seiko’s innovative and beautiful 9SA5 hi-beat calibre in a case other than the Evolution 9 case, the classic and iconic 44GS case it was found in for their limited edition SLGH009, I immediately knew I wanted to see this happen more often. Alas, it was a limited edition. And the 9SA5 has only been found in Evolution 9 cases for standard production models – until now. I love all the models in the Birch family, and I really dug the SLGH009. But the new SLGH013, which marks the first time the modern 44GS case and 9SA5 calibre combo has arrived in standard production, may just be the best looking 9SA5-powered Grand Seiko watch yet.
The case and calibre combo for standard production is not the only notable first at play here. The Grand Seiko SLGH013 is the first “mainstream” model, as Grand Seiko puts it, to utilize their new “ever-brilliant steel” for both the case and bracelet. Ever-brilliant steel is said to not only have a brighter luster, but also high corrosion resistance. Its brilliantly zaratsu-finished case clocks in at 40mm in diameter and 11.7mm in thickness, with a very wrist-manageable lug-to-lug of 47.2mm. You can take full advantage of the ever-brilliant steel’s corrosion resistance thanks to its 100m depth rating, further bolstered by the comfort of a screw-down crown. The modern 44GS case has elements of hairline brushing to the case. But, of all their mixed-finished cases, the 44GS notably stands out with large distortion-free mirror-polished shoulders – conveying the most ample display of mirror polishing than other case geometries in the catalogue.
I know I have zeroed in on the new steel alloy, and the arrival of a 44GS x 9SA5 pairing in standard production. But the dial will be an equal source of allure for many, its icy-blue hue inspired by snow melting off the face of the famed Mt. Iwate near studio Shizukuishi where the watch is made. The textured blue dial really appears like ice, with certain spots appearing darker, and others brighter, to evoke natural imperfections. The date at 3′ remains a white disc with black numerals, but, due to the icy-bright sheen of the dial, in certain angles it blends so well into the dial you might mistake it as a color-matching disc. As you would expect, the hands have a razor-sharp finish and are entirely mirror-finished on their top-facet to go dark against the brighter dial. And with the dial’s bright blue hue, Grand Seiko felt safe in hand-blueing the central seconds hand – it’s darker tone very legible against its backdrop.
As I mentioned earlier, the bracelet matches the case in ever-brilliant steel and it utilizes the familiar five-piece link setup. The narrower intermediary links are mirror polished, while the broader surfaces are hairline brushed, and the outer shoulders of the outer links have a thin mirrored bevel. The bracelet is secured to the wrist with their three-fold clasp, and, while some moan about the lack of micro-adjustment, it can be well sized to the wrist. I really nitpick how watches fit to my wrist, and from personal experience with my Grand Seiko watches I have found the proper combination of half and full links can serve well as micro-adjustment. The half links are really 2/3 links, therefore replacing one full link with two 2/3 links serves as the micro-adjustment you will not find in the clasp.
Inside, visible beneath an exhibition caseback, is one of Grand Seiko’s most technical and aesthetically pleasing calibres: The 9SA5. The calibre notably features a dual-impulse escapement, akin, yet distinct from, the famed Co-Axial escapement created by George Daniels and now utilized by Omega. It offers a twin-barrel supported 80 hours of power reserve, and is regulated to run within +5/-3 seconds per day when static and +8/-1 seconds per day during normal usage. The 9SA5 is also handsomely decorated, with elegant striping and diamond cut bridges inspired by the shape of Mt. Iwate and the Shizukuishi river nearby. And thanks to the thinness of the calibre, the 44GS case of the SLGH013 is able to be thinner than its predecessors.
If I did not have a saturation of blue currently in my collection, I would definitely want this watch for myself. Heck, it is still tempting. Hopefully the Grand Seiko SLGH013 is not the first and last standard production 44GS model to use the 9SA5. If you are looking for a versatile and robust-elegant daily wearer, the SLGH013 is very hard to beat.
Grand Seiko SLGH013 pricing and availability:
The Grand Seiko SLGH013 is available now for pre-orders, and will ship beginning October 2022. Price: $9,500 USD / $14,200 AUD
| Brand | Grand Seiko |
| Model | SLGH013 |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm x 11.7mm x 47.2mm |
| Case Material | Ever-brilliant steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m (screw-down crown) |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire crystals |
| Dial | Icy bright blue |
| Straps | Ever-brilliant steel bracelet with three-fold clasp |
| Lug Width | 19mm |
| Movement | In-house 9SA5 |
| Power Reserve | 80 hours (hours, minutes, seconds, date) |
| Availability | Available now for pre-orders (October 2022) |
| Price | $9,500 USD / $14,200 AUD |