GRAND SEIKO NOVELTIES - APRIL 2025 NEWS
Step into the world of Grand Seiko’s 2025 masterpieces, where timeless artistry converges with cutting-edge precision.
This year’s collection showcases a groundbreaking Spring Drive U.F.A. movement, a fresh Evolution 9 Tentagraph, and a sophisticated Heritage Manual-Winding model. Each timepiece reflects Grand Seiko’s unparalleled commitment to flawless craftsmanship, the beauty of Japan's natural landscapes, and innovative horological design.
Evolution 9 Spring Drive U.F.A. SLGB003
The Spring Drive U.F.A. movement with an astounding annual rate makes its debut in a creation inspired by the beauty of ice forests.
Grand Seiko's legacy of accuracy in watchmaking reaches new heights with the announcement of the Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2, which receives the new U.F.A. designation, standing for “Ultra Fine Accuracy.” The ground-breaking movement boasts a level of precision defined not by accuracy in seconds per day, week, or month, but by its accuracy over one year. The automatic U.F.A. movement has an astounding annual rate of ±20 seconds, making it the most accurate wristwatch movement powered by a mainspring today (as of April 2025).
In 2025, the Calibre 9RB2 makes its debut in the Evolution 9 Collection. To the east of the Shinshu Watch Studio lie the Kirigamine Highlands, where frost-covered trees can be observed during harsh winter months. The intricately textured dial captures the beauty of these ice forests thanks to finishing techniques that create pale blue tones that are subtle yet striking in their presence. It features a newly developed three-step micro-adjustment clasp that operates without a tool, allowing precise adjustments in 2mm increments for enhanced comfort.
The movement's beauty is revealed through the sapphire crystal case back, with mirror-polished, bevelled edges adding brilliance. Its design, inspired by the natural surroundings of the Shinshu Watch Studio where it is made, reflects a uniquely Japanese aesthetic characterized by understated charm and elegance. The jewels echo the glittering stars that sparkle during the early days of winter above the surrounding mountains, and the delicate texture of the movement’s surfaces reflects the frost that winter brings to the trees of Shinshu, where all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches are made.
SLGB003. Retail Price $16,300. Available from June 2025.
Evolution 9 Tentagraph SLGC007
A mechanical chronograph imbued with the majestic presence of Mount Iwate in winter.
This mechanical chronograph was created in the Evolution 9 Style, a unique design method that combines the spirit of Grand Seiko and the aesthetic beauty of Japan to reach new heights. Nature’s beauty and the ever-changing seasons provide boundless inspiration for Grand Seiko. Mount Iwate, visible from the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, where the brand’s mechanical watches are crafted, presents breath-taking expressions throughout the year. The dial is inspired by Mount Iwate in the depth of winter, with the new snow depicted in snow-blue, while the mountain’s surface peeks through in the form of black sub-dials.
One signature of the Evolution 9 Style is its dial with redesigned indexes and hands. Created to achieve maximum legibility, their size and shape allow the wearer to read the time with just a glance. Everything about the Tentagraph’s chronograph and time-of-day displays has been thoroughly considered, from the placement of the hands relative to the indexes to the distance between the dial and the hands. By placing the date between four and five o’clock, an index can remain at each of the traditional hour positions while allowing for maximum readability for the time of day and the chronograph sub-dials.
This model features the Mechanical Hi-Beat Chronograph Calibre 9SC5 oscillating at a rate of 10 beats per second, which operates continuously for approximately 72 hours (about 3 days) when fully wound. The name Tentagraph describes key features of the Calibre 9SC5 movement: Ten beats per second, three days of power reserve, automatic winding, and chronograph. Fully wound, the watch runs for 72 hours when the chronograph is in operation.
SLGC007. Retail Price $21,000. Available from May 2025.
Heritage Manual-Winding SBGW323
A mechanical watch with a dial inspired by the purple kiri.
In 1967, the 44GS established the unique design philosophy that would come to be known as the Grand Seiko Style, which guides all of the brand’s creations to this day. With the SBGW323, Grand Seiko presents a modernised take on the 44GS. This new Heritage Collection watch combines the Mt. Iwate dial pattern, a classic in its own right, with a soft and beautiful purple colour inspired by the kiri, the official flower of Iwate Prefecture.
The manually wound mechanical movement features a maximum continuous power reserve of 72 hours (about three days). As the mainspring unwinds, its torque diminishes gradually to ensure that accuracy remains stable. With a 36.5mm mid-sized case, this 44GS creation is characterised by refinement and elegance.
SBGW323. Retail Price $8,400. Available from May 2025.
Be Immersed in Japanese Artistry
Grand Seiko’s 2025 novelties are a profound expression of mechanical ingenuity and natural inspiration - each timepiece capturing a fleeting moment in Japan’s seasonal landscape with masterful precision. From the icy elegance of Spring Drive U.F.A. to the snow-draped beauty of Mount Iwate and the gentle hues of the purple kiri flower, this collection invites admiration from every angle.
We welcome you to experience the collection at J Farren-Price - where your journey into Grand Seiko’s world of refined watchmaking and Japanese artistry begins.
