Grand Seiko Unveils Dawn-Inspired “Ice Forest”
It was only half a year ago that Grand Seiko unveiled the Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2 at Watches and Wonders Geneva, in the form of the Evolution 9 SLGB001 (in platinum) and SLGB003 (in titanium), both with dials that evoke the frost-covered forests in the Kirigamine Highlands of the Shinshu region of central Japan, east of Grand Seiko’s Shinshu Watch Studio where all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches are crafted.
Now the brand has released a follow-up, the Evolution 9 Spring Drive UFA SLGB005, in a new dial of dark purple as well as in Ever-Brilliant Steel, a stainless-steel alloy exclusive to Grand Seiko with exceptional corrosion resistance and shine.
A limited production of 1,300, available starting this November, the SLGB005 also features the “Ice Forest” motif, characterised by the textured herringbone-like pattern, but it stands apart from its predecessors by referencing a fleeting moment not in full daylight but as the dark of night subsides. Deep purple gently lightens up going inward toward the cannon pinion. The theme of frost continues on the movement’s finish, visible through the sapphire- crystal caseback.
Moving onto the case and bracelet, Ever-Brilliant Steel is brighter than standard stainless steel and boasts a Pitting Resistance It was only half a year ago that Grand Seiko unveiled the Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2 at Watches and Wonders Geneva, in the form of the Evolution 9 SLGB001 (in platinum) and SLGB003 (in titanium),both with dials that evoke the frost-covered forests in the Kirigamine Highlands of the Shinshu region of central Japan, east of Grand Seiko’s Shinshu Watch Studio where all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches are crafted.
Now the brand has released a follow-up, the Evolution 9 Spring Drive UFA SLGB005, in a new dial of dark purple as well as in Ever-Brilliant Steel, a stainless-steel alloy exclusive to Grand Seiko with exceptional corrosion resistance and shine.
A limited production of 1,300, available starting this November, the SLGB005 also features the “Ice Forest” motif, characterised by the textured herringbone-like pattern, but it stands apart from its predecessors by referencing a fleeting moment not in full daylight but as the dark of night subsides. Deep purple gently lightens up going inward toward the cannon pinion. The theme of frost continues on the movement’s finish, visible through the sapphire- crystal caseback.
Moving onto the case and bracelet, Ever-Brilliant Steel is brighter than standard stainless steel and boasts a Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number (PREN) rating 1.7 times higher than that of stainless steel. These qualities complement Grand Seiko’s signature Zaratsu polishing, which creates a mesmerising mirror finish that, together with brushed-finish surfaces, results in a harmonious glow.
As part of the Evolution 9 collection, the SLGB005 features the Evolution 9 style of hands and prominent grooved indices. The 37mm case is designed with a low centre of gravity and comes fitted with a robust bracelet of substantial width and thickness, for a balanced and secure fit, though curiously the SLGB005 foregoes the new and quickly well received Grand Seiko microadjustment clasp.
As for the movement, it is the new Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2 behind both the SLGB001 and the SLGB003 – the most accurate wristwatch movement powered by a mainspring, according to Grand Seiko.
The movement bears the UFA designation, for Ultra Fine Accuracy, which claims a stated accuracy of plus or minus 20 seconds a year, an achievement that results from new manufacturing and processing methods for the quartz oscillator and newly designed integrated circuit system. And if timekeeping ever grows less accurate, the movement even contains a regulation switch that can correct divergences in accuracy over long periods.
This story was first seen as part of the WOW #81 Autumn 2025 Issue
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