Grand Seiko Hi-Beat Calibre 9SA5 SLGH005 White Birch

Calibre 9SA5 – a brief overview of its attributes

I have written at length about the Calibre 9SA5 in my review of the previously mentioned SLGH002 timepiece. Therefore, in this article, I will briefly outline the key attributes of the movement.

• The Calibre 9SA5 has a high frequency of 36,000 vph (5 Hz). Not many firms make 5Hz movements because they present a number of technical obstacles which have to be overcome. Grand Seiko is one of the few firms that has surmounted such obstacles. The benefits of a high-frequency movement are they are more precise, the balance is less susceptible to shocks and the movement is less prone to positional errors.

 

• While watch brands release new movements, it is unusual for any company to produce a new escapement. The vast majority of mechanical watches feature a Swiss-lever escapement, however, the Calibre 9SA5 features a dual-impulse escapement. The primary benefit of this type of escapement is that the transfer of energy from the gear train to the balance is far more efficient, mitigating energy consumption and thereby increasing the power-reserve of the watch.

• Most mechanical movements feature an index-regulated balance, however, the Calibre 9SA5 is endowed with a free-sprung balance with an overcoil. This latter combination delivers superior precision, improved shock resistance and, once again, less likelihood of positional errors.

• Unlike many watches where the gear train and barrel(s) are effectively stacked, the Calibre 9SA5 is different. The gear train is positioned in line with the twin barrels, mitigating the thickness of the movement. Grand Seiko refers to this as a ‘horizontal gear train’.

• Although existing Grand Seiko movements are attractively appointed, they lack the exalted finishing of the Calibre 9SA5. The bridges feature a striped pattern, the mainplate is adorned with perlage and blued screws abound.

• The crown is positioned closer to the caseback which is said to improve wearer comfort.

• A problem with many high-frequency movements is they usually consume greater energy than 4 Hz movements, limiting the available power reserve. However, the Calibre 9SA5 breaks convention with its impressive power reserve of 80 hours.

• By having two barrels arranged in sequence, the torque served to the escapement is more consistent and, by default, the amplitude of the balance will also be more consistent, thereby aiding precision.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat Calibre 9SA5 SLGH005 White Birch – dial

For many fans of Grand Seiko, the ‘Snowflake’ is a must-have addition to any collection. In 2010, the Japanese marque released the first white ‘Snowflake’ dial, the SBGA011. The dial’s surface replicated the appearance of the freshly fallen snow, as seen from the windows of the company’s Shinshu Watch Studio. As a die-hard fan of the brand, I have never once contemplated parting company with my own beloved SBGA011.

In 2017, the lone Seiko name disappeared from the dials of Grand Seiko watches. As part of this change, a new Snowflake was released, the SBGA211. The branding was pared back, but the overall appearance looked virtually identical. More recently, GS unveiled the ‘Blue Snowflake’ SBGA407. Once again, this current model is blessed with a prepossessing appearance.

Now, the Japanese company has released the new Grand Seiko Heritage Hi-Beat 9SA5 SLGH005 White Birch, or ‘Shirakaba’ as they say in Japan. It may not be a snowflake dial, but like the winter-themed watch, it has a textured epidermis, this time inspired by the nature close to the Grand Seiko Studio in Shizukuishi where the watch is made.

There are further subtle details that distinguish the Shirakaba from its forebears. For example, the hour hand has a truncated tip and the indexes feature a central channel, except the index at noon which incorporates two channels. By introducing these recesses, the light seems to illuminate the hour markings more efficiently, improving readability.

The minute track on many GS models, including the Snowflake, usually consists of crisp strokes in between each index, however, on the new SLGH005, the minute track is positioned on a rehaut or flange adjacent to the dial. By adopting this approach the dial looks even cleaner than before, something I didn’t think was possible.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat Calibre 9SA5 SLGH005 White Birch – case

The Grand Seiko Heritage Hi-Beat 9SA5 SLGH005 White Birch subscribes to the brand’s ‘Series 9 Design’, a style that harks back to 1967 and the release of the iconic 44GS. Measuring 40 mm in diameter, the scale of the watch should suit most wrist sizes. Made of stainless steel, the case is ‘zaratsu’ polished. Further information about this artisanal polishing technique can be found in my review of the Grand Seiko Elegance Limited Edition Steel SBGK005.

 

Grand Seiko has endowed the case with a blend of highly polished and straight-brushed surfaces. This interplay of different surface treatments proves challenging to execute, but the matchless appearance of the case justifies the firm’s efforts. With all zaratsu polished cases, the behaviour of all reflections proves sublime. Indeed, place an object adjacent the case and the ‘distortion-free finish’ delivers a mirror-like facsimile on the case’s surface. Furthermore, appraise the case between forefinger and thumb and you will note an extraordinary degree of smoothness seldom seen elsewhere.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat Calibre 9SA5 SLGH005 White Birch – closing thoughts

From experience, I know there have been several occasions when demand for particular GS models has outstripped supply. Based on this fact, Grand Seiko may have been tempted to save on research and development and sit back and watch the sales continue to grow. However, consistent with many Japanese companies, Grand Seiko wholeheartedly embraces continuous improvement and this is evident with its latest models, including the Shirakaba SLGH005.

Once again, GS has looked to the nature in its midst, taken inspiration from it and conceived a dial motif that is uniquely Japanese. The dial of the Shirakaba is rich in detail, while the hands and indexes promise superb readability. However, the pièce de résistance is undoubtedly the fabulous Calibre 9SA5, a self-winding movement par excellence.

At this point, the vulgar issue of money must be discussed. I can honestly say that I am surprised that the watch is just £8500 (RRP as of 26.2.2021), I expected the price to be substantially more. Do not misconstrue, this is a significant sum for a 3-hander housed in a steel case, but when you appraise the dial, the case and the impressively appointed movement, it represents excellent value for money. I cannot think of a watch that delivers a comparable specification for less than £20,000.

So is everything in the garden rosy? Not quite. Firstly, I suspect these watches will literally fly off retailer’s shelves and, to be honest, I would be amazed if queues of would-be buyers don’t begin to form in the coming weeks. While doors may be closed at present, online sales continue and virtual queues are likely. You have been warned!

Secondly, there is the issue of GS fans. We are a growing band of obsessives drawn to the beauty and technical virtuosity the brand delivers. Indeed, we are a group of individuals who reject the notion of conspicuous consumption, choosing to focus on beauty and technical merit prior to making any purchase. Furthermore, like many brand obsessives, I find it difficult not to buy ‘just one more Grand Seiko’ and with the advent of new models like the Shirakaba SLGH005, that temptation is proving increasingly difficult to resist.