Writer Shinichi Sato, who participated in a photoshoot for new products held at Seiko Watch headquarters, introduces the Grand Seiko "Evolution 9 Collection Tentagraph" Ref. SLGC006 as a noteworthy new watch. The theme of this model is "Mount Iwate shining in the morning sunlight." The dial features a pattern inspired by the rock face of Mount Iwate, and the copper pink coloring represents Mount Iwate in the morning. The bezel, pushers, and crown are made of 18K pink gold, capturing the image of Mount Iwate shining in the morning sunlight.
Automatic winding (Cal. 9SC5). 36,000 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. BTi case (diameter 43.2 mm, thickness 15.4 mm). Water resistant to 10 bar. Limited to 300 pieces worldwide (200 in Japan). 3,025,000 yen (tax included).
Text and Photographs by Shin-ichi Sato
[Article published on January 22, 2025]
A limited edition Tentagraph model themed on Mount Iwate shining in the morning sunlight.
At a photo shoot for new products held at Seiko Watch headquarters, the Grand Seiko mechanical chronograph model "Evolution 9 Collection Tentagraph" Ref. SLGC006 stood out for its splendor with its dial color and 18K pink gold.
The dial of this watch features a pattern inspired by the ridges of Mount Iwate, which can be seen from the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi in Iwate Prefecture, where Grand Seiko mechanical models are manufactured. This random pattern is highly three-dimensional, creating shadows and light when light hits it, and expresses the roughness and power of nature on the dial.
A review of the Tentagraph, Grand Seiko's first mechanical chronograph
The name of the "Tentagraph," released in 2023, comes from the fact that it is an automatic chronograph with a 10 beats per second, three days, automatic chronograph, and a power reserve of approximately three days with the chronograph running. These performance characteristics are achieved by the Cal. 9SC5 automatic chronograph movement, and its key component is the "dual impulse escapement" installed in the Cal. 9SA5, a new generation automatic movement announced in 2020. It is characterized by its high operating and transmission efficiency, and its ability to transmit stable, sufficient power without wasting energy greatly contributes to improved performance.
Seiko is one of the brands with a strong track record in chronograph technology, but surprisingly, the Tentagraph was Grand Seiko's first mechanical chronograph. As a result, the Tentagraph attracted attention for its meticulous improvements, such as reducing misalignment and jumping hands, and improving the feel of starting/stopping and resetting the timekeeping function using the column wheel and trident hammer, all based on the theme of "accurate measurement, operability, and durability" befitting Grand Seiko. Another notable change was the establishment of a new accuracy standard for mechanical chronographs, which evaluates accuracy in three positions with the chronograph running, in addition to the existing "New Grand Seiko Standard" tests.
The highlights of this piece include more than just the stamped dial
The theme of the dial of this model is the majestic Mount Iwate shining in the morning sunlight. The dial features a pattern inspired by the rock face of Mount Iwate, and the copper pink coloring represents Mount Iwate in the morning. The bezel, pushers, and crown are made of 18K pink gold, and the indexes are pink gold, capturing the image of the mountain shining in the morning sunlight.
The new dial design used in this model features inset dials in different colors. The tentagraph features central hour and minute hands and a chronograph second hand, a small second at 3 o'clock, a date at 4:30, a 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock, and a 30-minute counter at 9 o'clock. The small second hand, which is related to the time, is bright orange, like clouds stained by the morning sun, while the counters related to the chronograph are a dark red, reminiscent of rock surfaces bathed in the morning sun.
The dial of this watch has a two-layer structure consisting of the top part with a ridge pattern and a plate with three in-dials. When creating in-dials of different colors like this watch, each in-dial is usually made into a separate part, but in this watch, they are all color-coded on a single plate.
By adopting this structure, the parts configuration will be the same as previous models that used a single color, making it easier to control errors during plate manufacturing and assembly. The author also anticipates that this will help prevent misalignment due to vibrations during use. This is a typical approach from Grand Seiko, which bases its watches on excellent practical watches.
Grand Seiko's technical expertise shines through in the case and bracelet.
The case and bracelet are made of bright titanium, which is lightweight and has excellent appearance quality. Seiko's unique bright titanium has a bright color tone and is easy to polish, unlike regular titanium, which tends to have a dull appearance.
When worn, the case is large, measuring 43.2mm in diameter and 15.4mm thick, but thanks to the lightweight nature of titanium, it fits well. Because it is equipped with a large movement in a large case, it is not as ultra-light as a typical titanium watch, but it is kept to a level that allows you to enjoy a solid presence. This is likely due in part to the "Evolution 9 style," which has a low center of gravity while featuring short lugs and a case shape that fits snugly around the wrist.
Looking forward to new works reflecting the philosophy of "THE NATURE OF TIME" next year
Grand Seiko's philosophy is "THE NATURE OF TIME," and its watches are characterized by expressing the essence of time, Japanese nature, and the changing seasons. While the highly skilled die-stamped dial patterns are stunning, what I find particularly noteworthy is the skill with which the colors are toned.
Perhaps because the theme is Japanese nature, many colors that resonate with the Japanese people are used, and the appeal is in the color tones that are bold yet blend in well. Combined with the embossed pattern, the dial design conveys a Japanese feel to fans overseas, which may be one of the reasons for Grand Seiko's current popularity. We look forward to seeing new models next year that convey the Japanese aesthetic sense to the world.
