There’s something wonderfully exceptional about the brand new Grand Seiko SLGH005 “White Birch.” Perhaps it’s an ability to capture the natural facade of the white birch tree forests near the Grand Seiko studio in Shizukuishi, Japan. It may be the new 10-beat movement, masterfully constructed two decades after the last. Or it could be the fact that this Grand Seiko timepiece is the brand’s first non-limited edition model to feature this groundbreaking new 9SA5 Hi-Beat movement. Whatever it is that draws you into this masterpiece of watchmaking, be sure to take a moment to soak in the true and eternal nature of time. For a watch, this beautiful deserves your attention for longer than the few seconds it takes to tell the time. 

Following the Series 9 Design, the Grand Seiko SLGH005 “White Birch” establishes itself as an essential addition to the Grand Seiko Heritage Collection. Marking itself as a signature timepiece for years to come, the “White Birch” brings forward the Grand Seiko Style defined way back in 1967 with the highly-coveted 44GS. Described as having “a powerful contemporary feel that points towards a new era,” the “White Birch” is a futuristic heritage all in one. Taking further inspiration from the surrounding environment, the gentle curves of the bridge are molded after both Mt. Iwate’s shape and the bend of the nearby Shizukuishi River. 

The Grand Seiko SLGH005 boasts a Zaratsu polished and distortion-free mirror finish alongside a stainless steel case with wide lugs and a low center of gravity to promote a more comfortable and secure feeling around your wrist. But underneath all of that is the true star of the show – the revolutionary Caliber 9SA5. Setting a new standard in high-beat horology, the entirely new Dual Impulse Escapement sits alongside the Grand-Seiko free-sprung balance and the horizontal gear train. Taken from the limited edition 60th Anniversary Grand Seiko model, it holds a power reserve of 80 hours thanks to enhanced energy efficiencies allowing every exquisite example to exude effortless escapement (alliteration for the win).