Grand Seiko unveils two new watches with stunning casebacks, ivory dials cut like tree rings
Grand Seiko's new SLGH039 and STGK039 went on sale October 9 at Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, the mechanical workshop in northern Japan, and nowhere else. Not at any boutique or online store. The studio lets in visitors by reservation only. Each person may buy one of each model. So essentially, the company will sell you either of these watches only on one condition. You have to go to Iwate.
However, neither is a limited edition. Grand Seiko doesn't list a definite count for either one.
Both dials are ivory — they are embossed with a tree-ring texture drawn from the wood used throughout the studio building. A gold seconds hand crosses each. The date is visible at three.
The SLGH039 is the more prominent piece. Its case is Ever-Brilliant Steel at 40 mm across, 11.7 mm thick and 47 mm lug to lug, and the caliber is the 9SA5. That means 36,000 vibrations an hour, roughly 80 hours of reserve, and a rate of plus five to minus three seconds a day. When you flip the watch around, you will see "Shizukuishi Exclusive." It costs 1,419,000 yen, about $8,950.
The STGK039, on the other hand, is smaller and quieter. It sports a steel case, 30 mm wide, 10.5 mm thick, 36.2 mm long, caliber 9S27, about 50 hours of reserve, plus eight to minus three a day. Diamonds are studded at every hour except twelve. The engraving moves to the sapphire caseback instead. It costs 1,023,000 yen, roughly $6,452.
Both come with 100 meters of water resistance.
Ever-Brilliant Steel deserves a small mention here. Grand Seiko rates it above 40 on the pitting resistance scale. Compare that to roughly 25 for ordinary stainless and 35 for 904L. Hardness is unchanged, so it scratches like anything else. Although you're still getting a case that will not pit (and a trip to Iwate).
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