Description
About Grand Seiko SLGB006
Grand Seiko Spring Drive U.F.A Evolution 9 Collection
A limited-edition Spring Drive U.F.A. model in 18k yellow gold, with a dial inspired by an “Ice Forest at Dawn”
From the Evolution 9 Collection comes a model that embodies the scene of a frost-covered wood in silent repose in the Suwa region, home of Spring Drive. Its design harmonizes with the gentle glide motion of the seconds hand to conjure the tranquil dawn moment when time silently advances. The jet-black dial features innumerable gold-colored specks that were realized through a unique coating technique. Their effect on the dial is reminiscent of a sun pillar, a phenomenon that can be observed on winter mornings when emerging sunlight reflects off ice crystals suspended in the air to create the illusion of a towering pillar of light. Powering the limited-edition creation is the Spring Drive U.F.A. Caliber 9RB2, which provides an annual accuracy of ±20 seconds. Visible through the sapphire crystal case back, the movement’s bridge is decorated with a finish inspired by the frost that winter brings to the trees of Shinshu. Like the dial, it captures the ethereal beauty of a Japanese winter.
Limited edition of 80 pieces.
About Spring Drive
Spring Drive is Seiko’s exclusive movement that achieves an unprecedented level of accuracy (+/- 15 seconds per month on average, equivalent to +/- 1 second per day) by regulating a spring-driven watch with state-of-the-art electronic technology that functions without batteries or other external power source.
As in conventional mechanical watches, the sole power source of Spring Drive is a mainspring that can be wound by the motion of an oscillating weight or by winding the crown. And just as in mechanical watches, the mainspring drives a series of gears that rotate the hour, minute and second hands. A rotor, connected to the end of these gears, generate a small electrical charge that activates an electronic circuit and quartz oscillator.
The Tri-synchro regulator is a unique speed controller for Spring Drive that replaces the escapement, which is a mechanical speed control device used in almost all conventional mechanical watches. The Tri-synchro regulator moves the second hand in a smooth motion, without ticking and with extreme accuracy.
Some 80% of the components in a Spring Drive caliber are the same as those in a luxury mechanical watch. Spring Drive is a movement powered by a spring, just like a mechanical watch, with a different kind of regulator and combines the long-lasting autonomy of a mechanical watch with the precision that, until now, only electronic watches could provide.
To ensure reliable and accurate operation, all these parts need to be manufactured to the highest standards of precision, and assembling them requires superior craftsmanship.
The development of the Spring Drive movement caliber 9R was made possible because Seiko is one of the very few manufactures with expertise in both mechanical and quartz watches.
Since the first Grand Seiko Spring Drive in 2004, new movements have been created with even more complex mechanisms–including the GMT in 2005 and chronograph with GMT in 2007. Showing that with the Spring Drive caliber 9R, time never loses momentum.
Grand Seiko SLGB006 Features
A frost-covered forest, standing in silence on a winter morning
In the Suwa region, one can witness the breathtaking sight of a frost-covered forest in the dead of winter. For heightened legibility, a quality for which Grand Seiko is renowned, a gradation enhances the contrast between the outer edge and the inside of the dial, emphasizing the fantastical ice forest pattern at the center. A special dial treatment results in countless gold-colored specks, inspired by the mysterious visual phenomenon of sun pillars on winter mornings. The 18k yellow gold case and clasp harmonize with this otherworldly dial design.
The essence of Grand Seiko is infused with Japanese beauty
Born in the pursuit of the ideal wristwatch, the Evolution 9 Collection evinces a design language that is evolved from the Grand Seiko Style of 1967. With the Evolution 9 Style, Grand Seiko emphasizes evolutions in legibility, comfort, and aesthetics while honoring its origins.
Details of the Evolution 9 Style
A movement with an incredible annual rate
The pursuit of high accuracy has always been the cornerstone of Grand Seiko’s values. Receiving the new U.F.A. designation, which stands for “Ultra Fine Accuracy,” Caliber 9RB2 boasts a level of precision defined not by accuracy in seconds per day, week, or month, but by accuracy over one year. The movement has an astounding annual rate of ±20 seconds, or approximately ±3 seconds per month
- 34 jewels
- LIMITED EDITION on the case back
- Serial number engraved on the case back
- 18K yellow gold clasp
- Case back with lion emblem
- Date display
- Power reserve indicator
- Screw case back
- Screw-down crown
- See-through case back
Grand Seiko SLGB006 History
Prior to 1960, to challenge the status of Swiss watches and change the perception of Japanese watches, Daini Seikosha and Suwa began the discussion of a product line that can match the quality of Swiss watches under the suggestion of the parent company. At the time, Suwa Seikosha Co. was in charge of manufacturing men’s watches, so it was decided that Suwa would be producing the first Grand Seiko (GS).
The first Grand Seiko was released in 1960, it was based on Seiko’s previous high-end watch, CROWN. This Grand Seiko has a 25-jewel, manual-winding, 3180 caliber, and only 36,000 units were produced. This was also the first chronometer-grade watch manufactured in Japan, and it was based on Seiko’s own chronometer standard.
Design style
The design language of the Grand Seiko was set in 1967, with the creation of Grand Seiko 44GS. The 44GS set the ground for all future Grand Seiko with nine elements. These elements help improve the legibility of the watch under different situations, and create a sharp, crisp visual impression:
- Double width index at 12 o’clock
- Multi-faceted rectangular markers
- Highly polished bezel
- Highly polished planes and two-dimensional surface
- Half recessed crown
- Flat dial
- Multi-faceted hour and minute hands
- Curved side line
- Reverse slanted bezel wall and case side
- Dress style with simple but beautiful design
- Zaratsu polishing
source : wikipedia
