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Grand Seiko New Hi-Beat Chronograph: 3 Days, 2 Barrels, 1 Column Wheel, Mt Iwate dial
Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection unveils a brand-new mechanical chronograph -- the First Grand Seiko Mechanical Chronograph Ever Created
The new movement features the revolutionary Dual Impulse Escapement, which efficiently transfers energy to the free-sprung balance wheel indirectly through the pallet fork and also directly from the escape wheel. MEMS technology ensures extremely precise, lightweight, and highly durable escapement parts and also endows the escapement with increased energy efficiency to achieve a long power reserve.
Cazalea
The Tentagraph: SLGC001
Caliber 9SC5
Driving system: Automatic
Frequency: 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second)
Accuracy (mean daily rate): +5 to -3 seconds per day
Power reserve: 72 hours
Chronograph with 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock and 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock
Its birthplace was the Grand Seiko facility in Shizukuishi, where, for many decades, craftsmen and women have been responsible for the design and manufacture of all Grand Seiko mechanical watches. It was here, too, that the first 9S movement had been created.
The designers, engineers and watchmakers at the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi have two important assets at their disposal. First, they have inherited the tradition and accumulated know-how that has been built over decades as Grand Seiko has pursued its aim of “unflagging practical innovation” at the very highest level of the horological industry. Second, as a fully integrated “manufacture,” Grand Seiko has mastery of every aspect of the watchmaker’s art and has complete in-house control over every technical aspect of every single movement component.
Caliber 9SC5 is the direct result of the synergy of these two important assets, as its advanced functionality and its exquisite craftsmanship bear powerful testament.
Just like every Grand Seiko creation, the pursuit of precision is at the heart of the new Tentagraph, whose chronograph movement features the revolutionary high-beat Caliber 9SA5 as its base. Like Caliber 9SA5, the new Tentagraph Caliber 9SC5 beats ten times per second, ensuring high accuracy when measuring elapsed time as well as the time of day. And, thanks to its energy-efficient escapement and two barrels, the watch runs for three days even when the chronograph is in operation, making the Tentagraph the 10-beat chronograph with the longest power reserve in the industry today, according to GS research in March 2023.
Furthermore, the Tentagraph is subjected to a new and longer testing procedure. As with all Grand Seiko mechanical movements, the Tentagraph’s time-of-day accuracy is assessed in six positions and at three temperatures over 17 days but, in addition, there are three more days of testing during which the accuracy is assessed in three positions while the chronograph is in operation. Thus, in total, each Tentagraph movement is tested for 20 days to ensure that it meets the Grand Seiko Standard of +5 to -3 seconds per day.
The new movement features the revolutionary Dual Impulse Escapement, which efficiently transfers energy to the free-sprung balance wheel indirectly through the pallet fork and also directly from the escape wheel. MEMS technology ensures extremely precise, lightweight, and highly durable escapement parts and also endows the escapement with increased energy efficiency to achieve a long power reserve.
The overcoil in Caliber 9SC5 has a special feature in its curved shape that was decided after more than 80,000 simulations, as a result of which its performance is optimized in every possible position. The secret lies in the precision manufacture of the components and in the extraordinary adjustment skills of the watchmakers at the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi.
Hallmarks of a high-quality modern chronograph, a vertical clutch and a column wheel ensure high accuracy and operability. The vertical clutch eliminates any shuddering or jumping of the hands when the chronograph is engaged and enhances measurement accuracy, while the column wheel delivers precise control of the chronograph operation. The movement incorporates a three-pointed hammer, which ensures that, when the reset pusher is pressed, the hands return to zero instantly and in perfect synchronization.
The ideals of a Grand Seiko sports watch are readily apparent in this new chronograph. The powerful hands and prominent, grooved indexes of the Evolution 9 Style ensure supreme legibility. The chronograph seconds hand is gently curved down towards the dial so that the tip of the hand is as close as possible to the dial's markers and extends to the markings at the very edge of the dial. The minute hand is also gently curved to ensure the legibility of the time of day.
One signature of the Evolution 9 Style is its dial with redesigned indexes and hands, which have been created to achieve maximum legibility, allowing the wearer to check the time with just a glance. Everything about the Tentagraph’s chronograph and time-of-day displays has been thoroughly considered, from the placement of the hands relative to the indexes to the distance between the dial and hands. The recessed sub-dials sit a level below the main time-of-day display, enhancing the Tentagraph dial’s depth and legibility. And by placing the date between four and five o’clock, Grand Seiko’s designers ensured an index remains at each of the traditional hour positions while allowing for maximum readability for the time of day and the chronograph sub-dials.
The dial features Grand Seiko’s signature “Mt. Iwate pattern,” which takes inspiration from the ridged contours of the nearby mountain visible through the windows of the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, where the Tentagraph and all other Grand Seiko mechanical watches are hand-assembled and adjusted. The Mt. Iwate dial first appeared in 2006, and the pattern has since become deeply associated with Grand Seiko mechanical watchmaking. The majestic peak serves as an enduring inspiration for Grand Seiko, and its choice for the brand’s first mechanical chronograph is both symbolic and fitting. Combined with the gentle blue hue, the dial takes the imagination upwards towards the night sky above Mt. Iwate.
The Grand Seiko Tentagraph joins the Evolution 9 Collection and will be available at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and select retail partners starting in June 2023.
Cazalea
The Tentagraph: SLGC001
Caliber 9SC5
Driving system: Automatic
Frequency: 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second)
Accuracy (mean daily rate): +5 to -3 seconds per day
Power reserve: 72 hours
Chronograph with 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock and 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock
Number of jewels: 60
Diameter: 33.0mm, Thickness: 8.0mm
Specifications
High-intensity titanium case and bracelet
Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
See-through screw case back. Screw-down crown.
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 43.2mm, Thickness: 15.3mm
Three-fold clasp with push button release
Recommended retail price in Europe: €14,300
The Grand Seiko facility in Shizukuishi
Diameter: 33.0mm, Thickness: 8.0mm
Specifications
High-intensity titanium case and bracelet
Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
See-through screw case back. Screw-down crown.
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 43.2mm, Thickness: 15.3mm
Three-fold clasp with push button release
Recommended retail price in Europe: €14,300
Cazalea
Yes, well - all that new stuff, those hard-working watchmakers, cost of living nowadays, 60 rubies, etc.
For that price I want 70 rubies. On a serious note I would like to see this in person. Very tempted.
I am not convinced
I think that Seiko, a company with a long history of integrated vertical-clutch chronograph movements, could do better for their flagship line. The GS Spring Drive chronograph (which is based on a non-GS movement) is integrated, so I see this as a step back. I'd also like to see them move towards offering tool-less micro adjust across the line.
Are you considering the Spring Drive
as it powers the Chronograph is not a GS movement because it comes from the Seiko Epson facility?
They might argue that GS is not the flagship but Credor is instead. That’s what I was told when I visited but everyone has their own opinion about things like that.
They might argue that GS is not the flagship but Credor is instead. That’s what I was told when I visited but everyone has their own opinion about things like that.
I mean it is found in both GS & non-GS models. Some of the mechanical GS movements aren't shared in the same way with other lines.
Agree that there are higher end models in other ranges.
Just for fun, here’s the SBGC005.
I like that model
Here's my favorite Seiko Chronograph, 'a step down' from GS variants from a long ways back - 19 years ago. Still had titanium case, ceramic bezel, column wheel, etc
Interesting release!
The base movement is an exceptional one, so really the 9SC5 is quite a bit further along compared the Audemars Piguet Cal 3124/3841 that powered the circa 2010 Royal Oak Offshores.
The top end of the market is asking for integrated chronographs, because we enjoy seeing a black-polished column wheel actuate the chronograph switching. There are other reasons (compactness, repairability), which I always felt justify the aesthetic and emotional reasons.
An integrated chronograph movement will do its best work inside a smaller watch. This is a large watch with a light case. The resurgence of smaller (and perhaps dressier) chronographs is still few years off. We can see there is interest building though. There's plenty of time for Seiko to continue developing a dedicated chronograph movement and continue moving the brand upmarket.
How much can Seiko charge and still move a substantial number of units? An integrated chronograph with a dual impulse escapement will not be cheap, as it would surpass Blancpain's F385. 13,700 USD is a lot of money already and I'd expect Seiko would need to sell the new movement in watches costing over 20,000 USD and sell a ton of Grand Seiko chronographs over the next few decades. An ambitious chronograph movement to match an ambitious growth target, but a large risk too.
Back to the watch. The Tentagraph looks like it will impress in the metal with its beautiful dial, a fantastically finished case / bracelet, and a substantial volume. If the size appeals to you, I suspect the rest of the watch will meet expectations.
Thanks for your detailed observations
I agree in general with everything you said here. Cheers,
Cazalea
Cazalea
Yup
I don't know why but at Seiko they manage to have the absolute worst lighting of all the fair. I know that my photos are trash but Seiko do their best to make them even worse.
Cool, thanks! No doubt that lighting makes the blue super strong
I have seen some other live shots that make it much more subdued. This watch is an absolute winner, I'm certain of it.
Corrected lighting
Please take it with a grain of salt. I tried to correct the lighting without color touching.
