This is the watch I've been waiting for. I love the power reserve on the back as well as the 5 day power reserve. I agree with RJ about the dial, I prefer this dial. The original white birch was too silvery. I like the snowflake but hated that it was in titanium as well as the power reserve on the front. This is so much nicer.
I think this spring Drive White Birch would be perfect for me if it were in titanium. I own steel and titanium Grand Seikos and I’d take titanium every day of the week.
Couldn’t agree more. Tried this and snowflake on today and while I appreciate the snowflake this beat it in every area for me. Felt better, looked much nicer in person (the indices really pop) and I really appreciate the movement.
I don't get why Spring Drive movements don't get the recognition. The Swiss propaganda really wokring hard to make sure simpletons don't understand the magnitude of this invention. Huge respect for Grand Seiko. GS over Rolex ANY DAY.
Great review as always RJ. Thank you for sharing this fantastic piece. I like both dials actually, but I would have to see them both live to really decide which I like better. However, when it comes to the movement (I know, we don't wear our watches upside down, but still), the hi-beat is 10 times more beautiful. The finishing on the plates, and most of all the beautiful rotor with different methods of finishing on it (quite similar to Lange automatic rotors) is perhaps the most beautiful movement I've seen on any Grand Seiko, period.
Agreed. It looks like one giant mainplate or bridge. It hides everything. I don't know they couldn't have "skeltonized" it more to expose more of the movement.
I’ve had mine for three days and I love it. I wonder if they will put the power indicator on the back of the cases of all spring drives. What do you think?
It says SLGH005 when you show the watch at 0.34min. And the watch is about 12.2mm thick not 13mm. The new Spring Drive accuracy is amazing. My SLGA007 is still at +/- 0s after 2 months.
Very beautiful watch, Spring Drive movements are just a mesmerising... If they made a Black Birch, or used the Dial of the SBGH267 in a newer Spring Drive model, I would pull the trigger immediately!
The dial texture seems to be shallower than the Hi Beat version too. Still, my ideal GS would incorporate this new upgraded Spring Drive movement, maybe even this dial (I’d have to see it in the metal first) but in the 44GS case. I’m not really sold so far on this new case design, especially the all brushed, barely tapering new bracelet it comes on. Also the indices, especially the 12 o’clock one, seem too chunky. There is actually a newly released 44GS cased version with this movement, but I don’t like what seems to be the grey/black wood grain textured dial on that one. It’s supposed to be “Astronomically” related, but looks like faux woodgrain to me…again, maybe better in the metal 🤷♂️
Hello RJ. Thanks for the nice review. Kindly re-confirm whether the lug width for SLGA009 White Birch is 22mm or 20mm at the lugs. I have paid an advance to the local dealer here but I'm yet to decide between the SBGA211G Snowflake and the SLGA009 White Birch. I am leaning more toward purchasing the white birch due to its 5 day power reserve, a cleaner dial, and the 9RA2 caliber movement. I want to invest in a pair of suede straps so wanted to confirm the lug width. Thanks once again.
Hi, Lug width of the SLGA009 is 22mm. Part of the new GS design code is that the lug width is > half of the case diameter, so all these Evolution 9 models have 22mm lug widths.
Like for video! I like these three GS: -SLGH005 White Birch (WB high-beat) - not limited, -SLGA007 Lake Suwa (LS spring drive) - limited edition, -SLGA009 White Birch (WB spring drive) - not limited. But it is the first time, when I do not understand the GS company watch dials names and company price policy! 1) I think that WB spring drive dial is not so beautiful and hard in production like WB high-beat dial. If dials are not the same, why GS gived them the same names? 2) Official company retail: -not limited WB high-beat - 1,045,000¥ -limited edition LS spring drive - 990,000¥ -not limited WB spring drive - 1,045,000¥ Why WB spring drive is more expensive than the limited edition LS spring drive??? Why WB spring drive is not cheaper than the WB high-beat with a beautiful dial?
the texture on the dial is significantly weaker and finer on the Spring Drive than on the Hi Beat. Certainly a good watch but I don't like the hybrid movement.
Very informative. Thanks for the video. "In case... you can't read" 🤣 1:07 Quartz isn't a gadget. Quartz movements also took 20 years to develop. And they are more accurate. I love mechanical watches like we all watch nerds do but this aversion by he community towards quartz is just stupid.
I went to see the datejust wimbledom and will now travel into London to see the white birch but I wasn’t impressed With the price or wait time of the Rolex tbh
![Grand Seiko White Birch, Fantastic Watch With A Few Concerns - Owner's Review [SLGH005]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yM-M0EOd1ng/mqdefault.jpg)
This is the watch I've been waiting for. I love the power reserve on the back as well as the 5 day power reserve. I agree with RJ about the dial, I prefer this dial. The original white birch was too silvery. I like the snowflake but hated that it was in titanium as well as the power reserve on the front. This is so much nicer.
Why do you hate titanium?
I think this spring Drive White Birch would be perfect for me if it were in titanium. I own steel and titanium Grand Seikos and I’d take titanium every day of the week.
Couldn’t agree more. Tried this and snowflake on today and while I appreciate the snowflake this beat it in every area for me. Felt better, looked much nicer in person (the indices really pop) and I really appreciate the movement.
I don't get why Spring Drive movements don't get the recognition. The Swiss propaganda really wokring hard to make sure simpletons don't understand the magnitude of this invention. Huge respect for Grand Seiko. GS over Rolex ANY DAY.
I desperately need a Grand Seiko Spring Drive.
FABULOUS review!
Great review as always RJ. Thank you for sharing this fantastic piece. I like both dials actually, but I would have to see them both live to really decide which I like better. However, when it comes to the movement (I know, we don't wear our watches upside down, but still), the hi-beat is 10 times more beautiful. The finishing on the plates, and most of all the beautiful rotor with different methods of finishing on it (quite similar to Lange automatic rotors) is perhaps the most beautiful movement I've seen on any Grand Seiko, period.
Agreed. It looks like one giant mainplate or bridge. It hides everything. I don't know they couldn't have "skeltonized" it more to expose more of the movement.
At least it’s open to appreciate not hidden like Rolex. That drives me nuts.
Great overview. Thanks for sharing.
Agree the previous one was too ‘silver’ so looking forward to getting hands on.
I’ve had mine for three days and I love it. I wonder if they will put the power indicator on the back of the cases of all spring drives. What do you think?
That seems to be the direction they’re heading with this new Spring Drive movement.
It says SLGH005 when you show the watch at 0.34min. And the watch is about 12.2mm thick not 13mm. The new Spring Drive accuracy is amazing. My SLGA007 is still at +/- 0s after 2 months.
Goood choice for taking the SLGA007 than this white bird watch
Very beautiful watch, Spring Drive movements are just a mesmerising... If they made a Black Birch, or used the Dial of the SBGH267 in a newer Spring Drive model, I would pull the trigger immediately!
It's officially, the Night Birch exists and it's absolutely beautiful! Now we wait for the Spring Drive version :-)
3:24 I am unable to read so thank you for accentuating this point.
The dial texture seems to be shallower than the Hi Beat version too. Still, my ideal GS would incorporate this new upgraded Spring Drive movement, maybe even this dial (I’d have to see it in the metal first) but in the 44GS case. I’m not really sold so far on this new case design, especially the all brushed, barely tapering new bracelet it comes on. Also the indices, especially the 12 o’clock one, seem too chunky. There is actually a newly released 44GS cased version with this movement, but I don’t like what seems to be the grey/black wood grain textured dial on that one. It’s supposed to be “Astronomically” related, but looks like faux woodgrain to me…again, maybe better in the metal 🤷♂️
Hello RJ. Thanks for the nice review. Kindly re-confirm whether the lug width for SLGA009 White Birch is 22mm or 20mm at the lugs. I have paid an advance to the local dealer here but I'm yet to decide between the SBGA211G Snowflake and the SLGA009 White Birch. I am leaning more toward purchasing the white birch due to its 5 day power reserve, a cleaner dial, and the 9RA2 caliber movement. I want to invest in a pair of suede straps so wanted to confirm the lug width. Thanks once again.
Hi,
Lug width of the SLGA009 is 22mm. Part of the new GS design code is that the lug width is > half of the case diameter, so all these Evolution 9 models have 22mm lug widths.
I’m going for this one
Like for video!
I like these three GS:
-SLGH005 White Birch (WB high-beat) - not limited,
-SLGA007 Lake Suwa (LS spring drive) - limited edition,
-SLGA009 White Birch (WB spring drive) - not limited.
But it is the first time, when I do not understand the GS company watch dials names and company price policy!
1) I think that WB spring drive dial is not so beautiful and hard in production like WB high-beat dial. If dials are not the same, why GS gived them the same names?
2) Official company retail:
-not limited WB high-beat - 1,045,000¥
-limited edition LS spring drive - 990,000¥
-not limited WB spring drive - 1,045,000¥
Why WB spring drive is more expensive than the limited edition LS spring drive??? Why WB spring drive is not cheaper than the WB high-beat with a beautiful dial?
If not for that decapitated hour hand, it would be perfect ...
Actually it’s an improvement on the heritage hand in terms of readability
the texture on the dial is significantly weaker and finer on the Spring Drive than on the Hi Beat. Certainly a good watch but I don't like the hybrid movement.
Is it the video or the watch? At 3:23 the second hand speeds up and slows down
Very informative. Thanks for the video.
"In case... you can't read" 🤣
1:07 Quartz isn't a gadget. Quartz movements also took 20 years to develop. And they are more accurate.
I love mechanical watches like we all watch nerds do but this aversion by he community towards quartz is just stupid.
Exactly, unfortunately to many quartz equals cheap. We did a few in-depth articles on the Fratello website on interesting quartz powered watches.
@@FratelloMagazine I probably read most of them. 😉
20mm lug width and taper bracelet please 🙏
Does this new spring drive have a quick change date, or does it change progressively from 11 pm like lesser seikos?
Quick date. Tried one on today and I am obsessed, absolutely mesmerizing watch in person.
How much is it in Japan
Just bought it here in Ginza. $7900 usd. No tax.
I’m selling my date just chocolate dial everose for this , thanks
Wonderful, good choice! :)
I went to see the datejust wimbledom and will now travel into London to see the white birch but I wasn’t impressed With the price or wait time of the Rolex tbh
GS catalogue too many references, and lacking no date option
I’ve got question your taste…not in watches but in the fact you’re wearing a Stone-Island top. 😮
Seiko Astron is accurate to 1 second every 100,000 years....
Too small or id already be wearing this
Lake SuWa > White Bird