IntroducingGrand Seiko's New SLGC006 'Iwate Sunrise' Tentatgraph and SLGW007 'Blue Birch'

Grand Seiko just quietly released two new variations of existing models. No pomp, no circumstance, just posting them on the website. While both look like solid releases, I'm going to start with the one that is far and away my favorite, the SLGW007. This is the first new variation of the SLWG003 released at last year's Watches & Wonders. While that watch featured a signature "white birch" dial, Grand Seiko has gone for a darker blue tone with the same birch pattern for a dramatic new look.

The watch features the manually-wound 9SA4 movement with 80 hours of power reserve and a high-beat balance. This watch has one of the most satisfying clicks of a manual wind at the price point, which is what captured my attention at first. The case is still 38.6mm by 9.95mm thick but they've swapped the Brilliant-Hard Titanium for a new stainless steel case.

I'll give my take on the case material a bit further down, but the watch has all the bells, whistles, and finishes you'd expect from Grand Seiko. It comes on a calfskin strap with three-fold stainless steel buckle and will be available October 1 for $10,000.

The Tentagraph has gotten a number of different dial treatments before as well, but this time Grand Seiko has added a splash of precious metal to the case and dial with the new SLG006, with a dial inspired by Japan's Mt. Iwate in sunrise light. That means that in addition to the bright sunburst copper-rose dial and 18k rose gold indices and hands, the High-Intensity Titanium case has an 18k rose gold ring around the ceramic bezel, plus an 18k rose gold crown and pushers.

This is another high-beat movement, running at 36,000 bph with 72 hours of power reserve. The watch features a tachymeter scale on the bezel and a stainless-steel bracelet. The case is sizable, at 43.2mm by 15.3mm thick and features a display caseback. This will also be available starting October 1, for $22,600.

I'll focus my thoughts here mostly on the SLGW007, as the Tentagraph is certainly interesting and eye-catch but the size and price tag are both a bit punchy for my taste. That being said, I'm a big fan of the 9SA4 movement, which I think will have long legs with the brand in a number of varieties. When I saw the blue dial, I immediately got excited. I have wanted an SLGW003 since it came out, but haven't pulled the trigger (yet). There was something about the white birch dial that lacked a little punch, maybe? Or maybe I just didn't know I wanted something else until I saw it.

The only real downside here is that the watch is now cased in stainless steel and costs $10,000, which is only slightly than the entry price of the SLGW003 last year ($10,700 in 2024), which itself is now $11,600. In an ideal world, I'd be able to get the blue dial in Brilliant-Hard Titanium, which is one of Grand Seiko's best materials combining a lightweight feel and high-polished (and brushed) surfaces. You can't always get what you want all in one watch, but a guy can dream.

Brand: Grand Seiko
Model: SLGC006 (Chronograph); SLGW007 (Manual-Wind)

Diameter: 43.2mm (Chronograph); 38.6mm (Manual-Wind)
Thickness: 15.3mm (Chronograph); 9.95mm (Manual-Wind)
Case Material: High-Intensity Titanium, 18k Rose Gold, Ceramic (Chronograph); Stainless Steel (Manual-Wind)
Dial Color: Copper Pink (Chronograph); Moonlit Blue (Manual-Wind)
Indexes: 18k Rose Gold applied (Chronograph); Applied (Manual-Wind)
Lume: Yes (unspecificed) (Chronograph); None (Manual-Wind)
Water Resistance: 100m (Chronograph); 30m (Manual-Wind)
Strap/Bracelet: High-Intensity Titanium and 18k Rose Gold with three-fold clasp (Chronograph); Calf Leather with Three-fold clasp (Manual-Wind)

Caliber: 9SC5 (Chronograph); 9SA4 (Manual-Wind)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, date (Chronograph); Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve on the rear (Manual-Wind)
Power Reserve: 72 hours (Chronograph); 80 hours (Manual-Wind)
Winding: Automatic (Chronograph); Manual (Manual-Wind)
Frequency: 36,000 vph (both)
Jewels: 60 (Chronograph); 47 (Manual-Wind)
Chronometer Certified: No

Price: $22,600 (Chronograph); $10,000 (Manual-Wind)
Availability: October 1, 2025
Limited Edition: No

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