Men's Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Watch | 40mm | Textured Blue Dial | SLGA021

To the southeast of the Shinshu Watch Studio, where Grand Seiko crafts all Spring Drive watches, is Lake Suwa. This shallow body of water is a recurring source of inspiration for Grand Seiko, its watchmakers, and its designers, lending itself to classic Grand Seiko models like the SBGY007 “Omiwatari” and the limited edition SLGA007.

SLGA021 is the latest Grand Seiko watch borrowing from Lake Suwa. Looking upon the dial, one immediately recalls gently lapping waves wafting over wind-swept water. This “Lake Suwa” pattern was initially seen in 2021’s SLGA007. For SLGA021, it is finished in a deep blue that reads nearly black in lower light settings, capturing the look of Lake Suwa just before dawn. Against this dark base are broad markers and hands, all faceted and beautifully finished to emphasize clarity, beauty, and overall legibility.

The stainless steel case measures 40mm in diameter, 11.8mm in thickness, and 47.6mm in length from the lug to lug. The overall form features a lower profile and center of gravity, ensuring a comfortable fit that considers how the case lays against the wrist and the weight distribution.

The faceted mid-case has broad lugs and a distinct geometry that takes full advantage of Grand Seiko’s Zaratsu polishing and hairline finishing. This contrast in finishing, which can be seen directly along the lugs and bezel, brings the design to life with its dynamic light play. It takes a tremendous level of skill to attain such a high level of finish on a design as complex as this, and it is something that can only be executed by hand.

The bracelet features a five-link design, integrated beautifully against the 22mm lugs. This wider bracelet – which tapers down at the clasp – further contributes to on-wrist stability and the overall contemporary look of the case.

Inside the watch is Grand Seiko Caliber 9RA2, a Spring Drive movement with a 120-hour (5 days) power reserve and an improved accuracy of ±0.5 seconds per day, or ±10 seconds per month. Unlike most Grand Seiko Spring Drive movements, 9RA2 takes the power-reserve indicator off the dial and moves it to the case back side of the watch.

Exterior:

Case Material: Stainless steel

Glass Material: Dual-curved sapphire crystal

Glass Coating: Anti-reflective coating on inner surface

Case size: Diameter 40mm Lug-to-lug 47.6mm Thickness 11.8mm

The perimeter of Band : 196mm

Clasp type: Three-fold clasp with push button release

Movement:

Caliber No: 9RA2

Movement Type: Spring Drive

Accuracy: ±10 seconds per month (±0.5 second per day)

Features:

Water resistance: 10 bar

Magnetic resistance: Equipped

Weight : 176.0 g

Case back with lion emblem

Date display

Power reserve display

Screw case back

Screw-down crown

See-through case back

Stop seconds hand function

Grand Seiko Style #: SLGA021