Grand Seiko SLGW005

[swish77]

Saw the new SLGW005 at the NYC GS boutique. Ultra cool vintage-inspired watch limited to 1,200 pieces worldwide. Great size at 38.8mm and only about 10mm thick.

Clear case-back shows the funky manual 9SA4 movement with a power-reserve display (80 hours). Sounds almost like a stopwatch when you wind it, with an old-school ratcheting feel. Dial looks whiter in photos. It’s more cream, off-white in person, with a very subtle texture.

Pricey at $9700 retail, but what a stunning watch. The beauty is in the simplicity, of course. And the finish is GS at its finest. Might need to get one.

Borrowed photo because mine were awful. Good brief video below (also borrowed).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgyVVLKxBM0

[Andad]

Nice but Aus $13900 from the boutique and “out of stock” does not interest me.

Just one more Seiko model number and nothing really special in the design?

[subtona]

That is a solid watch in all counts. The 10mm is just what was missing from GS.

This is a big deal watch!

Well done


“Splash resistance” rating is confusing!?

[1William]

Nice watch lost in a sea of references.

[pandrew6l]

$9,700 with a Seiko marking? No wonder it is limited to 1,200

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Andad

Nice but Aus $13900 from the boutique and “out of stock” does not interest me.

Just one more Seiko model number and nothing really special in the design?

Agree about the price, but I’d argue it is special with the vintage 44GS case and exact same dial as the original. It’s a modern remake of one of THE most famous Grand Seiko watches from the 1960s, by the same company that made it in the first place. (Imagine Porsche making a perfect reproduction of the original 911 from 1964 but with a modern engine).

On the wrist it definitely felt special, and it’ll sell out quickly.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by pandrew6l

$9,700 with a Seiko marking? No wonder it is limited to 1,200

The double logos are typical for the GS brand. I don’t mind them at all.
I find comfort having the option to downplay the watch in mixed company.
“Oh this…it’s just a Seiko.”

The finishing on these watches is very high level.


And for perspective, a heck of a lot better deal than the titanium time only omega at 50k


Ps it is a major accomplishment for gs to reduce the thickness to less than 11mm. They are now able to offer something that you won’t see in rolex or omega.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by subtona

The double logos are typical for the GS brand. I don’t mind them at all.

Me neither. In fact, that’s the whole point of this watch. It’s a recreation of the original from 1968, down to the lightning bolt logo of the old GS Daini factory at 6 o’clock. Really will appeal to vintage lovers who want the slightly bigger size, modern movement and the beautiful Zaratsu case finishing.

Here’s an original vintage version that Tropical Watch sold awhile back.

[brandrea]

Beautiful indeed

[subtona]

Originally Posted by swish77

Me neither. In fact, that’s the whole point of this watch. It’s a recreation of the original from 1968, down to the lightning bolt logo of the old GS Daini factory at 6 o’clock. Really will appeal to vintage lovers who want the slightly bigger size, modern movement and the beautiful Zaratsu case finishing.

Here’s an original vintage version that Tropical Watch sold awhile back.

Well said

[bibbi]

It’s a superb watch, a fantastic recreation, a piece GS fans have been waiting for. A GS with a clean, simple dial instead of an n-version of some „lake or hill-in-night-moon-or-snow” dial

The double logo system was abandoned in 2017 and since then many have been asking for bringing it back. So now the true enthusiasts have what they’ve been asking for. Probably will not be repeated in the near future.

The mechanism is an engineering marvel. Beautiful to the eye. No doublt about it. With the small „birdie” beeing a funny addition.

The price? Really, in terms of 2024 and many plain, soulless Omegas, Zeniths and Breitlings of this world is this an outrageous price? Can’t agree.

[Dirt]

A very nice watch that will appeal to those who have a desire to aquire a limited production watch, but i think i'd prefer an sbgy011 all day every day over this offering. But i'm biased because mine is currently on it's way for a nice Spring drive experience with a more elegant 45KS case style.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Dirt

A very nice watch that will appeal to those who have a desire to aquire a limited production watch, but i think i'd prefer an sbgy011 all day every day over this offering. But i'm biased because mine is currently on it's way for a nice Spring drive experience with a more elegant 45KS case style.

I’ve tried on the SBGY011. Beautiful watch, but very different to the SLGW005. It’s quite a bit bigger in actual dimensions, but also visually and in feel, in part because of the sparseness of the dial and the bigger lugs. The SLGW005 is like wearing a real vintage Grand Seiko because of the smaller case and lugs that have the center brushed area, like the 1968 original.

The wider lugs of the 44GS in a 40mm GS always makes me nervous. (I owned the SBGJ235 GMT). Seemed a bit prone to nicks and hairlines because of the large surface area.

[bibbi]

BTW - it will be interesting to observe how the market reacts to this release. GS LEs have been slow movers at the ADs recently.


bibbi

[mongrelnomoad]

I was going to pull the trigger, but I have six vintage 45s, and I just don’t see myself wearing their modern counterpart in lieu. That said, it is most definitely a step in the right direction for Grand Seiko - honouring the history, manual wind, reasonable size, and 10mm thick! love also that they’ve returned to the diy or branding. Huge bravo even if I haven’t picked one up… yet.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by swish77

I’ve tried on the SBGY011. Beautiful watch, but very different to the SLGW005. It’s quite a bit bigger in actual dimensions, but also visually and in feel, in part because of the sparseness of the dial and the bigger lugs. The SLGW005 is like wearing a real vintage Grand Seiko because of the smaller case and lugs that have the center brushed area, like the 1968 original.

The wider lugs of the 44GS in a 40mm GS always makes me nervous. (I owned the SBGJ235 GMT). Seemed a bit prone to nicks and hairlines because of the large surface area.

Yes noted

I figure there's enough meat there on the midcase to have it Zaratsued every so often that any material removed will be virtually imperceptable over the long term anyway.
So much real estate like that which is polished on a flat plane like they are is begging for a touch-up now and then.
Besides, it's not like they're quite as soft as a Rolex.
I don't know what case material they use at GS in this instance(316 or 304 or something else), but i'll live with what ever it is because my SBGW253 gets worn on occassion and it doesn't show any signs of micro maring in the least. It's great stuff whatever it is as it holds up well

Are you planning on picking up the 005?
If so i expect it will be most enjoyable

I think they're also pushing the visuals envelope a bit with the 19mm strap size on the 011

[IS2000]

Here’s mine alongside another vintage inspired watch.

[bibbi]

I’m not sure what’s the fuzz about. Doesn’t have a halo effect for me. YMMV. I prefer my SBGK005 and SBGY003.






bibbi

[Edwardfry3]

The manual 9SA4 movement with the power-reserve display sounds like a fantastic touch.

[111forza]

Beautiful watch and I personally prefer the Seiko logo at 12. I know it’s a GS joe bloggs can think it’s a just a cheap Seiko

[subtona]

Stopped into gs boutique today had a great conversation with staff. Inquired regarding WR “splash resistance”.

The store explained that splash resistance was a 30m rating in the Japanese / gs vernacular.


Tried on the rose gold version. Very nice watch, beautiful case and especially the manual wind movement.

[samson66]

Gorgeous watch. I love it personally!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by swish77

Me neither. In fact, that’s the whole point of this watch. It’s a recreation of the original from 1968, down to the lightning bolt logo of the old GS Daini factory at 6 o’clock. Really will appeal to vintage lovers who want the slightly bigger size, modern movement and the beautiful Zaratsu case finishing.

Here’s an original vintage version that Tropical Watch sold awhile back.

Thanks for the education Aaron I like hearing about these details

[Dirt]

A very lovely watch that's very nicely proportioned in that size and woeks beautifully with the 19mm strap.
Hard to beat a GS strap, IMO

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by subtona

Stopped into gs boutique today had a great conversation with staff. Inquired regarding WR “splash resistance”.

The store explained that splash resistance was a 30m rating in the Japanese / gs vernacular.


Tried on the rose gold version. Very nice watch, beautiful case and especially the manual wind movement.

I wasn't aware they did a version in Rose gold
That's a bit of a rarity in the GS world that would be quite nice.

[Wingman244]

I love Grand Seiko and have a spring drive diver. For me the elimination of the "Seiko" on the dial was key. No way am I spending $10K for a watch that says "Seiko" on the dial. My Tuna at $1,800 was about as far as I will go. I guess having a $300 Sumo taints you. I get this is a heritage recreation - I'll take a pass.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Dirt

I wasn't aware they did a version in Rose gold
That's a bit of a rarity in the GS world that would be quite nice.

Should have took some pics. Especially of the movement.
Unfortunately Watch was wrapped in clear plastic like grandmas couch.

Dial was a silvery with a sort of horizontal white birch texture. It played with the light very nicely.

[MichelleP]

I saw this over the weekend. Nice watch but couldn't spend $9700 for it. I ended up getting a SBGH343

[Kinnakeet]

Nice watch but GS pricing has become more than I care to pay. I know in my areas the brands sales has dried up.

[IS2000]

Originally Posted by subtona

Should have took some pics. Especially of the movement.
Unfortunately Watch was wrapped in clear plastic like grandmas couch.

Dial was a silvery with a sort of horizontal white birch texture. It played with the light very nicely.

I think that’s the SLGW002J. A different watch with similar movement.