![\"bot-only-image\"](\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/images\/cleardot.gif\")
<\/a>Thankfully, I got hands-on with the model this past week to see if its impressive list of specs is up to scratch. As most of you know, we hold Grand Seiko in high esteem. They are one of just a few brands that have truly mastered horological excellence, proudly focusing on precision, elegance, and functionality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of this, however, we find ourselves with high standards when it comes to reviewing their watches. So is the Grand Seiko SLGA019 a masterpiece, or is it simply a novelty that fulfills the Japanese watchmaker\u2019s obsession with nature? Let\u2019s find out, shall we.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Grand](\"https:\/\/www.exquisitetimepieces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Grand-Seiko-Evolution-9-Collection-1024x427.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBefore we get into the nitty gritty details of the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa\u201d SLGA019, we first need to take a stroll down memory lane and consider where this model came from. Back in 1960, Seiko decided to up their game and create a more luxury-focused range of watches. Enter Grand Seiko, a collection of timepieces with premium finishing, materials and movements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fast forward to 2017 and CEO Shinji Hattori made the announcement that Grand Seiko would become a standalone brand, separate from the Seiko Watch Company. With the Evolution 9 collection, which was launched three years later, Grand Seiko outlined a set of nine design standards that every model must hit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These included elements like a flat dial, double wide index at 12 o\u2019clock, multi-faceted hour and minute hands, and a bracelet with at least half the width of the case with the right thickness and heft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might be thinking this sounds like all Grand Seiko watches. And in some ways, it is, but the Evolution 9 hits more differently than you might anticipate. In fact, some of the changes to the design are almost invisible to the naked eye. For example, the way the ergonomic case has a lower center of gravity on the wrist isn\u2019t something you can see, but it\u2019s something you feel once it\u2019s strapped on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But does this apply to the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa\u201d SLGA019? For starters, the Japanese watchmaker has forgone the classic flat dial for one inspired by the soft blue ripples of its namesake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The luxury watch company has habitually drawn inspiration from aspects of nature surrounding their factory, and this novelty is no different. This time, they look to Lake Suwa, a freshwater lake in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan, known for its natural beauty and hot springs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This isn\u2019t the first watch from Grand Seiko to form a \u201cLake Suwa ” series. In truth, this is the third in a line-up of three. The first was reference SLGA007, launched as part of the brand’s 140th anniversary celebration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second arrived shortly after, reference SBGY007, which utilized a slightly different, but equally exquisite “Omiwatari ” dial pattern and marked the first non-limited edition Lake Suwa watch. Then there was SLGA019, launching later in 2023 and becoming the lightest of them all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Lightweight Titanium Case<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Arguably, the biggest difference between the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa\u201d SLGA019 watch and the two launched before it is the case material. This time, the 40mm wide and 11.8mm tall case is machined from titanium, a material 30-35% lighter than stainless steel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This makes the SLGA019 incredibly wearable and comfortable, especially as an everyday dress watch. The metal also has a slightly warmer hue and softer appearance, plus it benefits from extra corrosion resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This isn\u2019t just any plain old titanium, either. It\u2019s Grand Seiko\u2019s patented high-intensity titanium, which offers a higher level of scratch resistance and durability than standard titanium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I typically do with most titanium watches, I had to weigh it for myself, and according to my scales, reference SLGA019 weighs in at just under 112 grams. It\u2019s a really nice weight for a dress watch; it\u2019s not so light that it feels invisible, but it has a nice lightness that makes it effortless to wear when simply going about your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you\u2019d expect from Grand Seiko, the finishing of the Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa\u201d SLGA019 watch is exceptional. The angular case presents the Evolution 9\u2019s small, sloping lugs with a brushed finish to match the vertically brushed fixed bezel and bracelet links. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In contrast, the bezel and case sides are finished using Grand Seiko\u2019s famous Zaratsu polishing, a technique that involves using a spinning tin plate coated with diamond paste to create a flawless, distortion-free mirror finish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Grand Seiko SLGA019 sits on the wrist with a lug-to-lug width of 47.9mm and boasts dual-curved sapphire crystal glass on top, a screwed exhibition case back \u2013 also utilizing sapphire crystal — and a simple knurled crown at 3 o\u2019clock. The crown offers screw-down capability for a reasonable 100-meter water-resistant rating and is topped by the \u201cGS\u201d logo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lake Suwa-Inspired Dial <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Due to its name, many will admire the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa” SLGA019 most for its dial. Grand Seiko described the dial of the original Lake Suwa SLGA007 model to be inspired by \u201cthe calm waters of Lake Suwa\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second (SBGY007) replicated the look of the water when it froze during the winter. This time, Grand Seiko suggests the lighter hue evokes \u201cthe surface of Lake Suwa and its gentle waves in the early morning hours when a breeze stirs the long, shallow lake.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my opinion, this is the best of the \u201cLake Suwa\u201d dials so far. Why? Because the shade of blue seems to change color depending on your surroundings. It stands out in a bold royal blue in direct sunlight, and yet, in the shade, it becomes an almost discreet shade of black. The supple ripple texture also gives the watch a certain sparkle; both the color and texture are highly responsive to light, reflecting it with every twist and turn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hands and indices are also perfectly finished in the Evolution 9 style. Each hour marker is multifaceted, and the 12 o\u2019clock marker has a double multifaceted shape. Despite not having a touch of lume anywhere on the dial, the display of the Grand Seiko SLGA019 is brilliantly legible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dauphine-style hands are also broad and easy to read, offering classic hours, minutes, and seconds complication. The hour hand has a unique shape, with the end sliced off and a facet running down the center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All the silvered hardware, including the boxed-in date at 3 o\u2019clock, is brightly polished. My only complaint about the Grand Seiko SLGA019\u2019s dial involves the date window. I can\u2019t help but think, with a dial as beautiful as this, the date should have been neglected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if a date must be insisted on, they should at least swap the white disc to one of navy for a more seamless, subtle finish. The dial is finished with the Grand Seiko logo added in relief at 12 o\u2019clock and lettering denoting information about the movement at 6 o\u2019clock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Spring Drive Movement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Like the previous three Grand Seiko \u201cLake Suwa\u201d watches, SLGA019 is powered by the Japanese brand\u2019s in-house 9RA2 Spring Drive movement. This caliber cleverly combines the precision of a quartz movement with the smooth sweeping motion of a mechanical watch. This alone makes the SLGA019 a valuable timepiece, and when combined with the lightweight case and textured dial, there\u2019s very little to berate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The quartz-mechanical hybrid is ingeniously engineered to maintain a remarkable accuracy of \u00b10.5 seconds per day or \u00b110 seconds per month. This exceptional accuracy is achieved through a combination of a quartz oscillator for timing stability, a mechanical gear train for power transmission, and an electromagnetic brake to regulate the speed of the glide wheel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The result is a movement that not only keeps impeccable time but also provides a unique tactile experience with its smooth, silent glide of the seconds hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s plenty of pleasant finishing seen through the case back. I particularly like the frosted plates and bridges that are inspired by the frost that winter brings to the trees surrounding Grand Seiko\u2019s manufacturing facility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As always, there\u2019s blued screwed, beveled edges, 38 jewels, and an off-set magic lever to keep the movement, and consequently, the case, nice and thin. Rather than being placed on the front of the dial like most of Grand Seiko\u2019s Spring Drive watches, the power reserve is positioned on the back of the movement, so when the watch is off your wrist, you can see what\u2019s remaining out of its 120-hour reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Titanium Bracelet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Like the case, the bracelet is made using Grand Seiko\u2019s high-intensity titanium. It boasts a three-link construction with a completely matte finish thanks to the vertically brushed decoration. It tapers from a 22mm lug width where it meets the case down to a 21mm width where the buckle appears. The buckle is embossed with the GS logo on top and has folding functionality with push button release. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the few weak points of the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa\u201d SLGA019 is that the bracelet lacks any sort of micro-adjustment. This hampers its ability to be used as a daily wearer since anyone familiar with wearing metal bracelet watches will know your wrist can swell and contract as the day goes on and temperatures vary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It would have been a nice addition for Grand Seiko to include a micro-adjustment system on this bracelet; I know it\u2019s a feature many GS enthusiasts have been hoping for in the Evolution 9 series. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also comes with push pins for sizing instead of screws, which is a little crazy for a watch of this caliber. I\u2019ve said it once, but I\u2019ll say it again: Grand Seiko does everything right until it comes to their metal bracelets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bracelet does arrive with drilled lugs, though, so you can easily swap around the strap to something more suitable if you want. The 22mm lug width means you\u2019ll have an endless supply of strap options to choose from. If it were me, I\u2019d invest in a better-styled titanium bracelet or a nice chocolate brown alligator leather band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On-Wrist Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
With a watch like the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa\u201d SLGA019, wearability is essential. First impressions confirmed that this was a watch I could effortlessly wear all day, every day. Its titanium construction is incredibly lightweight, and its dimensions make it effortlessly wearable for most wrist types. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lug-to-lug is a little larger than I\u2019d like, but the slender profile, sleek curves, and low center of gravity make up for this. I\u2019d suggest the SLGA019 would be best suited to those with six and a half inch wrists and above \u2013 but even myself, with a five-and-a-half-inch wrist enjoyed the statement this watch made. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While its case makes it a daily beater, the dial of the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa\u201d SLGA019 makes it one of the finest dress watches in the collection. The detailing and shade of blue are divine, and as always, the finishing on the dial\u2019s hardware makes it sparkle almost like a diamond in certain lights. Its 11.8mm height means it’s also ideal for slipping it under shirt cuffs \u2013 although if it were me, I\u2019d keep this bad boy out in the open for everyone to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Price & Availability <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBefore we get into the nitty gritty details of the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa\u201d SLGA019, we first need to take a stroll down memory lane and consider where this model came from. Back in 1960, Seiko decided to up their game and create a more luxury-focused range of watches. Enter Grand Seiko, a collection of timepieces with premium finishing, materials and movements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fast forward to 2017 and CEO Shinji Hattori made the announcement that Grand Seiko would become a standalone brand, separate from the Seiko Watch Company. With the Evolution 9 collection, which was launched three years later, Grand Seiko outlined a set of nine design standards that every model must hit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These included elements like a flat dial, double wide index at 12 o\u2019clock, multi-faceted hour and minute hands, and a bracelet with at least half the width of the case with the right thickness and heft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might be thinking this sounds like all Grand Seiko watches. And in some ways, it is, but the Evolution 9 hits more differently than you might anticipate. In fact, some of the changes to the design are almost invisible to the naked eye. For example, the way the ergonomic case has a lower center of gravity on the wrist isn\u2019t something you can see, but it\u2019s something you feel once it\u2019s strapped on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But does this apply to the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa\u201d SLGA019? For starters, the Japanese watchmaker has forgone the classic flat dial for one inspired by the soft blue ripples of its namesake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The luxury watch company has habitually drawn inspiration from aspects of nature surrounding their factory, and this novelty is no different. This time, they look to Lake Suwa, a freshwater lake in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan, known for its natural beauty and hot springs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This isn\u2019t the first watch from Grand Seiko to form a \u201cLake Suwa ” series. In truth, this is the third in a line-up of three. The first was reference SLGA007, launched as part of the brand’s 140th anniversary celebration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second arrived shortly after, reference SBGY007, which utilized a slightly different, but equally exquisite “Omiwatari ” dial pattern and marked the first non-limited edition Lake Suwa watch. Then there was SLGA019, launching later in 2023 and becoming the lightest of them all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Lightweight Titanium Case<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Arguably, the biggest difference between the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa\u201d SLGA019 watch and the two launched before it is the case material. This time, the 40mm wide and 11.8mm tall case is machined from titanium, a material 30-35% lighter than stainless steel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This makes the SLGA019 incredibly wearable and comfortable, especially as an everyday dress watch. The metal also has a slightly warmer hue and softer appearance, plus it benefits from extra corrosion resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This isn\u2019t just any plain old titanium, either. It\u2019s Grand Seiko\u2019s patented high-intensity titanium, which offers a higher level of scratch resistance and durability than standard titanium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I typically do with most titanium watches, I had to weigh it for myself, and according to my scales, reference SLGA019 weighs in at just under 112 grams. It\u2019s a really nice weight for a dress watch; it\u2019s not so light that it feels invisible, but it has a nice lightness that makes it effortless to wear when simply going about your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you\u2019d expect from Grand Seiko, the finishing of the Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa\u201d SLGA019 watch is exceptional. The angular case presents the Evolution 9\u2019s small, sloping lugs with a brushed finish to match the vertically brushed fixed bezel and bracelet links. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In contrast, the bezel and case sides are finished using Grand Seiko\u2019s famous Zaratsu polishing, a technique that involves using a spinning tin plate coated with diamond paste to create a flawless, distortion-free mirror finish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Grand Seiko SLGA019 sits on the wrist with a lug-to-lug width of 47.9mm and boasts dual-curved sapphire crystal glass on top, a screwed exhibition case back \u2013 also utilizing sapphire crystal — and a simple knurled crown at 3 o\u2019clock. The crown offers screw-down capability for a reasonable 100-meter water-resistant rating and is topped by the \u201cGS\u201d logo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lake Suwa-Inspired Dial <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Due to its name, many will admire the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa” SLGA019 most for its dial. Grand Seiko described the dial of the original Lake Suwa SLGA007 model to be inspired by \u201cthe calm waters of Lake Suwa\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second (SBGY007) replicated the look of the water when it froze during the winter. This time, Grand Seiko suggests the lighter hue evokes \u201cthe surface of Lake Suwa and its gentle waves in the early morning hours when a breeze stirs the long, shallow lake.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my opinion, this is the best of the \u201cLake Suwa\u201d dials so far. Why? Because the shade of blue seems to change color depending on your surroundings. It stands out in a bold royal blue in direct sunlight, and yet, in the shade, it becomes an almost discreet shade of black. The supple ripple texture also gives the watch a certain sparkle; both the color and texture are highly responsive to light, reflecting it with every twist and turn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hands and indices are also perfectly finished in the Evolution 9 style. Each hour marker is multifaceted, and the 12 o\u2019clock marker has a double multifaceted shape. Despite not having a touch of lume anywhere on the dial, the display of the Grand Seiko SLGA019 is brilliantly legible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dauphine-style hands are also broad and easy to read, offering classic hours, minutes, and seconds complication. The hour hand has a unique shape, with the end sliced off and a facet running down the center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All the silvered hardware, including the boxed-in date at 3 o\u2019clock, is brightly polished. My only complaint about the Grand Seiko SLGA019\u2019s dial involves the date window. I can\u2019t help but think, with a dial as beautiful as this, the date should have been neglected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if a date must be insisted on, they should at least swap the white disc to one of navy for a more seamless, subtle finish. The dial is finished with the Grand Seiko logo added in relief at 12 o\u2019clock and lettering denoting information about the movement at 6 o\u2019clock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Spring Drive Movement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Like the previous three Grand Seiko \u201cLake Suwa\u201d watches, SLGA019 is powered by the Japanese brand\u2019s in-house 9RA2 Spring Drive movement. This caliber cleverly combines the precision of a quartz movement with the smooth sweeping motion of a mechanical watch. This alone makes the SLGA019 a valuable timepiece, and when combined with the lightweight case and textured dial, there\u2019s very little to berate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The quartz-mechanical hybrid is ingeniously engineered to maintain a remarkable accuracy of \u00b10.5 seconds per day or \u00b110 seconds per month. This exceptional accuracy is achieved through a combination of a quartz oscillator for timing stability, a mechanical gear train for power transmission, and an electromagnetic brake to regulate the speed of the glide wheel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The result is a movement that not only keeps impeccable time but also provides a unique tactile experience with its smooth, silent glide of the seconds hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s plenty of pleasant finishing seen through the case back. I particularly like the frosted plates and bridges that are inspired by the frost that winter brings to the trees surrounding Grand Seiko\u2019s manufacturing facility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As always, there\u2019s blued screwed, beveled edges, 38 jewels, and an off-set magic lever to keep the movement, and consequently, the case, nice and thin. Rather than being placed on the front of the dial like most of Grand Seiko\u2019s Spring Drive watches, the power reserve is positioned on the back of the movement, so when the watch is off your wrist, you can see what\u2019s remaining out of its 120-hour reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Titanium Bracelet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Like the case, the bracelet is made using Grand Seiko\u2019s high-intensity titanium. It boasts a three-link construction with a completely matte finish thanks to the vertically brushed decoration. It tapers from a 22mm lug width where it meets the case down to a 21mm width where the buckle appears. The buckle is embossed with the GS logo on top and has folding functionality with push button release. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the few weak points of the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa\u201d SLGA019 is that the bracelet lacks any sort of micro-adjustment. This hampers its ability to be used as a daily wearer since anyone familiar with wearing metal bracelet watches will know your wrist can swell and contract as the day goes on and temperatures vary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It would have been a nice addition for Grand Seiko to include a micro-adjustment system on this bracelet; I know it\u2019s a feature many GS enthusiasts have been hoping for in the Evolution 9 series. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also comes with push pins for sizing instead of screws, which is a little crazy for a watch of this caliber. I\u2019ve said it once, but I\u2019ll say it again: Grand Seiko does everything right until it comes to their metal bracelets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bracelet does arrive with drilled lugs, though, so you can easily swap around the strap to something more suitable if you want. The 22mm lug width means you\u2019ll have an endless supply of strap options to choose from. If it were me, I\u2019d invest in a better-styled titanium bracelet or a nice chocolate brown alligator leather band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On-Wrist Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
With a watch like the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa\u201d SLGA019, wearability is essential. First impressions confirmed that this was a watch I could effortlessly wear all day, every day. Its titanium construction is incredibly lightweight, and its dimensions make it effortlessly wearable for most wrist types. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lug-to-lug is a little larger than I\u2019d like, but the slender profile, sleek curves, and low center of gravity make up for this. I\u2019d suggest the SLGA019 would be best suited to those with six and a half inch wrists and above \u2013 but even myself, with a five-and-a-half-inch wrist enjoyed the statement this watch made. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While its case makes it a daily beater, the dial of the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 \u201cLake Suwa\u201d SLGA019 makes it one of the finest dress watches in the collection. The detailing and shade of blue are divine, and as always, the finishing on the dial\u2019s hardware makes it sparkle almost like a diamond in certain lights. Its 11.8mm height means it’s also ideal for slipping it under shirt cuffs \u2013 although if it were me, I\u2019d keep this bad boy out in the open for everyone to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n