Officially launched in 2020, Grand Seiko’s Evolution 9 Collection is the synthesis of the brand’s 21st identity, serving as the flagship of its own key design pillars. Today, the brand kicks off a brand new chapter of the line, officially renaming it the E9 Collection, and subsequently phasing out some of its own most classic references in favor of some shiny new upgrades on the successfully established formula. Down below, we’ll be breaking down all the new additions to the Grand Seiko E9 Collection and the key details for each reference.
[toc-section heading=”The New Grand Seiko E9 Collection”]
The UFA 9RB2 Caliber
While the change in name is largely a matter of semantics, this switch-up is also indicative of the technological upgrades it entails. The big story here is a real doubling-down on the brand’s innovative U.F.A. movement, which launched just last year, and remains the most accurate mainspring-powered calibers on the market today, rated to an incredible ±20 seconds per year. The trimming of the name to the sleek, futuristic-sounding “E9” speaks to the dramatic, well, evolution of the collection, and points to where it’s headed as well, which you will get the full scope of down below. While the use of the U.F.A. caliber was limited to just two watches when it first hit the scene (the SLGB001 and SLGB003, to be precise), the brand has already continued the expansion of models packed with the astonishingly accurate caliber, including its recently introduced duo of U.F.A. divers.
New Micro-Adjustment Clasp
What hasn’t changed are the collection’s foundational principles. The guiding light of the collection consists of three main pillars: the continuous evolution of aesthetics, legibility, and wearing comfort. The titular “9” is derived from these key nine ingredients, which each watch must encompass: multifaceted case design; curved case profile; unique “double-wide” twelve o’clock index; flat dial; signature hour hand, combined with a minute hand that goes all the way to the minutes track; deep center grooves on the indices; case with a low center of gravity; stable bracelet; bracelet width that tapers to half the case diameter.
[toc-section heading=”The New References”]
SLGB009
I’m kicking off the list of Grand Seiko E9 newcomers with the White Birch dial, U.F.A.-powered model in the bunch with the SLGB009. A huge theme of this relaunch is introducing Ever-Brilliant Stainless Steel-clad models powered by the U.F.A. caliber to the broader collection, which was previously only done with the debut of the SLGB005 limited edition (the brand launched the caliber only in High-Intensity Titanium and Platinum pieces). Measuring 40mm in diameter, this watch is also where I’ll introduce another novelty across these releases – the highly-requested upgrade to a micro-adjustment clasp on the accompanying bracelet. It’s the dial layout and white birch dial we know and love, now with the premium UFA 92B2 caliber in steel for the first time in a non-limited manner. This one retails for $10,200.
SLGH031
Another White Birch dial addition, the real appeal of the SLGH031 is that this model is another recipient of the micro-adjustment clasp update. Measuring 40mm in the brand’s Ever-Brilliant stainless steel, this model is powered by the Hi-Beat 9SA5 movement and shares the same retail price as the above piece at $10,200.
SLGH029
This model is kind of like the moodier sibling of the SLGB031. The SLGH029 pairs the dark and mysterious Black Birch dial with High-Intensity titanium construction. Measuring 40mm in diameter (another recurring theme), this model has received the micro-adjustment clasp reboot as well, which I’m sure fans of the brand will appreciate. Powered by the Hi-Beat 9SA5 automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve, the SLGH029 retails for $11,400.
SLGH033
The Green Birch might be the most underrated of the hues in the specific dial texture, and Grand Seiko has delivered another model option for the E9 launch with the SLGH033. Again, we’ve got the automatic Hi-Beat 9SA5 caliber ticking inside and a 40mm case diameter, this time in Ever-Brilliant Stainless Steel – which, for the record, is the brand’s premium steel alloy, which has a brighter appearance and boosted corrosion resistance compared to the run-of-the-mill stainless steel. Yes, the new micro-adjustment clasp is well accounted for here, too. The SLGH033 is set to retail for $10,200.
SLGB007
This model is among the most novel of the new novelties. Packed with the UFA 9RB2 movement, the SLGB007 introduces a new take on the brand’s Lake Suwa dial motif, opting for a smoky black color palette that strikes as a little mysterious, with the texture used mimicking slightly calmer waters than other examples of the Lake Suwa patterning. Measuring 40mm, this model goes for a High-Intensity Titanium case and bracelet with the new micro-adjustment clasp, and is priced at $11,400.
SLGB013
The SLGB013 is another one of the new Ever-Brilliant stainless steel models packed with the U.F.A. Like the reference above, we can also give a warm welcome to a new textural expression of the Lake Suwa, this time in a more familiar hazy blue hue. This is another 40 mm-sized piece (which is all about to change with the next model), again, with the brand spanking new micro-adjustment, and is priced at $10,200.
SLGB015
I said things were about to change in the sizing department, and the SLGB015 is the most petite-sized model in the new wave of E9 pieces. Measuring 37mm, it’s another addition to the expanding Ever-Brilliant stainless steel options that utilize the UFA 9RB2 movement. Like the SLGB013 above, this model also uses the new dark blue Lake Suwa dial texture and is priced at $10,200.
SLGB011
If I had to pick a favorite among all these new releases, it would have to be the SLGB001. Measuring 40mm in Ever-Brilliant Stainless Steel, this model features a new take on the Atera Valley motif, keeping the familiar teal tones but adding a lot of welcome drama by adding a shadowy gradient at the dial’s perimeter. It’s the model with the most unconventional dial color, and it definitely stands out among the bunch. It’s also got the UFA 9RB2 caliber working in its favor, along with (say it with me) the micro-adjustment capabilities on the bracelet. Like the other Ever-Brilliant stainless steel, U.F.A.-packed models, this one is priced at $10,200.
SLGH035
Last but certainly not least, the SLGH035 introduces a new color option in the Genbi Valley dial family, resting somewhere between light blue and aqua. The diameter is, you guessed it, 40mm, and the SLGH035 goes for the Ever-Brilliant Steel and Hi-Beat 9SA5 one-two punch. Like all of the previous models, the welcome micro-adjustment upgrade is here, and this one is priced at $10,200.
[toc-section heading=”Final Thoughts”]
I think we all anticipated a new wave of UFA models hitting the Grand Seiko catalog since the new caliber made its debut, but the sweeping overhaul of what’s now dubbed the E9 collection strikes as a pleasant surprise. The expansion of Ever-Brilliant steel models, packed with the brand’s premium movement, seems like a wise move, and, undoubtedly, the addition of the micro-adjustment clasp bracelet options will win over more than a few of those who were previously on the fence for that very reason. Though all the models are announced today, the brand will be rolling out the new additions for purchase in the coming months, so stay tuned on that if one in particular has caught your eye.
For more information, visit the brand’s website here.
