What happens when you blend the serene beauty of Japan’s landscapes with the precision of Grand Seiko’s watchmaking? You get the ‘Atera Blue’ Spring Drive SLGA025, the newest masterpiece from the Evolution 9 Collection. This stunning timepiece draws inspiration from the emerald-blue waters of the Atera Valley river, nestled in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan, home to the Grand Seiko Shinshu Watch Studio – the birthplace of the iconic Spring Drive.
The SLGA025 ‘Atera Blue’ is a tribute to the natural world. Its high-intensity titanium case is as strong as the rocks lining the Atera Valley and as light as the breeze that whispers through the trees surrounding Shinshu Watch Studio. The case measures a versatile 40mm in diameter and is only 11.8mm thick, offering a comfortable yet substantial presence on the wrist. Paired with a matching high-intensity titanium bracelet, this watch is built to withstand the rigors of everyday life while maintaining a refined, elegant look without the bulk typically accompanying stainless-steel.
If you know Grand Seiko, then you know that their dials and finishing are where the magic truly happens. The Atera Valley dial, featuring a vivid blue emerald color, inspired by the Atera Valley river’s clear waters, is mesmerizing. The texture is exactly what we have come to expect from Grand Seiko, with light portraying movement at every turn of the wrist.
Protected by a dual-curved sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on the inner surface, the dial sparkles under any light, evoking the shimmering surface of the Atera River on a sunny day. The dial also features a date display, adding a practical touch to this otherwise artful piece that shows off raised applied indices and clean white text.
Under the hood, the SLGA025 is powered by the famous Grand Seiko Spring Drive Calibre 9RA2, a marvel of modern horology. This movement is not just accurate – it’s astonishingly so, with a precision of +/- 0.5 seconds per day. That’s the kind of reliability that puts this watch in a league of its own. And with a 120-hour power reserve, you can go days without worrying about winding or resetting. The movement is visible through a sapphire glass case back, allowing you to admire the intricate workings of the Spring Drive and the embedded power-reserve indicator, a perfect marriage of mechanical watchmaking, electrical watchmaking, and stunning finishing.
Despite its abundant elegance, the SLGA025 is more than just an astonishing dial and a lightweight package. With a water resistance of 10 bar (100m), it’s ready to accompany you on any adventure, whether you’re exploring the great outdoors or navigating the urban jungle. The three-fold clasp with push-button release ensures the watch stays securely on your wrist, no matter what the day brings.
The Grand Seiko ‘Atera Valley’ Spring Drive SLGA025 is a testament to what happens when art and engineering come together. It’s a watch that tells a story, one of rivers and valleys, of precision and beauty. Priced at a level befitting its craftsmanship, the SLGA025 is a piece of Japan’s natural heritage, captured in titanium and sapphire.
Price and Specs:
More details at Grand Seiko.
What another themed GS? This is just a joke now, they’re virtually all the same watch with a different themed dial using the same tooling. They’re beginning to look seriously overpriced and losing the desirability factor.