Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Grand Seiko Hi-Beat Green Birch SLGH011
A luscious green dial for the Birch-labelled series of watches by Grand Seiko
Last year’s Hi-Beat “White Birch” SLGH005 was a smash hit for Grand Seiko and was surely one of the hottest watches released all year. And even though it wasn’t as white in the literal sense of the word, it was one very appealing watch. For 2022, Grand Seiko continues on the central theme set out by the SLGH005. About a month ago it released the White Birch Spring Drive SLGA009, and now presents a lavish green iteration with the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat Green Birch SLGH011.
We’ve looked at the differences between the SLGH005 and the SLGA009 in detail before, so we won’t go into too many details again. This new version comes with slight changes compared to the SLGH005, which it is the closest to thanks to its fully mechanical movement (more on that later). We expect to be able to follow up with a hands-on story soon after, so we’ll stick to the basics for now.
The case is the same as in the SLGH005, so 40mm in diameter with a height of 11.7mm and a lug-to-lug of 47mm. It has a mix of brushed and Zaratsu-polished surfaces and features a bezel with a Zaratsu-polished bevel and vertical brushing on top. The lugs are faceted on the outward and inward angles, and sapphire crystals cover both the dial and the movement.
The biggest change can be found on the dial, which is now finished in a luscious deep green colour. Texture-wise it is still inspired by the birch tree forests surrounding the Shizukuishi studio where it’s made, but now in summertime. The hands and markers are changed too, with brushed top surfaces instead of polished. The blued central seconds hand has been replaced by a polished steel one. At 3 o’clock, a framed window reveals the date.
The Green Birch SLGH011 uses Grand Seiko’s Hi-Beat calibre 9SA5, similar to the SLGH005. This ticks at a high pace of 36,000vph and has a Direct Impulse Escapement with a free-sprung balance. It is regulated to run within a deviation of +5/-3 seconds per day and provides 80 hours of autonomy.
Worn on a stainless steel brushed and polished three-link bracelet, the watch is presented as a Grand Seiko Online Boutique Exclusive. It retails for EUR 9,500 and is available from 1 September, but is open for pre-orders now.
For more information, please visit GrandSeiko.com
