Sameera Gamage 
Precision meets artistry in the Grand Seiko Tentagraph Snow Blue, where cutting-edge mechanics and Japanese craftsmanship unite. Inspired by the winter landscapes of Mount Iwate, its striking dial and lightweight titanium case redefine elegance and durability, while the high-beat chronograph movement makes it built to perform anywhere, anytime.
Grand Seiko is reinvigorating the Tentagraph collection by introducing two new timepieces with very different designs. The first of the Tentagraph releases is this stunning chronograph model that Grand Seiko have created in their Evolution 9 Style. The shimmering dial is inspired by the fresh snow of Mount Iwate, along with the merger of the harsh winter’s crisp blue sky and the subtle blue tint of the newly fallen snow.
Grand Seiko’s Evolution 9 collection represents the brand’s modern vision of luxury watchmaking, bringing together cutting-edge technology with their signature Japanese aesthetic. Evolution 9 was first introduced in 2021, building upon Grand Seiko’s traditional design principles and refining them for greater comfort, readability, and durability. The dials of this collection are meticulously crafted with textured finishes inspired by nature, which in this case is Mount Iwate, showcasing the brand’s renowned artisanal craftsmanship.
While Evolution 9 represents the brand’s aesthetic and craftsmanship side of watchmaking, the Tentagraph showcases Grand Seiko’s mechanical superiority. The Tentagraph is Grand Seiko’s first fully mechanical chronograph, pushing the limits of conventional watchmaking with its hi-beat frequency, remarkable durability and precision.
Grand Seiko combines the Evolution 9 Styling with the Tentagraph movement to produce a timepiece that is both an aesthetic and a mechanical masterpiece while tying it back to the brand’s heritage. The Grand Seiko Tentagraph Snow Blue features classic design styles while presenting them in a more refined way for greater comfort, readability, and durability.
Case Design
The Grand Seiko Tentagraph Snow Blue comes in a 43.5mm x 15.3mm high-intensity titanium case with a black ceramic bezel. High-intensity titanium is a proprietary alloy that offers superior strength, scratch resistance, and a much brighter finish compared to standard titanium. This material is about 30% lighter than stainless steel, making it exceptionally comfortable to wear, while being highly durable and corrosion-resistant. Unlike conventional titanium, which can have a dull or dark gray appearance, high-intensity titanium has a brighter sheen, giving timepieces like the Grand Seiko Tentagraph Snow Blue a more refined and luxurious look.
The case’s aesthetics present a refined look as well. Instead of the more conventional design with curved lugs and case profile for an elegant look, the Tentagraph Snow Blue comes with chamfered edges, presenting a sharp, well-thought-out, rugged timepiece that exudes luxury. With the comfort and durability of the high-intensity titanium case, this is a timepiece that offers versatility in wear, whether it’s for outdoor events or more formal occasions, the Grand Seiko Tentagraph Snow Blue certainly seems up to the task!
Dial Design
Grand Seiko is renowned for its artistic dials, a hallmark of the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship. Across collections like Evolution 9, Elegance, and Heritage, Grand Seiko showcases its expertise in creating dials that don’t just tell the time but bring the watch to life. Whether it’s textures inspired by nature or intricate finishes that play with the light, each dial is designed to stand out.
Grand Seiko’s Evolution 9 collection, in particular, references Japanese scenery in its dials, beautifully displaying it through textured dials with various colours that certainly evoke emotion from the wearer. Mount Iwate in Japan can be seen from the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, where the brand’s mechanical watches are crafted. The mountain presents breathtaking expressions throughout the year. Grand Seiko states that “The dial is inspired by Mount Iwate in the depth of winter, with the new snow depicted in snow-blue, while the mountain’s surface peeks through in the form of black sub-dials.”
The textured dial has a sunray finish, which in this case ranges from light blue to white. The dial’s metallic finish also makes it shine under different lighting angles, giving the dial different visual elements. A signature styling of the Evoultion 9 collection that Grand Seiko states is the hands and indices, which are created to achieve maximum legibility. The hands and indices are sized so that it’s easy for the wearer to read the time from a quick glance. Between the 4 and 5 o’clock hour markers, we also get a date window. I do think, however, that if this date window were colour-matched to the dial, it would present a more aesthetic look.
Movement
As mentioned earlier, the movement sitting inside this latest Grand Seiko unveiling is the Tentagraph Calibre 9SC5. The name ‘Tentagraph’ was derived from the key features of the Calibre 9SC5 movement. This is a hi-beat movement, operating at 10 beats per second while offering a staggering 3 days of power reserve. Usually, in traditional watchmaking, when you increase the balance wheel frequency of the movement, the power reserve takes a hit. This shows Grand Seiko’s exceptional watchmaking expertise, to not only increase the frequency to 5Hz (36,000 VpH) well above the standard 3-4Hz, but also to increase the power reserve to three days (72 hours) of autonomy. This is also a 72-hour power reserve with the chronograph continuously running as well!
Initial Thoughts
The Grand Seiko Tentagraph Snow Blue truly represents what the brand does best: combining cutting-edge technology with refined aesthetics while staying deeply connected to its Japanese heritage. By merging the Evolution 9 design language with the mechanical innovation of the Tentagraph, Grand Seiko has created a timepiece that isn’t just visually stunning but also a technical powerhouse.
Every detail has been meticulously considered to enhance wearability and performance, from the striking Mount Iwate-inspired dial to the lightweight yet durable high-intensity titanium case. The Tentagraph movement pushes the boundaries of traditional chronograph watchmaking, proving that Grand Seiko is more than capable of competing at the highest level. Whether you’re drawn to the Tentagraph Snow Blue’s craftsmanship, its precision, or simply the way it plays with light on the wrist, the Grand Seiko Tentagraph Snow Blue is a watch that delivers on every front!
Specification: Grand Seiko Tentagraph Snow Blue (SLGC007)
- Dimensions: 43.2mm x 15.3mm thick (Lug-to-lug 51.5mm)
- Case Material: High-intensity titanium case with black ceramic bezel
- Dial: Mount Iwate snow-inspired dial with tri-chronograph counter layout and date function.
- Movement: Calibre 9SC5
- Movement Frequency: 36,000VpH (5hZ)
- Movement Power reserve: 72 hours
- Water resistance: 100m (10 Bar)
- Crystal: Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner
- surface
- Case back: See-through case back, Screw-down crown
- Bracelet/Strap: Three-link high-intensity titanium bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button release.
