Since it debuted a couple of years ago, the Grand Seiko SLGH005 White Birch (and its Spring Drive-powered sibling, the SLGA009) has become a fan favorite for its beautiful textured dial inspired by the white birch forests that surround the watchmaker’s studio in northern Japan. These aesthetics only went along with what already made Grand Seiko watches so beloved: their intricate mechanics and unmatched case finishing.
Now the high-end watchmaker has unveiled the SLGH017 Night Birch, which replicates the atmosphere of the Hiraniwa Plateau’s forests when it gets dark. Other than the marvelous black dial, the new timepiece makes an adjustment with its case and bracelet. While it keeps the 40mm diameter, it switches from the stainless steel material of the White Birch to the brand’s proprietary High-Intensity Titanium alloy, which has a greater hardness than other titanium grades, and thanks to GS’s trademark Zaratsu polishing, a more shimmering coat compared to the muted color of standard titanium watches.
Just like the White Birch, the Night Birch features the new Evolution 9 design language, which debuted back in 2020 and boasts increased legibility and depth on the dial and ergonomic proportions elsewhere, with a lower profile for easier wearability. Boasting a dual impulse escapement and free-sprung balance, the watch retains the same Caliber 9SA5 Hi-Beat 36000 movement as the SLGH005, featuring 80 hours of power reserve and a +5/-3 seconds per day precision rate.
Sporting an exhibition caseback and box-shaped sapphire crystal, the Night Birch is sure to resonate in a similar way as its progenitor. This beautiful timepiece is now available through Grand Seiko’s website for $10,400.
