At Watches & Wonders back in April, Grand Seiko debute the Spring Drive Ultra Fine Accuracy movement with much fanfare around its ±20 seconds per year precision — the most accurate mainspring-powered movement ever made. And while the first two releases were nothing short of spectacular, and perfectly in line with the Japanese watchmaker’s reputation for making the best dials in the industry, the new SLGB005 has us downright smitten.
This third UFA watch swaps out platinum and titanium for Ever-Brilliant Steel and trades the ice-blue dials of the previous two for a gradient purple dial meant to evoke the violet dawn breaking over frost-covered forests near Grand Seiko’s Shinshu workshop.
A Movement Worth the Hype
The 9RB2 caliber remains the star here — at 30mm in diameter, just over 5mm thick, and delivering accuracy that puts most quartz watches to shame. Grand Seiko achieves this through three-month-aged quartz oscillators and temperature compensation programming. The movement even includes a regulation switch for long-term accuracy adjustments, a first for Spring Drive.
With 72 hours of power reserve and that signature smooth-sweep seconds hand, this is everything you’d want from Spring Drive technology, just condensed into a dress watch package.
The Violet Dawn Disruptor
With its dawn-inspired colorway, the dial creates deep purple tones that gradually lighten towards the center. It still has the same basketweave texture that’s been used by GS in the past to mimic the look of frozen tundra, but now gives an effect of that breaking daylight. And that combination is absolutely stunning.
The Evolution 9 case design remains unchanged at 37mm, which continues to be one of Grand Seiko’s smartest moves in recent memory. Too many of their Spring Drive pieces run oversized, but these compact proportions are amazing for daily wear.
A Welcomed Heft
Ever-Brilliant Steel brings more visual pop than the titanium SLGB003, with enhanced corrosion resistance, more lightweightness, and that signature Zaratsu polish that Grand Seiko has perfected. The case finishing remains exceptional, alternating between brushed surfaces and mirror-polished accents.
The three-link bracelet matches the case, though they’ve unfortunately dropped the micro-adjustment clasp from the titanium model — a step backward for a watch at this price point.
Spec Sheet
Model: SLGB005
Case Material: Ever-Brilliant Steel
Case Size: 37mm
Case Thickness: 11.4mm
Movement: In-house Caliber 9RB2 Spring Drive UFA
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Band: Ever-Brilliant Steel three-link bracelet
Limited Edition: 1,300 pieces
Price: $11,100
Pricing & Availability
Limited to 1,300 pieces, the SLGB005 debuts in November and is priced at $11,100. Pre-orders are available now through Grand Seiko boutiques and authorized dealers.
Recap
Grand Seiko SLGB005 Spring Drive UFA “Violet Dawn”
Grand Seiko’s third UFA watch finally pairs their world’s-most-accurate mainspring movement with a dial that actually catches your eye—a gradient purple dial inspired by dawn breaking over the Japanese forest.
