The White Birch has been one of Grand Seiko’s breakout hits since debuting in 2021, but it wasn’t necessarily the everyday watch many wanted it to be due to its 12mm thickness and dressed-up colorway. Enter the SLGW007 Moonlit Birch, a refined take that introduces a stunning navy dial that captures the essence of birch trees under moonlight.
Evolution 9 Gets More Practical
Grand Seiko’s Evolution 9 design language launched in 2020 as a modern update to the classic 44GS, emphasizing sharp facets and Zaratsu polishing. The Moonlit Birch is arguably the collection’s most wearable reference yet, shrinking the case down to 38.6mm from the White Birch’s 40mm diameter. More importantly, the thickness drops to just 9.95mm — nearly 2mm thinner than its automatic sibling.
This size reduction comes courtesy of the manually wound Calibre 9SA4, Grand Seiko’s first hand-wound hi-beat movement in five decades (debuted last year). Based on the acclaimed automatic 9SA5, it maintains the same 36,000 vph frequency and 80-hour power reserve while eliminating the rotor bulk. The movement features Grand Seiko’s innovative Dual Impulse Escapement and showcases beautiful finishing through the sapphire caseback, including a wagtail-shaped barrel click that adds character to the technical display.
The Navy Advantage
While the original White Birch’s silvery dial certainly turns heads, the Moonlit Birch’s navy colorway offers something more versatile. The horizontal birch bark texture — first seen on last year’s SLGW003 — creates a subtler aesthetic than the vertical pattern of the White Birch. Grand Seiko describes this as evoking “white birch trees appearing faintly in the moonlight,” and it totally works.
The switch from titanium to stainless steel also brings benefits beyond cost savings. The added weight gives the watch more presence on the wrist, while the traditional material choice makes it more versatile.
Lastly, the navy calf leather strap is a welcome departure from Grand Seiko’s typically formal black crocodile options. The textured finish complements the dial beautifully and fits with the more casual nature of the watch.
Spec Sheet
Model: SLGW007 Moonlit Birch
Case Size: 38.6mm
Case Thickness: 9.95mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Movement: In-house Calibre 9SA4 manual wind
Power Reserve: 80 hours
Water Resistance: 30m
Strap: Navy textured calf leather
Crystal: Sapphire front and back
Pricing & Availability
Launched this October, the Grand Seiko SLGW007 Moonlit Birch carries a $10,000 price tag — $200 more than the White Birch despite the less expensive case material and lack of bracelet.
Recap
Grand Seiko SLGW007 Moonlit Birch
Grand Seiko swaps its classic White Birch dial for a Moonlit Birch, bringing more versatility to the dress watch with better proportions, a steel case, and a calf leather strap.
