Hands-On: Grand Seiko’s “Ice Forest” U.F.A. Pairs World-Class Accuracy With Unmatched Craftsmanship

Founded in 1960, Grand Seiko was originally created by former parent company Seiko in order to go toe-to-toe with the finest names in Swiss horology. Well, 65 years later, it’s safe to say that the Japanese watchmaker has far exceeded expectations. Now independently operated, Grand Seiko makes some of the most jaw-dropping dials in the world, with in-house movements to match. While most brands clearly lean more towards one side or the other, Grand Seiko handles both aesthetics and mechanics with equal attention, making up their own rules to the game. 

This past April, the company debuted an evolution of its already-impressive Spring Drive movement. Dubbed the Ultra Fine Accuracy (U.F.A.), this new Spring Drive has already been housed in a trio of new references, including the inaugural SLGB001 and ​​SLGB003. While the former was kept in a platinum case and released as a limited edition, the latter — a titanium variant — is the first to be part of regular production.

We were fortunate enough to get hands-on with the Spring Drive U.F.A. SLGB003, part of the Evolution 9 collection, and can clearly see what all the hype is about.

Looking at this “Ice Forest” variant, it could seem unfathomable why anyone would want to discuss what’s inside the watch. However, Grand Seiko also happens to create arguably the finest movements in the industry. So before we dive into the beautiful dial, let’s take a look at the true raison d’être of the SLGB003. 

Visible through the caseback, Grand Seiko’s new Spring Drive U.F.A. Caliber 9RB2 has garnered much fanfare around its ±20 seconds per year precision. Billed as the most accurate mainspring-powered movement ever created, it evolves the already-impressive Spring Drive, which has been wowing enthusiasts since its 2004 debut and most recently had a precision rate of ±15 seconds per month. 

The innovation of Spring Drive lies in how it combines the sophistication of an automatic movement with the precision of a quartz movement. Instead of a battery, the quartz oscillator uses an electro-magnetic speed regulation unit to manage the mainspring’s unwinding and determine the precision rate.

The increased precision of the U.F.A. is achieved through three-month-aged quartz oscillators and a newly designed integrated circuit tested against different temperatures. The movement even includes a regulation switch for long-term accuracy adjustments, a first for Spring Drive. The U.F.A still has the same 72-hour power reserve as before and creates a smooth-gliding blue second hand that’s stunning in person.

If you’re familiar at all with Grand Seiko, you’re well aware that nearly all of its watches take inspiration from various aspects of life, from Japan’s cultural history, to the seasons, to the surrounding area of the company’s two main studios.

For the SLGB003, the brand utilizes a pressed texture designed to mimic the look of frozen tundra, specifically the frost-covered trees of the Kirigamine Highlands east of their Shinshu Watch Studio. Here it’s paired with a stunning silvery blue colored dial that actually shifts between a monochromatic silver and blue depending on your viewing angle. Aside from the black dial text, the only other color used is that of the tempered blue seconds hand. 

Aiming for a more compact watch compared to past Spring Drive pieces, Grand Seiko has dropped the case size down to a mere 37mm here, yet without losing any wrist presence. The downsizing is achieved in part by the compact nature of the U.F.A. caliber, which is just 30mm across and 5mm in thickness. As a result, the timepiece has an overall thickness of just 11.4mm and a lug-to-lug of 44.3mm, which allows it to wear incredibly well on the wrist. This is the smallest 9R series model that Grand Seiko has ever made.

Built on the Evolution 9 case design, these solid proportions are bolstered even further by the High-Intensity Titanium case, which is noticeably more lightweight than the brand’s steel cases. We also loved the new three-step micro-adjustment clasp design on the titanium bracelet, allowing you to make tool-free adjustments at 2mm increments. This was incredibly easy to do but does require you to take the watch off your wrist first.

As expected, we loved every element of the Spring Drive U.F.A. SLGB003, proving yet again that Grand Seiko is arguably the best all-around watchmaker on the planet. From the new hyper-precise movement (±20 seconds per year) to the beautiful ice forest-inspired dial design, the Japanese brand has mastered the art of form-meets-function. Not only that but this compact 37mm titanium timepiece has near-perfect proportions, and without losing any wrist presence in the process. Whether you’re heading to the office or dressing up for a wedding, the SLGB003 is an exceptional dress watch from start to finish.

Priced at $10,900, the Spring Drive U.F.A. SLGB003 is now available from Grand Seiko’s website. While this isn’t an entry-level luxury watch by any means, it’s well worth the investment, especially if you want a timepiece that’s a true conversation starter.

Recap

Grand Seiko Spring Drive U.F.A. SLGB003

Grand Seiko’s new SLGB003 takes the brand’s jaw-dropping dials and meticulous craftsmanship and pairs it with its most accurate Spring Drive yet, precise to within 20 seconds a year. With its icy blue “Ice Forest” dial, compact 37mm titanium case, and flawless finishing, it’s proof that precision and beauty can absolutely coexist.

Learn More: Grand Seiko