First introduced in 1960 as a more high-end sub-brand, Grand Seiko has a long and rich history of delivering ultra-premium luxury timepieces. And while the company has developed a wide variety of different movements and systems for its watches over its more-than-60-year history, the Japanese brand has now unveiled its first-ever mechanical chronograph watch with what’s been christened the Grand Seiko Tentagraph SLGC001.
Part of Grand Seiko’s Evolution 9 Collection, the Tentagraph takes its name from four of its characteristics. The “Ten” in the name is derived from its frequency rate of 10 BPS, the “T” that follows represents a three-day power reserve, the “A” that follows immediately after denotes the use of an automatic movement, and the “graph” at the end of the monicker obviously conveys the fact that it’s a watch of the chronograph variety. Water resistant down to 100 meters, the Tentagraph features a 43.2mm case and a three-link bracelet with a three-fold clasp that are both crafted from top-shelf scratch-resistant, zaratsu-polished titanium. Measuring 15.33mm thick, this low-center-of-gravity case has been further complemented via a fixed ceramic bezel and a notched GS-logoed crown.
On display through an exhibition caseback, the Tentagraph is kept ticking via Grand Seiko’s new Caliber 9SC5 movement. Based on the high-end horologist’s existing Caliber 9SA5 motor, the C5-spec has been treated to two barrels and a Dual Impulse Escapment that together enable the watch to deliver its three-day power reserve even while using its chronograph function — a reportedly best-in-class, industry-leading figure. Meanwhile, the movement’s vertical clutch and column wheel help it to achieve its accuracy of +5/-3 seconds-per-day. Bestowed with Lumibrite-coated indices and hands, the dial of the Evolution 9 Collection Tentagraph sports a date window between 4 and 5, grooved indexes, and recessed subdials at 3, 9, and 12 o’clock. The dial also features a lightly-textured motif known as the “Mt. Iwate pattern,” a design that’s inspired by the night’s sky above the nearly 7000′-tall Volcano of the same name that’s visible from Grand Seiko’s recently-opened Studio Shizukuishi manufacturing facility.
Scheduled to go on sale this June, the Grand Seiko Tentagraph SLGC001 Mechanical Chronograph Watch has been priced at $13,700.
