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Tentagraph - An overview
Introduced in 2023, the Tentagraph was Grand Seiko's first ever mechanical chronograph.
The Tentagraph's name - “TEN-T-A-GRAPH” - describes the characteristics of the Caliber 9SC5 that powers this watch:
- TEN beats per second (36,000 vibrations per hour),
- Three days of power reserve (72 h),
- Automatic,
- and chronoGRAPH .
The original “beasty” case - measuring 43.2 x 15.3 x 51.5 mm - was designed by Akira Yoshida.
The caliber 9SC5, with its dual impulse escapement and twin barrels, was engineered by Kengo Ito.
The movement is modular, with 9S base and a chronograph module featuring a column wheel and a vertical clutch.
credit: Grand Seiko
Blue dial with Mt. Iwate texture, said to capture “the serene beauty of a snowy moonlit night over Mt. Iwate, as seen from the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, the home of Grand Seiko’s mechanical watchmaking”.
Black dial with Mt Iwate texture and gold-toned subdials, depicting the rising sun peeking out from behind Mount Iwate.
credit: @watch.kamekichi
New Mt. Iwate textured dial in light copper-pink - burgundy/brown and copper chronograph sub-dials.
SLCG007 (left) - SLGC001 (center) - SLGC006 (right)
credit Monochrome & Hodinkee (three photos before last only) & @masaharu.me (last photo)
credit: Monochrome (1-6) & Hodinkee
credit: Grand Seiko
Six variants have been made so far:
- Five belong to the Evolution 9 collection: SLGC001, SLGC002, SLGC004, SLGC006 & SLGC007.
- One belongs to the Sport collection and, more specifically, to the Tokyo Lion line: SLGC009.
Let's see them one by one.
A/ REF. SLGC001 (2023)
Black ceramic bezel.
High-intensity titanium case (grade 5), brushed with Zaratsu polished accents.
Water resistance: 10 bar
credit: Monochrome
credit: Monochrome
B/ REF. SLGC002 TOKUSENKAI LIMITED EDITION of 30 PIECES (2024)
Black ceramic bezel.
18k pink gold case.
Water resistance: 10 bar
credit: @watch.kamekichi (1-3) & Commit Ginza
credit: @watch.kamekichi (1-3) & Commit Ginza
C/ REF. SLGC004 LIMITED EDITION of 60 PIECES (2024)
Black dial with Mt Iwate texture and gold-toned subdials, depicting the rising sun peeking out from behind Mount Iwate.
Black ceramic bezel insert.
High-intensity titanium case (grade 5), brushed with Zaratsu polished accents - 18k pink gold bezel, crown and pushers.
Water resistance: 10 bar
credit: @watch.kamekichi
D/ REF. SLGC006 - LIMITED EDITION of 300 PIECES (2025)
Black ceramic bezel insert.
High-intensity titanium case (grade 5), brushed with Zaratsu polished accents - 18k pink gold bezel, crown and pushers.
Water resistance: 10 bar
credit: Monochrome
E/ REF. SLGC007
credit: Monochrome
E/ REF. SLGC007
Silvery ice-white and blue dial with Mt Iwate texture “honouring Mt. Iwate’s landscape in harsh winter.”
Black ceramic bezel.
High-intensity titanium case (grade 5), brushed with Zaratsu polished accents.
Water resistance: 10 bar
SLCG007 (left) - SLGC001 (center) - SLGC006 (right)
credit Monochrome & Hodinkee (three photos before last only) & @masaharu.me (last photo)
F/ REF. SLGC009 - TOKYO LION (2025)
Tokyo Lion Brilliant Hard Titanium case (grade 5), brushed with Zaratsu polished accents measuring 43.0 x 15.6 x 50.0 mm.
Curved caseback.
Dark beige dial with pattern that takes inspiration from the mane of the lion as it waves in the wind. Black chronograph counters at 6 and 9 o'clock.
Diamond-cut indexes resembling the sharp claws of a lion.
Water resistance: 20 bar
credit: Monochrome (1-6) & Hodinkee
The Tentagraph could be considered Grand Seiko's Offshore, don't you think so?
Does this “beasty” chronograph appeal to you?
Personally, even if this isn't my kind of watches, I like the pink gold SLGC002 and the Tokyo Lion SLGC009.
Thanks fors looking.
Best, Emmanuel
BONUS - VIDEOS
Review of the SLCG001 by Tim Mosso
The SLGC002 by Commit Ginza
Review of the SLGC006 by Tim Mosso
Review of the SLGC007 by Time & Tide
Review of the Tokyo Lion SLGC009 by Time & Tide
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Tentagraph - An overview
Introduced in 2023 , the Tentagraph was Grand Seiko 's first ever mechanical chronograph . The Tentagraph's name - “ TEN - T - A - GRAPH ” - describes the characteristics of the Caliber 9SC5 that powers this watch: TEN beats per second (36,000 vibrations ...
I could probably never pull off these
beasts but interestingly the color coding of SLGC002 appealed to me a lot. I’m not one to like black and gold watches but here I must admit something clicks, the color palette seems excellent. Other than that I find the Tokyo Lion very interesting and app...
Thank you for this synopsis — I have been slightly interested — especially with the most recent reference—
But aesthetically, and given the case sizes, they are simply not for me.
Not for me either.
But I still find interesting what GS is doing. The Tokyo Lion in particular is quite appealing in its own beasty way. Best, Emmanuel
I have admired the Tokyo Lion from its introduction. It still appeals strongly to me . . .
. . . even with the dreaded date window at 4:30 and jumbo-sizing. The casework and case design is uber cool in my eyes. I think your comparison to the Offshore is on target, especially with the Tokyo Lion watch. Thanks for the review. M4
The recent U.F.A. divers have been made
without a date so hopefully the Tentagraph will be made without a date someday. That said, it doesn’t really bother me here: the rest of the Tokyo Lion design easily compensates for this little flaw. Not a watch I could wear and not my style, but I still ...
Thank you for that overview, Emmanuel.
I find the colors on the SLGC002 are appealing, especially with that distressed croc strap. I purchased the SLGC009, but decided that I could not live with the jump of the small-seconds hand upon actuation/stoppage of the chrono and ended up returning it....
I remember you posting about this issue,
which is so unexpected coming from a caliber featuring a chronograph module with a vertical clutch. This is really unfortunate because the watch's design is really special... Best, Emmanuel
They are appealing indeed,
even if a little something was missing for me. Maybe just the size which I would prefer a little further restrained. Best, Emmanuel
I tried the Tokyo Lion on at the Miami boutique.
Interesting piece, and as others have noted it has a very Offshore vibe. Big watch, too (for me at least).
I haven’t seen it in person yet,
but it seems big indeed. The angular design and the color scheme is appealing. Best, Emmanuel
Thanks Emmanuel.
Fantastic dials, particularly the blue one when the light hits it. All the best, Jon
Yes, the Mt Iwate texture seems very nice.
And the blue seems eye-catching. Best, Emmanuel
Thank you …
for a comprehensive summary of what is the Tentagraph line from GS. I personally like the Tokyo Lion variant a lot; most interesting multi-faceted case design with full Zaratsu-polish treatment. Haven’t had a chance to see one in the flesh even though it ...
I haven't seen the TL in person either yet. Hopefully someday.
And I really hope they've fixed these chronograph issues now... Best, Emmanuel