Seiko

The Evolution 9 ref. SLGB023 (blue) and SLGB025 (green) both feature:

• A 40.8 x 12.9 x 48.5 mm high-intensity titanium case (band width is 21 mm).

• A dial with oceanic pattern (“Ushio” means wave or tide in Japanese).

• The Spring Drive U.F.A. (Ultra Fine Accuracy) caliber 9RB1 with the stunning accuracy of ±20 seconds per year (±3 seconds per month).

• Slimmer case size.

• Removal of the date.

• Rectangular indices only instead of a mix of rectangular and round.

• Power reserve at 7 o'clock instead of 9 o'clock.

• Simpler hour hand instead of cathedral hand.

• 300 m water resistance instead of only 200 m.

However, even if the SLGB023 is far more wearable than the SLGA023, the 48.5 mm lug-to-lug remains at the limit of what my 16 cm wrist can pull off comfortably.



The case design is nice and the 120-click unidirectional bezel offers a good grip and a pleasant feel when rotating it.



But the titanium case and bracelet gave me mixed feelings on two points:

• I'm not sure I like the lightness of titanium (only 122 g) in such a context, as I find it doesn't quite suit the robust look of such a watch. It gave me the feeling of wearing a toy watch.

• Even though Grand Seiko calls its titanium “high-intensity,” I found the metal too dark and dull. The models I tried were prototypes: will the final models be a little brighter?

A solid caseback is the perfect option for such a watch, imo.



The clasp features a security lock in addition to the classic twin trigger system: it can be locked or unlocked by sliding the GS emblem.

When the red mark is visible, the clasp is unlocked and it can be opened by pushing the triggers.



Inside the clasp, one can find both:

• a tool-free length adjustment in 2 mm steps, up to 6 mm in total,

• and a fold-out dive extension which adds a further 18 mm of length to fit over a wetsuit.

The green dial of the ref. SLGB025 catches the light more than the blue one of the SLGB023.



But apart from this difference in color, everything is identical, of course.





Side by side, the blue dial catches the eye a little more than the green when the light doesn't hit the dial...



... but the phenomenon reverses as soon as light hits the dial: the green dial comes to life more than the blue one.





In conclusion, I would say that, while these two models represent a significant step forward for Grand Seiko in the dive watch sector, I wasn't entirely won over aesthetically. 

I think I would personally prefer a slightly smaller case made of stainless steel.

What do you think?

Best, Emmanuel

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