September 25 2025

Grand Seiko SLGB005: Ultra Fine Accuracy Meets The Purple Ice Forest Dial

Ricardo Amaral GRAND SEIKO, NEW RELEASES 2025, Limited Edition, Purple Dial 0

At Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025, Grand Seiko introduced a new chapter in its Evolution 9 collection with the Spring Drive UFA series. The acronym “UFA” stands for Ultra Fine Accuracy, a modern tribute to the brand’s historic “VFA” (Very Fine Adjusted) models of 1969, which represented the pinnacle of precision at the time. Building on that legacy, the SLGB005 Limited Edition continues the Ice Forest theme with a striking new dial and the latest in Grand Seiko movement technology.

First Impressions in Madrid

We had the pleasure of seeing this timepiece in person yesterday at a presentation luncheon hosted in Madrid, attended by Frédéric Bondoux, president of Grand Seiko Europe, with whom we had the chance to speak. Believe me—the dial is fantastic. At first glance, it appears almost black, but under certain angles of light, it reveals a refined lilac hue that changes the whole personality of the watch. We’ll save the full story of our trip, with live photos, for a dedicated article soon.

Case and Materials

The SLGB005 features a 37 mm Ever-Brilliant Steel case—a material that surpasses conventional stainless steel in brightness and corrosion resistance. This alloy offers a higher PREN rating, ensuring durability while giving the case a luminous sheen. The watch maintains the signature Evolution 9 design language, combining sharp Zaratsu-polished accents with brushed surfaces, a thin bezel, and robust functionality including a screw-down crown and 100m water resistance.

Measuring 44.30 mm lug-to-lug and 11.40 mm thick, the case strikes a balance between elegance and everyday practicality. The exhibition caseback with sapphire crystal allows a clear view of the movement within.

Ice Forest Dial in Gradient Purple

Like its predecessors, the SLGB005 showcases the textured Ice Forest dial, inspired by frost-covered winter trees. This edition introduces a gradient purple tone, evoking the transition of dawn light across frozen landscapes. Silver-toned hands and grooved indices—hallmarks of the Evolution 9 collection—ensure legibility and refinement, while the color shift remains subtle enough for versatile wear.

Calibre 9RB2 – Ultra Fine Accuracy

Inside the SLGB005 is the Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2, the most precise movement Grand Seiko has ever produced for a wristwatch. That’s right—you heard correctly: 20 seconds per year. Absolutely incredible. By comparison, many high-end mechanical watches struggle to achieve that level of accuracy in a single day.

Compact in design, the 9RB2 measures 30mm in diameter and 5 mm in thickness, enabling the elegant case proportions. It uses a single barrel to provide a 72-hour power reserve, displayed via an indicator on the movement side. The finishing, courtesy of the Shinshu Watch Studio, combines frosted plates with polished bevels, all visible through the sapphire caseback.

Bracelet and Clasp

The watch comes fitted with an Ever-Brilliant Steel bracelet that mirrors the case’s finish. The clasp is a three-fold push-button design, decorated with an 18k gold medallion. Unlike the titanium SLGB003 edition, this version does not include the new micro-adjustment system, opting instead for a traditional setup.

Limited Edition Status

The Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Spring Drive UFA Limited Edition SLGB005 combines cutting-edge precision with the brand’s hallmark craftsmanship and nature-inspired aesthetics. With its gradient purple dial, Ever-Brilliant Steel case, and record-setting movement, it stands out as one of the most technically and visually compelling releases in the Ice Forest series.