Grand Seiko’s New Super Hero: Testing the Caliber 9SA5 60th Anniversary Limited Edition


Are you familiar with Tetsuwan Atomu? This young robot, also known as Astro Boy, originated as a manga of the same name in 1952 (and later aired as an animated television series). He was created by scientists and given superpowers to defend the world from evil robots and extraterrestrials. He is one of Japan’s most famous superheroes. Caliber 9SA5 is also a tiny machine with special capabilities, developed by Japanese designers. Of course, these are not superpowers per se, but the designers at Grand Seiko wanted to produce the best possible movement and started from scratch to create a new and innovative escapement.

We almost felt a bit like super-villains as we took apart the movement in our test watch, the Grand Seiko High-Beat Caliber 9SA5, to have a closer look. Grand Seiko first introduced Caliber 9SA5 in 2020 in the gold SLGH002, which is limited to 100 pieces. The price of $43,000 on a leather strap was considerably higher than comparable models from Patek Philippe or A. Lange & Söhne, which illustrates the ambition and confidence of Grand Seiko. Our test watch in stainless steel, limited to 1,000 pieces, is priced at $9,700, about 70 percent more than a comparable Omega and about 25 percent more than a Rolex Datejust. So even the price of our test watch is “super.”

We locked this superhero in our super-villain laboratory and subjected it to every imaginable torture. Steel “armor” protects it to a depth of 100 meters, and the crown is screwed down to prevent pressure peaks while diving. Antiglare coating is provided on the inside of the sapphire crystal. And a special tool is required to open the fully threaded caseback with its large sapphire crystal window adorned with the Grand Seiko logo.

The superhero’s superpower, the new Caliber 9SA5, is beautifully decorated.

Durability, Accuracy and Aesthetics
Opening the armor exposed the beating heart — that is, the watch’s innovative motor. Even at first glance it reveals the goal of its designers: durability, accuracy and aesthetics. Its durability is clear from the balance bridge, which in contrast to all previous Grand Seiko calibers is fastened on two sides, rather than a balance cock on one side. The goal of achieving greater accuracy is shown by the free-sprung fine regulating system with balance screws, also new to Grand Seiko. And the beauty of the movement is reflected in the skeletonized oscillating weight with turned sunburst finish, côtes de Genève and beveled and polished edges on various components. Grand Seiko is not following the current trend of hiding the entire gear train beneath a large cover but uses several bridges, which are generously spaced to allow for a better view. At the same time, this requires finishing more edges, which means greater effort and production cost.
What you don’t see, however, is that the designers took special care to ensure the watch was easy to service. Many screws have a uniform size, the end shake of the balance can be adjusted with two screws, and everything is easily accessible — at least if you have the right tool — because even the ball-bearing rotor needs a specific three-pronged Grand Seiko screwdriver for disassembly. But look at the beauty: even the hidden surfaces of the components are given decorative finishes. If, for example, you remove the hands and dial, you’ll see a line finish and a pattern of Grand Seiko initials on the mainplate.

In order to achieve the greatest possible accuracy, Grand Seiko chose a high-beat movement that operates at 36,000 vibrations per hour — a design that the brand has been pursuing since 1968 with its extremely precise “Hi-Beat” calibers. At the same time, specifications for the new movement list a power reserve of 80 hours — so you can take off the watch for three days without risk of it stopping. The high frequency and long power reserve both require more energy, and the new movement is also 15 percent flatter than previous Grand Seiko high-beat models — so to prevent an overly large barrel, Grand Seiko engineers gave the new caliber superpowers, or in other words, tinkered with it and developed new technologies.

Decoration is even on surfaces that are not visible. GS initials are on the mainplate.

Dual-impulse Escapement
Grand Seiko solves this dilemma with two barrels arranged in sequence, a horizontal gear layout and, above all, its innovative dual-impulse escapement. It is manufactured using the MEMS process (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) taken from microchip manufacturing, which permits — even with earlier Grand Seiko escapements —a skeletonized and therefore lighter weight structure, which can save energy. With this manufacturing process, a shape is etched and then metal is deposited into the mold. The process also allows another specialty of the brand — tiny perforations in the teeth of the escape wheel, which serve as reservoirs to improve lubricant retention at these trouble spots, essential for a high-beat mechanism. The structure of the escapement is completely new and differs from the conventional lever escapement, whereby the pallet fork locks the escape wheel at each oscillation, and every oscillation transfers an indirect impulse to the balance wheel through the pallet fork so that it continues to move. In contrast, the dual-impulse escapement gives the balance energy at one oscillation indirectly, similar to the lever escapement (or through the pallet fork), and then an impulse directly delivered to the balance roller via the escape wheel as it moves in the other direction. According to Grand Seiko, this improves accuracy, while simultaneously increasing efficiency by 20 percent and thereby reducing energy requirements.

This escapement can be compared with the revolutionary co-axial escapement from Omega, which is more complex but also provides a second impulse to the escapement via the escape wheel for exceptional accuracy. The Grand Seiko design is said to be both lighter and more energy efficient than the co-axial escapement. This is easy to believe when you’re holding the tiny cutout escapement components in your hand. And in contrast to the weight-optimized Chronergy escapement from Rolex, the Grand Seiko dual-impulse escapement has perforations in the pallet fork and not just the escape wheel.

As mentioned previously, Grand Seiko has increased the accuracy even further with a free-sprung balance thanks to a fine regulator with four weighted screws on the balance wheel. The screws have square heads that require a special tool and are seated in slots to prevent them from coming loose. They are located in four recessed sections of the balance wheel to avoid air turbulence, which is a relevant factor in a high-beat movement.
Like the mainspring, the hairspring is made of a special alloy developed by the Japanese. And unlike the flat springs used previously, Grand Seiko developed a special overcoil. Their engineers tested 80,000 different geometries in dynamic computer simulations to identify the ideal shape. The positive effect of an overcoil on rate was discovered by Abraham-Louis Breguet. The hairspring breathes with the oscillating motion of the balance wheel, which causes the center of gravity to shift away from the center of rotation. This gives the balance system a dynamic imbalance and affects the isochronism, i.e., the rate accuracy in relation to the amplitude of the balance. The overcoil helps prevent this.

Modern dual-impulse escapement and free-sprung balance made from a special alloy and a newly developed overcoil

Grand Seiko has developed its own standard for rate accuracy. The movement is tested for 17 days, which is two days longer than by COSC, the Swiss testing agency. In addition, all six positions are tested instead of only five, and at different temperatures. Acceptable values are also stricter
than those specified by COSC. The average daily rate for Grand Seiko must be between -3 and +5 seconds, narrower than the COSC range of -4 to +6. Omega (0 to +5) and Rolex (-2 to +2) have even more restrictive internal standards.

Timing Machine at its Limit
Unquestionably more important is how a watch runs in real-life conditions and whether the numerous structural features affect its accuracy. In this case, Grand Seiko’s new 9SA5 was literally ahead of its time (in a good way). Since the escapement has a new geometry with a different ticking sound, the amplitude of the balance could not be determined using our own device, which was still running with an outdated software version at the time of this test (similar to Omega’s co-axial movement, manufacturers’ timing machines will have to update their software to include a separate testing program). Although we were able to determine the most important values ourselves (deviations in all six positions), Grand Seiko was kind enough to also provide a demonstration for us. And the 9SA5 appears to be everything it is meant to be: we recorded a deviation between 0 and +5, with an average of +3.5 seconds per day. It was just as good on the wrist, with a consistent gain of 4.5 seconds per day, regardless of how much or little the watch was worn. In addition to the small difference in positions, this shows the advantage of a high-beat movement, which is less affected by external influences.

The 9SA5 has every technical feature of a modern movement — the second hand stops when you pull the crown, for precision in setting the time, and the date, which advances immediately and automatically at midnight, can be changed by simply pulling the crown to the right position. It’s especially satisfying that the screw-down crown is large and easy to grasp and is just as easy to operate as the buttons used to open the safety folding clasp.

Gold, blue, red: Colors fit for a superhero are on the dial.

Gold for the Anniversary
The metal bracelet is designed in such as way that it does not pull any hair and, together with the smooth caseback, provides exceptional wearing comfort. Like the case, the bracelet is beautifully finished and has beveled and polished edges that contrast nicely with the polished surfaces. The clasp is decorated with a gold plaque with the Grand Seiko initials as an indication of its status as an anniversary model. The same gold initials appear on the dial. The blue color also signifies that this is an anniversary model.

The wide silver-colored hands and markers provide stark contrast, but the lack of luminous material makes the watch hard to read at night. The red seconds hand provides another colorful accent so that the watch is adorned with superhero colors — gold, blue and red. Is it too much? It’s a matter of taste. Otherwise, our test watch, like most Grand Seiko models, follows the successful style of the 44GS from 1967. All in all, it’s a good-looking watch.
One problem for this relatively young brand is that the model policy is not immediately apparent and is not readily recognized by many watch fans. They can’t be sure whether they are looking at a Grand Seiko quartz watch for $2,200 (SBGX259), a Spring Drive model for $3,800 (SBGA283) or — as in this case — a superhero in the mechanical watch collection for $9,700.

Beautiful steel armor with sapphire crystals on both sides. The caseback crystal has the Grand Seiko lion logo.

Price Comparison
Which brings us to pricing and comparability. Again, this is where the new caliber with its innovative escapement can be most easily compared with an Omega co-axial movement. In the Seamaster Aqua Terra, it is considerably less expensive ($5,700 with a steel bracelet) and Omega also provides integrated protection from magnetic fields. On the other hand, our test watch wins out with its 36,000 vph. There are few high-beat movements without a chronograph. In terms of quality, it is also comparable with the less expensive Oystersteel Rolex Datejust 41 ($7,650) and despite recent upgrades to the Rolex caliber, pulls ahead technically with its escapement. Also, the anniversary models will not be the only Grand Seiko watches with this new movement — an unlimited edition with the 9SA5 will be launched in Spring 2021. If you’re unable to find an anniversary model, or if exclusivity isn’t your thing, you can look forward to a more economical version.

Grand Seiko’s new superhero gives its rivals something to think about with its new technological abilities. The nine years of development and 13 patents are paying off. Is this new watch more powerful than the best-known heroes, Omega and Rolex? At the very least Grand Seiko is playing at their level, even if this Japanese superhero, like Astro Boy, is still new to the scene.

Once fully disassembled, our test watch and the innovative Caliber 9SA5 revealed much.

SPECS:
Manufacturer: Morioka Seiko Instruments Inc., 61-1, Itabashi, Shizukuishicho, Iwate-gun, Japan
Reference number: SLGH003
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Movement: In-house Caliber 9SA5, automatic, 36,000 vph, 47 jewels, hack mechanism, quick-adjust date, balance with four regulating screws, Spron hairspring with overcoil, dual impulse escapement, 80-hour power reserve, diameter = 31.6 mm, height = 5.18 mm
Case: Stainless steel, domed sapphire crystal with antiglare coating on inner side, screw-down crown, threaded caseback with sapphire crystal viewing window, water resistant to 100 meters
Bracelet and clasp: Stainless-steel bracelet with safety folding clasp
Rate results (deviation in seconds per 24 hours):
Dial up +5
Dial down +5
Crown up +4
Crown down +4
Crown left 0
Crown right +3
Greatest deviation 5
Average deviation +3.5
Dimensions: Diameter = 40 mm, height = 11.7 mm, weight = 178 grams
Limited edition of 1,000 pieces
Price: $9,700

SCORES:
Bracelet and clasp (max. 10 points): Cleanly finished steel bracelet with practical folding clasp. 8
Operation (5): The large crown is easy to grasp and makes using the hack mechanism and quick-date function simple. 5
Case (10): Excellent case with interesting alternating polished and brushed
finishes 9
Design (15): The shape of the case and the bracelet and sunburst finish are
beautiful; the colors are a matter of taste. 12
Legibility (5): Easy to read as long as there is light. 4
Wearing comfort (10): The steel bracelet and size are comfortable; does not pinch or pull hair. 9
Movement (20): Innovative in-house movement with modern escapement, high-beat with free-sprung balance and long power reserve. 19
Rate results (10): Very good; +3.5 seconds per day and a maximum deviation of 5 seconds. 9
Overall value (15): A rather high price but a unique and innovative movement with many positive features. 13
Total: 88 POINTS

Original photos by Marcus Krüger. This article originally appeared in the May-June 2021 issue of WatchTime.

No Responses to “Grand Seiko’s New Super Hero: Testing the Caliber 9SA5 60th Anniversary Limited Edition”

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  1. 11/6/21 ….$9,700 for a seiko ??
    Over a Submarine Rolex???
    Put the 2- together, let the world choose which one would they pick??
    1 million to zero
    1- million for Rolex, zero for Seiko

    Reply
  2. Phil Sherman

    This is a beautiful watch, but.for accuracy you cannot beat their Spring Drive models.

    Reply
  3. Michael Capone

    Love Grand Seiko. Stop comparing to Rolex. It is unfair and irrelevant. Can’t buy an Rolex for list price at any authorized dealer and if you can it is because you spent tens of thousands more on crap you don’t want. I can go to my Grand Seiko AD tomorrow and buy this for list price. Fair and transparent. Also, a better watch than the comparable Rolex.

    Reply
  4. saviour gauci

    It will never compare with the new rolex movement,. my new submariner 41mm three months on the winder kept perfect timing as my Citizen eco-drive atomic watch,

    Reply
  5. Jorge Robles

    This is what I call SUPER!!!!! The caliber looks impressive, and running at 36000 vph using that new escapement makes it a member of a very exclusive innovative club like Omega, Zenith, UN, AP and Girard-Perregaux. If it were using Silicon in those critical parts like the hairspring and some train wheels, making it 100% impervious to Magnetism, it would be really PERFECT!!!! The aesthetics are not that important for me, but it looks Impressive to say the least, and really shows its build quality. This is really reflecting its price, even more than any Rolex mentioned here. But I would not mind of changing those hands for different ones. In essence, I love this watch!!!!

    Reply
  6. Gerry Dimatos

    To the previous comment of not being able to pay that price for a Seiko….
    What to say ?
    The product speaks for itself and outguns its Swiss rivals on every level…
    To the bigots who must have Swiss Made know that in the majority of Swiss Made watches 40% of your watch comes from China.
    No worries – pay more for an inferior product – that makes so much sense…

    Reply
    • Bill Radner

      Just want to mention that there is more to a watch than a fresh new movement that only Seiko will be able to fix in the future, if at all. Where is the fine adjustable band like Rolex offers? What good is a watch that doesn’t fit well.
      Not only is the styling nothing special but the running rate doesn’t come close to my 2021 Rolex Batman with the new 3285 movement either on the wrist or off. This watch doesn’t even glow in the dark and will drastically depreciate in no time and turn out to be way more expensive than buying a proven watch that people want like almost any Rolex.
      In 25 years you’ll be able to get parts for the Rolex and not the Seiko based on the feedback from customers who have dealt with their service department.
      Sorry for being negative but it’s best to look at the whole picture.

      Reply
  7. tiramisu

    If you are going to go to all that effort of taking nice pictures please post high resolution so that we can zoom in.

    Reply
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