We love new Grand Seiko releases. And on top of that, sometimes we enjoy making fun of new Grand Seiko releases. Really, it all comes from a good place and I have to admit—as gimmicky as some of the releases are, every once in a while Grand Seiko nails it. It’s how I feel about the new 9F Quartz Snowflake, by the way. While it’s still a random nature-inspired watch, I’m finding the Grand Seiko SLGH021 Genbi Valley to be one of the most visually attractive releases of Watches & Wonders 2024, so far.
Inspired by Japan’s Genbi Valley, Grand Seiko states that “the grand and mysterious scenery of the Genbi Valley is expressed in this watch’s dial via a new molded pattern and light-green coloration.” Admittedly, the color looks fantastic and I’m becoming a bigger fan of dials that use interesting textures like this. Say what you will but Grand Seiko has been leading the charge there for a while. The watch is 40mm wide, 11.7mm thick, and 47mm lug-to-lug. As fancy as it looks, it’s also sporty with a screw-down crown and a water resistance rating of 100.
Additionally, Grand Seiko mentions that the case is made out of what they call Ever-Brilliant steel, which “has a PREN (pitting resistance equivalent number) that is 1.7 times that of the steel typically seen in luxury watches.” This seems to be the first time a watch in the Evolution 9 collection sees this material and I guess the thought is that this material will be more corrosion-resistant than regular steel. Hopefully, though, this isn’t the kind of watch that you’ll be knocking around like crazy. Save that for your Seiko Prospex Turtle.
I’m not going to get into some of the ridiculous “nature-inspired” marketing circle-jerking that Grand Seiko talks about. You can consume that kind of content on their site. But on the movement side of things, Grand Seiko went with the Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours 9SA5 caliber. It’s a fitting choice for such a high-end watch with an accuracy of +5/-3 seconds per day. It operates at a high 5Hz frequency and offers the wearer 80 hours of power reserve thanks to a dual barrel setup. I could probably do without some of the little gold touches added throughout the clasp and dial but this is still a gorgeous watch.
Grand Seiko SLGH021 Genbi Valley Specifications
| Case Size | 40mm (diameter) x 11.7mm (thick) x 47mm (lug-to-lug) |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Movement | 9SA5 |
| Case Material | Ever-Brilliant steel |
| Crystal | Box sapphire |
| Lug width | 22mm |
| Price | $10,400 |
The new Grand Seiko SLGH021 Genbi Valley is limited to 1,000 pieces and you can learn more on the official Grand Seiko website.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.