A Condensed Guide To Grand Seiko Releases From 2025

Merry Christmas, everyone! As we approach the end of the year, it is time to look back at some of the best Grand Seiko releases of 2025. The past 12 months have been packed with new watches from brands all over the industry, but we saw some amazing novelties from Grand Seiko. From the impressive Tokyo Lion Tentagraph to the brilliant Ultra Fine Accuracy models to a string of wonderful dials, the Japanese brand surprised us time and again. Let’s go over the highlights of 2025 from Grand Seiko and find out more.

Grand Seiko is good at finding “excuses” to celebrate. Whether it is the anniversary of a series, caliber type, or something related to the brand, amazing releases always mark these milestones. This year was the 65th anniversary of Grand Seiko itself, which inspired some of this year’s highlights. As usual, this yearly rundown of releases is based on the watches that we covered here on Fratello. Grand Seiko released many more watches that we did not cover, especially region-exclusive models. Nevertheless, the list of watches we covered from the Japanese brand is rather impressive. Let’s go over this year’s Grand Seiko highlights in chronological order.

An early start to 2025 with one of this year’s best Grand Seiko releases

Grand Seiko kicked off the year in late January with two additions to its series inspired by the 24 Japanese seasonal phases, the so-called sekki (節気). The design of the two watches is inspired by the classic 62GS from 1967. Additionally, these models are reinterpretations of the “Rikka” and “Shūbun,” which debuted a few years ago.

The most important change is the use of Grand Seiko’s Ever-Brilliant Steel. The first of the two models is the SBGH351 “Rikka” that comes with a vivid green dial. As Lex explained, the color reflects the transition from spring to summer, when the land appears lush and green. Additionally, the dial pattern mimics the wind-blown leaves over the land.

The second model is the SBGH353 “Shūbun,” which features an even deeper blue dial than its predecessor. The dial color expresses the moonlit sky and clouds. As you can see, both watches feature a gold Grand Seiko logo and a minute hand, along with a date window at 3 o’clock.

Inside the 40 × 12.9mm case, you will find the brand’s 9S85 movement. This Hi-Beat caliber operates at 36,000 vibrations per hour, offers a 55-hour power reserve, and is accurate to within +5/-3 seconds per day. Both watches come on a steel bracelet with 21mm end links and cost €8,000.

The Grand Seiko SLGH027 “Mountainscape”

An early highlight for 2025 came in the first week of February and celebrated the brand’s 65th anniversary. The SLGH027 “Mountainscape” is part of Grand Seiko’s Evolution 9 collection. It’s a 1,200-piece limited edition in a 40mm Ever-Brilliant Steel case with an 11.7mm thickness and a 47mm lug-to-lug.

Inside the case lies a stunning silver-blue dial with a “landslide” pattern. As Mike explained, Mt. Iwate, the mountain near Grand Seiko’s Shizukuishi studio, inspired this dial pattern. The radiating and heavily textured pattern looks quite impressive.

I especially love the white ring on the rehaut, which holds the minute track. It adds a nice detail to the overall design of the dial that features the modern, angular indexes and sharp hour and minute hands. The standout for me, however, is the blued seconds hand, which provides a nice contrast while perfectly fitting the color scheme.

Inside the case, you will find the modern Hi-Beat automatic 9SA5 movement. It runs at 36,000 vibrations per hour, has 47 jewels, and offers an accuracy of +5/-3 seconds per day. The SLGH027 “Mountainscape” debuted at €11,500 and undoubtedly sold out fast.

Is the Grand Seiko SBGH368 “Sakura Kakushi” the highlight of the year?

I had the pleasure of covering the Grand Seiko SBGH368 “Sakura Kakushi” in February. While it might not be my favorite of this year’s releases, I do think it is the most impressive. Just look at the stunning combination of the textured dial and a rose gold 62GS-style case. It’s a brilliant combination, and I could stop right there and let the images do the talking. The beautifully sculpted 38mm rose gold case is the perfect canvas for, arguably, one of Grand Seiko’s finest dials ever.

Image: James Porter & Son

If you are a regular reader, you will know that we all love the light pink dial of the SBGA413 “Shunbun,” which came out a few years ago. This new dial is a play on the original one, featuring a copper-pink color that nicely complements the rose gold. As I explained, the dial represents spring in Japan’s Tohoku region, where a delicate layer of frosty snow covers the pink cherry blossom petals.

Image: James Porter & Son

The faceted and applied hour markers, the date frame, and the hands, all in rose gold, provide sufficient contrast to read the time and date easily. Above all, they add to the brilliance of the overall composition. Tying it all together is a brown alligator strap with a rose gold buckle.

Image: James Porter & Son

Inside the case, you will find the same Hi-Beat caliber 9S85 that powers the first models I highlighted. Once again, this automatic movement operates at 36,000 vibrations per hour and offers 55 hours of power reserve. The movement is visible through the case back’s sapphire display. To our surprise, the Grand Seiko SBGH368 “Sakura Kakushi” debuted as a regular-production model. This watch can be yours for €33,500, and it was a notable horological highlight of early 2025.

The Watches and Wonders 2025 releases

From there, we went straight to the Watches and Wonders releases that were unveiled on April 1st, 2025. Grand Seiko surprised us with a string of great watches that made their way onto multiple year-end lists. Two immediate highlights were the new U.F.A. models that represent a step into the future for Grand Seiko.

The big news of those two watches was the introduction of the Spring Drive caliber 9RB2. As I explained, this groundbreaking movement boasts an impressive accuracy of ±20 seconds per year. That makes it the most accurate wristwatch caliber powered by a mainspring today.

On top of that, the new movement is smaller, opening the door to future releases with more compact cases. The first two Ultra Fine Accuracy (U.F.A.) models that Grand Seiko unveiled were the platinum SLGB001 and High-Intensity Titanium SLGB003. The two watches belong to the Evolution 9 collection, as their modern, angular 37mm cases suggest.

Lovely dials for the forward-looking SLGB001 and SLGB003

Within each case lies a wonderful dial inspired by the wintery scenes of the Kirigamine Highlands. The SLGB003 features a textured silver-blue dial and comes fitted with a newly developed titanium bracelet with a new clasp featuring a toolless micro-adjustment mechanism. At €12,000, it is a great addition to the lineup.

The platinum SLGB001 was an 80-piece limited edition and “slightly” more expensive at €42,000. For that money, you would get an icy blue dial with a bit more color than the one in the titanium SLGB003. Additionally, the watch came with a dark blue leather strap, making it an exquisite dress piece. Powered by the revolutionary new Spring Drive caliber, both watches are a dream to wear and represent the future of Grand Seiko.

A duo of new Grand Seiko Tentagraph models

The next two Watches and Wonders releases were two new Tentagraphs. The first was the wild Tokyo Lion SLGC009, and the second was the Evolution 9 SLGC007. The latter is a new variation of the inaugural Tentagraph SLGC001 from 2023. Let’s start with the seemingly bonkers SLGC009, though, because it quickly became a fan favorite. The watch features a futuristic, angular case that immediately stands out. Additionally, it’s a substantial piece with a 43mm diameter and a 15.5mm profile.

However, thanks to the Brilliant Hard Titanium material, it is lightweight. Add the wonderful ergonomics thanks to a nicely curved case back, and you will understand that this watch is much more comfortable than it appears at first glance.

The dramatically faceted case is matched with a brown dial inspired by a lion’s mane. It features black and orange details that link to the chronograph function of the watch. And just look at those majestic indexes on the dial. Together with the huge hands, they give the watch its distinct face. Add the bonkers case, and this is something special.

Sharing the movement with the Evolution 9 SLGC007

Inside the case, you will find the Grand Seiko Tentagraph caliber 9SC5. This Hi-Beat movement runs at 36,000 vibrations per hour, has a 72-hour power reserve, and is accurate to within +5/-3 seconds per day. The automatic chronograph caliber comes outfitted with a column wheel, a vertical clutch, and Grand Seiko’s Dual Impulse Escapement.

That same caliber also powers the Tentagraph SLGC007. It’s a new variation of the inaugural SLGC001 and houses a frost-blue dial with black sub-dials. The watch features the same 43.2mm High-Intensity Titanium case as the previous models, including a black ceramic bezel with a white tachymeter scale. It comes fitted with a titanium bracelet to complete the wintery look in style. This new version of the Tentagraph is part of the brand’s regular collection and costs €15,000.

The charming Grand Seiko SBGW323 “Kiri”

A Watches and Wonders release that flew a bit under the radar was the elegant Grand Seiko SBGW323 “Kiri.” The story of this watch is fairly straightforward, as it features a modestly sized 36.5mm 44GS-style case with a beautiful purple dial. But that’s also where its magic lies.

The smaller size will appeal to many fans, and that dial is a doozy! Add Grand Seiko’s 9S64 manual-winding movement, and you have a properly attractive offering. When I put this SBGW323 on my wrist, I was sold. It’s such a nice, capable daily wearer with much more wrist presence than its size would suggest.

As I explained in the introductory article, this is not the first watch in this specific lineup. The watch joins similar-looking previous releases, like the 55th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGW289, the stylish SBGW291 and SGBW293, and the European Limited Edition SBGW303. But for me, this new model is much more impactful, and it thoroughly impressed me

The 36.5mm 44GS-style case, with its 11.6mm thickness and 42.7mm lug-to-lug span, sits extremely well on the wrist. Add the manual-winding caliber 9S64, which operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides a 72-hour power reserve, and you have a great full package that can be yours for €6,000.

The second half of 2025 brought more Grand Seiko highlights

In September, Grand Seiko announced another Tentagraph model. Unlike the previous two titanium releases, this new “Sunrise” Tentagraph SLGC006 combines Grand Seiko’s High-Intensity Titanium with 18K rose gold.

It creates an interesting combination of materials and colors that immediately draws the eye. The titanium case retains the 43.2mm diameter and has a 15.3mm profile. Topping it, though, is a rose gold bezel containing a black ceramic insert with a white tachymeter scale. Further adding to the colorful presence are the rose gold crown and pushers.

However, the standout feature is the dial, which boasts a copper-pink hue complemented by a sunray-textured pattern. This dial was inspired by the morning sunlight gracing the sides of Mt. Iwate, and you can imagine it when you see the colors. Contrasting the base dial are burgundy chronograph counters, a deeply copper-colored sub-seconds register, and rose-gold-plated hands, date frame, and applied indexes.

What you end up with is an exotic version of the Tentagraph, which also houses the same 9SC5 caliber as the previously mentioned models. Grand Seiko made this 300-piece limited edition available for €23,000 in October, and all of those watches probably found their way to new owners quickly.

The Grand Seiko SLGW007 “Moonlit Birch” was something different

A release that collectively impressed us was the beautiful Grand Seiko SLGW007 “Moonlit Birch.” This model is a variation of the Hi-Beat Evolution 9 watches that came out last year. The SLGW003 and SLGW002 “Birch Bark” models introduced a new manual-winding caliber. This new SLGW007 features a dark blue dial, which completely transforms the watch’s presence. While the dial has the same “Birch Bark” texture as the previous models, the color immediately changes my perception.

As I explained in the introductory article, the dial genuinely resembles a nighttime version of the birch pattern. It also looks like the beautiful rippling surface of a pond or a river. It’s a wonderfully detailed texture that works incredibly well with the grayish-blue color. Add the applied, angular indexes and the sharp hands, and you end up with a stunner of a dial.

The SLGW007 is the full package

Housing the dial is a 38.6mm stainless steel case with a 9.95mm thickness and a 45mm length. As a result of these dimensions, it is a very wearable watch, with a navy-blue leather strap rounding out the look.

Inside the case, you will find the manual-winding Grand Seiko 9SA4, which is visible through the case back’s sapphire window. The caliber features a twin-barrel construction, runs at 36,000 vibrations per hour, has 47 jewels, and offers an 80-hour power reserve. It’s a beautifully finished movement that ensures this €10,200 SLGW007 is another highlight of 2025.

My number-one highlight, the Grand Seiko SLGB005

Towards the end of the year, I was smitten by the incredible Grand Seiko SLGB005. This watch was the third U.F.A. model and followed the inaugural ones unveiled during Watches and Wonders. The main difference is that this was the first Ever-Brilliant Steel model in the series. Combine this case material with the absolutely stunning purple gradient dial, and you have a daily wearer that made it into my top five favorite watches of the year. If you’d like to learn more, I suggest reading my in-depth review of the watch.

Just to quickly sum up this stellar release, it features the same beautifully proportioned 37mm case as the previous models, meaning it has an 11.4mm profile and a 44.3mm lug-to-lug.

Inside the steel case is a breathtakingly beautiful purple gradient dial. It features the same tree-inspired texture as its predecessors, but in purple, the feeling completely changes. Additionally, this shade of purple is vibrant, starting light in the center and gradually transforming into an almost blackish purple at the outer edges.

However, that is not where it ends, because the color also changes depending on the lighting conditions. In artificial light, the dial tends to look a little darker, while in natural light, it springs to life.

In combination with the multifaceted applied indexes and the modern handset, it’s a truly remarkable creation. What completely won me over was the versatility of the dial in combination with the steel U.F.A. model’s excellent wearability. Plus, with the 9RB2 Spring Drive caliber inside, this 1,300-piece limited edition, priced at €11,000, was the perfect daily wearer from Grand Seiko in 2025.

The final releases that we covered this year

The last Grand Seiko releases that we wrote about this year were the SBGM255 and SBGM257. These two watches are dial variations of the dressy GMTs in the brand’s Elegance line. Grand Seiko introduced two new textured dials that add significant detail to these classically styled watches.

Both feature a 39.5mm stainless steel case with a 14.1mm total thickness and a 46.9mm lug-to-lug. For the SBGM255 “Snowdrop” model, the case is matched with a white dial featuring a geometric texture and dark blue details.

For the SBGM257 “Moondrop,” Grand Seiko opted for a dark blue dial featuring the same textured pattern and gold-colored details. As you can see, the texture is very fine in the center of the dial and gradually widens towards the edges. The 24-hour GMT ring offers a nice break in the texture, making it easy to read the time in another time zone.

As Thomas explained, both watches contain Grand Seiko’s 9S66 automatic GMT caliber. The movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivers a 72-hour power reserve. It’s the perfect flyer-style GMT caliber for these entry-level GMT watches from Grand Seiko, which retail for €5,200.

Closing thoughts on Grand Seiko in 2025

Overall, in terms of the number of releases, this year has been quieter for Grand Seiko. However, upon reviewing the new introductions, it is safe to say that we’ve seen some exceptional watches. The new U.F.A. models represent a significant step forward for Spring Drive technology.

It was great to see the brand expand its chronograph collection with new Tentagraph references. Along with the various releases featuring brilliant, Japanese-nature-inspired dials, these watches show that it’s been another impressive year for Grand Seiko. It piques our curiosity to find out what the brand has in store for us in 2026!