Reiseplan » Grand Seiko BLACK CERAMIC SBGC219 Replica Watch

Grand Seiko's latest dive collection – The Evolution 9 5-Day Diver 'Ushio' SLGA023 Ride the waves with the brand's newest Spring Drive diver.

A year after the technically sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing SLGA015 "Black Stream" dive watch, Grand Seiko presents at Watches & Wonders 2023 the follow-up to the new SLGA023 "Ushio" dive watch. The Ushio – meaning tide in Japanese – is the latest diver’s watch from the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 line, featuring a handsome new blue bezel insert and a gorgeous blue dial that only Grand Seiko can deliver.

By almost any standard, the SLGA023 is a total beast. Both the case and bracelet are made from Grand Seiko's high-strength titanium and measure 43.8mm wide, 13.8mm thick and 51.5mm lug-to-lug. At the heart of the SLGA023 is a new colorway of Grand Seiko's pinnacle titanium diver's watch, and while the new color has its own unique execution, the specs continue to speak for themselves - especially when it comes to the movement.

We find Grand Seiko's 9RA5 Spring Drive movement, first used in the SLGA015 (for a non-limited diver's watch), safely housed within a light but beautifully crafted titanium case. With a five-day power reserve and a monthly accuracy rating of +/- 10 seconds, the 9RA5 represents the cutting edge of sports watch Spring Drive movements, recently made thinner and stronger by Grand Seiko.

And now the highlight is the iconic blue tide “Ushio” dial of SLGA023. A dial effect that is brighter than the "Black Stream" dial texture of the SLGA015 is the water effect. The Ushio features luminescent markers and the date at three o'clock surrounded by a navy blue ceramic bezel.

If you like your dive watch to blend modern construction and technology with some whimsy, then you're going to love this new very blue SLGA023. The watermarks on the dial look incredible, and the whole package feels like something only Grand Seiko would make.

While I think the size of the dive watch is a bit larger than what I like, the titanium construction certainly helps to balance out some of the mass, and for those who want to delve a little deeper into the ergonomics of this packaging, Logan writes An article second opinion on how well the SLGA015 fits despite its size.

As a premium titanium diver's watch that costs more than the Rolex Submariner, the SLGA023 has qualified niche appeal not only in its use of titanium, but also in its dial execution and ultra-accurate Spring Drive movement.

It's beautiful, a little nerdy, and totally a Grand Seiko diver.

Base
Brand: Grand Seiko
Model: Evolution 9 Collection 5 Day Diver's 200m “Ushio”
Model: SLGA023

Diameter: 43.8mm
Thickness: 13.8mm
Lug-t0-lug: 51.5 mm
Lug Width: 23mm
Case material: high-strength titanium
Dial Color: Blue Ushio (Tide)
Index: Application
Luminous: markers and hands
Water resistance: 200 meters
Strap/Bracelet: High-strength titanium bracelet with folding clasp.


sports
Caliber: Grand Seiko 9RA5
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, power reserve
Power Reserve: 120 hours
Winding: Automatic
Jewels: 38
Additional Details: +/- 0.5 seconds per day, +/- 10 seconds per month (on average)