Scale: 40 mm case
Grand Seiko
Evolution 9 Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours White Birch
SLGH005
$9,800
Everyday, office, formal, travel
The White Birch is the best finished steel watch near €10,000 and has the most interesting movement in this tier. The 9SA5 beats at 36,000 vph yet holds 80 hours of reserve and is rated to five seconds fast or three slow a day. Zaratsu polished surfaces and the bark textured dial outclass the Omega Aqua Terra and Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 on finishing, and the 47mm lug span keeps it comfortable on most wrists.
A high beat movement with 80 hours of reserve and finishing Swiss rivals rarely match at this price.
Specifications
| Diameter | 40 mm |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 11.7 mm |
| Lug to lug | 47 mm |
| Lug width | 22 mm |
| Case | Stainless steel |
| Crystal | Box shaped sapphire, inner anti reflective coating |
| Water resistance | 100 m |
| Movement | Automatic |
| Calibre | 9SA5 |
| Power reserve | 80 hours |
| Accuracy | +5 / −3 s per day static, +8 / −1 s per day in normal use (official) |
| Strap | Steel bracelet, folding clasp with push button release |
Pros
- 9SA5 pairs 36,000 vph with 80 hours
- Case finishing reviewers call impeccable
- Dial texture changes with the light
- Slimmer than older Grand Seiko high beats
Cons
- No lume at all
- No micro adjustment on the clasp
- 22mm bracelet feels wide on small wrists
Rivals
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41, Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 41, Rolex Explorer 40 224270
What owners say
The long running WatchUSeek owner thread praises the dial and finishing but debates the name, since the dial reads silver rather than white. Several owners reported watches running around +10 seconds a day, outside spec, with fixes ranging from regulation in Japan to demagnetising. Others point to the missing lume and the lack of fine clasp adjustment.
Sources
- grand-seiko.com Official
- grand-seiko.com Official · German price 10,000 EUR, same specification
- monochrome-watches.com Review
- wornandwound.com Review
- wristenthusiast.com Review
- watchuseek.com Forum
- watchuseek.com Forum · Owner accuracy problem and how it was resolved
- watchcrunch.com Forum · Owner comments on living with the dial