GRAND SEIKO EVOLUTION 9 SPRING DRIVE UFA Limited Edition SLGB005

New Grand Seiko Spring Drive UFA Ice Forest SLGB005 having a Purple Dial in Stainless Steel








Grand Seiko's ultra-fine precision returns in Ever-Brilliant Steel with a purple switch.



Earlier this current year at the Geneva Watches & Wonders 2025, Grand Seiko unveiled a significant new assortment featuring a brand-new movement plus a meaningful name: Spring Drive UFA. If you're a Grand Seiko fan, you'll immediately acknowledge the connection to past VFA models, as the new ultra-fine precision movement pays towards to the ultra-fine caliber via 1969. This elegant, sleek and stylish watch, first introduced from the SLGB001 and SLGB003 products, is a practical and sensible watch for everyday use and from now on returns as the limited model Spring Drive UFA Ice-cubes Forest SLGB005. Combining a good Ever-Brilliant steel case using a gradient purple dial, it includes undeniable visual and kinetic appeal, but lacks one of several key new features of the ti SLGB003…



Even as explained in our first look at the modern member of the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 family, the actual acronym UFA (Ultra-Fine Precision) is a beautiful nod on the past. It stands for VFA, or Very Fine Change. First used in 1969, the particular designation defined a technical Grand Seiko watch which achieved an astonishing ±1 small of monthly accuracy. Possibly by today's standards, this kind of remains impressive, rivaling typically the claimed accuracy of Rolex's Superlative Chronometer. But now, throughout 2025, Grand Seiko has a proprietary technology called Spring Drive, a hybrid involving mechanical and quartz that will achieves accuracy far above the limits of conventional mechanised movements. And this Ultra-Fine Excellence Caliber 9RB2 leads the way regarding accuracy. More on that after.



Stainless steel event and purple dial

First, let's examine the look and style of the new Spring Drive UFA Ice Mend SLGB005. Initially, not much has created compared to the titanium SLGB003. The lens case shape and finish remain equivalent, a modern interpretation of Fantastic Seiko's design philosophy as well as a hallmark of the Evolution being unfaithful collection. The case boasts a modern-day blend of brushed and Zaratsu polished surfaces, complemented with a slim bezel, angular (but not excessive) surfaces, along with a comfortable 100-meter water resistance. The actual crown is screw-down, plus the caseback features a sapphire very.



But such as titanium version, the key to this particular Ice Forest SLGB005 is usually its size…elegant and laid-back, with a case diameter connected with 37mm and a length of 46. 3mm. Yes, the 14. 4mm thickness is an advancement compared to many other Grand Seiko watches, but I can endure a 1mm reduction. Yet another key element of this new restricted edition is the material. The particular SLGB005 switches from ti to Ever-Brilliant Steel (EBS), a brighter alloy along with enhanced corrosion resistance, bragging a PREN rating - 7 times that of classic stainless steel. If you will, really GS's answer to 904L stainlesss steel. Using EBS has a pair of immediate consequences-two advantages for us, actually: it's brighter and even more lustrous than titanium, and it's heavier, making it more comfortable for you to wear-or perhaps more in keeping with my personal taste (I try some fine bit of heft in designer watches, especially compact ones).



The first titanium along with platinum models featured light-toned dials (silver-blue and ice-blue, respectively) and introduced yet another nature-inspired pattern-the so-called " Ice Forest Texture, " depicting frost-covered treetops winter months. Now, the Spring Drive UFA SLGB005 adds the gradient purple to this subtle texture, creating an image associated with an ice forest at beginning. The color is understated in addition to sophisticated, perfectly executed. The idea stands out to the wearer while not being overly obtrusive, maintaining an affordable profile. All dial aspects are finished in gold tones, accented by the Evolution 9's signature bold arms and fluted hour paintball guns.



UFA Grade 9RB2 Movement

Inside case is the same 9RB2 movement found in the ti SLGB003 watch. This activity, featuring Spring Drive engineering, was designed to create a more compact as well as thinner watch, while likewise being more precise when compared with any previous creation in the brand (in fact, it does not take most accurate mainspring see movement available today). Typically the 9R6x caliber boasts a regular monthly accuracy of ±15 moments. The 9RA5 caliber, presented in 2020, improves that to ±10 seconds a month. The new, ultra-precision 9RB2 grade achieves an astonishing ±3 just a few seconds per month (or ±20 secs per year), a level associated with precision unattainable for every day use by many simply mechanical watches. The artistry that achieves this a higher level precision is detailed below.



Otherwise, often the movement of this purple SLGB005 remains unchanged, measuring 30mm in diameter and 5mm thick. This automatic Planting season Drive movement, powered by the single mainspring barrel, gives a generous 72-hour power reserve (the power-reserve indicator is intelligently integrated on the caseback). Often the caseback reveals the personal unsecured Shinshu Watch Studio pretty pattern, with the brushed call and bridges contrasting while using polished beveled edges.



Steel Bracelet, Zero Fine Adjustment Required

As you might expect, the pendant of this new purple minimal edition is crafted from Ever-Brilliant stainless steel, matching the case. Nonetheless compared to the titanium version, it seems like to lack something… With launch, this watch not simply featured a new movement and also, to our surprise, (finally…) any fine-adjustment system on the hold. It’s a shame that the stainless-steel SLGB005 no longer features this particular comfortable release mechanism, cancelling to a traditional triple-folding form (adorned with an 18K platinum medallion) with a push-button release… a shame, as normally this new model is remarkable in every way.



Technical Specifications - GRAND SEIKO EVOLUTION 9 SPRING DRIVE UFA Limited Edition SLGB005

Case: 37mm diameter x 11. 4mm thickness - 44. 3mm lug-to-lug - Ever-Brilliant stainless, brushed finish with Zaratsu polished accents - Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner exterior - Transparent screw-down caseback - Screw-down crown -- 100m water resistance

Face: Dial with a gradient pink " Shinshu Icefield" comfort pattern - Applied faceted markers and hands, zero luminescent material - Presented date window and employed GS logo - Silver-toned steel second hand

Activity: Caliber 9RB2 - Brand-new generation Spring Drive mobility with ultra-high precision : Automatic central rotor rapid 30mm x 5. 02mm - 34 jewels instructions 72-hour power reserve - ±20 per year Second accuracy (approximately ±3 seconds per month) - First-ever regulating technique in a Spring Drive motion - Brushed finish together with polished bevels - Time, minutes, central seconds, particular date, and power reserve displayed about the back

Strap: Ever-Brilliant Steel three-link bracelet -- Ever-Brilliant Steel three-fold buckle with push-button release, which include titanium components and a great 18k rose gold medallion : No fine adjustment (unlike the titanium SLGB003)

Reference: SLGB005