Grand Seiko Limited Edition SLGW004 & SLGW005

Sep 2, 2024 · 2 minutes read

Grand Seiko brings back the 1968 45GS with the new limited edition SLGW004 and SLGW005.

People might be more familiar with the 44GS, released in 1967, which established the design philosophy driving Grand Seiko. Over the years, the 44GS has evolved and can still be found in the current catalog. In 2013, Grand Seiko even celebrated the 100th anniversary of watchmaking at Seiko with a recreation of the 44GS in limited edition and various metals.

On the other hand, the 45GS was released a year after the 44GS in 1968, and today, it finally gets a revival in stainless steel and yellow gold, with the SLGW004 and SLGW005.

The 45GS’s design was nearly identical to that of the 44GS and is based on Taro Tanaka’s Grammar of Design. However, the 45GS marked a significant milestone for Grand Seiko, becoming the first model in the line to feature a high-frequency movement with a frequency of 36,600 vibrations per hour. During its lifespan, between 1968 and 1973, it was produced in multiple variants and with three different calibers, all high-frequency.

The new stainless steel and yellow gold versions maintain the original case design, with minor updates to fit a new hand-wound movement. Its diameter went from 36mm to 38.8mm with a 10.4mm thickness.

The dial features the vintage applied “Seiko” logo at 12 o’clock and the “GS” logo at 6 o’clock. The dial’s lettering faithfully recreates the original design, featuring “HI-BEAT,” “36000,” and the Daini factory logo as a tribute to the first model. The dial color varies by model. The steel model features a classic white eggshell finish, while the gold model boasts a slightly warmer, light cream hue.

In the back, you will see the manually wound high-frequency movement, the Caliber 9SA4, which was announced in April at Watches & Wonders. It has a dual impulse escapement, dual barrels, and an 80-hour power reserve. With a heat-blued hand, a power reserve indicator is located below the balance wheel. The movement features a playful wagtail bird as its ratcheting click.

Both watches will be available in November. The steel version (limited to 1200 pieces) is $9,700, and the yellow-gold version (limited to 200 pieces) is $30,000.