Grand Seiko renews the core of its flagship Evolution 9 Collection.

Today, Grand Seiko is reintroducing the core models of its Evolution 9 Collection with a series of refinements. The updated lineup comprises nine new references: five featuring a 9R Spring Drive movement and four with a 9S mechanical movement. Building on the key pillars of aesthetics, legibility, and wearing comfort while exemplifying the tireless pursuit of the ultimate wristwatch, Grand Seiko’s Evolution 9 models represent the next step in the brand’s design and a further development of the Grand Seiko Style.

The new models adopt a three-step micro-adjustment clasp, enabling precise, tool-free adjustments in 2mm increments for enhanced wearing comfort. All but one of the new models maintain a 40mm diameter while implementing a bracelet with a greater degree of tapering than in previous models. Of the nine new models, seven are crafted from Ever-Brilliant Steel*, a stainless-steel alloy renowned for its exceptional corrosion resistance and bright color, while two are crafted from High-Intensity Titanium.

*This stainless steel has a PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) value over 40, which is classified as "super stainless steel" in the steel industry. PREN is a widely accepted standard used to measure corrosion resistance.

Cutting-edge Grand Seiko movements power all of the new Evolution 9 creations. The Spring Drive models are equipped with Caliber 9RB2, which was unveiled in 2025. Achieving an exceptional annual accuracy of ±20 seconds, this movement provides 72 hours of running autonomy. For the mechanical models, the flagship Caliber 9SA5 delivers high-beat precision and a power reserve of 80 hours.

Five Spring Drive creations with refined performance and aesthetics

To the southeast of the Shinshu Watch Studio, which is housed in a Seiko Epson facility in the city of Shiojiri, lies Lake Suwa. Capturing the serene surface of this Nagano lake through its distinctive design, the Lake Suwa dial pattern has captivated Grand Seiko fans while becoming a mainstay of the Evolution 9 Collection. In two new creations, the blue Lake Suwa dial shimmers to recall morning sunlight reflected on the water’s surface. By applying a lighter tone to the textured dial, the design reveals a new expression of the Lake Suwa motif.

The Lake Suwa dial will also be presented in black, marking a completely new color for this design. This version evokes the water’s surface illuminated by moonlight at midnight. The case and bracelet are crafted from High-Intensity Titanium, a material with a bright, lustrous tone that is about 30% lighter and more resistant to scratches than stainless steel, maximizing durability.

Equipped with the Spring Drive U.F.A. Caliber 9RB2

Introduced in 2025, the Spring Drive U.F.A., standing for “Ultra Fine Accuracy,” boasts an annual accuracy of ±20 seconds, making it the most accurate wristwatch movement on the market powered by a mainspring today.* To ensure this precision, both the crystal oscillator and the IC are vacuum-sealed, and the oscillator is stabilized through a unique aging process. Vacuum sealing minimizes the influence of external factors such as temperature, humidity, static electricity, and light, thereby enabling high accuracy. Each oscillator’s frequency is measured at multiple temperatures, and the resulting data is programmed into the low-power IC to enable precise thermo-compensation. The movement features a regulation switch that can be used during after-sales service to correct any divergences in accuracy that may occur over long periods of use.

* As of June 2026, based on Grand Seiko’s research.

The new Spring Drive creations will be available at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and select retail partners worldwide beginning in September 2026.

Four signature models from the Evolution 9 Collection, equipped with the flagship mechanical Caliber 9SA5, are refreshed

A dial inspired by a white birch forest near the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, the center of Grand Seiko mechanical watchmaking, stands among the most popular designs in the brand’s lineup. Its vivid pattern captures the essence of these magnificent trees and evokes the crisp clarity of highland air. Iwate Prefecture, home to the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, boasts Japan’s largest forest of white birch, a fast-growing, sun-loving species with remarkable vitality. The trees’ straight, white trunks reaching toward the sun evoke both beauty and strength. Inspired by the vast expanse of these trees stretching endlessly across the landscape, the textured dial aptly conveys the depth and richness of the forest. The new creation retains the same dial pattern as the original model while introducing Ever-Brilliant Steel for the case and bracelet. It is further enhanced with a micro-adjustment clasp, offering both refined comfort and modern functionality.

Stretching over two kilometers along the Iwai River in Iwate Prefecture, near the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, the Genbi Valley offers a captivating blend of untamed scenery and gently flowing water. The textured dial pattern of another mechanical creation reflects the valley’s distinctive rock formations, while its light blue color evokes the crisp, refreshing stream in summer.

Powered by the mechanical Caliber 9SA5, delivering 36,000 vibrations per hour and a power reserve of 80 hours

All four of the new mechanical creations are powered by Grand Seiko’s Caliber 9SA5. This movement achieves approximately 80 hours of power reserve while operating at a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour, thanks to the adoption of the Dual Impulse Escapement and a twin-barrel system with two mainsprings. In addition to its high performance, Caliber 9SA5’s proprietary horizontal gear-train layout enables a notably slim profile. The movement is crafted by highly skilled artisans at the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, a workshop steeped in rich natural surroundings, overlooking majestic Mount Iwate in the distance. A tribute to the studio’s surroundings, the movement’s bridge has a gently curved outline inspired by the shape of Mt. Iwate and a bend in the nearby Shizukuishi River, which runs past the studio.

The new mechanical creations will be available at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and select retail partners worldwide beginning in October 2026.