Hands on Review of the Grand Seiko SLGA009 White Birch and Comparison to the SLGH005

[@LostSpringbar]

Awesome review of an amazing watch! Got my SLGA009 from Chris at Little Treasury the day they arrived and it hasn’t gained or lost even a fraction of a second in a week. As a former SLGH005 owner, I really prefer the more subtle texture and white dial. But don’t worry about the dial being boring. It’s super dynamic in the light as you tilt the watch.

[@jullesthlm]

I also have the new WB SLGA009 and since 16 days back since I sold my Rolex and bought this masterpiece mine haven’t gained or lost a second 😳🤩🔝⌚️ that’s crazy accurate 💯

[@Littletreasury]

Thank you Jason! You are the 1st person to get it in the area! Glad you are loving it, and the accuracy is real!

[@SigAXG320]

I have to ask, Jason: what were your issues with the dial of the 005? Was it too much bling, or were there legibility issues b/c of the silver dial and silver markers? Any significant accuracy issues with new high beat movement? I have a snowflake and just ordered the new SLGH011 (Green birch) 2 days ago, which won't arrive until late September. But there are days I contemplate selling my snowflake (despite loving it for the almost 2 years I've owned it) to get a SLGH005, more so b/c I absolutely love the dial from the pics and videos.

[@Riverpeth]

@@SigAXG320 Any reason you prefer the SLGH005 over the SLGA009 as a replacement for the snowflake?

[@stapleboss]

I have that movement in the slga007 (love it). In 6 weeks it has not lost or gained a second.

[@Littletreasury]

Amazing!

[@tiderider]

I envy your 007. Enjoy

[@JAW114]

I tried all three on today and much prefer the new white birch SLGA009 to the 005 and the snow flake. The 005 is too silver for me and I prefer without the power meter on the dial, much cleaner and a timeless look. The 009 just feels special on wrist and like a really rich watch in every way. I was liking it as much as one of my Rolex’s on my wrist. 009 vs snowflake movement aside is probably personal preference but the lightweight titanium doesn’t feel substantial enough for me. I can appreciate the appeal for the right person, but I like feeling the presence of the steel. The 009 was a major winner for me today as you can probably tell and I can’t stop thinking about it! I just didn’t wanna take it off my wrist, always a good sign.

[@Littletreasury]

Thank you for sharing! If you are interested in a 009 we can ship it to you -- check out our contact info in the description of the video. Thanks, Chris

[@ianferris]

I could always rely on you for quality Grand Seiko content. Thanks for the great vid and keep it up!

[@Brew2point0]

"Hey! Listen!" As a Spring Drive with a more subtle dial, this is definitely a more fitting successor to the Snowflake than the OG White Birch. In fact I’m surprised by how many things they’ve made more to my liking. Less aggressive/gouged dial, less silver sheen. And along with the 9RA2 movement, most of the changes you point out seem to be distinct to the Shinshu and Shizukuishi studios. That quirky difference in date window size, weird extra line between the date window and chapter ring on mechanical pieces, capped vs uncapped handstack - they seem to be that way with every piece from each studio. So along with Shinshu making Spring Drive and HAQ while Shizukuishi makes mechanical movements, Shinshu has the subtle design features I prefer across the board. This is the White Birch I’d throw down for.

[@svrds10]

I was waiting for this review. Just ordered mine today! Should arrive soon. :)

[@Littletreasury]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@markhellie6837]

Great review of a great watch. I'm glad it's not a limited edition. It appears there are a lot of birch trees outside of both the Shinshu and Shizukuishi studios. I still love my SLGH005, and your Snowflake is still the OG.

[@Littletreasury]

Hi Mark, I'm glad that you are loving your SLGH005! Snowflake is always the OG I agree!

[@ELdASenSei]

Love the watch!!! and ofcourse also the kakariko forest theme :) Cheers from the Netherlands!

[@Littletreasury]

I'm glad that you enjoyed and recognized the music lol! --- And the watch of course!

[@sarmadislamictv8433]

The best channel for watching a watch up close . Great efforts sir . As for as my personal liking is concerned , I think none of the grand Seikos is as beautiful as the snowflake

[@Littletreasury]

Thank you very much! I appreciate the compliment, and will keep the macro shots coming! I agree with you on the Snowflake by the way!

[@sarmadislamictv8433]

@@Littletreasury 💖

[@Deez_Nutz510]

Bought this when I was in Ginza this past April. The white dial and spring drive pushes it past the 005. Love this watch!

[@ryanelectra225]

I wish I had looked at this when I was there this week. I’m still keeping my eyes open for the GS I can’t resist. This looks like it has some nice upgrades, and I like the white dial over the more silver one.

[@Littletreasury]

You actually didn't miss anything because neither of these are in stock -- but when we get the next shipment (they are all pre-sold) I'll give you a ring and maybe you can stop in and check them out.

[@msorobia]

I finally found my next watch :)

[@DJHeadshotHunter]

Thanks for another awesome video Chris. I'm still betting on that 40mm Grand Seiko diver this year :)

[@kevinlie2725]

I think the popularity of the SLGH005 overshadowed the SLGA009 - the latter which I found much better in terms of quality & legibility, considering they both have the same price point. Very underrated.

[@Littletreasury]

Excellent feedback, thank you!

[@jeffreybialowas4637]

Amazing dial, held it when I purchased my sky flake, my most favorite GS to date.

[@gmshadowtraders]

I think the Skyflake is the number 1 you know, it will have the longest legacy out of all of them.

[@2008wrx]

wow, this is exactly how a watch review should be done!

[@MTCBKK]

Nice watch and video. Wearing the OG white birch today which I prefer because of the dial texture and colour (just got it back from service in Japan where they adjusted it because of serious accuracy issues with +25s/day but even after the adjustment it still runs +10s/day). Btw: Isn't that Zelda piano music during the intro? Awesome. The spring drive white birch is also very nice though, no doubt about that.

[@Littletreasury]

The dial texture really is awesome on the OG birch! Yes, it sure is Zelda music lol!

[@MTCBKK]

@@Littletreasury nice touch :)

[@dso1986]

Holy moly the slga009

[@Littletreasury]

Holy moly indeed!

[@jullesthlm]

I love my SLGA009 and it’s so accurate I almost think it’s a super quartz watch but with the see through caseback my conspiracy theories are all gone 😜💯🤩🔝⌚️ and I love that it’s a 5 day powerreserve with that hidden on the back 🙏

[@Littletreasury]

Or is the plate on the back just a cover for the quartz movement beneath???

[@jullesthlm]

@@Littletreasury 😅😂🤔🤫

[@thegreatgambinowatchreviews]

Simply beautiful!

[@johnkim600]

have a rolex sub, omega dark side, omega aqua terra, and by far this is my favorite i wear everyday

[@michaelphillips5263]

Nice watch, but to me the original hi-beat White Birch's dial is much more dynamic; and I'll take the titanium Snowflake over the new WB Spring Drive, too. Any info on the new Ever Brilliant steel that GS is starting to put on its new models? Best regards.

[@jevgenijivanov6824]

Like for video! I like these three GS: -SLGH005 White Birch (WB high-beat) - not limited, -SLGA007 Lake Suwa (LS spring drive) - limited edition, -SLGA009 White Birch (WB spring drive) - not limited. But it is the first time, when I do not understand the GS company watch dials names and company price policy! 1) I think that WB spring drive dial is not so beautiful and hard in production like WB high-beat dial. If dials are not the same, why GS gived them the same names? 2) Official company retail: -not limited WB high-beat - 1,045,000¥ -limited edition LS spring drive - 990,000¥ -not limited WB spring drive - 1,045,000¥ Why WB spring drive is more expensive than the limited edition LS spring drive??? Why WB spring drive is not cheaper than the WB high-beat with a beautiful dial?

[@miguelchavez5521]

Hi Beat with New Movement and Stunning Dial and less protruding Crown is 👑. I love my White Birch Hi Beat which is model that one GPdH

[@ozeskiman]

I still prefer my SLGH005.. I've seen them both together and it has the high beat mechanism. However it's not as accurate as it's supposed to be. Mine runs 9 seconds a day fast, so I've taken it back for adjustment. The Seiko boutique put it on their timing machine sbs said it ran to spec but I insisted it was not good enough. We'll see if they can adjust it to run better. I've got much cheaper watches that are equal to it. Not good enough for this high end calibre. 😕

[@stapleboss]

That is a shame to hear. I am very interested in the 9SA5. It is a great looking movement with interesting new technical features. But accuracy is important to me.

[@ozeskiman]

@@stapleboss let's see what transpires when I get it back from the Seiko watchmaker. Should be in a week or so.

[@2008wrx]

it's now your moment to propose a swao for the SD 😁

[@ozeskiman]

@@2008wrx it did enter my mind but I still prefer the high beat face..

[@tonytrinidad5294]

Do you still have it? Fully wind it (120 turns) and keep it "crown up" when not wearing it. I'm averaging +4. I wear it Mon-Fri .

[@d7r_tv]

Sounds like an absolute winner to me.

[@alecpulianas6919]

I want it so bad… I just can’t afford it right now. Hope to see it next time I pay you a visit.

[@Littletreasury]

We can get one for you when you are ready!

[@willelliott5052]

I wanted a spring drive, so my choice came down to the newer SLGA009 versus the SBGA211 Snowflake. For my purposes, the only great practical advantage of the former is the larger energy reserve. That could hardly overcome the pros of the good old snowflake, such as 2/3 the cost, a far more pleasing hour hand, the rarity of such well-finished titanium, and the greater leap in technology that it represented for its time. My new Snowflake is on its way from a dealer in Japan to the US, and will serve as my business / dress watch.

[@cheefussmith9380]

That’s my stance on it. Hard to spend the extra 3k for me personally so I’m leaning towards snowflake

[@willelliott5052]

@@cheefussmith9380 No regrets here.

[@catfancy1708]

I was hyped for this but the dial not being silver and case not being titanium. plus costing more has left me feeling deflated. I will wait for something else with fingers crossed

[@Najeeg7]

Sbga413 shobun is what I'm wearing today

[@Littletreasury]

Awesome, thanks for sharing!

[@brannake]

banger video banger watch

[@RickyRicon2023]

amazing ! nice

[@Littletreasury]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@joeloi9043]

if I want a white dial GS. I will prefer the snow fick

[@TruongNguyen-kv4ox]

Be honest: Can you guys at LTJ service GS or send them to Japan?

[@Littletreasury]

Hi, we always send GS to the manufacturer for repair which is in NJ unless it is one of the new high beat or spring drive movements which have to go to Japan. Our watchmaker here can work on automatic and high beat, but we won't touch it if it is under warranty.

[@adxangeles7842]

Would be better if that SPRING DRIVE 5 DAYS text wasn't there...

[@jason81949]

The high beat 36000 is bad in real world wearing?

[@Littletreasury]

Not at all! Both are great.

[@jason81949]

@@Littletreasury Do you know How much would the hi-beat deviate in a month in real world wearing?

[@myang1933]

They just announced a green birch hi beat

[@KyleJett]

I know someone who owns this! LOL

[@Littletreasury]

I'm sure that they would want you to have one too Kyle!

[@KyleJett]

@@Littletreasury I'm sure you are correct, great looking piece!

[@stevenswyters1303]

Seiko Astron Novak Djokovic 2020

[@stevenswyters1303]

Love the colors

[@iRDude415]

I'm wearing a Solar Casioak because that's the only thing I can afford :(

[@Littletreasury]

Nothing wrong with that, Solar Casioaks are awesome!

[@iRDude415]

@@Littletreasury Yeah they're awesome, but not as awesome as a GS White Birch SD! 🔥

[@lordshin73]

Needs lume. Oyster perpetual and Omega Aqua Terra both have lume. Surpised the Japanese didn't copy that feature.