Grand Seiko Hi-Beat SLGH005 White Birch Buyer's Guide - Is It Better Than a Rolex Datejust 41?

Grand Seiko vs Rolex may not sound as natural a rivalry as Rolex vs Omega. But since distancing itself from parent company Seiko in 2017, Grand Seiko has declared its ambitions boldly; all Swiss luxury watch brands are fair targets. For 2021, Grand Seiko launched one of its most impressive watches to date: the White Birch SLGH005. This video is a comprehensive buyer's guide for Grand Seiko's Rolex killer.
Unlike many luxury watches, the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat "white birch" was nicknamed as such by the Grand Seiko designers who created it. Inspired by the Shirakaba birch forests that grow outside of the Shizukuishi Grand Seiko factory in Iwate prefecture, the SLGH005 employs a fearsomely complex 20-step process to recreate white birch bark on a hand-crafted watch dial. The 40mm stainless steel case reflects its Grand Seiko 9S heritage while also reflecting recent innovations in the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 series of which the Hi-Beat SLGH005 is a founding member.
Internally, the Grand Seiko automatic caliber 9SA5 embodies a sea change in Grand Seiko's Morioka-based mechanical watchmaking. This movement is a clean-sheet design that better fills a display caseback. Whereas the previous Hi-Beat 9S85 was 28.4mm in diameter, the 9SA5 measures a modern 31.6mm in diameter. Revised bridge architectures ensure that the larger movement also appears more symmetrical in layout and more attractive to the eye. Now equipped with twin mainspring barrels, the 9SA5 boasts 80 hours of power reserve against its predecessor's 55.
Still beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour, the new movement does so with Grand Seiko "Double Impulse" escapement that employs both direct and indirect impulses to the balance wheel. This system, which is similar in some respects to the Omega Co-Axial escapement, relies on tangential rather than sliding contact, and it helps to improve both chronometry and power reserve. A new balance architecture incorporates a full balance bridge, a free sprung balance, and the first overcoil hairspring in a Grand Seiko watch. Hacking seconds, a quickset date, and a new instant-change date mechanism round out the list of features.
The Grand Seiko White Birch is a fairly sporty all-around watch for a buyer who is suffering from Rolex and Omega burnout. Its size and price make the SLGH005 a strong alternative to the Rolex Datejust 41. The Japanese watch also sells for $6,000-$6,500 used, and that makes the full-bracelet White Birch a viable alternative to a new Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 41. With a full bracelet and 100-meter water resistance, the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat White Birch compares favorably to its Swiss rivals. Unlike the Swiss rivals, the Grand Seiko's famed "Zaratsu" case polishing and hand-crafted dials offer a meaningful taste of haute horogerie richness without the associated costs. The Grand Seiko SLGH005 White Birch has a retail price of $9,100.
For complete details, watch the full Grand Seiko SLGH005 White Birch review.
Please subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.co...
See our inventory, along with news and content from across the industry on our app: onelink.to/watc...
Visit thewatchbox.com for new arrivals, updated daily.
MB012OLSWHFTYKW

[@Mile-long-list]

wood in public

[@LanguagesWithAndrew]

One of my big problems with GS watches (other than the dive watches) is the lack of any tool-less microadjustment on the clasp. I live in Texas: 6 months out of the year here it is *hot* which means if I'm wearing a watch with a bracelet I need to adjust the length several times a day to account for swelling and shrinking of my wrist. I just will not buy a watch that does not have this feature.

[@thomasschneider2286]

For what it’s worth, this looks way better on a strap. The bracelet is garbage but on a strap it’s really beautiful.

[@Styx8314]

you would think with a brand trying to compete in the Rolex price range would make that happen, they most certainly have the tech capability.

[@jw.2507]

I live in Houston, TX as well. 100% agree with you. Here, watches can be a hinderance on the wrist without microadjusment. No adjustment=no purchase for me!

[@LanguagesWithAndrew]

@@jw.2507 You have it far worse, I’m up in Longview in the northeast, you’re in Houston where I’ve heard the humidity is terrible.

[@HRM.H]

Its astonishing... when the Seiko Astron line can have sliding microadjust clasps on watches priced around 1500 to 2000 usd, GS should most definitely have microadjust clasps on watches that nearly cost triple that..

[@jimmillett9224]

Another definitive review from Tim. The quality of these videos really is superb. How has this got so few views?

[@ft7039]

beautiful watch, perfect all around, crazy value for its cost

[@etsmith176]

Well done review. Love the description of those who may want a GS.

[@RunningFast]

The watch is nice but two thumbs up for delivering that Kill Bill reference like pro 😂

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

I always try to add some personality and humor. There's more flexibility for me to be myself in this type of video than in the hands-only videos I usually post.
Best,
Tim

[@MrPINKFL0YD]

The best of G.S. Far better than the huge sports watches they also make.

[@TheNoerdy]

Happy Saturday everyone :)

[@saniamurtaza7519]

What a classy watch design 👏👏 so adorable

[@monacoharry23]

I love my White birch much more than my Rolex, such a great value for the price and a strap monster 😉👍🏻❤️❤️❤️

[@JoeSmith-np6nz]

Hi Tim, thanks for logging on

[@gg.komorebi]

Hi Tim, thanks for this great Buyer's Guide ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@Sanaijaz00]

ijaz ahmed

[@jaegermeister1968]

The White Birch is beautiful, unfortunately the 9SA5 caliber has poor performance in practice. Unfortunately, deviations of +/- 10-14 seconds are no exception

[@ImranManikuj]

Wood in human lifes

[@todoroki]

You use the paper inside the box to lift out the watch box. Just grab both ends of the paper and lift.

[@1000lightyrs]

"Uglier movement" was a strong description.

[@Melontheyoutuber]

Maybe a rough description but it’s objectively less attractive on a relative scale.

[@dotdash9516]

If you're going to troll this channel at least try and say something funny. You simply come across as a moron.

[@realchuckp]

obviously like everyone else i usually like tim's reviews but this one was weird. also, that 'wood in public' joke and putting the white birch on a seiko silicone diver strap - wtf???

[@mirroredanglage3460]

Haha, not sure you can kill huge rats with a gs either. I think with the cost of this a square g shock and a trip to see hattori hanzo would be my choice over buying this. Im watching kill bill again tonight.

[@mijnnaamisaaron]

Relax, it's only internet.

[@Melontheyoutuber]

God forbid Tim crack a joke. Lighten up, Sally.

[@SimonTemplarDude]

Call the cancel mob, one person was offended!

[@mrb317]

Tim you legend

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

That's very kind; I just try to entertain!
Best,
Tim

[@AnasAmin-hc3gv]

Nice wood

[@MuhammadAsimIdrees-bn5ud]

Good🤩🤩🤩

[@Yamin-nw2so]

Stylish

[@SimonTemplarDude]

Porsche, there are no substitutes

[@WorldofNSB]

Better

[@BilalKhan-x4c8u]

good...

[@ziafaizan80]

Nice

[@irfanmurtaza.]

Nice

[@guryashabnamshabnamfahim811]

Nice

[@aurangzebkhan1369]

Nice

[@TheWinterist]

First??

[@syedtahirgilani4158]

Good

[@muhammadmansoorrao1120]

Good

[@Imtiazahmed561]

💓💓💓🤩😍

[@ayeshafaizan5232]

❤

[@sonunigham786]

😂

[@uzmakainat2197]

🩷

[@AftabAhmedSahtoSahab-vj7it]

🥰🥰

[@sohaibsajid586]

❤❤

[@manishd8451]

which watch are you wearing?

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

A custom Dan Royter DR02. He's a good friend from New York. You can see a bunch of photos of this particular watch on Dan's website.
Best,
Tim

[@anique1990]

Good job on the video keep it up 👍

[@abdullahjan9914]

So beautiful 😍❤️❤️❤️

[@rizwanasukhiani4691]

Very informative

[@Shafi_jokhio]

Very good ❤❤

[@Imtiazahmed561]

Awesome

[@tayyabnawaz6060]

Good ❤

[@uqbarafique76]

Amazing

[@thedonomer]

Good job 👍

[@Shafi_jokhio]

Super ❤