The inspiration that Grand Seiko is able to derive from Mount Iwate is seemingly endless, and since 2006, the famous Japanese mountain (which also happens to be an active volcano) has served as the creative theme for countless different GS models. For its latest release of 2025, Grand Seiko has just announced a new Hi-Beat 36000 watch known as the SLGH027, which expands upon the Evolution 9 collection with a textured dial inspired by (you guessed it) Mount Iwate. While we can all joke about the number of times Grand Seiko has cited this mountain as the source of its inspiration, just about all of its Mt. Iwate-themed models have been rather attractive timepieces. The new Evolution 9 SLGH027 features a pale blue radial-textured dial, inspired by an overhead view of the Japanese watchmaker’s favorite mountain.
For the most part, the new Grand Seiko SLGH027 is a dial variation of models such as the “White Birch” SLGH005 and “Genbi Valley” SLGH021. Just like other GS Evolution 9 watches, the new SLGH027 represents a modernized expression of the Japanese brand’s “Grammar of Design” philosophy that was first introduced in 1967. Just like its siblings from the collection, the case of the SLGH027 measures 40mm in diameter by 11.7mm thick, and similar to other recent releases, the SLGH027 is crafted from Grand Seiko’s highly corrosion resistant Ever-Brilliant Steel, which has a PREN value (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) more than 1.7 times greater than traditional stainless steel alloys. The rest of the SLGH027’s case offers no surprises for those familiar with the current Evolution 9 series. It features a 100-meter depth rating, along with a box-shaped sapphire crystal, display-style caseback, and distortion-free Zaratsu polishing contrasted by finely brushed surfaces.
What really sets the Grand Seiko SLGH027 apart from its Evolution 9 Hi-Beat 36000 siblings is its dial, which features a pale blue surface with a prominent radial texture that is inspired by an overhead view of Mount Iwate. The organic pattern extending from the center is intended to recall a bird’s-eye view of Mt. Iwate’s ridges, and the light blue color of the dial was selected to represent the purity of the air and water surrounding the mountain. The dial text and seconds hand are finished with a darker shade of blue to help provide contrast while further leaning into the model’s colorway; however, the overall design and layout of the dial is more-or-less identical to what can be found on similar Evolution 9 Hi-Beat 36000 models. Just like its siblings, the SLGH027 foregoes the use of any luminous material, and it instead features finely-finished hour markers, dauphine-shaped hands, and a framed date window sitting at the 3 o’clock location.
Since the new Grand Seiko SLGH027 is more-or-less a dial variation of an existing design, its bracelet and movement are both shared with other Evolution 9 Hi-Beat watches. Powering the SLGH027 is the brand’s Caliber 9SA5 automatic movement, which runs at a frequency of 36,000vph (5 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 80 hours. Along with offering 4,800 A/m of magnetic resistance, the 47-jewel Cal. 9SA5 features a twin-barrel design with Grand Seiko’s Dual Impulse Escapement, and it boasts an impressive accuracy rating of -3/+5 seconds per day. This is more stringent than what is required for traditional Swiss chronometer standards. Meanwhile, the bracelet fitted to the 22mm lugs of the SLGH027 appears to be the same style as what can be found on similar Grand Seiko Evolution 9 watches, and it features a multi-link design with a push-button folding clasp that incorporates titanium components and an 18k gold emblem adorning its outer section.
Grand Seiko offers this same core Evolution 9 Hi-Beat model in both stainless steel and titanium (with slightly altered dimensions), and there is even another Mount Iwate-inspired version, although it is rendered in High Intensity Titanium and fitted with a blue dial (a tribute to Mt. Iwate in winter). Within the greater Evolution 9 collection, the color blue plays a fairly prominent role, but Grand Seiko typically tends to favor darker hues. This makes the light blue dial of the SLGH027 somewhat of a midpoint between the silver “White Birch” dials and the various darker blue dials that can be found throughout the rest of the current Evolution 9 lineup. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the first Grand Seiko Mount Iwate dial (brace yourself, folks). While I do like to joke about how Mount Iwate must be the world’s most spectacular mountain, with at least a dozen seasons and an impossibly diverse landscape, all of Grand Seiko’s Mt. Iwate-inspired watches are objectively lovely creations, and I would be happy to own any one of them.
If anything, that may be the main reason why I don’t actually own a Grand Seiko of my own (yet). The vast majority of the Japanese brand’s watches are all timepieces that I would happily wear on a regular basis. However, with so many compelling yet aesthetically similar offerings, it makes it somewhat difficult to actually choose one when it comes time to make a purchase. From a technical standpoint, Grand Seiko’s Evolution 9 collection represents a tangible upgrade compared to the brand’s entry-level models. That being said, the Japanese manufacturer produces a plethora of beautiful watches with striking textured dials. Even just within the current Evolution 9 series, you will find a number of competing offerings, such as both Hi-Beat and Spring Drive versions of the popular “White Birch” dial, and two different models with Spring Drive movements and blue Lake Suwa-inspired dials.
Just like a significant number of Grand Seiko’s watches, the new Evolution 9 SLGH027 will be produced as a limited edition, and the caseback of each watch will be engraved with its individual number out of 1,200 total examples. With an official retail price of $10,500 USD, the Grand Seiko SLGH027 costs over a thousand dollars more than earlier Evolution 9 Hi-Beat models that use traditional stainless steel for their cases (rather than Ever-Brilliant Steel), and it costs the exact same as what the brand currently charges for similar Evolution 9 watches that are crafted from High Intensity Titanium. Similar to other models based upon this same fundamental platform, the new SLGH027 is a good-looking and mechanically advanced timepiece. However, the big question that still remains for buyers is which depiction of Mount Iwate they actually want to add to their personal collections. For more information on the Grand Seiko SLGH027 Evolution 9 Hi-Beat Limited Edition, please visit the brand’s website.
