ReviewBehold The Tentagraph: Grand Seiko’s Leap Into A New Era Of Mechanical Chronographs
The Grand Seiko Tentagraph takes centre stage, blending technical prowess with aesthetic splendour in their inaugural mechanical chronograph offering that comes housed inside a high-intensity titanium case paired with a matching bracelet
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Grand Seiko’s technical mastery is universally renowned, a truth that is manifested in the Evolution 9 collection. In 2022, at Watches and Wonders, Geneva, the illustrious Japanese watchmakers unveiled their inaugural mechanical complication, coupled with a range of striking sports watches that became the rightful members of the Evolution 9 family. For 2023, Grand Seiko record another resounding technical victory. The brand continue to push the boundaries of possibility, opening new vistas for the Evolution 9 sports watches, with the launch of its pioneering mechanical chronograph—the Tentagraph. ‘Tentagraph’ is a clever blend word—an ingenious linguistic weave that references the watch’s characteristics. ‘Ten’ is a nod to the high beat rate of the movement, ‘three’ brings forth its impressive three-day power reserve, and the suffix points towards its identity as an ‘automatic chronograph’. In the grand tradition of Grand Seiko, the Tentagraph marries form, function, and the name in a testament to horological genius.
The Grand Seiko Tentagraph Is An Exquisite Blend Of Power And Brilliance
Rooted in the pursuit of the quintessential wristwatch, the Evolution 9 collection unveils a novel design language that beautifully aligns with the classic Grand Seiko style of 1967. The Grand Seiko Tentagraph SLGC001 displays a design entirely tailored for an active lifestyle and on-the-go readability. The case and bracelet of the Tentagraph are crafted from high-intensity titanium, boasting wight that is 30 percent lighter, and scratch resistance more superior than stainless steel’s, making for optimum durability.
Further, its bezel is constructed from scratch-resistant ceramic. The dual convex pushers guarantee maximum operability essential for measuring elapsed time. The watch dial resonates with the magnificent contours of Mount Iwate, a towering peak seen from the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi. The Evolution 9 style signature lies in the Tentagraph’s dial with re-envisioned indexes and hands, specifically designed for maximum readability at a glance.
Every element of the Tentagraph has been diligently conceived, from the hand positions in relation to the indexes to the spacing between the dial and hands. The recessed subdials, positioned a notch below the main time-of-day display, offer depth to the watch face. The date, nestled between four and five o’clock, ensures an index at each traditional hour mark while maximising readability for the time-of-day and chronograph subdials.
The case glistens with Zaratsu polish, distortion-free mirror finish, and delicate hairline finish, radiating a harmonious glow synonymous with the Evolution 9 style. The powerful movement enables a running seconds subdial at the three o’clock position, a 30-minute counter at nine, and a 12-hour counter at six. The gently curved chronograph seconds hand guarantees that the tip aligns closely with the dial’s markers, extending to the very edge of the dial. The minute hand’s similar curvature also promotes clear visibility of the time of day.
The 43.2mm titanium case, water-resistant up to 100m, houses a box-shaped sapphire crystal glass with an anti-reflective coating and comes with a see-through screw caseback and screw-down crown. The titanium bracelet, featuring a three-fold clasp with a push-button release, complements the Tentagraph’s curved profile, offering an effortless wearing experience.
The Grand Seiko Tentagraph Is An Exquisite Blend of Power And Brilliance
In an exceptional showcase of innovation, Grand Seiko present the Tentagraph Evolution 9 SLGC001, which is a ground-breaking timepiece combining high-beat precision with an incredible three-day power reserve, establishing it as the brand’s premier mechanical chronograph. Its heartbeat, the highly functional calibre 9SC5, has its roots in the robust calibre 9SA5, making the next-generation Grand Seiko sports watches a standout performer.
Consistent with every Grand Seiko masterpiece, the new Tentagraph underscores Grand Seiko’s relentless quest for precision. The innovative Tentagraph calibre 9SC5 ticks 10 times per second, promising unparalleled accuracy in recording elapsed time and displaying the time of day. Like any Grand Seiko mechanical movement, the Tentagraph’s movement undergoes a meticulous 20-day testing regimen to ensure compliance with the Grand Seiko Standard of +5 to -3 seconds per day.
The time-of-day accuracy of the Tentagraph is meticulously scrutinised in six different orientations and at three distinct temperatures across an exhaustive span of 17 days. This intensive evaluation process mirrors Grand Seiko’s unyielding commitment to achieving absolute perfection. Not stopping at that, three additional days of testing are carried out during which the accuracy is examined in three positions while the chronograph is running.
The state-of-the-art movement features the pioneering Dual Impulse Escapement, ensuring efficient energy distribution to the free-sprung balance wheel. The usage of ‘micro electro mechanical systems’ (MEMS) in crafting Grand Seiko escapements delivers precision-engineered, lightweight, and robust parts, enhancing energy efficiency and contributing to a remarkable power reserve. The mechanism of the Tentagraph also features a sophisticated three-pointed hammer, which is a cleverly designed instrument that ensures the hands snap back to zero swiftly and synchronously the instant the reset pusher is activated.
The classic blue dial, thoughtful design, and technical mastery of the Tentagraph Evolution 9 SLGC001 allow this chronograph to exude immense strength, command a powerful presence, and yet remain subtly restrained, together encapsulating Grand Seiko’s iconic attributes of precision, legibility, and beauty in every detail.
