Grand Seiko Tentagraph Snow Blue Ref. SLGC007
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Grand Seiko Unveils the New Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2 at Watches & Wonders 2025

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Every edition of Watches and Wonders brings exciting new releases, but few brands create as much excitement as Grand Seiko. Known for combining centuries of Japanese craftsmanship with the latest technology, the company has earned a reputation for constantly improving mechanical accuracy. This year, Grand Seiko revealed the new Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2—a movement that introduces the Ultra Fine Accuracy (U.F.A.) label and sets a new standard for precision in mainspring-powered wristwatches.

More than a new movement, the Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2 marks the next step in Grand Seiko’s quest for accuracy, innovation, and quality. Offering an annual accuracy of ±20 seconds, it is the brand’s most precise Spring Drive movement to date. This underscores why Grand Seiko is one of the industry’s true innovators. Whether you are a seasoned collector or discovering luxury watchmaking for the first time, this release deserves your attention.

Grand Seiko Calibre 9RB2
Grand Seiko Calibre 9RB2 | Image: Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko Calibre 9RB2

  • Brand: Grand Seiko
  • Model: Calibre 9RB2
  • Diameter: 30 mm
  • Thickness: 5.02 mm
  • Winding Mechanism: Automatic With Manual Winding
  • Accuracy: ±20 Seconds Per Year (±3 Second Per Month)
  • Number Of Jewels: 34 Jewels
  • Power Reserve: 72 Hours

The Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2 debuted at Watches and Wonders 2025, introducing what Grand Seiko calls Ultra Fine Accuracy (U.F.A.). Delivering an astonishing ±20-second annual accuracy, it sets a new benchmark as the most accurate mainspring-powered wristwatch movement ever created. Achieving this remarkable level of precision required a complete rethink of the brand’s three-month-aged quartz oscillator, a newly developed temperature-compensating integrated circuit, and, for the first time in a Spring Drive movement, a regulation switch that allows watchmakers to fine-tune the calibre during servicing.

The Calibre 9RB2 debuts inside two new Evolution 9 Collection timepieces: the SLGB001 in Platinum 950 and the SLGB003 in High-Intensity Titanium. Both feature Grand Seiko’s striking Ice Forest dial, inspired by the frost-covered woodlands surrounding the Shinshu Watch Studio, where every Spring Drive watch is meticulously crafted.

Beyond its incredible accuracy, the movement offers a 72-hour power reserve, 34 jewels, and a compact 30 mm architecture that allows Grand Seiko to create smaller, more wearable cases without compromising performance. Combined with the brand’s Offset Magic Lever winding system and robust One-piece Center Bridge construction, the Calibre 9RB2 is another demonstration of Grand Seiko’s ability to blend traditional Japanese craftsmanship with cutting-edge engineering.

Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection Ice Forest - 65th Anniversary Limited Edition Ref. SLGB001
Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection Ice Forest – 65th Anniversary Limited Edition | Image: Grand Seiko

SLGB001 – Ice Forest (65th Anniversary Limited Edition)

  • Brand: Grand Seiko
  • Model: Evolution 9 Ice Forest — 65th Anniversary Limited Edition
  • Reference: SLGB001
  • Diameter: 37 mm
  • Thickness: 11.4 mm
  • Material: Platinum
  • Dial Colour: Ice Forest
  • Calibre:  Calibre 9RB2
  • Power Reserve: 72 Hours
  • Water Resistance: 10 Bar (100 metres, 330 feet)
  • Price: USD $39,000 (Limited Edition – 80 Pieces)

To celebrate 65 years of Grand Seiko, the brand introduced the SLGB001, a limited edition of 80 pieces made from Platinum 950. Besides debuting the revolutionary Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2, the watch honors the natural beauty around the Shinshu Watch Studio, where every Spring Drive timepiece is meticulously assembled.

Its striking Ice Forest dial draws inspiration from the frost-covered forests of the Kirigamine Highlands in winter. Delicate blue tones and a textured pattern recreate ice clinging to the trees. Tempered blue hands and diamond-cut indexes enhance legibility and elegance. The 37 mm Platinum 950 Evolution 9 case is paired with a crocodile leather strap. Limited to only 80 worldwide, the SLGB001 blends Grand Seiko’s signature Japanese aesthetics with the highest level of mechanical innovation.

Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Ice Forest Collection Ref. SLGB003G
Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Ice Forest Collection | Image: Grand Seiko

SLGB003 – Ice Forest

  • Brand: Grand Seiko
  • Model: Evolution 9 Ice Forest
  • Reference: SLGB003
  • Diameter: 37 mm
  • Thickness: 11.4 mm
  • Material: High-Intensity Titanium
  • Dial Colour: silver-tinged blue hue
  • Calibre:  Calibre 9RB2
  • Power Reserve: 72 Hours
  • Water Resistance: 10 Bar (100 metres, 330 feet)
  • Price: USD $10,900

Alongside the platinum limited edition, Grand Seiko also introduced the SLGB003, a regular-production model that brings the groundbreaking Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2 to a wider audience. Crafted from High-Intensity Titanium, the 37 mm timepiece delivers the same industry-leading ±20 seconds per year accuracy while offering a noticeably lighter and more comfortable wearing experience. The titanium case and bracelet are around 30% lighter than stainless steel, yet provide enhanced scratch and corrosion resistance for everyday wear.

Like its platinum sibling, the SLGB003 features Grand Seiko’s captivating Ice Forest dial, inspired by the frost-covered trees surrounding the Shinshu Watch Studio in Japan’s Kirigamine Highlands. A finely textured silvery-blue finish recreates the shimmering appearance of ice glistening in the winter sunlight, while the tempered blue seconds hand glides effortlessly across the dial—a signature characteristic of every Spring Drive movement.

Besides the impressive movement, the SLGB003 offers several useful upgrades for Grand Seiko fans. It features a new three-step micro-adjustment clasp that lets you adjust the bracelet size in 2 mm increments without tools, making it one of the brand’s easiest-to-wear Evolution 9 models so far.

Grand Seiko Heritage Collection Purple Kiri Ref. SBGW323
Grand Seiko Heritage Collection Purple Kiri | Image: Grand Seiko

SBGW323 – Purple Kiri Flower

  • Brand: Grand Seiko
  • Model: Heritage Collection
  • Reference: SBGW323
  • Diameter: 36.5 mm
  • Thickness: 11.6 mm
  • Material: Stainless Steel
  • Dial Colour: Purple Kiri
  • Calibre:  Calibre 9S64
  • Power Reserve: 72 Hours
  • Water Resistance: 10 Bar (100 metres, 330 feet)
  • Price: USD $5,600

Inspired by the delicate blooms of the purple kiri flower, also known as the Paulownia or “Empress Tree,” the Grand Seiko SBGW323 beautifully captures the essence of spring in Japan. Recognized as the official flower of Iwate Prefecture, where the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi is located, the kiri blooms in soft shades of purple each spring. Its elegant lavender dial is paired with Grand Seiko’s signature Mt. Iwate pressed pattern, recreating the mountain’s distinctive ridges as seen from the studio where every mechanical 9S timepiece is meticulously crafted.

Housed in the iconic 36.5 mm 44GS stainless steel case, the Purple Kiri is powered by the manually wound Calibre 9S64, delivering a 72-hour power reserve and the dependable performance for which Grand Seiko is renowned. With Zaratsu-polished surfaces, razor-sharp facets, and a dial inspired by one of Japan’s most cherished seasonal blooms, the SBGW323 is a graceful addition to the Heritage Collection—proving that exceptional craftsmanship and nature-inspired design can be just as captivating as the brand’s most technically advanced creations.

Grand Seiko Tentagraph Snow Blue Ref. SLGC007
Grand Seiko Tentagraph Snow Blue | Image: Grand Seiko

SLGC007 – Tentagraph Snow Blue

  • Brand: Grand Seiko
  • Model: Evolution 9 Tentagraph Snow Blue
  • Reference: SLGC007
  • Diameter: 43.2 mm
  • Thickness: 15.3 mm
  • Material: High-Intensity Titanium
  • Dial Colour: Snow Blue
  • Calibre:  Calibre 9SC5
  • Power Reserve: 72 Hours
  • Water Resistance: 10 Bar (100 metres, 330 feet)
  • Price: USD $14,100

Inspired by the snow-covered slopes of Mount Iwate in winter, the Grand Seiko Tentograph takes its design from one of Japan’s most beautiful landscapes. Coming out in May 2025, the Purple Kiri features a unique two-layer “Snow Blue” dial that highlights the contrast between fresh snow and the mountain’s rough ridges. The raised Mt. Iwate pattern adds texture and depth to the dial, making it a highlight of this year’s collection.

The inspiration goes beyond the dial. Mount Iwate overlooks the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, where the brand’s mechanical watches are crafted by hand. While winter reveals the mountain at its most unforgiving, Grand Seiko views it as a reminder to keep moving forward, simply describing its message, “Even if life is rough, we should live with determination.”

Powering the SLGC007 is the Tentagraph Calibre 9SC5, a high-beat automatic chronograph operating at 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second) with an impressive 72-hour power reserve. Finished in a lightweight 43.2 mm High-Intensity Titanium case with a black ceramic bezel, the watch pairs everyday wearability with Grand Seiko’s signature approach to mechanical watchmaking—combining technical precision with designs rooted in Japan’s natural landscape.

Grand Seiko Tokyo Lion Tentagraph Ref. SLGC009
Grand Seiko Tokyo Lion Tentagraph | Image: Grand Seiko

Tokyo Lion Tentagraph

  • Brand: Grand Seiko
  • Model: Tokyo Lion Tentagraph
  • Reference: SLGC009
  • Diameter: 43 mm
  • Thickness: 15.6 mm
  • Material: Brilliant Hard Titanium
  • Dial Colour: Snow Blue
  • Calibre:  Calibre 9SC5
  • Power Reserve: 72 Hours
  • Water Resistance: 20 Bar (200 metres, 660 feet)
  • Price: USD $16,400

The Tokyo Lion Tentagraph marks a new chapter for Grand Seiko’s Sport Collection, taking one of the brand’s most distinctive designs and pairing it with its first mechanical chronograph movement. Inspired by the lion—a symbol that has represented Grand Seiko since its founding in 1960—the watch embodies the qualities the manufacture has always pursued: precision, durability, and beauty. At Watches and Wonders 2025, the Tokyo Lion evolves with a bolder, more refined design, built for high-performance sports-watch enthusiasts.

Every detail of the watch draws from its namesake, from its sharp, sculpted case features and claw-like lugs and bezel surfaces to the textured dial, which takes inspiration from a lion’s flowing mane. Grand Seiko also redesigned the chronograph pushers to provide a more satisfying tactile feel, and the three-dimensional sub-dials improve legibility by bringing the hands closer to their respective scales.

For the first time in the Sport Collection, Grand Seiko has crafted the case from Brilliant Hard Titanium. Brighter than conventional titanium and offering a surface hardness roughly twice that of standard stainless steel, the alloy provides excellent scratch and corrosion resistance without adding unnecessary weight. The newly developed rubber strap is equally impressive, offering nearly 2.7 times the tensile strength of the brand’s previous silicone straps, while a lion’s paw motif on the underside adds a subtle finishing touch that most owners will only notice when wearing the watch.

Powering the Tokyo Lion Tentagraph is the Calibre 9SC5, Grand Seiko’s first mechanical chronograph movement. Beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second) and delivering a 72-hour power reserve, it combines a Dual Impulse Escapement, column wheel, and vertical clutch for precise chronograph performance. Every movement undergoes 20 days of testing—three days longer than most Grand Seiko mechanical calibres—to ensure it meets the brand’s exacting standards, even with the chronograph running that has defined Grand Seiko for more than six decades.

Watches & WondersGrand Seiko
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Apple iPad Air 2025: A Game-Changer with the M3 Chip and Magic Keyboard

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Apple has officially launched the highly anticipated update to its iPad Air series, arriving sooner than expected. The refreshed iPad Air features the powerful M3 chip, making it a formidable competitor in the tablet market. It is available in two sizes: the 11-inch model starts at USD $599, while the larger 13-inch variant begins at USD $799.

Pre-orders for the new iPad Air begin on March 5th, with a broader release set for March 12th. In addition to the tablet, Apple is launching the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air, converting the device from a simple entertainment tool into a lightweight touchscreen laptop alternative that’s ideal for both work and play.

The iPad Air runs on the M3 chip, which includes an 8-core CPU, a 9-core GPU, and a 16-core NPU, enhancing performance and Apple Intelligence features. It comes with various storage options ranging from 128GB to an impressive 1TB, meeting diverse user requirements. Additionally, the 8GB of RAM allows for seamless multitasking and smooth operation of demanding applications.

Apple also announced the new iPad Air and introduced an upgraded version of the entry-level iPad, which now features double the initial storage at 128GB. This refreshed model is powered by the A16 chip, providing a 30% boost in performance compared to its predecessor, which utilized the A14 chip. Though it may not represent the most advanced technology available, the A16 brings substantial enhancements, ensuring a quicker and more responsive experience for daily activities.

The updated iPad will be available starting March 12, with a starting price of USD $349 for the base model.

The all-new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air brings a 14-key function row and larger trackpad, expanding what users can do at an even lower price. | Image: Apple

The Complete iPad Line-Up for 2025

FeatureiPad (2025)iPad Air (2025)iPad Pro (2024)
PriceFrom $399From $799From $1,099
Display– 11” IPS PED display
– 2360 x 1640 resolution
– 60Hz refresh rate
– 11” or 13” IPS LED display
– 11”: 2360 x 1640 resolution
– 13”: 2732 x 2048 resolution
– 60Hz refresh rate
– 11” or 13” Tandem OLED display
– 11”: 2420 x 1668 resolution
– 13”: 2752 x 2064 resolution
– 120Hz refresh rate
WeightFrom 477 gramsFrom 460 gramsFrom 444 grams
Internals– Processor: A16
– RAM: 4GB
– Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
– Processor: M3
– RAM: 8GB
– Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
– Processor: M4
– RAM: 8GB, 16GB
– Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
Networking– 5G (on select models)
– Wi-Fi 6
– Bluetooth 5.3
– 5G (on select models)
– Wi-Fi 6e
– Bluetooth 5.3
– 5G (on select models)
– Wi-Fi 6e
– Bluetooth 5.3
Camera– Front: 12MP
– Rear: 12MP wide
– Can record up to 4K@60fps
– Can record slow-motion up to 1080p@240fps
– Front: 12MP
– Rear: 12MP wide
– Can record up to 4K@60fps
– Can record slow-motion up to 1080p@240fps
– Front: 12MP
– Rear: 12MP wide
– Can record up to 4K@60fps
– Can record slow-motion up to 1080p@240fps
BatteryUnknown7,606mAh8,160mAh
Other FeaturesTouch ID
USB-C port
– Supports Apple Pencil USB-C
Touch ID
USB-C port
Apple Intelligence
– Supports Apple Pencil Pro
Face ID
Thunderbolt-capable
USB-4 Type-C port
Apple Intelligence
– Supports Apple Pencil Pro
iPad Air with M3 delivers an unrivaled experience, and the new Magic Keyboard brings advanced features at a lower price. | Image: Apple

Worth Getting Upgraded?

When it comes to deciding whether an upgrade can be straightforward with the new iPad models, especially the iPad Air (2025). Featuring the M3 chip and 8GB of RAM, the iPad Air delivers significantly improved speed and efficiency compared to its predecessor. This makes it an ideal choice if you want a tablet that excels at multitasking, creative applications, and casual gaming. While those with a recent iPad, like the previous iPad Air, may not notice dramatic performance changes, users on older versions will find this upgrade offers a notably smoother and more versatile experience.

On the other hand, for those considering the iPad (2025), the decision may hinge more on your intended use. With its updated A16 chip and a starting price of just $399, it serves as a solid option for everyday tasks like browsing, watching content, and light productivity. However, it’s important to acknowledge that, while the iPad (2025) offers decent performance improvements, it’s still more of a casual-use tablet compared to the more powerful iPad Air and iPad Pro. If you need a device for more demanding tasks or better overall performance, the Air or Pro models are worth considering.

In the Notes app, users can use Image Wand to make notes more visually engaging by turning rough sketches into delightful images. | Image: Apple

The iPad Pro (2024) is the top choice for optimal performance. Featuring the M4 chip, a 120Hz OLED display, and up to 2TB storage, it offers an exceptional tablet experience for power users. Ideal for professional photo and video editing, graphic design, or productivity, the iPad Pro justifies its premium price. However, its advanced features may be excessive for most users unless they need a device for intensive tasks.

In my personal opinion, if you use an iPad as your primary work device, the iPad Air (2025) is definitely worth considering. The M3 chip represents a significant leap in efficiency and speed, and with 8GB of RAM, it’s more than capable of handling heavy multitasking. The price sits nicely between the entry-level iPad and the premium iPad Pro, making it the perfect choice for users who want power without the hefty price tag. That said, if you just need a tablet for occasional use, watching shows, and browsing the web, the iPad (2025) is likely sufficient for your needs and offers excellent value at a more affordable price.

In the end, your choice to upgrade depends on how much you use your tablet and the tasks you expect it to handle. If you seek outstanding performance, the iPad Air (2025) offers an ideal mix of power and affordability, whereas the iPad Pro (2024) is perfect for users who demand nothing but the best.

Apple
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