Grand Seiko Evolution 9 43 mm Slate Sapphire

Case, dial & bracelet

Case dimensions

43 mm

Case thickness

10.2 mm

Case material

Sapphire crystal case

Bezel

Unidirectional ceramic 60-minute

Crystal

Sapphire with internal AR treatment

Dial

Slate grey

Hands

Skeletonised sword hands, white luminescent

Indexes

Diamond-set hour markers

Bracelet / strap

White rubber velcro strap

Clasp / buckle

Folding clasp in matching case metal

Water resistance

300 m

Movement

Movement / calibre

Calibre 71E — Spring Drive

Movement type

Automatic with micro-rotor

Frequency

25,200 vph (3.5 Hz)

Power reserve

65 hours

Number of jewels

25 jewels

Complications

Perpetual calendar

Functions

Perpetual calendar, leap year

Watchmaker

The calibre is built in-house and adjusted in five positions before delivery.

Production & market

Production period

1983 – 1998

Limited-edition quantity

Not applicable

Current market information

Trades close to retail on the secondary market, with steady demand for full-set examples.

Designer

In-house design studio

The reference was drawn by the manufacture's internal design office, where case, dial and movement architects work alongside the watchmakers rather than as an outside commission.

Historical significance

Grand Seiko Evolution 9 43 mm Slate Sapphire sits within Grand Seiko's Evolution 9 line, introduced in 1983. It carries the house codes established since 1960 — sapphire crystal case case, slate grey dial and spring drive — and is one of the references collectors use to date the evolution of the collection.

Interesting facts

• Early production dials show a slightly different minute track, and collectors pay a premium for them.
• The reference was originally planned as a one-year run and stayed in the catalogue for well over a decade.
• The bracelet tapers across its length, which is why the profile looks thinner on the wrist than the specification suggests.