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- Japanese watchmaker Grand Seiko has announced the limited edition Evolution 9 Hi-Beat 36000 Ref. SLGH027.
- It features a textured pattern dial inspired by Mt. Iwate, one of the most active volcanoes in Japan.
- The high-beat watch is powered by the calibre 9SA5 automatic movement which offers a power reserve of 80 hours.
- Priced at AUD$15,700, the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Hi-Beat 36000 Ref. SLGH027 will be available in a limited edition of 1,200 pieces worldwide.
For watchmaker Grand Seiko, the latest Evolution 9 hits very close to home. A homage to the manufacture that made it, the new timepiece is inspired by the enduring landmarks that surround the brand’s Studio Shizukuishi base. Deep in the heart of the Iwate Prefecture, just a stone’s throw away from both Mount Iwate and the Shizukuishi River, the unique location has served as the natural muse for Grand Seiko’s remarkable creations for decades. Nowhere is this more evident than in the latest Hi-Beat 36000 SLGH027.
More than a maker of high-performance watches, Grand Seiko draws constant influence from the natural world and the Evolution 9 Collection is no exception to the rule. Each piece in the series employs the latest innovations and materials without losing sight of the iconic design language that preceded it (blazing a trail all the way back to 1967 and the introduction of the 44GS, which came to define the Grand Seiko style). Extra elements of inspired detail only add to the equation and nearly always result in something superlative like the new, limited edition SLGH027.

Speaking of inspiration, what’s more inspirational than daily views of Mount Iwate? One of the most active volcanoes in Japan, the mountain is also a majestic sight. The new Hi-Beat 36000 SLGH027 proves itself similarly transfixing, with a textured display inspired by the mountain’s signature ridges. The dial’s radiant light-blue hue likewise emanates with purpose as it draws upon the pure air and water surrounding the landmark when viewed from above.
We absolutely love it when a luxury brand employs a subtle creative influence the way that Grand Seiko does here on the Hi-Beat 36000. That is to say, the watch doesn’t resort to illustrations or gimmicks as much as it does channel nature’s beauty through unique and eye-popping details. In addition to its mountain-inspired display, a patterned finish on the movement was modelled after the rippling waves of the Shizukuishi River near the watchmaker’s studio.

Being part of the Evolution 9 family, the Hi-Beat 36000 is, somewhat unsurprisingly, a powerhouse. The watch is equipped with the much-revered calibre 9SA5 movement, which uses a nifty dual impulse escapement and twin barrels to deliver a whopping 80-hour power reserve. The case and bracelet are positioned to ergonomic perfection and constructed from ‘Ever-Brilliant Steel’, an advanced form of stainless steel that offers improved corrosion resistance and shine. Grooved indexes and prominent hands amount to supreme legibility no matter what the environment or activity.
Put everything together and you get a bold and harmonious fusion of top-notch influences and ideas. The watch’s shape and style are true to the Evolution 9 design language, while the striking dial face takes the piece into its own aesthetic terrain. An exhibition case back reveals the superlative movement, which is similarly adorned in distinctive detail. Breathtaking is the word that comes to mind and we’re not just talking about the Oxygen levels at the top of Mount Iwate!
The Evolution 9 Hi-Beat 36000 SLGH027 is limited to 1,200 pieces, priced at €11,300, and available at Grand Seiko Boutiques and select retail partners worldwide starting in May 2025.

Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Hi-Beat 36000 Ref. SLGH027
- Brand: Grand Seiko
- Model: Evolution 9 Hi-Beat 36000
- Reference: Ref. SLGH027
- Diameter: 40mm
- Thickness: 11.7mm
- Movement: Calibre 9SA5 automatic
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Water-Resistance: 100 metres
- Availability: Limited to 1,200 pieces
- Price: AUD$15,700 (€11,300)
