Grand Seiko 2026 Releases
Grand Seiko releases numerous new models every year, mostly in the $6,000-$35,000 range, but with some ultra-expensive exotic stuff too. 2026 is shaping up to be no exception. What is notable is that all twelve of the 2026 Grand Seiko releases so far have exotic textured dials. Textured dials have clearly become a core part of the brand’s identity. Also notable is that seven of these novelties have Spring Drive movements, and four have quartz movements–only one is fully mechanical. Let’s go over all the details.
In addition to releasing three watches early in the year, Grand Seiko unveiled nine references at Watches and Wonders Geneva in mid-April 2026. Let’s start with the ones that will probably get the most hype:
U.F.A. Ushio Diver SLGB023 and SLGB025
One of the most important 2025 Grand Seiko releases was a new Ultra Fine Accuracy (U.F.A.) Spring Drive movement, rated to keep time within 20 seconds per year. And for 2026, Grand Seiko has put an automatic version of it (caliber 9RB1) into a dive watch: the U.F.A. Ushio Diver.
To many collectors, the most noteworthy aspect of the U.F.A. Ushio Diver will be its reasonable size: 40.8mm wide and 12.9mm thick. Previously, the smallest GS dive watch was a sizeable 43.8mm wide and 13.8mm thick, while this new release is extremely close to the size of a Rolex Submariner.
The U.F.A. Ushio Diver is offered in two colorways: blue (SLGB023) and green (SLGB025). “Ushio” is Japanese for “tide,” and it’s the name of the ripply dial texture used here, which was first seen in 2022.
The case and bracelet of the Ushio Diver SLGB023 and SLGB025 are made of high-intensity titanium, the less expensive of the two types of titanium used in Grand Seiko watches. The micro-adjust clasp allows for adding 2, 4 or 6mm of length to the bracelet on the fly, in addition to an 18mm diver’s extension. With a list price of $12,400, the U.F.A. Ushio Diver is priced above a stainless steel Submariner but still well below a titanium Yacht-Master.
2026 Grand Seiko Spring Drive U.F.A. Ushio 300 Diver Specs
| Model Name | Spring Drive U.F.A. Ushio 300 Diver |
|---|---|
| Model Number | SLGB023 (blue), SLGB025 (green) |
| Collection | Evolution 9 |
| Case Material | High-intensity titanium case |
| Case Dimensions | Diameter: 40.8mm Thickness: 12.9mm |
| Movement Caliber | Spring Drive Caliber 9RB1 (Ultra Fine Accuracy, ±20 seconds per year) |
| Movement Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, power reserve indicator |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Water Resistance | 300m |
| Bracelet/Strap | High-Intensity Titanium bracelet with locking extension clasp and micro-adjustment (3-step fine-tuning up to 6mm, plus 18mm extension for diving suit; total 24mm) |
| Dial | “Ushio” tide-inspired patterned dial in blue (SLGB023) or green (SLGB025) |
| Limited Edition | No |
| Announcement date | April 14, 2026 |
| MSRP (2026) | $12,400 |
SLGB006 Ice Forest at Dawn
Grand Seiko’s SLGB006 “Ice Forest at Dawn” is a limited edition of 80 pieces from the Evolution 9 line, also built around the U.F.A.-grade Spring Drive Caliber 9RB2. The 37mm case is solid 18k yellow gold, 11.4mm thick, with a 44.3mm lug-to-lug and 20mm lug width.
The black dial has the woven-basket texture seen on some other U.F.A. models, and “innumerable” fine gold flecks are applied via some sort of “unique” coating method that Grand Seiko doesn’t further explain.
Power reserve is about 72 hours from a single barrel, and the 34-jewel movement is visible through the sapphire caseback, sporting finishing meant to mimic frost on trees.
With a box sapphire crystal up top and a non-screwdown crown, the SLGB006 retails for $43,600. It comes on a crocodile strap with a gold three-fold clasp.
2026 Grand Seiko SLGB006 Ice Forest at Dawn Specs
| Feature | SLGB006 |
| Model name | Ice Forest at Dawn |
| Reference number | SLGB006 |
| Family/Collection | Evolution 9 |
| Case material | 18k yellow gold |
| Case width (mm) | 37 |
| Case thickness (mm) | 11.4 |
| Case lug to lug (mm) | 44.3 |
| Movement caliber | Spring Drive Caliber 9RB2 (Ultra Fine Accuracy, ±20 seconds per year, automatic) |
| Power reserve | 72 hours |
| Water resistance | 100m |
| Bracelet/Strap | Crocodile leather |
| MSRP (USD) | $43,600 |
| Announcement date | April 14, 2026 |
| Limited edition | 80 pieces |
SBGZ011 Hand-Engraved Waterfall
Grand Seiko’s SBGZ011 is a limited edition of 50 from the Masterpiece Collection, the brand’s top-tier line of ultra-exclusive, hand-finished watches built in tiny numbers by elite craftsmen. This piece comes specifically from the Micro Artist Studio, Seiko Epson’s small atelier in Shiojiri where a select team handles everything from movement assembly to hand-engraving and finishing. Basically, it’s GS’s answer to a Swiss haute horlogerie workshop.
The SBGZ011 sports a 40mm platinum 950 44GS case, kept to a respectably thin 9.6mm, with both case and dial covered in a beautiful hand-engraved cat-fur-meets-fireworks motif. Or, in Grand Seiko’s terms, the flowing lines mimic the Tateshina Waterfall.
Inside is the manual-winding Spring Drive Caliber 9R02—Grand Seiko’s thinnest Spring Drive at 4.0mm—featuring a Dual Spring Barrel and Torque Return System for an 84-hour power reserve and ±15 seconds per month accuracy.
The 2026 Grand Seiko SBGZ011 comes with two straps: crocodile, plus a metallic-accented leather strap by KYOTO, a high-end Japanese leather goods brands. The push-button folding clasp is solid platinum. The SBGZ011 comes with an $84,000 list price and is only available at Grand Seiko boutiques starting July 2026.
2026 Grand Seiko Hand-Engraved Waterfall Masterpiece Specs
| Feature | SBGZ011 |
| Model name | Hand-Engraved Waterfall |
| Reference number | SBGZ011 |
| Family/Collection | Masterpiece |
| Case material | Platinum 950 |
| Case width (mm) | 40 |
| Case thickness (mm) | 9.6 |
| Movement caliber | 9R02 (Spring Drive, manual) |
| Movement functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, rear power reserve indicator |
| Power reserve | 84 hours |
| Water resistance | 30m |
| Bracelet/Strap | Croc + KYOTO straps |
| MSRP (USD) | $84,000 |
| Announcement date | April 14, 2026 (Goes on sale July 2026) |
| Limited edition | 50 pieces, boutique only |
SBGD228 Red Lion
Grand Seiko’s SBGD228 “Red Lion” is an even more exclusive Micro Artist Studio piece from the Masterpiece Collection, limited to only 8 pieces and priced at $273,000. The Red Lion sports a 44.5mm 18k rose gold case set with over 250 diamonds and deep-red Mozambique garnets, built around a wine-red mother-of-pearl dial with taper-cut stone hour markers.
The lugs are diamond-set and supposedly shaped to evoke a lion’s claws. And as on many vintage Grand Seiko models, a lion emblem can be found on the caseback. The SBGD228 Red Lion comes on a crocodile strap, with an additional complimentary KYOTO Leather strap stamped to resemble a lion’s mane.
Inside is the manual-winding Spring Drive Caliber 9R01, featuring three series-linked barrels for a monster 192-hour (eight-day) power reserve. On the 9R01, the first crown position jumps the hour hand without stopping the time, which is a handy feature when changing time zones.
2026 Grand Seiko SBGD228 Red Lion Specs
| Feature | SBGD228 |
| Model name | Red Lion |
| Reference number | SBGD228 |
| Family/Collection | Masterpiece |
| Case material | 18k rose gold w/ gems |
| Case width (mm) | 44.5 |
| Case thickness (mm) | 14.4 |
| Case lug to lug (mm) | 52 |
| Movement caliber | 9R01 (Spring Drive, manual) |
| Power reserve | 192 hours |
| Water resistance | 30m |
| Bracelet/Strap | Crocodile strap, additional KYOTO leather strap with lion’s mane stamp |
| MSRP (USD) | $273,000 |
| Announcement date | April 14, 2026 |
| Limited edition | 8 pieces |
More on Grand Seiko:
SBGY043 Iwao Blue
The dressy “White Omiwatari” ref. SBGY013 debuted in 2022 on an attractive nine-link stainless steel bracelet and a clean time-only layout. For 2026, Grand Seiko has released the SBGY043 “Iwao Blue,” which is the same thing as a White Omiwatari but with a blue dial.
The SBGY043 is part of Elegance collection, sporting a 38.5mm stainless steel case with a reasonable 10.2mm height. My (generally unpopular) opinion is that Grand Seiko makes very good bracelets, and this nine-row bracelet is another example of that, despite its lack of micro-adjust.
The manual-wind Spring Drive 9R31 movement in the Iwao Blue offers 72 hours of power reserve, and a power reserve indicator is visible through an exhibition caseback. Retail price is $9,800.
2026 Grand Seiko SBGY043 Iwao Blue Specs
| Feature | SBGY043 |
| Model name | Iwao Blue |
| Reference number | SBGY043 |
| Family/Collection | Elegance |
| Case material | Stainless Steel |
| Case width (mm) | 38.5 |
| Case thickness (mm) | 10.2 |
| Case lug to lug (mm) | 43.7 |
| Movement caliber | 9R31 (Spring Drive, manual, rated to ±15 s/month or ±1 s/day) |
| Power reserve | 72 hours |
| Water resistance | 30m |
| Bracelet/Strap | Steel bracelet |
| MSRP (USD) | $9,800 |
| Announcement date | April 14, 2026 |
| Limited edition | No |
SBGH376 Sakura-Wakaba
So far every 2026 Grand Seiko release I’ve mentioned has a Spring Drive movement, but the SBGH376 “Sakura-Wakaba” (meaning “cherry blossoms and young leaves”) has a high-beat automatic movement: the aging but reliable 9S85. With an 18k yellow gold 38mm case, it’s essentially a crocodile-strap gold version of the original full titanium Sakura-Wakaba, SBGH413, which debuted in 2024.
On the SBGH376 released in 2026, Grand Seiko made the yellow-green dial even paler than on the original Sakura-Wakaba. The texture, which is halfway between a lion’s fur and bacteria in a petri dish, is unchanged. Yellow gold is used for the hands, the hour markers, and the window around the date at 3 o’clock as well.
Retail price is $32,800. It’s a good-looking watch, but I’m not sure why Grand Seiko doesn’t relegate their previous-generation movements to lower-priced models. The superior 9SA5 caliber debuted in 2020, so to me there’s no excuse for putting the 9S85 in a watch over $30,000 in 2026.
2026 Grand Seiko SBGH376 Sakura-Wakaba Specs
| Feature | SBGH376 |
| Model name | Sakura-Wakaba |
| Reference number | SBGH376 |
| Family/Collection | Heritage |
| Case material | 18k yellow gold |
| Case width (mm) | 38 |
| Case thickness (mm) | 12.9 |
| Case lug to lug (mm) | 44.7 |
| Movement caliber | 9S85 (Automatic, 10 beats per second) |
| Power reserve | 55 hours |
| Water resistance | 100m |
| Bracelet/Strap | Crocodile leather |
| MSRP (USD) | $32,800 |
| Announcement date | April 14, 2026 |
| Limited edition | No |
SBGX363 and SBGX365 Hana-Ikada
According to Grand Seiko, the 2026 SBGX363 and SBGX365 are both inspired by Hana-Ikada, which is “cherry blossom petals scattered by the wind across the surface of a river like floating rafts.” But I’m pretty sure they’re just messing with us at this point, as this same lion’s mane texture has been used on countless references. Maybe they just can’t bring themselves to say “we put a dark purple dial and a light pink dial on a couple new quartz ladies’ models.”
Let’s talk about what’s really new here: the case. These are the first Grand Seikos in a 32.2mm size, making these the smallest quartz Grand Seikos yet (STGK models are smaller, but automatic). The lugs are more angular and less dainty than on past ladies’ Grand Seikos. Powering these time-only watches, unsurprisingly, is caliber 9F51, the most compact form of Grand Seiko’s trusty 9F high-end quartz movement. It will stay accurate within ±10 seconds per year.
2026 Grand Seiko SBGX363 and SBGX365 Hana-Ikada Specs
| Model | SBGX363 Hana-Ikada Pink | SBGX365 Hana-Ikada Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Reference number | SBGX363 | SBGX365 |
| Family/Collection | Heritage | Heritage |
| Case material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Case width (mm) | 32.2 | 32.2 |
| Case thickness (mm) | 9 | 9 |
| Case lug to lug (mm) | 39 | 39 |
| Movement caliber | 9F51 (Quartz, ±10 seconds per year) | c (Quartz, ±10 seconds per year) |
| Power reserve | 3 years battery | 3 years battery |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m |
| Bracelet/Strap | Steel bracelet | Steel bracelet |
| MSRP (USD) | $3,600 | $3,600 |
| Announcement date | April 14, 2026 | April 14, 2026 |
| Limited edition | No | No |
SBGX359 and SBGX361
The “Snowflake” is arguably the dial texture that Grand Seiko is most known for, originally appearing in 2005, and “Skyflake” is its light blue equivalent. And now, GS has released stainless steel 33mm quartz ladies’ watches with both dial types.
The 33mm case used for the ladies’ quartz Snowflake (SBGX359) and Skyflake (SBGX361) is new for 2026, as is the case of the aforementioned Hana-Ikada quartz models. So it’s interesting that they came out with two new ladies’ cases so similarly sized in the same year. The Hana-Ikada ones look slightly more sporty, with more angular lugs, while the bracelet of the SBGX359 and SBGX361 flows into the case more smoothly.
The caliber 9F51, as expected, is inside keeping time within ±10 seconds per year. Retail price is $3,200, $400 less than the 2026 Grand Seiko Hana-Ikadas. That makes sense though, because as pretty as the Snowflake/Skyflake dials are, they’re stamped and don’t require the same level of craftsmanship.
| Model | SBGX359 Snowflake | SBGX361 Skyflake |
|---|---|---|
| Family/Collection | Heritage | Heritage |
| Case material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Case width (mm) | 33.0 | 33.0 |
| Case thickness (mm) | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| Case lug to lug (mm) | 39.7 | 39.7 |
| Movement caliber | 9F51 | 9F51 |
| Movement functions/notes | 9F Quartz, ±10 sec/year | 9F Quartz, ±10 sec/year |
| Power reserve | 3 years battery | 3 years battery |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m |
| Bracelet/Strap | Steel bracelet | Steel bracelet |
| MSRP (USD) | $3,200 | $3,200 |
| Announcement date | February 9, 2026 | February 9, 2026 |
| Limited edition | No | No |
SBGA521 Hankyu Umeda LE
Out of all the Grand Seiko dial textures, the “lion’s mane/cherry blossom” texture has probably been made in the most colors, most notably in pink on the “Shunbun” SBGA413. The SBGA521, a 45-piece limited edition exclusive to the Hankyu Umeda Grand Seiko Boutique in Osaka, is essentially the same thing as the popular Shunbun but with a lavender dial and sky blue accents.
In addition to a light blue power reserve indicator, the chapter ring is a pleasant light blue hue. The SBGA521’s 40mm case and three-link bracelet are made of high-intensity titanium.
The 9R65 Spring Drive movement provides an ample 72 hours of power reserve and keeps time within ±15 seconds per month. That’s not as impressive as the 120 hours of power reserve and ±10 seconds per month on the newer 9RA2, let alone the ±20 seconds per year of the U.F.A.-grade 9RB1. But the list price of the SBGA521 is “only” about $6,600–half the price of some higher-end titanium GS offerings.
2026 Grand Seiko SBGA521 specs
| Model | SBGA521 Hankyu Umeda LE |
| Collection/Family | Heritage Collection |
| Case Material | High-intensity titanium |
| Case Dimensions | Diameter: 40.0 mm Thickness: 12.8 mm Length: 47.0 mm |
| Movement Caliber | Spring Drive 9R65 (rated to ±15 s/month or ±1 s/day) |
| Movement Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve indicator |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters |
| Bracelet/Strap | High intensity titanium |
| Dial | Lavender lion’s mane texture with light blue chapter ring |
| Limited Edition | 45 pieces, Osaka Boutique only |
| First Announced | January 2026 |
| MSRP | ~$6,600 |
That covers all of the 2026 Grand Seiko releases so far. Like many other top luxury watch brands, GS appears to be trying to move upmarket, but very gradually and purposefully. We’ll keep you updated as more releases inevitably trickle out through the year!
More on 2026 Watch Releases:
Leave a Reply