Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection Tentagraph Snow Blue

Grand Seiko's Tentagraph Snow Blue and Tokyo Lion offer two unique approaches to chronograph design



You'd be forgiven for thinking that "Tentagraph" has something to do with an octopus or its tentacles. Instead, it's the name Grand Seiko gave to its first fully mechanical chronograph movement, which debuted in 2023 as the SLGC001. Now, in 2025, as part of "Watches & Wonders," Grand Seiko is launching two new Tentagraphs, the Evolution 9 Tentagraph Snow Blue and the Tokyo Lion Tentagraph.

As you'd expect, both watches are equipped with Grand Seiko's automatic chronograph caliber 9SC5. The movement offers a very respectable 72-hour power reserve and an accuracy of +5 to -3 seconds per day. However, the movement is about the only thing these two new creations have in common.

The Snow Blue Chronograph is essentially a new dial variant of the current Evolution 9 Tentagraph, while the Tokyo Lion joins the Sports collection with a new hardened titanium case and a new super-strong rubber strap. There are some interesting features of both watches that you should know about before you pick your favorite.

Evolution 9 Tentagraph Snow Blue SLGC007

The Snow Blue shares almost all of the same features as the first Grand Seiko Tentagraph. The case and bracelet are made of Grand Seiko high-strength titanium and are paired with a black ceramic bezel.

Like the original, the Evolution 9 Snow Blue has a diameter of 43.2mm, making it one of the larger mechanical chronographs in its class. In comparison, the Zenith Chronomaster Sport and TAG Heuer Glassbox Chronograph have diameters of 41mm and 39mm, respectively.

As the name suggests, Snow Blue brings a different tone to the dial of the all-titanium chronograph. The dial of the original was a consistent dark blue, including the subdials. With the new model, Grand Seiko has gone panda-style with black subdials and a snow blue for the rest of the dial.

The snow blue was inspired by the rocky ridges and majestic deep snow of Mount Iwate. Mount Iwate is not only visible from Grand Seiko’s studio in Shizukuishi, but it’s also the name of the ridge-like pattern on the dial. Adding texture to a dial is something Grand Seiko does better than any other brand.

Model: Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection Tentagraph Snow Blue Case: Ø 43.2 mm x H 15.3 mm, titanium Dial: Snow blue with Mt. Iwate, black subdials Water resistance: 100 m (10 bar) Movement: Grand Seiko high-beat calibre 9SC5, automatic Frequency: 36,000 vph (5 Hz) Power reserve: 72 h Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph Strap: Titanium.

Sports Collection Tokyo Lion Tentagraph
The Tokyo Lion takes us to the unconventional end of the spectrum. The angular case is not new, but it complements the matching angular bezel. Both watches are crafted from Grand Seiko’s Brilliant Hard Titanium. This alloy is brighter than traditional titanium, twice as hard as stainless steel, and highly resistant to scratches and corrosion.

Grand Seiko says the dial pattern was inspired by the “wind-blowing” look of a lion’s mane. That sounds a bit odd, but it does explain the randomness of the ridges and diagonals etched into the dial. The subdials are also set into the dial so they appear concave, almost like an inverted contact lens.

The innovation also comes in the newly developed rubber strap, which has a tensile strength that is almost 2.7 times that of the silicone used previously. The strap continues the angular theme, cleverly allowing the lines of the case to continue through to the strap.

Grand Seiko clearly put a lot of work into this strap, including designing a new buckle for added comfort. For added class, they hid a small Easter egg on the underside of the strap, shaped like a lion’s paw.

The Tokyo Lion Tentagraph is packed with features, from the geometric shapes to the dial textures and new materials.

Reference: Grand Seiko Sports Collection Tokyo Lion Tentagraph Case: Ø 43.2 mm x H 15.3 mm, titanium Dial: Brown “lion’s mane” texture with black subdials Water resistance: 200 m (10 bar) Movement: Grand Seiko high-frequency calibre 9SC5, automatic Frequency: 36,000 vph (5 Hz) Power reserve: 72 hours Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph Strap: Brown rubber.