My Grand Seiko White Birch: The Rollercoaster of Letting Go

Buying a new watch is an experience wrapped in both excitement and anxiety. Honestly, spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on something that’s “just a time-telling device” feels like a bit of a gamble. I catch myself wondering, Am I making the right call? Of course, logically, a watch, no matter how fancy, isn’t worth its price tag. But here’s the thing: logic rarely wins against passion in this hobby.

Grand Seiko White Birch SLGA009

There’s a special kind of pull that a new watch exerts on you. The thought of that box arriving in the mail or being handed over in a store, the anticipation of unboxing, sizing the bracelet, and slipping it on for the very first time, those moments are pure magic for any watch lover. When I first got my Rolex Explorer II in August 2024, I wore it nonstop for weeks. Every glance at the dial sparked a small burst of pride, especially watching how the light bounced off the bezel or how the bold orange GMT hand confidently stood out. In that honeymoon phase, nothing else in my collection mattered.

But, like all good things, that honeymoon doesn’t last forever.

Enter the Grand Seiko: A Dream Born Years Earlier

My journey with the Grand Seiko White Birch SLGA009 began long before I actually owned it. I first laid eyes on it back in 2022, and from then on, it lingered in my mind like a catchy tune you can’t shake off. I was already a fan of the SLGH005, which was a genuine work of art, but the SLGA009, with its impressive new five-day Spring Drive movement, felt like the next level. I remember thinking, “Every watch enthusiast needs a Spring Drive in their collection,” and this seemed like the perfect candidate.

Grand Seiko White Birch (Monochrome Watches)

The dial, in particular, was something else. It wasn’t just a face on a watch; it was a scene, a subtle play of deep waves resembling the white birch forests that surround the Grand Seiko studio in Shizukuishi. The smooth sweep of the Spring Drive second hand felt almost surreal, like watching mechanical poetry in motion.

I spent months obsessing, watching reviews, scrolling through photos late at night, imagining it on my wrist. Then, after a trip to visit family in the US, I finally gave in and bought it from the Grand Seiko authorized dealer in Tokyo. The whole purchase felt ceremonial, something special.

When it arrived, it didn’t disappoint. The 40mm case felt just right, with a lug-to-lug measurement of 47.6mm and a weight of 176 grams that settled perfectly on the wrist. The dial, matte and understated compared to its shimmering SLGH005 sibling, had a quiet elegance. Applied hour markers caught the light brilliantly, making lume almost unnecessary. The power reserve indicator had moved to the back, a subtle but clever design touch, leaving the dial clean and balanced. And the Calibre 9RA2 Spring Drive movement delivered a flawless 120-hour power reserve.

To top it all off, the AD threw in nearly $200 in vouchers to the nearby Waco Department Store, where I snagged a soft grey leather strap that perfectly complemented the watch’s quiet sophistication.

For a while, it was perfect. I wore it constantly. I was smitten.

The Honeymoon Fades: When Reality Sets in

But, as with many love stories, time brings a bit of reality. The honeymoon phase began to fade. That once-solid 22mm bracelet started feeling heavy, a little clunky even. The three-link design was decent but lacked taper, making an otherwise elegant dress watch feel bulkier than it should. The clasp, too, didn’t quite match the otherwise impeccable finishing of the piece. While many brands have adopted micro-adjustments for comfort, Grand Seiko stuck with a traditional three-fold push-button clasp that felt slightly outdated.

Suddenly, those little imperfections started standing out more. The dial remained stunning, and the movement still felt magical, but the spell was wearing thin.

Make no mistake, this isn’t a bad watch. It’s a masterpiece in many ways. But I learned something important through owning it: perfection on paper doesn’t always mean perfection on your wrist forever.

Saying Goodbye: The Bittersweet Act of Selling Watches

Selling a watch is probably one of the toughest parts of this hobby. It’s not just about handing over a chunk of metal and glass; it’s about saying goodbye to memories, to the excitement of that first wear, to the version of yourself who wanted it so badly.

There’s a peculiar kind of grief involved. You clean the watch carefully, pack it away, and feel the weight of what you’re letting go of. It’s almost like losing a family member, especially if the watch carries stories attached to it.

Then comes the challenge of finding the right buyer, the person who’ll “get it.” Someone who won’t just flip it for a quick buck but will genuinely appreciate and cherish it, maybe even love it like you did. This is why many of my watch sales come from enthusiast forums.

Letting a watch go is hard, but necessary. Collections evolve, tastes shift, and the watch box is never static. Saying goodbye doesn’t erase what the watch meant. If anything, it seals those memories in time. The love was real; it just had its moment.

And sometimes, letting go frees you to welcome something new.

Spot the difference: SLGH005 vs SLGA009

What did I learn? A few hard truths about watch collecting

Social media often hypes watches as “investment pieces” or “value-retainers,” like those factors should be top priorities. And while I won’t argue against their importance, I can say from experience that many watches I’ve sold ended up at a loss. And many of the watches I’ve bought since then will probably drop in value too. Some will stay in my collection a long time; others won’t.

And you know what? That’s perfectly fine.

I don’t collect watches to make money. I do it because I love them. I buy what tugs at my heartstrings and forget about what might happen in the future.

Looking back on my year with the Grand Seiko White Birch, I smile at the memories. Despite the quirks, the bracelet and clasp being the main ones, I still adore the Evaluation 9 collection and everything it represents.

Here’s a little nugget for fellow enthusiasts: if you find a watch sitting in your box, untouched week after week, maybe it’s time to part ways. Your next great watch could be just around the corner. And if selling that dormant piece helps fund your next passion project? Well, that might be the last great thing your old watch does for you. Help you take the next step.