Ever-Brilliant steel is a stainless steel alloy used by Grand Seiko, chosen mainly for its very high resistance to corrosion. Its pitting resistance score is above 40, which puts it in the class the steel industry calls super stainless steel. Grand Seiko says it also looks brighter than traditional stainless steel.
How does Ever-Brilliant steel compare with 904L?
The comparison uses PREN, a score for how well a stainless steel resists pitting, which is a form of corrosion. A higher score means better resistance. Grand Seiko puts ordinary stainless steel at about 25 and 904L at about 35. Its own alloy scores above 40. The steel industry calls any stainless steel with a score above 40 ‘super stainless steel’, and the base material of Ever-Brilliant steel falls into that class. On this measure, it sits a clear step above both.
Where it comes from
Grand Seiko spent more than three years developing the alloy. Part of the reason came from its after-sales service. Staff there saw that case backs, which touch the wearer’s skin for long periods, could occasionally corrode. The first Grand Seiko watch in Ever-Brilliant steel came out in 2022. In 2023 the brand used it for time-and-date and GMT watches in its Heritage collection. These include the SBGH299, SBGH301, SBGJ263, SBGJ265 and SBGJ267.
Does Ever-Brilliant steel scratch?
Yes. Its scratch resistance is about the same as ordinary stainless steel, so a case in it can pick up scratches just as an ordinary steel case can. Better corrosion resistance does not make it harder to mark, and it still needs maintenance. Separately, the material is much harder to forge and machine than ordinary stainless steel.
What does Ever-Brilliant steel look like?
Worn & Wound says the alloy stands out from standard steel because of its bright white colour. It also says the lustre makes the alloy seem close to a precious metal. Worn & Wound adds that it resists corrosion much better than standard steel. So the difference is said to show on the wrist, not only in a test score.
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