The dial of the newest creation from the Grand Seiko Heritage Collection transports its wearer to the snow-covered mountains of Shinshu, near the studio where Grand Seiko quartz watches are expertly crafted.
The SBGX357 “Skyflake” features the iconic “snowflake” dial pattern that has won legions of fans thanks to its uncanny depiction of the texture of snow. Evoking the wind-swept snows of Shinshu reflecting a blue sky overhead, the dial of the SBGX357 reprises a combination of colour and texture popularized by the SBGA407 “Blue Snowflake,” which was released in 2019.
The new creation features a case and bracelet crafted from lightweight and scratch-resistant High-Intensity Titanium, with a 37mm case diameter for excellent wearability on smaller wrists.
With its light weight, discrete size, and highly accurate 9F quartz movement, this is a watch one might expect to recede into everyday life were it not for the textured blue dial and tempered blue seconds hand. These attributes endow the “Skyflake” with the capacity to draw the wearer in for a closer look even when they aren’t reading the time.
Engineered with an abundance of features that enable the watch to provide all of the precision, legibility, ease of use, and beauty demanded of Grand Seiko, there is significantly more watchmaking built into 9F than a typical quartz caliber.
For example, most quartz movements lack the torque to move large, heavy watch hands. The Twin Pulse Control Motor in Caliber 9F allows for the prominent watch hands that are a signature of Grand Seiko, enhancing the legibility and beauty of the dial. The Backlash Auto Adjust Mechanism incorporates a hairspring, a crucial component of mechanical watches, using it to minimize the “play” in the hands that is typical of quartz watches. The Instant Date Change Mechanism, another 9F feature, ensures that the date wheel clicks over instantly within five minutes after midnight for a satisfying and precise display.
In addition to the new “Skyflake,” Grand Seiko is also announcing the global release of a fan-favorite quartz model that was previously exclusive to the Japanese market.
The SBGX265 also comes in an easy-to-wear 37mm size, but its case and bracelet are made of stainless steel. Both watches offer the same functionality thanks to the Caliber 9F62, but with its striking blue dial, the SBGX265 has an unmistakably sporty character.
