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Today we’re revisiting the Grand Seiko SBGA211, or the Snowflake as it’s known, a watch that has
appeared here on the channel in the past but one that we think deserves another look. It’s one of
the most popular and best selling watches in the Grand Seiko catalog and a watch collectors fan
favorite, so it’s definitely time to go back and take a closer look at this fantastic watch.
First, the features, specifications, and price. The Snowflake has a manufacturer’s suggested retail
price of $5,800 dollars. The watches dimensions come in at 41mm in case diameter with a
thickness of 12.5mm, and it has a wingspan of 48.5mm from lug tip to lug tip. Finally, the length
between the lugs where the bracelet attaches to the case is 20mm in width.
The remaining features and specifications include construction from high intensity titanium on
both the watch case and bracelet, a dual curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the
underside, a signed and screw down crown, 100m of water resistance, and of course the watch is
powered by the 9r65 spring drive movement.
And while all of that makes for an impressive looking watch on paper, there are two real hallmarks
that have lifted the Grand Seiko SBGA211 to a legendary status amongst watch fans, the white
snowflake dial and the exceptional fit and finish.
The watch case and bracelet feature a mix of both brushed and polished surfaces and the
mirrored zaratsu polishing as seen on the bezel, the chamfered edges of the case, and on the
bracelet links is something that grabs your attention. The process of zaratsu polishing is a skill
that takes craftsmen at Grand Seiko years to master before being permitted to do final finishing
on a watch case meant to be sold.
Interestingly, the history of this finishing process began back in the 1960’s. A designer for Grand
Seiko was given the task of giving the watches and the brand an identity that would stand out from
it’s competition. This designer spent time analyzing consumer reaction to watches from around
the world and concluded that for the Grand Seiko product to stand out amongst the pack it should
attract the eye and needed more brilliance. His design concept was to create watches with sharper
angles and mirrored distortion free polished surfaces that would “sparkle with quality”.
Two watches were released in 1967 and 68 respectively which would demonstrate this new style
and aesthetic. They were the 44GS and 61GS, and are acknowledged by many as Grand Seiko
And while the sharp angles and mirror polished surfaces of the case do grab your attention some
would say that they’re eclipsed by the real main event of this timepiece, the Snowflake dial. It’s a
dial texture that Seiko says resembles freshly fallen powder snow inspired by the Japanese
mountain views just beyond the design team’s studio. To me, it resembles a fine parchment paper,
but regardless of the imagery that captures your minds eye when you look at the dial it’s clear why
so many fans of the brand love this watch.
The dial’s applied markers and the handset that sets above are sharp and crisp with facets and
bevels that are precise, and feature mirrored polishing that is every bit an equal to the finishing on
the case. And, as if to remind you of the chilled snow covered mountains on which much of this
design draws it’s inspiration, the final touch is a cool blued central seconds hand giving the watch
it’s only splash of color.
