Hands-On: Grand Seiko Snowflake SBGA211 (VIDEO)
This Snowflake Is Smoking Hot
Today we have a closer look at what is arguably Grand Seiko’s greatest hit: The Snowflake. Reference SBGA211. We have previously covered this wacth’s predecessor, the SBGA011 on this website in a separate article, I encourage you to go read up on the specifics in that article if you haven’t already done that. You can see that by clicking this link right here. Now, without further delay, please click below to view the full VIDEO review of the SBGA211:
The Grand Seiko Snowflake has been around for a very long time and a lot has been written about it to date. The watch was first released in 2010, back then it still had the old Seiko branded dial. The dials have since been updated moving the Grand Seiko logo to twelve o clock. The watch takes its nickname from the dial color and texture, resembling fresh snowfall. Complications on this watch are limited to time, date and a 3-day power reserve indicator.
The secret ingredient powering it all, is the magnificent Spring Drive movement. A Quintessential Grand Seiko movement, responsible for that ultra smooth gliding seconds hand. It lives in its own world, somewhere in between the mechanical watch world and the quartz world.
The 41mm case is made from high resistance titanium and is very light. “Zaratsu” polishing results in mirror polished case sides. This is a hand polishing method traditionally used to finish Japanese swords. The case shape on the snowflake lacks the sharper angles found on Grand Seiko’s famed 44GS case. No visible crown guards, however the screw down crown does get some protection as it sinks in the side of the case and helps give the watch it’s 100m water resistance.
Now, this is a true grand Seiko. And that means you will want to bring a loupe when looking at this watch, the finishing is just that good and worth a closer look.
The hands are mirror polished and resemble tiny little swords. As a result of the hand polishing the hands play with the light and take on a different colour depending how they pick up the light. They are very legible, in case the top side of the hands turns almost black, the beveled edge will turn silver,. And the opposite is also true. Maximum points for legibility, if we briefly ignore the hands have no lume. The same high level of finishing is found on the blue heated seconds hand that glides above the dial. The power reserve indicator is quite minimalist, with a nicely textured dial and no obvious wording or colours applied.
The applied indices are in a league of their own. Nine sides to each index, perfectly polished, simply gorgeous. These must be some of the most satisfying indices on just about any dial. This eye for detail also extends to the often neglected date window, as you look closer you can see multiple sides and finishes, all on what is essentially a simple date window.
Now that we are done with the dial side, let’s talk about what is happening under the hood here. This is the revered spring drive movement at work. Dismissed by some as a quartz movement, I find that highly inaccurate. This is an ingenious mechanical movement. Caliber 9R65 with a 72-hour power reserve.
The Spring Drive movement is powered by a mainspring, just like all other mechanical watches. Composed of over 200 separate parts. Spring Drive uses what grand Seiko calls a tri-synchro regulator, a mechanism to control the speed at which the spring unwinds, resulting in the gliding seconds hand. The movement uses a home grown quartz oscillator and is powered by a mainspring, not by a battery. This is not a quartz movement. It is a mechanical movement, or if you want to call it that, a hybrid movement. Visible edges are nicely beveled and the decorations are more than sufficient. The eye catcher is the drive wheel and glide wheel that spin away in tandem.
Now, how does it wear? Well, it wears very light on the wrist, a rather strange sensation if you are used to wearing steel or gold watches which are much heavier than this titanium one. The size feels quite right and it sits nicely on the wrist. Shown here on a bracelet, the Snowflake also looks very good on a wide range of leather straps. The bracelet is comfortable but not best in class. The clasp looks fantastic and sits very low and nicely against the wrist, however as a result there is no real micro adjustment. Fun fact, the links on the bracelet are held together by pins and collars as titanium and screws don’t like each other very much.
This watch offers truly a lot of details which are make this watch a visual spectacle as we have just seen. From a distance this watch is not a busy or loud watch at all. In fact, most of the details almost fade away from a distance. As a result, the watch is very understated and an easy choice for daily wear.
As this watch has an automatic movement, features time and date, and also includes a 100meter water resistance, this actually makes for an outstanding go anywhere do anything wristwatch. In fact, the Grand Seiko Snowflake makes my list of possible perfect one watch collections. This happens very rarely. This watch offers visual abundance from up close, and elegant simplicity from a distance. Understated elegance, the Grand Seiko snowflake.
Glorious video, thank you! The macro footage is world class and that dial is simply stunning. Video Reminds me of your excellent Rolex Explorer video review which also happens to be a competitor to this exact watch if you ask me.
Is that a sticker on the back of the watch in the video? Or is that an engraved logo in the crystal?
Thanks!!
Not a sticker, GS has this on a lot of their display backs. The logo disappears if you tilt the watch a little, you can see it at some point in the video also.
You are right about the structure resembling the Explorer video. This exact watch, much like the Explorer, has been covered ad nauseam by now, so I went over the details in that 60 second bit. After that, it’s just pure enjoyment of the watch 🙂
Great video!
This vs Omega AT vs Rolex Ex I
Which do you pick?
Thanks!
Difficult question… either one of those would be a GREAT choice.
The Snowflake, just like the Explorer and the Aqua Terra has that rare ‘only’ watch appeal. You could buy either one of those, strap them on, wear them all the time and never worry about them. The Snowflake would win based on accuracy and finishing. The Rolex bracelet is in a league of its own and really best in class, neither AT nor Snowflake beats it. If you don’t care about the bracelet the GS is the better option as it takes straps a lot better than the EX. Keep in mind they are very different watches visually speaking.. Black dial vs snowflake dial, date vs no date, spring drive vs auto, etc…
Already own this watch and agree with everything you said. Beautiful video, thanks!
Thanks a lot for the feedback!
My grail! What wrist size do you have? Beautiful video
Cheers! Medium-small : 16.5cm
Amazing macro shot and write up! Great video as well! Makes me want to ask, HH who? 😉
thank you for the excellent video Jan. Your enthusiasm for the watch (and brand) radiates throughout. I’m saving up for this watch, it will be mine soon!
Thank you for reading and watching 🙂 This is a watch worth saving for, you won’t regret getting this beauty 👍