The Grand Seiko Pink Snowflake SBGA497 Spring Drive

Though growth started within the Seventies, it took just a few years for Seiko and Grand Seiko to lastly introduce their first motion with Spring Drive expertise (the very first was a Seiko in 1999). In 2004, after greater than twenty years of analysis, the primary era of the Grand Seiko Spring Drive was born, a motion known as the 9R that powers all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches right this moment. However extra importantly, in 2005 the model will introduce a watch that can develop into considered one of its most well-known fashions and a mannequin for future collections; the Snowflake. To rejoice the twentieth anniversary of the Caliber 9R, Grand Seiko is now releasing a light-colored model, the restricted version Pink Snowflake SBGA497.

As you could now know (the expertise has been round for thus lengthy that the majority watch fans are conversant in it), Spring Drive expertise is an in-house growth of the Japanese consortium Seiko. It first appeared in a commercially obtainable watch in 1999, then underneath the Seiko umbrella, with the hand-wound caliber 7R68 inside. It took one other 5 years earlier than the group’s high-end process pressure, Grand Seiko, launched its personal model of this expertise with the introduction of its personal motion, the automated Caliber 9R65. Launched in 2004 and celebrating its twentieth anniversary this 12 months, the expertise remains to be distinctive in the marketplace and an ideal demonstration of all of the contrasts seen in Japan and at Grand Seiko.

Whereas these are in fact vital achievements, the success of Spring Drive expertise additionally has quite a bit to do with a specific watch… A mannequin that was launched a 12 months later, in 2005, and has since achieved an actual cult standing The textured dial in some way outlined the fashion of so many Grand Seiko watches over the subsequent 20 years. I am speaking in regards to the extremely sought-after Grand Seiko Snowflake, initially referred to as reference SBGA011 (on the time with a double-signed dial, Seiko and Grand Seiko). This watch has solely been up to date as soon as, in 2017 when Grand Seiko turned impartial. The dial reveals solely a single Grand Seiko signature and the reference was SBGA211. However the snowflake has remained primarily untouched for the previous 19 years.

Nicely, besides now there is a new Grand Seiko Snowflake watch coming to market… Extra particularly, a light-colored, restricted version watch celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the primary Grand Seiko Spring Drive motion. And it’s this extraordinarily interesting, unusually acquainted however barely completely different Grand Seiko Pink Snowflake SBGA497. What’s it? Briefly, a pink model of the snowflake. Grand Seiko has determined to maintain issues easy and never replace the specs. The belongings you liked or did not love within the white snowflake are nonetheless there within the pink snowflake.

This new SBGA497 due to this fact retains the identical heritage case design, which is barely less complicated than the 44GS or the 62GS. This watch is not as rooted up to now as these different two collections and feels a bit extra traditional and in addition a bit extra timeless. However while you take a look at it carefully, it’s Grand Seiko via and thru. The 41mm high-intensity titanium case combines brushed surfaces and extremely polished accents utilizing Zaratsu (distortion-free) approach. With a peak of 12.5 mm and a size of 49 mm, it sits fairly comfortably on the wrist – and the lugs are curved in order that the size of the case just isn’t too noticeable. The crown is screwed to the case and is barely recessed and, with the screwed again, ensures a cushty water resistance of 100 m. It is all completed in a traditional and neat method, as you’d anticipate from the model.

Using titanium, which was already the case with the traditional Snowflake SBGA211, makes this Pink Snowflake SBGA497 a pleasure to put on on the wrist. It weighs about 95-100 grams (relying on what number of hyperlinks you employ). The colour of this titanium alloy can also be fairly cool, it’s darker than metal and in addition has a hotter tone. This watch is worn on a 20mm titanium strap, closed by a triple clasp with a push button closure. Sadly, Grand Seiko has nonetheless not developed a micro-adjustment system for the clasp.

What actually issues with this new Grand Seiko Heritage Pink Snowflake is the dial. At first look it feels extraordinarily acquainted, and for good cause. The structure and iconic snow sample are equivalent to what was developed with the SBGA011 in 2005 after which transferred to the SBGA211. However for this restricted version, Grand Seiko has determined to offer the dial a light-weight pink coloration – and we all know how good these GS pink dials will be… Right here the inspiration just isn’t the standard cherry blossoms, however “a pink gradient that vividly captures the fantastic thing about a dawn towards the snow-capped Hotaka Mountains in Nagano Prefecture, the place all Grand Seiko Spring Drive watches are manufactured.”

Not like many manufacturers that oversaturate the colours to the purpose of making a flashy dial, Grand Seiko performs with such hues with nice care… to the purpose that they’re tough to seize in pictures. As you’ll be able to see, we’re speaking a few very delicate shade of pink that solely seems at sure angles and underneath sure situations. On a shiny day it is going to in all probability seem white. Along with the feel and this new, delicate shade of pink, the Pink Snowflake has three small variations to the white model; a gold GS emblem, a silver seconds hand (blue on the traditional Snowflake) and a pink energy hand – which in some way helps so as to add a bit extra pink to the pink dial. The extremely outlined and polished palms and utilized markers are equivalent to these of the SBGA211.

Beneath the sapphire caseback is a well-recognized motion, the in-house caliber 9R65 – the identical engine that launched the proprietary Spring Drive expertise to Grand Seiko. A hybrid between a traditional computerized motion and a regulating organ with quartz expertise, it combines the sweetness and sturdiness of a mechanical motion with the precision of quartz, leading to a claimed accuracy of ±15 seconds per 30 days (±1 second per day). The facility reserve of 72 hours can also be stable and the ornament of the motion with giant diamond-cut aspects and attribute stripes can also be fairly nice. For extra particulars on Spring Drive expertise, see this detailed article.

The Grand Seiko Heritage Spring Drive Pink Snowflake SBGA497 will probably be launched as a restricted version of 1,500 items and will probably be obtainable in Grand Seiko boutiques and choose retail companions from early March 2024 6,800 euros. Additional data will be discovered at www.grand-seiko.com.