In the six months since Grand Seiko transitioned from the high-end sibling of the monolithic Japanese marque to a separate brand at the forefront of horology, there has been understandable anxiety among watch enthusiasts—a group notoriously resistant to change. It’s a good thing the new Snowflake has been there to calm the nerves of Seiko-maniacs around the world. The original timepiece (dubbed the Snowflake SBGA011) that debuted in 2010 was noteworthy for its brass dial resembling freshly driven snow—inspired by the alpine environment surrounding Grand Seiko’s Shiojiri manufacturing center in the Nagano Prefecture. Inside laid the Spring Drive system, the brand’s crowning mechanical achievement, known for its precise accuracy and the charm of a seconds hand that glided across the dial with unwavering finesse. Thankfully, Seiko fans and watch enthusiasts alike can rest easy knowing they haven’t lost any of these cherished features in the Snowflake redux: The only major alteration is the elimination of Seiko branding.
Grand Seiko Snowflake SBGA211, $5,800; grand-seiko.com
