Grand Seiko Snowflake Buyer’s Guide
Typically when someone hears the name Grand Seiko Snowflake, the classic SBGA011 or the SBGA211 comes to mind, powered by the Spring Drive movement. The reference SBGA011 was the Seiko Grand Seiko titanium reference launched in Japan in 2005 but wasn’t available internationally until 2010. Grand Seiko removed the extra Seiko moniker in 2017, launching the reference SBGA211 but keeping the rest of the watch the same. The official name of the ‘Snowflake’ is the Grand Seiko Heritage Collection Spring Drive SBGA211.
Discover more about the making of the dial and other models with the ‘Snowflake’ name.
> History of the Snowflake Dial
> Buying a Grand Seiko Snowflake
A Brief History of the Grand Seiko Snowflake Dial
After launching the Spring Drive movement in 2004, where the design of the movement and placement of the barrel and train were to mirror the beautiful view from the watch studio, the watchmakers were set with a quest to have the dial of the watch reflect the natural beauty of the mountains.
The original design for the dial dates back to the 1970s, where modern watchmakers found a sample dial that had the texture of fresh snow. The process of creating a new dial was put into place by stamping a brass plate, but the real hurdle was to find a way to create that snowy white and textured dial without compromising the design. After much experimenting, the Grand Seiko designers ended up using a process of silver plating. A prototype was born and the process ended up varying and changing the immersion time for silver plating, bringing the dial to pure white while keeping the texture and not using a white color.
This unevenness in the surface of the dial refracts the light, sometimes even giving a shimmer appearance and thus mirroring the snow-capped mountains at the design studio. Learn more about the original release in our hands-on review of the SBGA011.
SBGA011 vs SBGA211
After some time running the dual-branded Seiko Grand Seiko dials, the brands split the branding, and in 2017 Grand Seiko watches only referenced the single brand on the dial. The SBGA211 was launched as the new Grand Seiko Snowflake. The two references are similar outside of the branding on the dial. Some collectors lean towards the original release with the dual branding for the more ‘balanced dial’ compared to the Grand Seiko branding only.
The model, regardless of the reference number, tends to crossover between different categories of watches. The larger 41mm case size and titanium paired with the 100m water resistance would make this more of a sports watch. However, the Zaratsu polishing, intricate Snowflake dial, and high polish hands and indices make this more of a dress watch.
Zaratsu Polishing
Along with the extreme precision of the movement powering the Grand Seiko Snowflake, the case has been polished using the Zaratsu method. The technique on materials harder than steel is a challenge that takes years to master. This method allows the flat surfaces to be highly polished with no distortion. On the Snowflake, this can be seen where two planes meet, creating a mirror finish with a sharp ridge between the mirror and hairline surface finishes.
Specs of the Grand Seiko Snowflake SBGA211
Dial
While the Snowflake nickname wasn’t given to the SBGA011 by the watchmakers, Grand Seiko quickly adapted the name into the reference. The tempered blue hand easily glides over the snow-like dial, referencing the passing of time in nature.
The dial features the Spring Drive reference at 6 o’clock with a power reserve sitting at 8 o’clock. There is also a date window at 3 o’clock. Outside of the blued seconds hand, the indices and hands are polished silver in color.
Case
The SBGA211, like its predecessor, measures 41mm across the diameter of the case and is 12.8mm thick. The watch case and bracelet are both high-intensity titanium, which makes the watch extremely lightweight on the wrist. Grand Seiko weighs the watch at 100g, which is about 3.5oz. The case does have a screw-down crown and case back which allows a 100m water resistance.
Movement
The watch is powered by the 9R65 Spring Drive movement, combining the best of quartz and automatic technologies. The Spring Drive is accurate to +/- 15 seconds per month and has a 3-day power reserve.
Other ‘Snowflake’ Models
The SBGA011 and the SBGA211 with their white snow-like dials are the references that most people think of when hearing of the Grand Seiko Snowflake. However, over the years, Grand Seiko has released other references using the same technique.
SBGA259
The Heritage Automatic Spring Drive SBGA259 is almost the exact same model as the SBGA211 apart from one distinct detail, the hands and hour markers are a high polished gold. The case is still 41mm titanium powered by the 9R65 Spring Drive movement with a white ‘Snowflake’ dial. Some collectors have referred to this model as the ‘Golden Snowflake’ thanks to the hands. Original retail for this model is $5,900 which is slightly higher than the original retail price of the SBGA211.
SBGA407
Taking another departure from the original titanium and white dial Snowflake is the SBGA407. This 40.2mm watch is made from stainless steel and is 12.8mm thick. Another noticeable difference in this model is the Snowflake dial featuring a subtle blue dial color that replaces the classic white. Even though this reference has the textured dial, some collectors (and even Grand Seiko) have started referring to the watch as the ‘Skyflake’ due to the snow-textured surface reflecting the blue of the winter sun. Other collectors have referred to this as the ‘Blue Snowflake’ even though the case material is steel and is produced on a leather strap. This reference has an original retail price of $5,800.
SBGY002
Taking the gold accents to the next level is the Spring Drive SBGY002, which was a 2019 release celebrating 20 years of the 1999 manual wind Spring Drive caliber. This model is 38.5mm and 10.5mm thick in an 18k yellow gold case. The dial features the iconic Snowflake patterns with golden indices and a blued sweeping seconds hand. Watch our full hands-on review of this exquisite dress watch. Because of the gold case and finishings, the original retail price of this reference is $25,000. On the pre-owned market, this watch can be found slightly below retail.
Buying the Grand Seiko Snowflake
The Grand Seiko Heritage Collection Snowflake reference SBGA211 is still in production today, this reference has become the unofficial flagship model for the brand. The Grand Seiko Snowflake is not a limited production watch like other textured-dial models from Grand Seiko such as the SBGA387.
Both this reference and the predecessor, the SBGA011, are favorites among collectors which do make it hard to find. Original retail of this sought-after model is a modest $5,800 considering the time and expertise that go into creating the Snowflake dial and the Zaratsu polished titanium case.
Does the Grand Seiko Snowflake hold value? Yes, the Snowflake tends to retain most of its value thanks to its iconic dial that collectors love. On the secondary market, this model doesn’t stay listed for a long time and typically sells for around $5,000 – $5,500, depending on the box and papers. If you were more interested in the original dual-branded Seiko Grand Seiko Snowflake reference SBGA011, this discontinued piece retails between $4,000 and $4,500 on the pre-owned market. Grand Seiko makes a number of textured dials across their Heritage collection. If the Snowflake isn’t quite your style, find your perfect Grand Seiko Heritage today.