Description
About Grand Seiko SBGX357
Grand Seiko Skyflake Heritage Collection
The 37mm quartz “Skyflake,” evoking winter snow reflecting the blue sky
The dial pattern of the SBGX357 conjures images of wind-swept snow reflecting the blue sky on a clear, crisp day. This unique appearance is achieved when a light blue color is applied to the delicately textured dial. Below the dial is Grand Seiko’s quartz Caliber 9F62, which is renowned for its high accuracy and robust, dust-proof construction, among its many features. The 37mm case and the bracelet are formed from High-Intensity Titanium, a material 30% lighter than stainless steel with superior resistance to corrosion and wear.
Grand Seiko SBGX357 Features
A light blue dial that captures snow on a clear winter day
Visible from the Shinshu Watch Studio, where quartz watches are made, the Hotaka mountain range is blanketed with snow for several months each winter. The snow in these mountains is shaped by fierce winds that carve patterns into its surface, a phenomenon that forms the basis of this watch’s “snowflake” pattern dial. The light blue color, which inspired the “Skyflake” moniker, evokes the wind-swept snow reflecting the bright blue sky above on a clear winter’s day. The tempered blue seconds hand ticks across the dial, capturing the quiet passage of time and enhancing the watch’s elegant evocation of winter in Shinshu.
Quartz Caliber 9F62
The quartz Caliber 9F62 incorporates mechanisms not commonly seen in standard quartz movements, such as the Instant Date Change Mechanism, the Backlash Auto-Adjust Mechanism, and a regulation switch. A quarter-century after this movement made its appearance, Caliber 9F62 continues to win admirers thanks to its high performance, annual accuracy of ±10 seconds, and robust construction. Equipped with a battery that lasts approximately three years, the movement features a display of the date in addition to the time.
- Allergy-safe metal
- Date display
- Solid screw case back
- Pull out crown
Grand Seiko SBGX357 History
Prior to 1960, to challenge the status of Swiss watches and change the perception of Japanese watches, Daini Seikosha and Suwa began the discussion of a product line that can match the quality of Swiss watches under the suggestion of the parent company. At the time, Suwa Seikosha Co. was in charge of manufacturing men’s watches, so it was decided that Suwa would be producing the first Grand Seiko (GS).
The first Grand Seiko was released in 1960, it was based on Seiko’s previous high-end watch, CROWN. This Grand Seiko has a 25-jewel, manual-winding, 3180 caliber, and only 36,000 units were produced. This was also the first chronometer-grade watch manufactured in Japan, and it was based on Seiko’s own chronometer standard.
Design style
The design language of the Grand Seiko was set in 1967, with the creation of Grand Seiko 44GS. The 44GS set the ground for all future Grand Seiko with nine elements. These elements help improve the legibility of the watch under different situations, and create a sharp, crisp visual impression:
- Double width index at 12 o’clock
- Multi-faceted rectangular markers
- Highly polished bezel
- Highly polished planes and two-dimensional surface
- Half recessed crown
- Flat dial
- Multi-faceted hour and minute hands
- Curved side line
- Reverse slanted bezel wall and case side
- Dress style with simple but beautiful design
- Zaratsu polishing
source : wikipedia
