- Japanese watchmaker Grand Seiko has unveiled two new timepieces in its much-loved Heritage Collection.
- Measuring 33mm in diameter, the Grand Seiko SBGX359 and SBGX361 are the smallest watches to ever feature the brand’s 9F movement, which has been redesigned especially for this release.
- Both are inspired by the snow-covered Hotaka mountain range in Nagano, Japan.
- Both creations will be available as continuous-production models starting April 2026 at Grand Seiko boutiques and select retail partners worldwide. Prices start at AUD$4,700.
Watchmaking can be a funny thing sometimes. As much as horology fans love to discuss case sizes, finishes and the inner mechanisms that drive their favourite timepieces, the most significant visual factor has remained largely unchanged for centuries: the dial. Without clear legibility and an easy-to-read dial, no amount of functions or complications will help. Like a German sports-car with no steering wheel, a watch with a poor dial offers little for the average wearer, but that doesn’t mean they have to be simple.
Japanese watchmaker Grand Seiko has made no secret of its desire to capture naturalistic imagery on its dials. From the stunning SLGH005 that envisions a white birch forest to the pink blossom-inspired face of the “Shunbun” SBGA413, the watch producer is taking a far more artistic approach to dial design than its contemporaries. It’s latest effort is no exception.
Grand Seiko SBGX359 and SBGX361
This week, Grand Seiko announced two new additions to its much-loved Heritage Collection. Both arriving in stainless steel, the SBGX359 and SBGX361 are designed to capture the beauty of the snow-covered Hotaka mountain range in Nagano Prefecture, where Grand Seiko Spring Drive and quartz watches are created. Featuring the fan favourite Snowflake design, which was first introduced in 2005, the SBGX359 model is characterised by finely textured surfaces and subtle variations in depth.
Visible from the Shinshu Watch Studio, housed in the Shiojiri facility of Seiko Epson Corporation, the Hotaka mountain range remains blanketed by snow for several months each winter. According to Grand Seiko, the region’s fierce winds sculpt the alpine snow into intricate patterns, which now serve as the inspiration for the distinctive new dials.
To capture the rugged texture and pure whiteness of the snow-covered Hotaka slopes, the watchmaker utilised a special process that combines silver-plating, clear coating, and finishing, rather than an application of white paint.
“By refining the plating’s thickness and using a combination of coating and finishing techniques, the dial achieves superior light reflection and brilliance, resulting in the pristine white finish that defines its beauty,“ Grand Seiko wrote.
The SBGX361 model takes a slightly different visual approach. Based on the light blue variation affectionately known as the Skyflake, the release features a dial designed to gently capture the image of wind swept snow shimmering beneath a clear sky. More importantly, both new models speak directly to the brand’s philosophy, the Nature of Time.
“The craftsmen and women of the Grand Seiko…have a love of, and respect for, nature that is very evident in the timepieces, and especially the dials, that they create,“ the brand explained. “The Nature of Time” is much more than a description of what Grand Seiko offers; it is an insight into a uniquely Japanese sensibility in which nature, tradition and craftsmanship are interwoven.”
Design
While the nature-inspired is obvious, the design updates are a little more subtle. Both the SBGX359 and SBGX361 are powered by the all-new Calibre 9F51, a redesigned quartz movement that trims the fat and slims the shape. The result is, unsurprisingly, a much more taut and streamlined silhouette. The SBGX359 “Snowflake” and SBGX361 “Skyflake” watches measure just 33mm in diameter and 9.1mm thick, making them the slimmest and smallest Grand Seiko 9F creations ever released.
First introduced in 1993, the Calibre 9F is a movement that has managed to win over even the most fervent of mechanical fans. It features a regulation switch for manual fine-tuning of accuracy during servicing, alongside a Backlash Auto-Adjust Mechanism to eliminate the shudder of the seconds-hand, and the Twin Pulse Control Motor. Despite being 0.6mm slimmer, the new Calibre 9F51 retains these hallmark features of the 9F series without losing any of the visual appeal.
To me, that’s something to be admired.
Whether it’s a simple tweak of construction or a complete remodelling of a previous effort, the ability to perpetually revisit and revamp is what separates the good designers from the greats. Not every iteration is a hit and some will suffer the affliction of over-engineering, but every so often, repetition breeds recognition. That is precisely what Grand Seiko has achieved with its much-revered Heritage Collection.
The new Grand Seiko SBGX359 Snowflake and SBGX361 Skyflake models will be available as continuous-production models starting April 2026. Prices for both start at AUD$4,700 and will be offered at Grand
Seiko Boutiques and select retail partners worldwide.
Grand Seiko SBGX359/SBGX361 Technical Specifications
- Brand: Grand Seiko
- Model: Heritage Collection
- Reference: Ref. SBGX359 / Ref/ SBGX361
- Diameter: 33mm
- Thickness: 9.1mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Movement: Calibre 9F51 in-house quartz
- Water-Resistance: 100 metres
- Price: AUD$4,700
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