Grand Seiko introduces two 33mm quartz watches that bring the iconic Snowflake and Skyflake dials to a new, smaller audience. The SBGX359 and SBGX361 represent the brand’s first significant update to its 9F quartz family in six years, housing the newly developed Calibre 9F51. These new references continue Grand Seiko’s tradition of drawing inspiration from the Hotaka mountain range in Nagano Prefecture, visible from the Shinshu Watch Studio where the brand creates all its quartz timepieces. The facility sits in the Shiojiri complex of Seiko Epson Corporation, surrounded by mountains that remain snow-covered for several months each winter.
The Snowflake and Skyflake Dials
Grand Seiko‘s dial artisans capture the rugged texture of wind-sculpted alpine snow through a sophisticated multi-stage process. The technique employs silver-plating on a brass base rather than white paint, preventing the flat appearance that paint would create by filling in the dial’s textured irregularities. The craftsmen refine the plating thickness through a combination of coating and finishing techniques, achieving superior light reflection and brilliance across the pristine white surface.
The SBGX359 features the classic Snowflake dial that first appeared in 2005, whilst the SBGX361 carries the light blue Skyflake variation. Both dials share the same three-dimensional texture, with depths varying subtly across the surface to create an organic, natural appearance. A vivid blue tempered steel seconds hand provides striking contrast against both dial colours, ticking with the characteristic precision of the 9F movement.
Calibre 9F51: Compact Excellence
The new Calibre 9F51 maintains the exceptional performance standards that Grand Seiko established with the original 9F movement in 1993. Each movement delivers ±10 seconds per year accuracy between 5°C and 35°C. The watchmakers at Shinshu assemble every movement by hand, individually selecting and ageing quartz crystals for three months before installation.
Grand Seiko grows its quartz crystals in-house using massive autoclaves, allowing tighter quality control. The movement samples ambient temperature 540 times daily, using a thermo-compensated IC to adjust the crystal frequency and maintain precision despite temperature fluctuations.
The Calibre 9F51 measures 26.4mm in diameter and 2.2mm thick, reducing the diameter by 0.6mm compared to the Calibre 9F61. This compact architecture retains all hallmark 9F features: the Twin Pulse Control Motor generates sufficient torque for Grand Seiko’s substantial hands, the Backlash Auto-Adjust Mechanism eliminates seconds-hand shudder by using a small gear with a hairspring to minimise play between teeth, and the regulation switch permits manual fine-tuning during servicing.
The movement provides magnetic resistance up to 4,800 A/m through a unique motor design with magnetic conductors and an anti-magnetic iron plate.
The Grand Seiko look
Grand Seiko houses both references in stainless steel cases measuring 33.0mm in diameter, 39.7mm lug-to-lug, and 9.1mm thick. These dimensions make the SBGX359 and SBGX361 the slimmest and smallest 9F creations Grand Seiko has produced.
The cases feature a dual-curve sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface. A screw case back secures the movement, contributing to the 10 bar water resistance. The integrated stainless steel bracelet measures 15mm at the lugs and closes with a three-fold clasp featuring push-button release. Grand Seiko finishes the cases and bracelets to the brand’s exacting standards, though the press materials do not specify whether the craftsmen apply the signature Zaratsu polishing technique to these models.
Final Thoughts
Grand Seiko enters continuous production with these two references starting April 2026. The brand will offer both models at Grand Seiko Boutiques and select retail partners worldwide for €3,300 each. This pricing positions the Ref. SBGX359 and Ref. SBGX361 as accessible entry points into Grand Seiko’s quartz collection, bringing the celebrated Snowflake and Skyflake aesthetics to wrists that smaller cases suit better.
