Grand Seiko aren’t necessarily a brand we associate with Grand Complication watches and uber haute horology. That’s not to say they aren’t capable of it, case in point the Kodo, but their day-to-day focus is more in the region of artistic design and classic complications like your humble date, power reserve indicator or GMT display. The latter is the subject of today’s new release, the Grand Seiko Snowdrop and Moondrop Automatic GMT.
Both are new interpretations of the SBGM line, joining previous versions like the now sold-out Mid-Heaven from 2023. There are few changes to the overall design for the 2025 releases, most notably that the cases are slightly thicker, going from 13.7mm to 14.1mm. Presumably that’s because the dials are now fully engraved rather than sunray brushed, meaning the dial plates have to be that much thicker to accommodate the three-dimensionality.
Speaking of the dials, they have a very traditional style of geometric pattern with alternating spiral lines that creates a crosshatched design. It draws the eye naturally inwards from the periphery of the display to the inner 24-hour GMT scale and then onward to the central handstack with dauphine hands. The Snowdrop edition is a pale cream colour with blue accents, designed to represent the melting of snow in the spring as ice becomes water. Meanwhile Moondrop with its blue and gold colours depicts a nightscape where light reflects off of the dew.
Below the dials sits the 9S66 automatic GMT movement with 72-hour power reserve and +5/-3 seconds per day accuracy. Those are some really good specs, and they show Grand Seiko’s care and attention towards their comparatively simple watches as well as those more complex beasts. You can view the movement through the sapphire glass exhibition caseback.
Both the Snowdrop and Moondrop Automatic GMT are priced at £4,550, which feels about right for a classy dial and a high spec movement. It’s perhaps on the more basic end of the spectrum when it comes to Grand Seiko’s dials but no less pretty for it, plus not everyone wants a dial as intricate as the Birch.
Price and Specs:
More details at Grand Seiko.
