Normally we talk about Seiko having a packed release schedule but so far it’s Grand Seiko who are launching an avalanche of watches in February. So far we’ve had the 37mm Snowflake, Diamond Snowflake, Morning Glow of Hotaka Peaks and Pink Snowflake. Now, joining that line up are the Sakura-Wakaba SBGH343G and Sakura-Kakushi SBGH341G hi-beat watches.
The Sakura pair are the same watch with dials in either green or pink. The theme of these two watches is early spring with Sakura-Wakaba translating to cherry blossom and young leaves and Sakura-Kakushi meaning hiding cherry blossoms – a reference to late winter snows covering blossoms. This isn’t the first time Grand Seiko have used the Sakura-Kakushi concept with a 44GS model in 2022.
However, the new watches aren’t 44GS models, falling in as part of the 62GS family instead. Which you can tell because of the broad surfaces of the 38mm titanium case, with sweeps of brushed metal running directly from lug-to-lug on either side of the dial and a kind of bezelless design. It gives the watches a strong, bold aesthetic that contrasts with the delicate decoration of the dials.
The dials themselves feature a dappled texture in light green or light pink. It’s a sort of less intense interpretation of the Snowflake that’s flatter but with greater colour variance. More frosty than a full on flake. The timekeeping display is then pretty staple for Grand Seiko with sharply facetted hands and hour markers, there’s also a date window at 3 o’clock.
Powering both watches is the Calibre 9S85 hi-beat movement with 55-hour power reserve and -3/+5 seconds per day accuracy. Plus, of course, the signature 36,000 vph. Paired with the 62GS case and the Sakura-Wakaba and Sakura-Kakushi, these watches are priced at £6,950.
Price and Specs:
More details at Grand Seiko Boutique.
