The Nature-Inspired Textures of Grand Seiko’s Sōkō Frost Timepieces
Two new US-exclusive special edition wristwatches honor the transition from autumn to winter
Through exquisite finishes and an enchantingly icy aesthetic, the two new watches of the Grand Seiko Sōkō Frost collection invoke the artistry of nature. The Japanese luxury watchmaker looked to the moment of first frost and the transition from autumn to winter for design inspiration here. In Japan, a year isn’t only shoehorned into four seasons; it’s defined by 24 sekki (which can be further divided into 72 micro-seasons). First frost represents one of these time-passing transformations. Grand Seiko masterfully imbues this poetic occasion into these US-exclusive timepieces, known as the SBGA471 and SBGH295, while also honoring their legacy of technical superiority.
Watch aficionados will note that both of these 40mm, stainless steel Sōkō Frost models reinterpret classic Grand Seiko time-and-date releases from 1967: the SBGA471 nods to the 44GS, and the SBGH295 to the 62GS. Each of these iconic releases marked a milestone for the innovative brand—the 62GS was the brand’s first self-winding model, and the 44GS introduced a design language that the brand still speaks today. These are far from retro re-releases, however, as each model incorporates internal and external advancements.
The dial of the SBGA471 draws immediate attention thanks to its gentle icy blue vertical lines. With this attribute, Grand Seiko alludes to the frost-covered trunks of the bamboo forests in Kyoto’s Arashiyama. (This magnificent finish also calls to mind another Grand Seiko masterpiece, the SLGH005, part of their Evolution 9 collection, which emulates the delicate texture of white birch bark.) Inside the SBGA471, Grand Seiko’s hand-assembled, state-of-the-art Spring Drive 9R65 Caliber mechanical movement offers near-quartz accuracy.
The SBGH295 presents a richer ice-blue dial, with a dynamic texture that the watchmaker says was drawn from the skies over the Sea of Japan on a clear, early winter day. As with its sibling model, the case of this watch features polishing through Grand Seiko’s Zaratsu technique, which yields almost mirror-like brilliance. The SBGH295 is powered by the ultra-precise Caliber 9S85 Hi-Beat 36000 mechanical movement, another in-house technical development.
Grand Seiko, through both subtle and bold design strokes, honors the natural world in so many of its timepieces (whether that’s fresh snowfall or sakura blossoms swirling in a stream). In fact, the SBGA471 and SBGH295 are an elegant continuation of a collection that Grand Seiko debuted about this specific sekki in 2020. And although they’re not the only brand to look toward nature, there’s something so honest, attune and wondrous to their interpretations.
Images courtesy of Grand Seiko
