IS THE SBGA211 STILL THE BEST GRAND SEIKO?

Too early to say the Omiwatari as it is fairly recent but it does not mark a particular point in time, I reckon.

Both Snowflake, SBGA011 and 211 have the whole package and offer excellent value for the price. The White Birch and the SBGA413 are fantastic too but they are not as discreet and versatile as the Snowflake.

The hands with that dial just look out of this world

I'm with you on Titanium watches, they're almost too light for me. At that point I'd rather wear resin. I think what Sinn offers with tegimented steel is the best middleground.

To your original question, my go to expert on GS is @HotWatchChick69 . He has many and will have a more hands-on opinion than most.

From my less experienced point of view...it seems the snowflake still holds the crown for most recognized GS watch. It has all the things and subtleties that made GS famous(ish). For my money however, I think no-date dress watches are where GS can really beat out everyone else, hands down. Like the SBGY013:

That to me is a future contender for the snowflake if they just push it a bit more instead of focusing on sports watches as much as they do currently.

I think the whirlpool would be my pick for another GS icon, although it's much more expensive.

As GS' icon or flagship, the piece that turns people's heads towards GS or helps them understand the brand, it's still the SBGA211, with the SBGA413 following closely behind (with one major flaw).

In my mind, any GS flagship should showcase spring drive (unique to GS and a very clear, visible differentiator from most other luxury pieces), a beautiful dial (quintessential Japanese approach of evoking nature), and Titanium. Titanium is probably a debatable 'requirement,' but GS prides themselves in their ability to have highly-finished, brightly-hued Titanium pieces. The weight of a Titanium watch + bracelet is immediately recognizable and something that people can appreciate, even if they have a preference for something that feels more substantial. And Titanium is much more easily explainable than #zaratsu.

The SBGA413 has a more iconic case and Sakura is strongly associated with Japan (much moreso than snow). Where the 413 slightly misses is that it doesn't properly showcase the spring drive. The polished silver seconds hand can easily disappear into the dial, which is in pretty strong contrast to the accented blue snowflake hand. Snowflake is a spring drive watch and Shunbun is a dial watch.

For other pieces like the white birch spring drive (SLGA009), I do think flagship pieces should also be a mid-entry price for the brand, similar to a sub or speedy/seamaster. I think it's the snowflake / spring that bring people's attention to the brand, even if they end up choosing a piece higher up the ladder.

For sure it’s the Omiwatari..

Wish it was 36/7 mm with a brushed case front.

It’s interesting that you bring up this question. I just recently became inducted into The Cult of Grand Seiko and I have to say that in my opinion, the modern day classics from the brand would have to be one of the new Evolution9 series in the SLGH005 White Birch Hi-Beat with its more silvery dial (compared to the SLGA009 Spring Drive) or the SBGE285 Spring Drive GMT “Mist Flake”. I know that both these watches are in a price point above that of the Snowflake but they feature GS’s new Grammar of Design elements with stunning dials to boot. The “Mist Flake” dial is similar to the Snowflake but with some added lume and slightly larger Zaratzu finished indices to catch even more light. And another contender(s) is the pair of SBGA413 & SBGA415 with their pink and light grey textured dials that remind you of the Cherry blossoms & the deep winter snows that cover the mountains in Taisetsu. And that 62GS case is just so beautiful. It’s not too thick and so light and comfortable in Titanium. I love how it doesn’t have a bezel either. Just a nice domed sapphire crystal. Perfection in my book. 👌🏼🥰

Oh and I happen to own three of em! 🌸❄🤍

There are watches that just stand out and are the unofficial mascot of a brand. Certainly the brand has other watches that are probably better specs or design, but certain designs just last.

Ex:

Rolex- Submariner Blk dial/blk ceramic

Cartier- Tank Louis

Omega- Speedmaster Moonwatch

Patek- 5711

AP- Royal Oak(let's be honest, it's their only watch)

I think for Grand Seiko, this mascot is without a doubt the SBGA011/211.

I believe my GS White Birch Spring Drive is the best!!! 💪💪🔥👌

Gained 1 second in 5 weeks.......Amazing piece!

As others have said, I think it's a representative model for Grand Seiko. I don't think it's the "flagship" model. The new Evolution 9 models seem to be the "flagship" models that GS is trying to push.

As for me, I own a Snowflake, and I love it. I love the dial. I love the lightness of the titanium watch. Love it!

Then I needed something with more color. =)

Most iconic, or best Grand Seiko? You asked two different questions. I'd say The Snowflake is still the most iconic. It's the watch that put Grand Seiko on the map. If someone knows the first thing about Grand Seiko, they know the Snowflake. At ADs that don't stock Grand Seiko, I've had salespeople look at my Shunbun and ask, "Is that a Snowflake?" But best Grand Seiko? I'd say no. Design is a matter of taste, but to my mind they've come out with a lot of more interesting models since. I passed on the Snowflake in favor of the Shunbun. They've also come out with improved, more advanced tech, like more accurate Spring Drive with longer power reserve, or the dual impulse escapement, etc. Most iconic≠best watch. Will another watch unseat the Snowflake as the brand icon? Only time will tell, but so far, no. There may be contenders out there, but I think it will be hard for another watch to represent the brand in the same way. When the Snowflake came out, Grand Seiko was unknown, and the Snowflake came as something shockingly new and unique. But now that Grand Seiko is much better known, along with their myriad dials and designs, I think it's unlikely that any one watch will grab the world's attention in the same way.

That is a beautiful watch!

It's gotta be a Ti watch (bikes for me & tennis for you - we need it light!)... but the only one it can be is the Cherry Blossom - it's what we all know Japan is famous for!

Some glamour shots to convince you:

Also, the Cherry blossom is the only GS I own.

In all seriousness tho' - I think you're right, gotta be snowflake.

The snowflake was epic when it was released, made the company world famous among collectors, and holds it's own today after almost 20 years.

I’m biased, but the new 9SA5 movement, combined with the 44GS case won me over. My SLGH009 is my favorite watch, and I love that they now have the SLGH013 as a non-LE in their lineup.

GS Snowflake is still the Icon of GS. But the best? No longer. There are newer iterations to Grammar of Design (GOD for short) in the Evo 9 series that will one day, replace the the Snowflake as the icon. I’d hazard a guess it will be the White Birch.

But you dont need the best GS to be better than the town, you just need any GS 🤪

Has GS made better watches? Almost certainly for My tastes and priorities. I tend to be partial to things in their elegance collection. But the snowflake has become an icon. I don't think that there's anything in grand seiko's lineup that is so good that it has overtaken it. And looking at the dial of that watch, you could do much worse for your brand icon.