Grand Seiko Snowflake Quartz vs Spring Drive

I wish they made 37mm spring drive 👌

I like the cleaner dial of the quartz.

Quartz pros: Cheaper; Maybe fits you better(?); Won't cost a fortune to service; More accurate; Cleaner dial; Never needs wound.

Snowflake pros: Sweeping hand; Iconic; The beautiful movement.

It's a hard one 😮

I got my first GS recently and chose quartz! After researching the 9F movement I was sold. I am already eyeing another one I was so impressed. 😁

For sure!

A stupid point and I might be alone. I love the spring drive but I think the gauge would annoy me slightly when I see it’s low 🙈

Looks perfect on your wrist too! 🔥

Thank you! This one is 37 mm. Its very comfortable. I don’t think you can go wrong with either quartz or spring drive though whatever you may choose! Personally, I probably will lean more towards their quartz watches for now. 😊

Both stunning - I would lean towards Spring Drive if you’ll always yearn for it. It’s mesmerizing…

Go with the quartz. The location of the Spring Drive's power indicator seems to wreck the beauty of its dial.

37 mm 9F quartz owner here. I can’t speak highly enough from the comfort and case proportions in this piece.

It fits slender wrists like a glove and it virtually disappears. I wonder the titanium Baby Snowflake must wear even more comfortably than that due to the light weight.

It’s no spring drive, but it is currently the benchmark I set my other watches to, and no matter what you do, it’s always ready for you.

Spring Drive is one hell of a movement. But go with your heart mate 🤍

Get the one you yearn for, not the „reasonable“ choice (there isn’t one anymore if you‘re looking for a Snowflake).

In the end, it will be the right choice.

The quartz looks better. The overall cost at service is to much for me with the spring drives. But it is a great movement.

Quartz. No looking back. You WILL NOT regret it. Less maintenance costs, greater longevity, and better resale value if you want to upgrade

I don’t like the power reserve but I admire the spring drive. The quartz looks like a better fit for you

I have to say the 37mm looks better on your wrist imo, the 41mm? spring dive looks a tad large but it’s not oversized by any means so if you want to go that route, go for it.

Congrats on your promotion btw!

Get what suits you best, but if you have the budget for the spring drive then that would be my choice.

1. Has the iconic spring drive

2. Will retain its value better in the long run

The quartz look really like it fits well on your wrist. IMHO.

To me the subtle white dial and clean face make this a better dress watch, in which case I would vote the baby quartz style here with the understanding you will surely want to pick up a mac daddy larger springdrive (or high beat) later on as a GADA watch 🙂

Nooooo don't do quartz get an automatic 😶‍🌫️

When stuck on a very difficult decision, i flip a coin and let God decide 🤣

Given you mentioned this is your first luxury watch, unless you have a desire to only ever have one watch, I would point out what somebody else already did which is you will be financially much better off in this "hobby" if you always try to buy pre-owned, and you can't really do that right now with the SBGX355. Also, with regards to Grand Seiko's, you can keep an eye on the Yen exchange rate, as when it is as low as it is right now you can frequently purchase brand new from dealers in Japan at a price not far from US pre-owned. But, (I checked, as I just bought the baby snowflake) that doesn't apply to the baby snowflake, not yet anyways. If you are really set on the Snowflake, you can get the springdrive preowned very near the price of the new Baby Snowflake.

https://www.chrono24.com/search/index.htm?accessoryTypes=&dosearch=true&query=sbga211&searchexplain=1&sortorder=1&watchTypes=

In the UK the Springdrive is available at 10-15% discount without asking.

IRL the power indicator is well executed and although the asymmetry would normally be a no no for me, the whole watch is stunning.

I would prefer regular steel though.

IDK the price difference though.

The 37mm is the perfect size. The only thing that put me off the original snowflake was the awkward sizing.

Plus, the quartz movement will last decades with little or no fuss.

Quartz all the way. Honestly I find the dead accuracy of the ticking seconds on high end quartz just as interesting to watch as most mechanical movements, if not more.

Spring Drive is great, but I think the newer models with the power reserve on the back are better looking than the models with reserve on the front. The quartz option looks stunning all around

Looks good! Which ref is this?

sbgx261 😄