Comparing the Spring Drive Flagships of Grand Seiko
So I recently purchased the SLGA009 White Birch Spring Drive in spite of being an owner of the iconic SBGA211 Snowflake.
I agonised for a long time about whether to procure the former (which will mean letting go of the latter). In the end I took the leap. Now I say my long farewell to the SBGA211.
But before I do that, I figured I'd put together a visual summary as to what has changed BEYOND the obvious and the spec sheet.
Hope you find this interesting as I enjoyed putting it together.
I'm curious, would you have bought the SLGA009 if you were me?
PS: I put together a video reel unveiling this new procurement on my IG (same handle as my watchcrunch a/c, so feel free to drop by and say hi there too!)
A watch addict who also happens to be a photography enthusiast. I also enjoy crafting simple watch-related infographics from time to time. You can find all my content on my IG page.
Wow, wow, wow, wow!
That is an absolutely AWESOME set of comparison graphics! Thank you so much!
Wow, wow, wow, wow!
That is an absolutely AWESOME set of comparison graphics! Thank you so much!
Thanks for the kind compliments! Feel free to share the link with other fellow Grand Seiko fans like ourselves, haha! The more the merrier!
I bet you will be happy with your decision. Congrats! Maybe the most significant difference will be moving from titanium to steel? That’s quite a weight difference.
Great breakdown - love the attention to detail across the entire watch comparison. Clearly both are a beautiful watches. For me personally, these two watches are too close in only on the occasions I’d want to pull one from my box to wear, I’d feel I denying wrist time to the other. That said, collecting is not always about wrist time. I also have not had the pleasure of wearing either in real-life to know if the experience would feel decidedly different between the two.
I think one of the biggest changes (to me) is the lug width and bracelet size… I think I just prefer proportionally how the Snowflake looks and likely how it probably wears just a bit more comfortably on the wrist. The White Birch will have more presence for sure.
Having said all that - you have a handsome pair of watches and hope they bring you continued happiness!
Very nice comparison. The White Birch is the new evolution for them and the time between the two models show. A hi-beat is the missing hole in my GS collection I cannot wait to fill.
I did the same recently. Bought the Slga007 and own the SBGA211.
Thought about selling my beloved snowflake but i have come to love it for its dressier appearance and light feel on the wrist.
Forced to keep both 😂
I bet you will be happy with your decision. Congrats! Maybe the most significant difference will be moving from titanium to steel? That’s quite a weight difference.
Thanks. Interestingly, the weight difference in my personal books made it more favorable to the snowflake. But ultimately the fit of the white bitch is actually much better on my small wrist. I remain convinced that the snowflake is an absolute bargain if anyone out there has no issue with the titanium material!
Great breakdown - love the attention to detail across the entire watch comparison. Clearly both are a beautiful watches. For me personally, these two watches are too close in only on the occasions I’d want to pull one from my box to wear, I’d feel I denying wrist time to the other. That said, collecting is not always about wrist time. I also have not had the pleasure of wearing either in real-life to know if the experience would feel decidedly different between the two.
I think one of the biggest changes (to me) is the lug width and bracelet size… I think I just prefer proportionally how the Snowflake looks and likely how it probably wears just a bit more comfortably on the wrist. The White Birch will have more presence for sure.
Having said all that - you have a handsome pair of watches and hope they bring you continued happiness!
I’m completely with you on they being so close. That’s actually why I will be selling my Snowflake now to make way. I just don’t see myself wearing both anymore. (That and I need to put some money back in the bank account!)
If you ever get the chance, try both on wrist. I will tell you if the Snowflake works for you, it is going to be an absolute pleasure. In my case I have a small wrist but I absolutely love Sprint Drive. The small difference of a shorter thickness and lug to lug made all the difference in how it wears on my wrist and is ultimately what tipped me over!
Very nice comparison. The White Birch is the new evolution for them and the time between the two models show. A hi-beat is the missing hole in my GS collection I cannot wait to fill.
Yes! And the evolution is not as obvious until you put it on wrist and the numbers alone may not explain it. Hence why I put this together.
Any hi-beat models you have shortlisted?
I did the same recently. Bought the Slga007 and own the SBGA211.
Thought about selling my beloved snowflake but i have come to love it for its dressier appearance and light feel on the wrist.
Forced to keep both 😂
Oh no! Now you are giving me ideas that I shouldn’t and cannot entertain! Haha!
I know exactly what you mean though!
Yes! And the evolution is not as obvious until you put it on wrist and the numbers alone may not explain it. Hence why I put this together.
Any hi-beat models you have shortlisted?
I really like the Green Birch and new Suwa, but I also like the frost one as well (SBGH295). Like my other two GS, it will be an opportunity buy when it happens, though I cannot see the Green Birch or Suwa taking a hit anytime soon.
Fantastic comparison. I was struggling with this decision too. At the end, I went for the high beat white birch and also kept the snowflake, trying hard to convince myself that the movements are very different. Both are awesome watches and that’s makes it hard to give up one.
I really like the Green Birch and new Suwa, but I also like the frost one as well (SBGH295). Like my other two GS, it will be an opportunity buy when it happens, though I cannot see the Green Birch or Suwa taking a hit anytime soon.
Well with Grand Seiko you may never know - they seem to be on a charge to keep releasing new models for all their lines. It's really getting hard to keep up!
Fantastic comparison. I was struggling with this decision too. At the end, I went for the high beat white birch and also kept the snowflake, trying hard to convince myself that the movements are very different. Both are awesome watches and that’s makes it hard to give up one.
Haha! Good compromise. I did consider it for a while, but in the end it was a taste thing, the silvery High Beat birch didn't quite speak to me. I think a lot of what Robert-Jan of Fratello shared in his comparison really resonated with me as well.
As the addict I am, I have decided I'd now keep an eye out for a distinctively different Hi-Beat 9SA5 watch - am giving a pass on the Green Birch, and also the Ever Brilliant 44GS for now. So let's see what's in store!
Love your visuals on IG. Glad to find you here too!