Grand Seiko SBGA407 (Skyflake) Review

This watch was the first ever watch I've bought for myself, what started watch collecting for me, and it changed my life for the better. Therefore it will always be the most meaningful watch for me. 

Having said that, I will be very objective in my review about this particular watch model. 

When I found out about Grand Seiko, I also discovered the Spring Drive movement and for me it's one of the most genius things I've ever seen. When I saw how the second hand literally gliding, I was just amazed. It puts the "...don't tick-tock, it just gliiiide" in a different level. It does bother me a bit when ignorant people say it's "just a quartz" because it's not. It's like 85% mechanical at least in my opinion, and a lot of effort was put in terms of even thinking of this concept. It is one of the greatest things achieved in watch-making; not only the second hand just glides, it's very accurate as well for time keeping.  

I believe if one would buy a Grand Seiko, it's because of the Spring Drive, and that was one of my decision behind getting one. 

I also found out about the Snowflake...I actually liked the Snowflake (except for the case, and bracelet, I'm not a fan of the Grand Seiko bracelets usually until the Evolution 9 series). I tend to prefer crocodile straps. So when I saw this (the Skyflake), everything that I didn't like about the Snowflake was "fixed". The dial being "blue" was fine for me too, but I'll get to it in detail later on. 

I was deciding between the SBGA211 (Snowflake), SBGA407 (Skyflake) and the limited edition SBGY003 (which I kinda regret not getting, but it's cool). All are Spring Drive models. 

The Snowflake at the time felt like the "watch mascot" of Grand Seiko and it was kinda sporty for me. 

The SBGY003 was too dressy (it's practically a manual-wind dress watch). 

The SBGA407 is like in the middle of that for me, it's like in between but leans a bit more for the dress side (which are the type of watches I prefer, I discovered that about myself as I started collecting). I wanted something that was versatile, but looks elegant at the same time.  

As a result, I got the Skyflake just close on my birthday at the time...which was almost 2 years ago. 

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Price 

All my watch reviews will be relative from its price point to its value for the watchmaking involved. 

Let's start with the price. It retails for about £5250 in the UK (from the time of writing) and it never changed since I got the watch. I bought it brand new, in a deal from an authorized dealer in the UK. 

For it's price point, comparing it to other watches in the price bracket...I honestly couldn't think of a watch that's better than this. Even watches that costs double the price of the Skyflake doesn't come close on the look and work done.  

This is based on the hand-finishing alone in this watch, on what I am referring to. 

The only realistic comparison (minimum) you can have on the finishing of this watch (referring to the watch case, hour/minute/seconds hands and indices, power reserve...everything about it is within amazing standards regardless of price range) is next to Patek Philippe watches, the Vacheron Constantin watches or/ and the A. Lange Saxonia/ 1815 lines, and some of the LUC watches to name a few. The watch itself is objectively better finished (in terms on the parts I mentioned) than Audemars Piguet watches and Richard Mille watches as well. 

It's that amazing.  

I have actually come to the conclusion that you will not be able to see this level of finishing and/or polishing of a watch that is under £15000 unless it's a Grand Seiko/ Credor watch. 

The only thing it cannot be compared to is the movement finishing and the thickness of the watch. But this is a £5000 watch being compared to £20000+ on average.  

As a result, the Skyflake has become my benchmark for watch finishing (minus the movement finishing). 

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Quality 

I will go through every part of the watch that I can point out, from exterior to interior. 

Starting with the case. Even though I was marvelling about the finishing of this watch, I do admittedly have some OCD issues (but I do accept things quite fast, so I just live with it haha). The zaratsu polishing on watches in the Grand Seiko watches are quite scratch prone (in terms on getting random line scratches despite not hitting anything on it), so if you have some hawk-eyes, it can be visible to the user...but then this applies to any watch that was made with (precious) metal casing. Apart from that, the stainless steel case has been solid. But because the whole case is polished (which I liked as well), it's bound to have a lot of line scratches and this is a watch I used to wear every day as my only watch, and I still wear it regularly to this day. 

The watch features an elevated box/domed sapphire crystal front (which does the same curvy patterns you will see in the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 watches) in a certain angle, and also has a display case back using sapphire crystal (but this one is flat). It also has a low-key emblem of the Grand Seiko lion in the middle of the crystal, if light goes through it in a certain angle. 

The watch has a 10 bar/ 100m water resistance, but it uses a push-pull crown (not a screw-down). The watch crown features 2 crown positions; in zero/ neutral position (when it's fully pushed), you can wind-up the watch to keep it running and increase it's power reserve. 

The power reserve of the watch is 72 hours. It is also an automatic watch, so you can also increase the power reserve by just wearing it (and like run with the watch, as I do normally). It's not that delicate, which is great. 

When the crown is pulled on the first position, you can adjust the date number on the 3 o'clock position. 

When the crown is pulled on the second positon, you can adjust the hour and minute hands. The seconds hand will also hack (it has hacking seconds). 

One of the things that annoys me (a bit) with the Spring Drive is setting the time. Because the second hand glides (and it doesn't beat), it's not as easy to hack the seconds hand on the 12 o'clock position, and it's a bit harder to time and stop it once the crown is pulled fully.  

The Spring Drive seconds hand is also fairly sensitive so in a way, but at least micro controlling it is a bit better as the seconds hand will run instantly the moment you push the crown fully (given it has a running power). So you can push/ pull fully in order to precisely set the time. With a -1/ +1 seconds per day accuracy, I rarely had to adjust the time on the watch unless it runs out of energy, so less effort for me in that part. 

Despite the water resistance given, I always wear it with the original strap and I have no intention swimming with the watch haha. In that topic, the watch comes with a deployant clasp (which I also like), all in stainless steel, and I like the finishing/ look of the deployant buckle in these particular Grand Seiko's since it writes the whole word on the buckle part. 

The crocodile leather provided is also quite soft to begin with and easy/ comfortable to wear, but the inner leather of the strap does stain (it becomes darker, from like sweat for example) because of the light brown color inner strap. These types of things are better worn during colder times, but I wear this thing all season. 

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Dial 

I think the watch is great overall for what it is, but in my experience, it's the dial that makes this watch THE Skyflake. The dial is how you will know it's indeed, a Grand Seiko. 

To the people who knows watches, they'll see this and they will ask me "Wait, is that a Grand Seiko?". I actually feel happier when people notice that compared to the other watches I have.  

The dial is light blue in general, but the shade can change depending on the lighting on where the watch is. Say like in the sun for example, it's almost white and everything else (hands and indices) will just shine brightly and it looks beautiful, but can be a bit blinding.  

I've seen some methods on how the original Snowflake dial was created, but the Skyflake is just unique, I've never seen any other watch that looks similar to it (in terms of the dial). It's one of the coolest and awesome dials I've ever seen on any watch, from any brand. Looking on the patterns alone closely can take you a long time to see what's going on.  

I remember getting this watch for the first time and just stared on the watch for 20 mins from watching the seconds hand move, to observing the dial of the watch bit by bit. 

It's a bit capped on the star-rating for the review, but I honestly believe the dial should be a 5.5 or a 6 out of 5 stars. 

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Movement 

I've mentioned parts of it in terms on this watch. I also care about watch movements being in-house, but all Seiko watches are pretty much in-house. What I like about the movement of this is that there's some finishing done it to it, and some black polished screws. But my favourite part is that when you see the gears moving, it looks like a spinning tape-reel. I don't know why it reminds me of that (like the ones they use in cinemas for example) but it's nice for me to look at the consistency it moves. 

The only thing I wished was done to it (though it's a big ask) is the finishing of the movement. I just hoped the movement finishing matches the rest of the watch (like having a hand-finished movement to that level). But I also like the ones seen in the 5-Day power reserve Spring Drives, those were nice too. 

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Wearability 

For me, it's very comfortable to wear. It also feels premium. Despite looking like a dress watch to the eyes of many, it's actually easier to match the watch with almost anything from casual clothes onwards. I go through work, restaurants of different levels, shops, high streets, public transports and I've been completely fine for it.  

It's definitely one of those watches that I could just wear anywhere, I can even wear the watch wearing a t-shirt and it's completely fine. No need for a bodyguard or anything like that haha, no one will mug you for it (unlike some experiences I had with other watches). 

It's quite compact for me as well, and worn it on practically any occasion minus activities that requires moving a lot and involving arms (though I could still play some games or dance while wearing the watch for example, but I won't wear it when I'm doing handywork repairs or play basketball with it). 

It wears class, and there's no pressure wearing them too. It can go and fit from the common ground through the elite levels of events as well. Which is great in my opinion.

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Design 

The only subjective note I will write about is the design, but this is because I prefer fine watches in general than sports/ diver watches for example. As I described my options on this review, and picked this particular watch...I just really like everything about it. The case is perfect for me, with some vintage (but timeless) shape and I believe this will go through the test of time and will look completely normal and nice in the next decade, or/ and 50+ years and so. 

But at the same time, it can be argued that it looks a bit generic haha (but the finishing does stand out).  

Through everything I just wrote, the only thing I do not like about the design of the watch is the date window font. I really like the polished window, but my issue is the numbering (mainly the single digit numbers just being too wide).  

I don't mind it being in white, but it would've been better if they matched the color with the Skyflake dial (or like what they did to the power reserve having different shades of sky blue).  

That is only my legitimate complain on this watch. They "fixed" this issue of mine in some of the more later Grand Seiko like the White Birch for example, but I do wish they can just fix the numbers like that when I send it for service. 

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Overall 

For my first ever watch, all the trial and errors I've been through was done on this watch. I also learned a lot about watches starting from the Skyflake.  

Also a quick note that I purchased this Grand Seiko before 2021, and from the start of 2021...Grand Seiko watches will now have a 5-Year Guarantee. When I got mine, it's only 3-Year Guarantee...I can't add to it, but I don't think this should count as an issue because they're just trying to improve frequently. 

The watch itself is fairly easy to find in Grand Seiko boutiques or authorized dealers but they do disappear now and then, so I'm glad there's other people who got this watch.  

But at the same time, I like being unique, and I've never met anyone else who had the same watch as me when I'm wearing it. It would be really awesome if I do meet someone with a Skyflake while I'm wearing it one day. 

The Skyflake has became part of my identity, and I really like what the watch represents...it's the exact opposite of being pretentious. It's a watch that isn't expensive, but the work done in the finishing of the watch when it's looked on it in the surface is amazing. When the only "fault"/ dislike I have about this watch is the date window font and something unrealistic for the price point (hand finishing on movement), I must say it's a watch that does very well on its value. 

It's immense value on what you could get for this watch. 

But this also shows that there is no such thing as a perfect watch. Every watch of every level has flaws. Also, a random point but the stock picture for the SBGA407 does NOT give the watch justice. It's a lot better looking in-person. 

This watch does not need branding, and it doesn't need hype to be appreciated by watch enthusiasts. The watch speaks for itself. If we just remove all the factors, all the branding, all the things to think about watch buying/ collecting...then it's just objectively a beautiful watch to look at, and it does it's job well.  

But this will only appeal if you like these style of watches. It's a watch with class.