While the color scheme across all three watches is fundamentally identical, the more expensive watch has more premium touches, including some subtle dial texturing and applied markers, rather than inked ones. The polishing on the case is stunning to see in person, and it is true to the original design ideals that brought Grand Seiko to international prominence. Yes, I liked wearing it and if you’re at all inclined, I’d seriously recommend snatching one up while you still can.

The water resistance isn’t the most impressive, but let’s not forget this is neither a dive watch nor an expensive watch. The sharp hands are fully lumed, and the second hand is lumed on its counterweight with a flash of red on the pointer end. The fact that we have a cool, military-inspired, and manual wind watch for under €200 makes me realize that the watch world listens every so often. While Tanaka's Grammar of Design is well-known among watch collectors, it's equally vital to grasp the greater historical context in which it arose. A watch that is still in my collection and one of my most prized possessions although not the most valuable in terms of money.The watch, with its matte aluminum finishing, clean dial, and compact 37mm case, is an exercise in simplicity. However, I must admit that this model will be a bit harder to pair with the right outfit, and almost impossible to dress up. Despite the added writing, it is probably more readable overall, though I’m not sure what to think about the slightly darker tone used on the outer ring.

Gear Patrol participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The SRPG certainly looks more expensive, primarily due to all of the applied bits, but I’m not sure it’s necessarily better looking than its predecessors.Everything from the increased reflectivity of the case and numbers to the domed crystal and blasted rear feels like it’s there to look more premium in online marketing imagery. The see-through case back that lets you see the internals of the watch as it tracks time is fun and an added bonus. The dial will catch light in interesting ways, the overall color of the dial will also shift based on the lighting conditions. You don’t need to head back too far in the Fratello files to find my review of the Timex MK1 Mechanical.

Since then, the Grand Seiko catalog continues to grow with new releases every season, yet the SBGA211 Snowflake model remains alluring to many Grand Seiko enthusiasts.

The SNK is a core part of Seiko's identity which should be embraced, and there's a place for it in the modern brand's lineup. In person, the Seiko SRPD19K1 is even more spectacular than anything you've seen online or heard about.

Under the hood, the 7S-series movements in the legacy models come up against their successor, the 4R36 in the new watch (SRPG33).While there isn't a single model that characterizes the group or their aesthetic, there is one that gets a lot of attention among collectors, and that is the Grand Seiko SBGA211, aka the Snowflake. Tanaka pioneered a completely new approach to watch design rooted in Japanese culture and philosophy. Seiko enters the ring once again with its “cheap as chips” SNK805 field watch that has some military vibes. They help the watch to be both easy to read at a distance, and also allow precise timekeeping if needed.