Every time I read the word “icefall,” my mind goes back to climbing Mount Everest. To reach the top of the world on the Nepali side of the mountain, you need to pass through the Khumbu Icefall early on to reach Camp 1. The beginning of the journey to the top is notoriously dangerous. This is part of a huge fascination with the world of climbing that I’ve had for the last 10 years. Unfortunately, despite the great meaning of the word, the Khumbu icefall is not the inspiration for the stunning blue dial of the Grand Seiko SBGH349. But that’s not a bad thing, as it also makes you love the nicely finished dial even more. If you think this dial looks familiar, you’re not wrong. Let’s take a closer look!
In September of this year, Grand Seiko released the beautiful SBGH347. This is one of my picks for the Sunday Morning Showdown series. This watch competed against the Rolex Datejust and won by a narrow margin. However, the fact that we won was quite surprising. Of course, Rolex was the clear winner for me, but going up against Rolex is always a challenge. However, Grand Seiko brilliantly overcame these challenges and came out on top.
Bigger Grand Seiko SBGH349 and SBGH347
So what does the new SBGH349 have to do with the SBGH347 that was released in September? Besides the same beautiful dial, the main differences between the two are that the new SBGH349 is larger and the SBGH347’s Ever-Brilliant Steel Instead, it is made of high-strength titanium. Both watches therefore belong to the brand’s Heritage collection, and although they look similar, there are some fundamental differences.
But let’s start with the main commonality: the beautiful dials. This light blue background was inspired by the waterfalls around Mt. Iwate, which freeze during the harsh winters of Iwate Prefecture, home of Grand Seiko Workshop Shizukuishi in northern Honshu. In particular, the craftsmen were inspired by the imposing and spectacular Seven Frozen Waterfalls, which are 30 meters high.
The light blue color and irregular vertical patterns beautifully imitate the giant icicles of a frozen waterfall. This results in a distinctive dial that gives both watches a distinctive look.
Grand Seiko SBGH349 details
For the SBGH349, Grand Seiko has housed the dial in a 40mm titanium case with a thickness of 13mm and a lug-to-lug length of 46.1mm. The shape of this 100 meter waterproof case follows the original Grand Seiko 9S model released in 1998. It features angular, broad-shouldered lugs, a brushed top and polished facets, with fully polished case sides. Just by looking at the case, you can clearly see the high level of perfection typical of Grand Seiko that will leave you with a lasting impression.
The curved case profile is fun to look at. It’s also a good indicator of how comfortable the watch is. On the right side of the case, you can see the beautifully detailed crown that is slightly recessed into the case. As you can see, the case has pre-drilled lug holes to facilitate bracelet and strap replacement. I’m a fan of bracelets, so I don’t plan on doing so anytime soon, but I’m sure this watch would also look great on a gray nubuck or sand-colored suede strap.
As for the bracelet, this one has the same 5-row design as the SBGH347 bracelet. The three central rows include a brushed center link and separate narrow polished links on either side. The outermost links are brushed and feature sophisticated facets for added visual appeal. It’s impressive to look at, but to be honest, it’s a little too much for my taste. But we also understand that it adds to the watch’s incredible presence. The foldover clasp is the same as on many other Grand Seiko models. It’s nice, slim, and well-made, but it lacks the fine-tuning features that many watch enthusiasts seek for exact sizing.
In-house automatic caliber 9S85
Inside the titanium case is the familiar in-house movement 9S85. The self-winding Hi-Beat caliber operates at 36,000 revolutions per hour, offers a 55-hour power reserve, and features 37 jewels. The beautifully finished movement can be admired through the sapphire display on the caseback. But most of all, you’ll see the evidence on the dial of the watch, where the seconds hand glides smoothly across the dial. It’s a soothing sight no matter when you see it. This caliber offers an accuracy of +5 to -3 seconds per day. Overall, it’s a pleasure to see the movement in action and reminds us of the brilliance of the Grand Seiko 9S series.
Wearing Grand Seiko SBGH349 “Icefall”
As soon as I put the SBGH349 on my wrist, I noticed a few things. First, the lighter weight of the titanium SBGH349 provides an inherently different wearing experience than the stainless steel SBGH347. By comparison, the titanium SBGH349 weighs 104 grams despite its larger size, while the smaller SBGH347 weighs 142 grams. Some people like the solid feel of stainless steel, and that’s understandable. When it came to watches like this, I was initially drawn to steel, but that quickly changed.
Another thing that stands out is the color of Grand Seiko’s high-strength titanium compared to Ever Brilliant Steel. The former is a slightly darker gray color with a slight yellow tinge. As a result, this alloy feels and looks different. The second thing that immediately stands out is the superior proportions of the larger SBGH349. The 40mm diameter and 13mm thickness of this watch creates a better visual balance than the 37mm diameter and 13.3mm thickness of the SBGH347. This makes the latter a bit top-heavy compared to the new SBGH349, which is very easy to wear.
Zoom in on details
In terms of size, I felt that the 40mm SBGH349 would ideally fit my 18.5cm wrist. Combined with lighter materials and improved overall proportions, this watch sits more snugly on the wrist than smaller watches. It is also comfortable to use, but the new watch left a better impression. However, as always, this is a matter of personal preference. If you have a smaller wrist and prefer the added weight of stainless steel, the SBGH347 is for you.
In the end, I was very happy to have both watches in my office at the same time. This was a great opportunity to try both out for a few days. What impressed me most was the beautiful dial, which was bright and deep.
What’s more, spending time with Grand Seiko is an opportunity to witness first-hand the craftsmen’s attention to quality and detail. This time, in my experience, the SBGH349 was comparable to my absolute favorite of the Heritage series, the SBGA413 “Shunbun” with its light pink dial and Spring Drive movement. At the end of the day, this is the one to choose from the Heritage lineup, and Grand Seiko doesn’t make it any easier with the new SBGH349.
Final thoughts on Grand Seiko SBGH349
This is another impressive addition to Grand Seiko’s catalog. The brand’s Heritage line is at the heart of an extensive and incredibly diverse collection. The new SBGH349 retails for €8,000, slightly more expensive than its smaller steel counterpart (€7,400).
However, considering the high strength titanium, the difference is reasonable. What you get for your money is a beautiful watch that’s perfect for everyday wear. The combination of materials, sizes, finishes and stunning dials creates a watch that is easy to wear, beautifully finished and visually appealing.
As a result, there is no doubt that the Grand Seiko SBGH349 “Icefall” will quickly find enthusiasts. The model will be available in the brand’s boutiques and select retailers from January 2025. What do you think about the new Grand Seiko SBGH349? Let us know in the comments section below.
