Sporty Chic Grand Seiko Omiwatari SBGY013 Spring Drive

The fan-favorite replica Grand Seiko watch adds elegance with its icy white dial and cool steel bracelet.

The recently launched Grand Seiko “Omiwatari” SBGY013 Spring Drive, with its new dial color and nine-link steel bracelet, is sure to establish this “Path of the Gods”-inspired version as a fan-favorite lead . Until recently, the Grand Seiko Heritage Collection model SBGA211 (aka "Snowflake") was the go-to watch for fans of the brand's watches. The "Omiwatari" SBGY007 released in 2021 stole hearts, and this new SBGY013 is a great addition to the collection for a number of reasons.

It's no surprise that brands like Grand Seiko are looking to convey the rich and exciting heritage and history of Japan. Now, first, the topic of godliness requires some explanation. Not many people will know Takeminakata-no-kami, the Shinto deity of ancient Suwa Taisha Shrine. In winter, when the ice of Lake Suwa is thick enough, he leaves his residence and crosses the lake to visit the goddess Yasaka Shino. She lives in the lower shrine of Suwa Taisha on the other side of the lake. The path that Takeminakata-no-kami leaves is Omiwatari. This Omi crossing is a natural phenomenon - the water of Lake Suwa freezes and a long ridge appears in the ice from one side of the lake to the other. The color, feel and texture of the snow-covered ice of Lake Suwa was the inspiration for the exclusive dial decoration we see in this Grand Seiko cheap watches for sale.

Still, not knowing the story doesn't make this Omiwatari watch any less appealing. The SBGY013 features a stainless steel round 38.5mm case with a lug width of 43.7mm and a smooth thickness of 10.2mm. All surfaces of the Omiwatari are mirror polished; the bezel, lugs and caseback ring that holds the sapphire glass. The lugs curve around the wrist for a comfortable fit; we've come to expect the same from any watch in the Elegance collection. The case is rated "splash-resistant," but it's hard to imagine anyone taking this elegant Grand Seiko to a water park or similar adventure.

The dial grabs all the attention and makes this watch a joy to own. It's clean, understated, and -- thank you, Takeminakata-no-kami, the power reserve indicator has been moved to the back of the movement, as if to make way for the gods if they wanted to go across the dial. The first Omiwatari reference has A subtle yet refined ice blue dial with a ripple-like texture. This pattern is made by hammering the mold with several types of hammers.replica Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

The SBGY013 Grand Seiko Omiwatari offers the same pattern, but in white, "reminiscent of the snow-covered Lake Suwa". The dial is slightly arched downwards, and the curved hour markers are cut with diamonds to shine. The hour and minute hands, as well as the hot blue seconds hand, are also curved. Thanks to the Grand Seiko Spring Drive 9R31 hand-wound movement, which is also featured in the Asaborake SBGY011, the latter moves around the dial with mesmerizingly fluid movements without the slightest tremor.

Only eight watches in the Grand Seiko catalog feature this caliber 9R31, accurate to +/- 1 second per day thanks to a double barrel (two mainsprings set in parallel), and capable of delivering a 72-hour power reserve. This unprecedented performance is the result of an innovative application of mechanics and electronics, in which the mainspring drives the gears. A rotor connected to these gears creates an electrical charge sufficient to power a circuit and a quartz oscillator. This is a uniquely Japanese technology, and the Swiss are looking in a similar direction, but nothing has come to light. If you think of the Accutron, it has some common concepts, but as the name suggests, the Spring Drive is all about the spring, and the electrostatic generator is used in the Accutron movement.JACOB & CO ASTRONOMIA TOURBILLON

As mentioned earlier, the Grand Seiko Omiwatari SBGY013 does not only feature a new dial colour. It also comes with a stainless steel bracelet. The nine links are alternately polished and brushed for contrast. Fold over clasp with release button and engraved GS. If you're interested, this bracelet is said to be available for both the SBGY007 and SBGY003 models.

Despite the obvious similarities, these two Omiwatari reference replica watches for sale are very different, and look beautifully elegant Grand Seikos. I don't understand why ice blue doesn't offer a bracelet option out of the box, or better yet, the strap and bracelet are easily interchangeable, but they know better in Japan. If I had to choose between the two, I'd go with the SBGY007, ice blue with strap.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – GRAND SEIKO OMIWATARI SBGY013 SPRING DRIVE

Case: Diameter 38mm x Height 10.2mm - stainless steel case, polished - polished bezel - domed sapphire crystal - sapphire crystal case back - 30m water resistance

Dial: Domed and textured ice-white dial inspired by the snow-covered frozen surface of Lake Suwa - Faceted hands and appliques - Blue central seconds hand - Applied GS logo - Printed black minute track

Movement: Hand-wound Spring Drive caliber 9R31, manufactured by Shinshu Watch Studio, with twin barrels and 72-hour power reserve.

Strap: Stainless steel nine-link bracelet - folding clasp

Reference: SBGY013