A Review of the Grand Seiko SBGY007 “Omiwatari” Watch

The Grand Seiko SBGY007 “Omiwatari” watch has been around for a few years, since 2021, to be more exact. But if it just so happens to have slipped past you while scouring the market for an elegant dress watch or a Grand Seiko timepiece, then now is your opportunity to explore it in more detail.

Grand Seiko is a brand synonymous with exquisite dial textures. Some are achieved via cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art machinery, while others are the handiwork of highly skilled Japanese artisans. The world-renowned watchmaker has an aptitude for capturing the unique interplay between darkness and light that we seldom get to enjoy in other watches within the same price bracket.

Sure, these timepieces are not the most affordable on the market. But they sit under a relatively accessible umbrella for most serious watch aficionados. They are, after all, a level up from Seiko, both companies of which are owned by Seiko Watch Corporation. Those who share an enthusiasm for this brand, however, will agree that Grand Seiko watches sit in a caliber of their own. They are, in more than one sense, “next level”. 

Many of Grand Seiko’s timepieces are inspired by Shinshu’s ephemeral beauty and its majestic snow-dusted Hataka mountains, which reach high into skies of the bluest blue, like the Grand Seiko SBGY007 “Omiwatari.” The picturesque landscape serves as a backdrop to Grand Seiko’s design studios, especially in the winter—a season with a beauty of its own.

For example, if you’ve ever perused Grand Seiko’s Four Seasons collection, you’ll have gained some perspective on the brand’s range of dial effects. Some are engraved to resemble the three-dimensional profile of a flower petal. Others feature subtle indentations that mimic the look of moving foliage in the breeze. Faint ripples and delicate wave effects are other popular techniques that beautifully capture the natural elements of Japan’s changing seasons.

Recently, Grand Seiko unveiled a new dial technique named Optical Multilayer Coating. This dial-coloring method achieves a captivating display via physical vapor deposition (PVD). Here, nanoscale films are applied to the dial, layer by layer, enabling light to shift across their surfaces, creating different nuances depending on the angle they are viewed. 

The Grand Seiko SBGY007 is also part of the Four Seasons series. Nicknamed “Omiwatari,” its unique surface effect recalls the frozen waters of Lake Suwa, a place rich in Japanese folklore and held in high regard by religious traditions.

History and Inspiration

At Lake Suwa, cackling ice forms a phenomenon across the surface of the famous waters, where legend has it that gods walked upon. Locals believe that once a year, a god descends to travel across this mysterious pathway to the other side of the lake. The guardian of Suwa, named Takeminakata-no-kami, is believed to have left his sanctuary to meet his wife on the opposite bank, where the god becomes reunited with his love once more. 

Those ever lucky enough to witness the natural wonder occurring across the waters of this picturesque location in Japan will agree that it conjures images of a whimsical fantasia. The hot springs below the lake’s frozen surface create pressure ridges and ice patterns that are quite the spectacle for anyone unfamiliar with the sight.

The Case

The stainless steel case of the Grand Seiko SBGY007 “Omiwatari” watch is beautifully hand-finished. In part, the opulent execution of its graceful architecture lends itself to the brand’s “Zaratsu” polishing technique. The company has been employing this case finish for several years, along with the hairline finish technique. The two are a natural match, complimenting one another effortlessly. Rarely is one seen without the other.

The case measures 38.5mm in diameter and sits at a height of 10.2mm on the wrist. Lug-to-lug, the watch measures 43.7mm and offers a water resistance of 30 meters, a standard for most dress watches. One particularly tasteful touch is its rich satin-brushed case sides. 

A hairline polished bevel also features on the outer edge of the shoulders, complete with a polished bezel that frames the dial perfectly. The watch is topped with a strong sapphire crystal glass front, with anti-glare and scratch-resistant properties. It’s the same glass that is used on the back of the watch, providing a glimpse of the movement as it performs.

The Dial

It comes as no surprise that the main talking point of this Grand Seiko watch is its mesmerizing dial. If there is one model with a dial that we can draw some similarities between, it would be the “Snowflake” SBGA211. That watch came equipped with a date window and power reserve indicator but left enthusiasts wondering what the watch would be like in a more simplistic, pared-back form. 

The answer to that came in the form of the Ref. SBGY007 to an extent. Its dial is absent of any complications, donating more space to the three-hand layout and, of course, enabling the wearer to appreciate that meticulous surface finish. Technically, however, the dials are different. 

The fact that the dial of the “Omiwatari” is void of a date aperture surely divides opinions. Some love the feature, and some feel it serves little purpose in a world where date-tracking technology is within arm’s reach. For me, the decision to remove the date was a well-thought-out one. It looks and feels like a purist timepiece, especially with its supermodel thinness and gracefully gliding seconds hand. 

The collectible does a fine job of bridging the gap between modern and classic. The slim baton hour markers, for example, are elegant and conventional. At the same time, the smoothness of the sweeping hand is the result of a complex high-performance mechanical innovation – the Spring Drive movement (more on that later).

The dial is a pale blue color and the hands are razor-sharp and exquisitely polished. Suffice it to say Grand Seiko cuts no corners in the execution of this dial. The needle-fine points of the hands are beautifully faceted, meaning that only the smallest amount of light can create a huge visual impact (no need for luminous coatings here!). 

The watch is available in a white dial version, too. The reference SBGY013  captures mid-winter tones via the same ripple-effect display, handcrafted by Takumi artisans working at Grand Seiko’s ateliers. For me, however, the ice blue shades of the SBGY007 have the edge over the white. 

The Movement 

The Seiko SBGY007 is powered by the Calibre 9R31 – a unique timekeeping technology named the Spring Drive, which took a total of 28 years to master, not to mention 600 prototypes. To simplify things, this innovation blends an automatic movement with an electric Tri-Synchro Regulator, which replaces the escapement found in a mechanical movement. 

What makes the movement so special is its 300 hand-assembled components and the level of precision required in hand-adjusting these components, which all fall within one-hundredth of a millimeter deviation from the original design.

This mechanical beating heart is meticulously engineered, intricately hand assembled, and offers a power reserve of 72 hours. Any timepiece with an ample power supply like this is considered a “weekend-friendly” watch. You could take it off the wrist on a Friday evening after work and come back to it on a Monday morning to find it has kept the perfect time for you. 

In the design of the Spring Drive movement, the Tri-Synchro Regulator controls the speed at which the mainspring unwinds. Thanks to its quartz aspect, the Spring Drive propels the second hand around the dial in a smooth, effortless, gliding motion, as opposed to operating with a “ticking” motion. Understandably, this further adds to the allure of the watch. Additionally, it promises an accuracy of +/-1 seconds per day.

The Strap Options

The only downside to the Seiko SBGY007 “Omiwatari” watch is the lack of strap options available for its 19mm lug width. The most common lug width for a watch is 20mm, making the 19mm options a little harder to come by. That said, I have seen this timepiece paired with a beautiful grey saffiano and grey Epsom strap, as well as a brown leather band and a grey ostrich strap. All look equally as fetching but achieve a somewhat more casual finish on the wrist.

Still, the classic black leather band it comes fitted on certainly manages to achieve a dressy, timeless aesthetic. The color and alligator effect complement any wardrobe. The black embossed alligator leather band secures to the wrist with a classic stainless steel three-fold clasp with a push-button release mechanism and the engraved Seiko name. 

On the Wrist

As aforementioned, the Grand Seiko SBGY007 measures a comfortable diameter and height, constituting a great option for slender wrists. Its unimposing depth enables it to slide effortlessly under the cuff of a work shirt, pairing well with formal or sophisticated attire. 

The model’s smooth hand-applied case polishing and the ergonomic flow of its slender profile are all great dress watch elements. I can imagine that, despite its compact nature, it still delivers all the desirable wrist presence you’d expect of any Grand Seiko watch. You can enjoy this watch every day of the week or reserve it for dressier occasions at the weekend. Either way, the “Omiwatari” is a companion that is easy-going, flexible, and versatile. 

Anyone who has spent some time with a Grand Seiko watch will understand what I mean when I say that the full extent of this watch’s tactile, visceral, and palpable beauty is something that you can only fully appreciate upon handling it. When you observe the way that light hits the surface of the case’s contours and how the dial catches pockets of light depending on the angle you tilt it, you can value its beauty from a holistic point of view. 

Price and Availability 

This is not a limited edition Grand Seiko watch, but it certainly feels like a “rare gem”. For $8,300, you get a high-end case finish, an in-house movement, and an artisan dial inspired by the Japanese brand’s esteemed heritage. For me, the watch is very fairly priced and carries a reputable name that people instantly recognize for its quality, craftsmanship, and authenticity. 

Wrapping Up

The Grand Seiko SBGY007 “Omiwatari” is a divine union of nature and mythology. But if none of those things resonate with you, it’s still a beautiful, classic dress watch that is abundant in exquisite dial and case finishes.

Like so many of Grand Seiko’s premium watch designs, the “Omiwatari” leverages environmental muses in an unusual way. These timepieces look like no other design on the market, and because of their price point, they offer exceptional value for money.