SBGA475 - Steel Snowflake in 39mm First Reaction

[lanteanflux]

A couple weeks ago I saw a listing for a steel 39mm snowflake and had to do a double take. A what? Where were the media releases for it? Is it even real?

I’ve always liked the snowflake but have been held back by the 41mm size and titanium. I don’t mind the power reserve or date now, with the Omiwatari dials making me realise it’s just too empty without them.
You can get a snowflake second hand for 4K USD these days so I’ve been pretty close to just buying one for that price, given it’s 80% there. Well I’m glad I waited... I’m sure they will do a production version at some point but the risk they didn’t was too much for me and after years of humming and hawing on the original I quickly pulled the trigger on this one.

First reaction is that the 39mm size is great, though the thickness issue remains and is perhaps even more obvious due to the smaller size. The steel makes the watch have more lustre and a cooler temperature and weight, which I really like. I’m not sure whether the blued rim is a net positive yet, but it matches the seconds hand and makes the whole watch look more luxurious as the combination of the steel and the blue rim make the watch glisten on every wrist roll. Perhaps for still photos the old snowflake is nicer, but in live motion this is better (like a Royal Oak wrist roll…). The bracelet looks better than the original for me, but it’s my first GS so I can’t compare more generally. The lack of taper is odd but overall it’s functional and the push button quick release is fine and the clasp snap is nice.

The fact the power reserve is not indented I think is a positive as the dial is smooth throughout but it does make it look rather flat versus the 3-dimensionality of the original one. The difference in the hour markers is a wash for me. I’m not sure if the date font is different. The lugs apparently are 19mm which is definitely a minus.

Overall happy to have a GS and a snowflake finally and ready now to find a strap!









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[abnerk]

Looks nice. Really wish GS made more in the 36-39 range with bracelets. What is your wrist size, may I ask?

[DJ2020]

Oh I like that one! Congratulations!

[RW16610]

Congrats on your new watch! Enjoy in good health.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by lanteanflux

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Very nice! Congrats! It looks as if the crystal creates a blue halo around the outside of the dial. Great effect.

[Ny325]

Really good looking GS.

[juve]

Congrats

[lanteanflux]

Originally Posted by swish77

Very nice! Congrats! It looks as if the crystal creates a blue halo around the outside of the dial. Great effect.

The blue halo is an explicit part of the design - with a couple weeks of wear I’ve now decided it’s a definite positive!


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[lanteanflux]

Originally Posted by abnerk

Looks nice. Really wish GS made more in the 36-39 range with bracelets. What is your wrist size, may I ask?

Not sure tbh… vaguely remember was 6.5 inch but not 100%.

Extra pic from weekend






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[bibbi]

Not to steal your thread with my photo, but I can confirm the watch is superb.

[Cru Jones]

Very nice, congrats!

I also waited for an SS Spring Drive model I liked. Definitely worth it to wait for 100%.

[lanteanflux]

Originally Posted by bibbi

Not to steal your thread with my photo, but I can confirm the watch is superb.

Not at all! Let’s get the other 48 owners in here! Congrats !


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[Moondoggy]

Beautiful watch. Congrats.

[Kinnakeet]

Nice congratulations. I really like the snowflake. I purchased one each for my daughter and me of the titanium model. And a 39mm white gold version of the snowflake later.

[kungpow]

I had no idea this model existed but I love it! I might have to hunt for one but with only 50 pieces it’s going to be tough to find.