Hands-On With The Colorfully Elegant Grand Seiko SBGH349 “Icefall” In Titanium

Whenever I read the word “icefall,” my mind wanders to climbing Mount Everest. To reach the top of the world on the Nepal side of the mountain, you must pass the Khumbu Icefall early on to reach Camp 1. It’s a notoriously dangerous start to your journey to the summit. This is part of the greater fascination with the world of climbing that I have had for the last decade. Alas, despite the great connotation of the word, the Khumbu Icefall is not the inspiration for the stunning blue dial of the Grand Seiko SBGH349. But it also doesn’t hurt because it makes me even fonder of the stunningly executed dial. And if you think this dial looks familiar, you are not wrong. Let’s find out more!

This past September, Grand Seiko released the beautiful SBGH347. It was my pick in one of the installments of our Sunday Morning Showdown series. The watch battled against a Rolex Datejust and won by a very slim margin. But the fact that it won was rather surprising. For me, it was the clear winner, of course, but going up against a Rolex is always a challenge. Still, the Grand Seiko conquered that challenge gracefully and came out on top.

The bigger Grand Seiko SBGH349 versus the SBGH347

So, how does the new SBGH349 relate to the SBGH347 that came out in September? Besides the same beautiful dial, the two main differences are that the new SBGH349 is bigger and made from High-Intensity Titanium instead of the SBGH347’s Ever-Brilliant Steel. Therefore, while both watches belong to the brand’s Heritage collection and look alike, there are some fundamental differences.

But let’s start with their main thing in common — the beautiful dial! This light blue backdrop was inspired by the waterfalls around Mt. Iwate, which freeze due to the harsh winters in Iwate Prefecture, the home of Grand Seiko’s Studio Shizukuishi in northern Honshu, Japan’s main island. In particular, the craftspeople took inspiration from the daunting yet gorgeous frozen Nanataki Falls, which stand 30 meters tall.

The light blue color and irregular vertical pattern beautifully mimic the frozen waterfall’s massive icicles. It results in a standout dial that gives both watches their characteristic appearance.

The details of the Grand Seiko SBGH349

For the SBGH349, Grand Seiko houses the dial in a 40mm titanium case with a 13mm thickness and a 46.1mm lug-to-lug. This 100m-water-resistant case’s shape takes after the first Grand Seiko 9S model from 1998. It has angular broad-shouldered lugs with brushed tops and polished facets, and the case sides display a completely polished finish. Just looking at the case, you get a good idea of the impressive level of finishing that is characteristic of Grand Seiko but never ceases to impress.

The curved case profile is a joy to see. It also gives you a good indication of how comfortable the watch is. On the right side of the case, you will find the beautifully detailed crown slightly recessed into the case. As you can see, the case features drilled lug holes to make swapping the bracelet for a strap easier. I wouldn’t do that soon as I am a fan of bracelets, but I am sure the watch would also look spectacular on a gray nubuck or sand-colored suede strap.

Speaking of the bracelet, this one has the same five-row design as the bracelet on the SBGH347. The three rows in the middle include brushed center links with separate, narrow polished links flanking them. The outermost links are brushed and feature polished facets to add to the visual attraction. It’s impressive to see but also a bit too much for my taste if I’m honest. But I also understand that it adds to the watch’s stunning presence. The foldover clasp is the same as on many other Grand Seiko models. It is nice, slim, and executed well but lacks the micro-adjustability that many watch enthusiasts want for precise sizing.

The in-house automatic caliber 9S85

Inside the titanium case, you will find the familiar in-house 9S85 movement. The automatic Hi-Beat caliber operates at 36,000vph, offers 55 hours of power reserve, and has 37 jewels. The sapphire display on the case back allows you to admire the beautifully finished movement. But most of all, you will see the proof on the watch’s face, where the seconds hand smoothly glides above the dial. It’s a soothing sight to behold every time. The caliber offers an accuracy of +5 to -3 seconds per day. Overall, it is a joy to see the movement in action and a great reminder of the brilliance of the Grand Seiko 9S series.

Wearing the Grand Seiko SBGH349 “Icefall”

Upon putting the SBGH349 on my wrist, I immediately realized some things. First, the lightness of the titanium SBGH349 provides an inherently different wearing experience than the stainless steel SBGH347. To compare them, the titanium SBGH349 weighs 104 grams despite its bigger size, while the smaller SBGH347 weighs 142 grams. Some people like the heft of stainless steel, and I understand that. For a watch like this, I initially gravitated to steel as well, but that quickly changed.

Another thing that stands out is the hue of Grand Seiko’s High-Intensity Titanium compared to Ever-Brilliant Steel. The former is a little darker gray and has a hint of yellow, so this alloy feels and looks different. The next thing that immediately stands out is that the proportions on the larger SBGH349 are better. This watch’s 40mm diameter and 13mm thickness create a better visual balance than SBGH347’s 37mm diameter and 13.3mm thickness. This makes the latter somewhat top-heavy compared to the very easy-to-wear new SBGH349.

Zooming in on the details

Size-wise, I felt the 40mm SBGH349 was a more ideal fit for my 18.5cm wrist. Add the lightweight material and the better overall proportions, and the watch simply felt better on my wrist than its smaller counterpart. While that also wears well, the new watch left a better impression. However, as usual, this is a matter of personal preferences. If you have a smaller wrist and prefer the extra weight of stainless steel, the SBGH347 could be your preferred pick.

Ultimately, having both watches in the office simultaneously was a joy. It gave me a good opportunity to try both out for several days. What impressed me most were the beautiful dials that look vibrant and deep.

On top of that, any time spent with a Grand Seiko is an opportunity to witness the quality and detail the craftspeople put into creating them. This time, my experience put the SBGH349 right up there with my absolute favorite of the Heritage series, the SBGA413 “Shunbun” with its light pink dial and Spring Drive movement. Ultimately, that would still be my pick from the Heritage lineup, but Grand Seiko certainly doesn’t make choosing it any easier with the new SBGH349.

Final thoughts on the Grand Seiko SBGH349

This is another impressive addition to the Grand Seiko catalog. The brand’s Heritage line has become the beating heart of the collection, which is extensive and incredibly varied. With a retail price of €8,000, this new SBGH349 is slightly more expensive than its smaller steel counterpart, which is €7,400.

But that difference is reasonable considering the High-Intensity Titanium. What you get for the money is a beautiful watch that is the perfect daily wearer. The combination of the material, size, finishing, and wonderful dial make for a timepiece that is easy to wear, beautifully finished, and aesthetically magnetic.

As a result, I don’t doubt that the Grand Seiko SBGH349 “Icefall” will quickly find its enthusiasts. This model will be available through the brand’s boutiques and selected retailers starting in January 2025. What do you think of the new Grand Seiko SBGH349? Let me know in the comments below.