Introducing the Grand Seiko 'Sōkō Frost' Heritage Collection SBGH295G – Now Available at James Porter & Son

Few watchmakers can compete with Grand Seiko's ability to express the beauty of the natural world, and this SBHG295G is a frosty fresh take by Japanese artisans. Fans of the brand may recognise this reference as it has been a US-exclusive reference; however, today, this edition from the Heritage Collection becomes available at James Porter & Son.

That means, outside of the US, the only destination in the UK and Europe where you can see, wear, and acquire this watch is at James Porter & Son. 

The Watch

Said to recall the end of Autumn when the first frost embraces the forest, the Sōkō Frost and its dial texture are a little more reserved than other examples from the brand. At least in build, compared to pieces such as the Shunbun, the unique pattern is more concentrated; fellow watch aficionados, you'll get 'linen dial' vibes from its textured surface.

The colour of this dial is also on the subtle side, as its icy blue rendering is at the mercy of light conditions, shifting from silver to a light baby blue. Complementing that expressive dial is a striking instance of blue, with the second hand being fully thermally blued. In fact, all dial furniture and hands can be classed as striking, as the deadly sharp, multi-finished dauphine hands and multi-faceted baton markers have been painstakingly brushed and polished by the world-class craftsman of Grand Seiko. This world-class level of finishing also continues throughout the case and exterior of the piece, with a perfect fusion of brushed and polished elements.

The top of the case, stretching to the tips of the lugs, is polished, while the body carries a vertically brushed grain. The contrast is lovely, dramatically influencing the wearing experience. Better yet, with the bezel-free construction and wide dial opening, the case itself is instantly recognisable as the defining cues of the 62GS case, a re-imagined execution of a case form first seen in 1967. 

Powering the SBGH295G is the 9S85 automatic calibre, and its top-level stats are impressive: 55 hours of autonomy, vibrating at 36,000 vph (10 beats per second), with 37 jewels, and an accuracy rating of +5 to -3 seconds per day. At 40mm wide, with a thickness of 13mm, a display caseback, a magnetic resistance of 4,800 A/m and 10 bars of water resistance, this SBGH295G is a true instance of having your cake and eating it.

First Thoughts

Grand Seiko is so proficient at producing watches at this level for competitive prices that it's easy to catch myself becoming a little jaded and blase about them. But I'm comfortable admitting when wake-up calls are necessary, and this SBGH295G sure is a sweet one. The rumours, chatter online, and clichés about Grand Seiko are true, their attention to detail truly punches above its weight. They're quite an outlier in their field for taking each element that makes up a watch independently and giving all the attention they deserve.

The cases are recognisable and from classic models, the dials are connected to evocative narratives backed by executions that live up to the hype, and the hands and furniture are flawlessly finished. And then there is the mechanical performance. Class-leading at its price point and arguably more prominent and noteworthy than their dials and finishing people think of Grand Seiko for.

This launch signifies the first time the SBGH295 is available outside of the US, with Grand Seiko selecting James Porter & Son as the first and only destination to acquire this special reference.

James Porter & Son Exclusive Launch Event: Thursday, 29 February 2024.

To celebrate this exciting announcement, James Porter & Son will host an event (next week if you're reading this at the time of publication) where attendees can experience the SBGH295G first-hand with like-minded watch aficionados.

To register your interest email: [email protected].

The Grand Seiko 'Sōkō Frost' SBGH295G will be available to buy online and in-store from Friday, 1 March 2024. Shop here.