A few days ago, Grand Seiko released four new watches, highlighted by a new “Omiwatari.” Officially dubbed the SBGY013 for those following along with Grand Seiko’s utilitarian naming schema, this new Omiwatari is a snow-white take on last year’s Omiwatari, the icy blue SBGY007.
As a quick reminder, the name “Omiwatari” is derived from Lake Suwa, in Central Japan, which freezes over if the winter cold is deep enough, and as it does, enormous ridges are formed, said to be the track left by the Shinto deity, Takeminakata-no-kami – “Omiwatari” literally translates to “the pathway of the gods.”
Besides the new, pure white dial, the new SBGY013 has another big addition: a nine-link bracelet, a first for the Omiwatari’s case. (Grand Seiko also makes clear that this bracelet will fit the SBGY007.) Other than these two changes, the new Omiwatari is a lot like the old Omiwatari: It’s powered by the same 9R31 Spring Drive movement, and the case is the same – stainless steel, measuring 38.5mm.