That moment you notice the first real snowfall of the year: No matter how old you are, you still look out the window in wonder at the driving snow. Even if we can explain it scientifically, there’s still something magical about snow, and especially snowflakes. Many a watch brand has also succumbed to the spell, seeking to capture the fascination of ice and snow. So sit back, relax by the fire, and let yourself be inspired by the myriad ways there are to make the frosty winter weather wearable for the wrist. Whether it’s sporty or elegant, for the slopes or après-ski, with these models you’re guaranteed to make a stylish turn.
Grand Seiko Heritage Collection Spring Drive Snowflake
The Grand Seiko Heritage Collection Spring Drive Snowflake has become a legend in the watch world, and it’s a prime example of Grand Seiko‘s ability to produce technically superior watches with incredible attention to detail. The timepiece is powered by a Spring Drive movement, which combines mechanical components and quartz technology, thereby doing away with the need for a battery. Spring Drive tech not only minimizes deviations, it also makes the second hand glide smoothly over the dial without the slightest jerk. Watch lover or not, it’s a beautiful sight to behold.
And yet, it’s the richness of the details and the namesake dial that make this watch stand out. The dial was inspired by the winter landscapes around Grand Seiko’s workshops: it’s a brilliant white, and you can almost imagine individual ice crystals. This particular effect is achieved by working with several thin layers, which creates the illusion of freshly fallen snow, i.e., the snowflake effect. The power reserve indicator at 8 o’clock is also white and slightly recessed, which makes it look as though the hand on the indicator is leaving tracks in the snow. You genuinely can’t make snow look any more realistic – or more beautiful!
Rolex Daytona Platinum Ice Blue Dial
Have you ever wondered what color ice actually is? Not a thin little icicle, but a huge mass of ice? Depending on the incidence of light, the color spectrum is quite varied. So how do you create a dial that captures the color of ice? The best way is to have a team of scientists work on it, which is exactly what Rolex has done. The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer turns to the latest findings in surface physics, chemistry, and space travel technology to develop new dial colors like Ice Blue, which is used for the Rolex Daytona Platinum Ice Blue Dial.
It’s evident with Ice Blue that Rolex has mastered the alchemy of color. Ice Blue looks almost blue, or light gray with a blue hue to it, depending on the light. The dial seems to shimmer mysteriously. Dials in this color are reserved for platinum watches like the Daytona and Day-Date. And although Ice Blue has changed over the years, every shade of it shows how fascinating and beautiful ice can be, and how it can captivate and hold our gaze.
Chopard Happy Snowflakes
Winter brings out the inner child in many of us. Suddenly, you’re getting into a snowball fight or building a snowman with friends. The lightheartedness feels liberating. So what could be more natural than finding a watch that conveys this feeling, a watch like the Chopard Happy Snowflakes? As with all Chopard’s Happy Sports models, diamonds dance across the dial – supplemented in this particular creation by an additional snowflake made of diamonds.
The Chopard Happy Snowflakes is the perfect combination of sportiness and playful elegance. Its stainless steel case makes the timepiece an ideal companion for an active lifestyle, and its diamonds make the watch suitable for formal occasions or Christmas dinner. Plus, the watch’s moving jewels provide the wearer with a few carefree moments during the day: After all, sometimes there’s nothing better than being a grown-up playing with diamonds.
Hublot Big Bang Snow Leopard
The animal kingdom, which abounds in fascinating evolutionary adaptations in the face of extreme weather conditions like ice and snow, would seem a natural source of inspiration for watch designers. And what animal could be a more perfect model than the majestic snow leopard? Enter Hublot, and their Limited Edition Big Bang Snow Leopard. Like the animal itself, this watch is a sight to behold. The snow leopard’s characteristic fur pattern not only features on the timepiece’s bracelet and dial, but also on the bezel’s diamond trim.
However, art does not always imitate life: Unlike the snow leopard, which can blend in with its environment, the Big Bang Snow Leopard draws attention to itself. The watch’s camouflage comes in the form of skeletonized hands, which seem to merge with the dial. It’s not exactly the best option in terms of legibility, but who’s really wearing this watch to tell the time? The Big Bang Snow Leopard is more a celebration of the Hublot spirit, where different materials and design elements are combined to create unique works of art – in this case, an homage to autonomy and elegance.
Norqain Adventure Neverest Glacier
When mountain lovers think of ice and snow, it’s usually glaciers that spring to mind. So it stands to reason that Norqain, a Swiss watch brand aimed at mountain and outdoor enthusiasts, would create a glacier-themed watch. And although the Norqain Adventure Neverest Glacier is actually a diving watch that’s water-resistant to 200 meters (20 bar, 656 ft) and replete with a diving ring, the design immediately betrays its appeal to climbers and mountaineers. The dial is textured and designed with a “glacier look” that features small cracks meant to remind us of the jagged crevasses of the Khumbu Icefall. This is considered the most dangerous stage of climbing Mount Everest via the South Col route, but at the same time, of course, it’s the dream of many a mountaineer. After all, glaciers are an indescribable experience, and the Khumbu is one of the most impressive glaciers in the world.
But the Norqain Adventure Neverest Glacier isn’t just for thrill-seekers. It’s a watch for anyone who loves nature and wants to do some good in the world. That’s because Norqain is a CO₂-neutral manufacturer. What outdoor enthusiast wouldn’t want to help protect the very same mountains that are a source of such adventure and freedom? Plus, 10% of the proceeds are donated to the Butterfly Help Project, which aids the families of Sherpas who have lost their lives in the Himalayas by giving their children access to education. Love of adventure and respect for humanity and nature go hand in hand at Norqain – and there’s no better way to express your passion for the mountains.
Norqain Adventure Neverest Glacier
Tissot Luxury Powermatic 80 Jungfraubahn Lady Automatic
Let’s stay on the subject of glaciers, but take a look at a women’s watch: the Tissot Luxury Powermatic 80 Jungfraubahn Lady Automatic. This limited edition timepiece is a tribute to perhaps the most famous glacier railroad in the world: the Jungfrau Railway in Switzerland. The train not only climbs over 1,400 meters (4,593 ft) in altitude, it also leads to the highest railroad station in Europe, the Jungfraujoch, and thus to the middle of the magical world atop the glacier. Since a partnership between the Jungfrau region and Tissot has existed for over a century, it was only natural that the luxury watch manufacturer would use the railway for inspiration.
The glacier theme is found on the dial: The design of the inner circle is reminiscent of ice, and thus of the “Eismeer” (“Ice Sea”) station of the Jungfrau Railway, from which one has an incomparable view of the glacier. The Powermatic 80 caliber boasts an incredible 80 hours of power reserve and can be viewed through the watch’s display case back. The Jungfrau motif can be seen here, too. Whether as a souvenir of a visit to the Jungfraujoch, as a reward for climbing your first 3,000-meter peak, or simply for the love of the mountains, this watch is a great option that’s perfect for everyday wear.
