What is a snowflake?

[Paul Stomach]

I've seen a number of references to snowflakes.

I had thought that these meant a slightly textured finish to a white/pale dial, but I'm not sure if I'm right as I saw some entire watches called snowflakes.

What is it?

Sorry if it's blindingly obvious, I'm new to all this.

[senraw]

It's a style of hand, most commonly found on the Tudor Submariner 94110 and Pelagos.

[gamingdave]

I think most frequently it refers to a Tudor Submariner with a particular handset. Here is a pic of mine.



Normally Rolex and Tudor (Rolex's sister brand) Submariners have the Mercedes hour hand, but these ones differ.

There is also a high end Seiko referred to as a Snowflake because of its dial (pic stolen from web)

[Paul Stomach]

Ah, thanks.

[Huertecilla]

There is also a high end Seiko referred to as a Snowflake because of its dial (pic stolen from web)

There is a high end Seiko tradition with ´snowflake´ dials. It is not just the one model or just GS.

Here a VFA quartz which was at the time more expensive than any GS;

[P9CLY]

It's a style of hand, most commonly found on the Tudor Submariner 94110 and Pelagos.

And yet nothing like a snowflake imo.

[Huertecilla]

And yet nothing like a snowflake imo.

Yes that is a bit flakey, yet the model is known and refered to like that so...

[senraw]

And yet nothing like a snowflake imo.

You can't say that.. All Snowflakes are different.. So one could in fact, resemble these hands. ;)

[mwurliinkomeg]

Although all snowflakes are different, I think every one has six points. Maybe wrong.

Trevor

[sweets]

Whilst in common parlance, the Seiko version is a total misnomer.

It should be a Seiko Zastrugi, or possibly neve, as it resembles a windblown snow surface, and not a snowflake at all.

An yes, the Tudor version is also a little dubious, as there is no hexagonality to the hands at all.

So all a bit of a cock-up really.

Dave

[Huertecilla]

Whilst in common parlance, the Seiko version is a total misnomer.

It should be a Seiko Zastrugi, or possibly neve, as it resembles a windblown snow surface, and not a snowflake at all.

An yes, the Tudor version is also a little dubious, as there is no hexagonality to the hands at all.

So all a bit of a cock-up really.

Dave

You are without a doubt correct save for the cock-up bit.

As long as it serves to identify the right thing, it serves the purpose.
When you write that you have bought a Seiko with ´snowflake´ dial, most will get that it has a high quality, textured, white dial. Ditto Tudor ´snowflake´ will conjure up a mental picture of the correct dial/hands.
Thus not really cock-up.

[Jocke]

Maybe this is clear enough?

[Dapper]

And yet nothing like a snowflake imo.

I agree.

But 'snowflake' sounds nicer than 'blocky'

[Glen Goyne]

If i remember correctly, the French navy ordered hands from Tudor that would be easy to read in murky water and prevent you from mistaking the hour hand for minute hand.

[P9CLY]

Although all snowflakes are different, I think every one has six points. Maybe wrong.

Trevor

I thinks this too,so I'm going to re-name it.

"The French Tudor".

[Huertecilla]

There is btw an hilarious anekdote about the Seiko snowflake.

The japanese (chinese) generally pronounce our ´l´ as an ´r´, which makes snowflake ´snowfrake´.

For a Grand Seiko roadshow in New York Seiko had a card made to visually display how the snowflake dial is made.

This was appearantly communicated verbally---

[demer03]

Have plenty....please feel free to take some....

[Huertecilla]

Have plenty....please feel free to take some....

Oops.

We had lunch on a terrace in the sun in t-shirt. Well over 20 centigrade in the shade.

[TakesALickin]

There is btw an hilarious anekdote about the Seiko snowflake.

The japanese (chinese) generally pronounce our ´l´ as an ´r´, which makes snowflake ´snowfrake´.

For a Grand Seiko roadshow in New York Seiko had a card made to visually display how the snowflake dial is made.

This was appearantly communicated verbally---

Weird. They got "crear", "rapping", "apprying", "porishing", "plinting", "prating", and "Gland" all correct, but messed up "flake".

[snowman]

Similar story about how the Colt Starion (a forgotten Japanese coupe from the 80s :D) got its name.

"Something like Mustang? Starion maybe?" :)

M.

[Huertecilla]

Weird. They got "crear", "rapping", "apprying", "porishing", "plinting", "prating", and "Gland" all correct, but messed up "flake".

All the more hilarious imo as THAT is the crux of the plate.

[rob-vicar]

If i remember correctly, the French navy ordered hands from Tudor that would be easy to read in murky water and prevent you from mistaking the hour hand for minute hand.

Because the french navy were so dumb and/or unobservant to realise the hour hand is shorter and fatter anyway?

[Huertecilla]

Because it is a dive watch and the french understood more about that than anyone else.

[rob-vicar]

Because it is a dive watch and the french understood more about that than anyone else.

evidence being?

[Huertecilla]

evidence being?

For one; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z66SKl_oASs

Also; ever heard of COMEX?

COMEX (or Compagnie Maritime d'Expertises) the FRENCH company specializing in engineering and deep diving operations, created in November 1961 and run ever since then by Henri Germain Delauze.

http://www.comex.fr/

[seadog1408]

Unfotunately mr delauze is no longer with us, he died in 2012

If you want to look into the French navy divers history, you could do worse than reading about the GRS and later the GERS.


cheers

Mike

[Huertecilla]

Unfotunately mr delauze is no longer with us, he died in 2012

If you want to look into the French navy divers history, you could do worse than reading about the GRS and later the GERS.


cheers

Mike

Thanks for the sad update.

Also for the additional info sources.

[mrwozza70]

ALL snowflakes are unique and beautiful... but especially vintage Tudor ones;-)

[craniotes]

Yup, quite the cock up.

Regards,
Adam

[seadog1408]

Yep, I like them too!!


Mike

[Mr A]

A young pup and his older brother