I felt the reference was toward Japanese cars. Having owned Subarus for sometime time I've often felt the same toward some of their interior design cues. They seam to always have one or two "funky" things going on. They generally disappear quickly. Anyhow, just my two cents.

have fun
kfw

 

The only think GS needs to do is start making divers, gmt divers and chronos that does not have the wrist present of a rhinosreros. Just think if that godzilla was in 39 not 45mm or their 44.5 mm sportwatches came in 40.
Just my opinion. I would be the first in line for a cool medium sizes GS "gmt master".

 

They actually did.

 

Yes, exactly. I know Grand Seiko
Doesn’t make cars. That’s why I posed my question. It was reminiscent of what Hodinkee’s COO Eneuri Acosta said in his letter to the “Hodinkee community” about the travel clock, when he mentioned Asian manufacturing in a dismissive way, as if there was something wrong with that, and as if Asian manufacturing was just all crappy mass production, as if there are no artisans or people dedicated to high end craftmanship in all of Asia. I didn’t know handmade high quality goods were only made in Switzerland and Europe. Racist? Maybe...or maybe not. But at least dismissive and ignorant, I would say, in his effort to somehow justify the cost of that monstrosity.

@dsio is writing about his issues with Grand Seiko, which is fine, and then says “their cars...” I read his comment exactly the way I read Eneuri’s comment, which is why I posed the question. In fact @dsio goes further to say how Europeans are so much more harmonious in their design, implying Europeans in general know how to create beauty, and Asians are...just focused on shallow “coolness?”

So yes, I know Grand Seiko doesn’t make cars, but thanks for clarifying.

 

When one looks at the classic elegance of the early GS, one can argue that the old ones are better.

 

Mmm I get you.

But on the other hand, there are other models that veer away from this mess/myraid of functions isnt it?

The SBGW231 is one of them.

 

One of the things that drives me insane about Grand Seiko is the proliferation of fonts, and the use of ye olde world font for the main brand in what seems to me to be marketed as a cutting edge technology brand (at least so far as mostly mechanical wristwatches can be designed as cutting edge).

 

I have the black dial version of this watch (had it for 10 years now) and I consider it to be one of the best looking watches in my collection (which includes Patek, Rolex, and Omega, if you are wondering.) I could also point you to A Blog to Watch http://www.ablogtowatch.com/grand-seiko-spring-drive-chronograph-sbgc001-watch-review/ for a point of view similar to mine, and very well explained. Seems these things are subjective.

 

What makes you think that? I recently sold some watches including a GS automatic and a spring drive. The watches were 10 years and 13 years old respectively, and I got about 65% of my original purchase price in each case. I agree that Rolex, PP and a few others at the high end, are generally best for value retention or growth.

 

Yes there are service facilities in the US and Europe now for spring drive watches, although the more complex watches like chronographs, still go to Japan. I had a spring drive that I decided to send to Seiko Canada for service as I had owned it for 13 years and thought it was about time (sorry). It was still working as well as new (+8 sec/mth). Seiko Canada sent it to Japan and then sent it back directly to my house when it was finished (total about 10 weeks). When I got it back it was within 1 sec/mth, - hard to tell exactly as I have no timegrapher. I don't know of anyone who would send a spring drive off for service every three years, whatever Seiko recommends. Very robust and trouble free watches in my admittedly limited experience.

 

Personally, i think the vintage GS has a great patek vibe.

 

But I am still a fan of GS!

 

i have been through many GS. . .none of them stuck. always a bit unbalanced. . don't love the cases. . .not that comfortable on the wrist.

i have to say however this one is definitely never for sale. . incredible watch. cannot recommend it highly enough

SBGA 415. one of the most comfortable, most mesmerizing watches i have ever owned

 

Oldies have a strong game.

 

Congratulations! Very nice piece.
The power reserve meter doesn’t detract too much.
The dial and case design are stunning.

 

Thx!
Have worn nothing else since buying it
I wish it was an LE

I am not a power reserve guy but in this case it doesn't detract at all...

 

I see Grand Seiko on par with Rolex. They are actually more accurate, and they have a very rich history.