Is Grand Seiko getting better?

kboyle · Sep 30, 2020

Never owned one but I've been eyeing one for a while

Stewart A · Sep 30, 2020

Hi All,
I am not in a position to know how the movements rate relative to Rolex, Omega, etc; however, I do know what I like, what moves me and makes me want to wear a watch. I can honestly say that my GS Autumn SBGH269 is one of the mesmerizing, beautiful dials I have ever seen. The variation in the red color is phenomenal - apologies for this picture, as it really doesn't capture the dial quality as seen in the flesh. As well, the faceting and polishing are first class and brilliant.

Thanks and be safe.

riimar · Oct 2, 2020

Never owned a GS, but the SBGA407 is my favourite
Need more wristshots of this work of art!
🥰

Bauhaus · Oct 2, 2020

riimar
Never owned a GS, but the SBGA407 is my favourite
Need more wristshots of this work of art!
🥰

if you have Instagram, you can check “watchwalker”
He posts some nice wristshots of the Skyflake

guaranteed.rohu · Oct 18, 2020

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/does-spring-drive-have-an-escapement

Good brief article from hodinkee/jack!

steelfish · Oct 18, 2020

I’ve been looking at GS more and more recently. Almost went with an SBGH281 that I was offered in a trade but the only thing that dissuaded me was the fact that here in the UK the servicing possibilities are less than endless (I can’t have it Zarathustra polished if I have it serviced and refinished in the UK), and I’d really be wanting micro adjust for this kind of cash.

They do seem to be getting better and better, and I’m absolutely sure their time will come fairly soon. Just need to get their marketing and servicing network nailed and their momentum will really pick up IMHO.

I’m watching with a keen eye

bdub99 · Oct 18, 2020

Love those GS, especially the Sbgw253 shared above, but have not taken the plunge yet.

bigsom · Oct 18, 2020

B bdub99
Love those GS, especially the Sbgw253 shared above, but have not taken the plunge yet.

Here's another photo of mine, not sure if I have shared it before in this thread.

scapa · Nov 2, 2020

Stewart A
Hi All,
I am not in a position to know how the movements rate relative to Rolex, Omega, etc; however, I do know what I like, what moves me and makes me want to wear a watch. I can honestly say that my GS Autumn SBGH269 is one of the mesmerizing, beautiful dials I have ever seen. The variation in the red color is phenomenal - apologies for this picture, as it really doesn't capture the dial quality as seen in the flesh. As well, the faceting and polishing are first class and brilliant.

Thanks and be safe.

One of my favourite GS designs, and boy do I wish I had one to go along with put spectacular autumn in la belle province. Not easy to find -- congrats on yours!

My only GS at present is a humble GMT quartz, but it wears wonderfully on bracelet or strap and makes for a great, low-key travel watch, in those bygone days when we travelled...

Stewart A · Nov 3, 2020

scapa
One of my favourite GS designs, and boy do I wish I had one to go along with put spectacular autumn in la belle province. Not easy to find -- congrats on yours!

My only GS at present is a humble GMT quartz, but it wears wonderfully on bracelet or strap and makes for a great, low-key travel watch, in those bygone days when we travelled...

Dear Sir -- there is nothing humble about that watch -- it is quite striking! And we will all be travelling soon.. and with your timepiece you are well prepared. 😎

dwboston · Nov 25, 2020

I just picked up the blue dial SBGE255 GMT. Should have taken a few pics when I had it out of the box to get the bracelet sized - that will have to wait until I open it again on Christmas. It's a beautiful watch and the dial is stunning. My wife (who generally rolls her eyes at these things) even remarked how nice the dial is. I'm a sucker for a blue dial as you can tell from my Gemini IV avatar photo. I'm really excited for this GS..

Here's the stock photo:

Bauhaus · Nov 26, 2020

Congratulations @dwboston ! It's moderate in it's dimensions is it not?

dwboston · Nov 26, 2020

Bauhaus
Congratulations @dwboston ! It's moderate in it's dimensions is it not?

Absolutely - it's a 40.5 mm case. I think the size is perfect. I was undecided between SBGE255 and the SBGJ237, as I really liked the blue/white bezel and the blue face, but it's a 44.2 mm case and I was worried it would be too big. The SBGE255 is roughly the same width as my Gemini IV Speedy, if a little thicker, and in the end I opted for the Spring Drive movement.

Bauhaus · Nov 27, 2020

Great choice. 44mm is killing it for most.
Certainly for most Japanese I would have thought....

dwboston · Nov 27, 2020

Bauhaus
Great choice. 44mm is killing it for most.
Certainly for most Japanese I would have thought....

I have a 44.25mm Speedmaster Racing Chrono and I love it, but that's the upper limit for my wrist size. The 40.5mm is "just right" and no problems with dial legibility.

dwboston · Dec 25, 2020

And here it is in the metal & ceramic. This dial is really stunning and the indices really catch the light. I'm thrilled with it.

Twocats · Dec 25, 2020

dwboston
And here it is in the metal & ceramic. This dial is really stunning and the indices really catch the light. I'm thrilled with it.

This is my big crush at the moment and I am doing my best to talk myself out of purchasing it because I swore the Snoopy 3 was the next watch I would buy. I even considered selling two watches I rarely wear to fund it.

Please tell me its too tall on the wrist or the lugs are as long as they look on photos, I need something to stop me.

dwboston · Dec 25, 2020

Twocats
This is my big crush at the moment and I am doing my best to talk myself out of purchasing it because I swore the Snoopy 3 was the next watch I would buy. I even considered selling two watches I rarely wear to fund it.

Please tell me its too tall on the wrist or the lugs are as long as they look on photos, I need something to stop me.

It looks taller than it wears, if that makes sense. My wrists are pretty flat, and aren't as big as they used to be as I've lost more than 50 pounds in the last two years - this watch just fits me really well. I've been wearing it all morning and it's very comfortable. It's amazing how the dial and indices catch the light.

Twocats · Dec 25, 2020

dwboston
It looks taller than it wears, if that makes sense. My wrists are pretty flat, and aren't as big as they used to be as I've lost more than 50 pounds in the last two years - this watch just fits me really well. I've been wearing it all morning and it's very comfortable. It's amazing how the dial and indices catch the light.

Like you, I can't find fault with it and its the 40mm sweet spot so many of us desire. Seiko have a way of making watches wrap themselves around the wrist that few other brands have been ability to do. Did you specifically go for the blue or did you have all three in front of you and picked the blue ? I really like the green but would like to see it in real. The black dial won't work for me because of the red GMT hand, if they had made the hand green or blue perhaps I would be interested.

dwboston · Dec 25, 2020

Twocats
Like you, I can't find fault with it and its the 40mm sweet spot so many of us desire. Seiko have a way of making watches wrap themselves around the wrist that few other brands have been ability to do. Did you specifically go for the blue or did you have all three in front of you and picked the blue ? I really like the green but would like to see it in real. The black dial won't work for me because of the red GMT hand, if they had made the hand green or blue perhaps I would be interested.

I specifically went for the blue. I saw all three and thought about the black one for a bit, but the blue one just stuck with me from the beginning. I thought about the SBGA237 as well but decided it was just too big, and I wanted a Spring Drive movement.