I’ve been wanting a GS for quite awhile now. With Teddys credibility and the price point for this piece, I literally just pulled the trigger and purchased it on Teddys site. Gorgeous, timeless piece and what will make it even more special is that I will wear it for my wedding. 2024 will be an amazing year!!!!
I’ve owned this watch for over 2 years and every time I put it on my wrist it never ceases to amaze me. I’ve owned or own several dress watches, like the Omega and JLC sector dials, the Habring2 true seconds, to name a few, and this grand seiko definitely holds its own when compared to these watches, with the polishing of the case and the finishing of the dial being class leading.
Hi Teddy, I have a collection of Omegas, Tudors, etc. At the beginning of 2023 I decided to purchase my first GS. Initially I gravitated towards the 4 seasons, the sho sho, etc but had always admired this sbgm221 because I felt that it will age very well in it's design plus I love gmt movements. I purchased the sbgm221 and when I first opened the case it's beauty and design made me take a step back. Even at a price point of thousands more I feel it is a absolute bargain. I will include in the future more GSs in my collection but this one will always feel special.
I picked this watch up recently and use it as my work watch. I absolutely adore it! The finishing is insane, especially for the price, and I like the more “classic” look of it.
My first GS. Before then, I couldn’t fathom spending more that 4k on a watch. Then I did it. And it’s still amazing three years later. Still mesmeric to me.
My first GS. Perfect balance of class and functionality as I am a sucker for GMTs. Just love the old world aesthetic of it - wears like a dream. Thanks Teddy for the great content as usual.
I purchased this watch a month ago. A local jeweler just became an AD for GS. I fell in love with this watch when I first saw it. It's my first GS and I can't stop wearing it. The water resistance isn't great, but I'm not a diver and I don't plan on wearing it in the pool, so 30m is fine. The watch is prettier in person.
SBGM021 - the original version of this - was my first ever Grand Seiko. I still own and adore it, though I don’t wear it a regularly as some others. It’s more of a dress watch for me. The only complaint I’ve ever been able to make about this watch is the thickness of the deployant clasp, but even that I’ve gotten used to. Apart from that, it’s almost perfect.
Teddy, I’m looking forward to your ‘factory tour videos’ of Grand Seiko in Japan. Make sure you film both factories. The mechanical factory in the North and the quartz factory closer to Tokyo.
I have only begun to be an avid watch collector for the past 4 years and what I have noticed is that I have moved away from vintage watches with clean, functional dials to more modern renditions from brands known for craftmanship and attention to detail. The spg221 had that combination of both which was made clear when putting on the watch in comparison to other similar GS models. Pictures don't do justice, it has to be worn on the wrist , but be warned, you may not be able to take it off.
The cinematography is splendid. By the time I watched the whole video, I am completely mesmerized by the beauty of the watch. I would end up desiring and wanting to buy whatever you review LOL
Bought one of these beauties a couple of weeks ago. I'm absolutely gaga over it! Find myself just staring at the dial constantly. Such a handsome timepiece. LOVE IT! Actually slept with the box next to me, the night I bought it. Wife wasn't thrilled about that though LOL! If you're considering buying one of these, don't hesitate! DO IT!
Lol, it's weird how a video like this can make a purchase feel so much more validated. I have a limited edition version GS GMT and always felt it was underrated. I never regretted my purchase, especially since it was tied to a major life event. It's been one of my most worn watches for almost a decade, because of how versatile it is. Despite being completely satisfied with my purchase of this watch, I can't lie that it feels nice that their GMT is getting all this attention now.
This has been one of my favorite GSs for a number of years too. I just love that ivory lacquered dial! It looks almost wet, like the best grande feu enamel dials. Really makes the watch 🙂
i’ve been eyeing this exact model as it would be perfect for my job in NYC (pharmacutical sales ) as i have to dress nice and most non watch people wouldn’t know it’s a 5k watch
I was looking for my first “nice” watch when I came upon Grand Seiko. I did some research on the company’s history and what they have done on the innovation side and started looking at the watches. The SBGM221 was a watch that I immediately dismissed. Then as i would search through the Grand Seiko lines, this watch kept catching my eye. I eventually couldn’t resist it and have loved this watch ever since. Value is unbeatable.
My grail snowflake is mesmerizing, swings well above its price point, essentially its form/function/feel has humbled me both as a healthcare professional always trying to do my best for my patient, as well as a human being. The 221 always catches my eye among GS models, the blued GMT hand is perfect, like the blued snowflake seconds hand and the otherwise perfect same ziratsu dauphin handset that my snowflake has. Even as a SF Giants fan that feels we should have gotten him, so cool to see the already legendary Shohei Ohtani also appreciating the fine craftsmanship of his countrymen.
Oh! Wow! 🤩 Congratulations, I didn’t know you were now a Grand Seiko authorized dealer! 👏🏼😃 Gotta love ‘em … they make truly amazing timepieces. Thanks for sharing your passion Teddy 😃👍🏼
That is a stunning watch! Congratulations on adding Grand Seiko to the list of companies you AD for. That's major. This is unrelated, other than being another brilliant creative product of Japan, but I watched 'The Boy & the Heron' [Studio Ghibli animated film] last night, and it was really wonderful [I knew it would be. Im an long time fan of their work] and a great film for the holiday, though prbly not for everyone.. most people I think would enjoy it. From a director [Hayao Miyazaki who has retired at least three times now. Happy holidays.
Thank you for this video and let me congratulate you on your becoming a GS AD! This watch is an excellent choice and deserves the spotlight, imho. My understanding is that this is GS's most popular model and it is no wonder. I own it and it is a truly special piece that exudes quality far above its price. All the best.
Great to see an up to date review of this watch, thank you. I have mine 2 years now and I love everything about it, it’s not an everyday watch but one you put on when you want to feel that little bit ‘special’, for that alone it is such great value and the choice for anyone considering GS.
@@user-fo7mf9nd2h just saw this, it's not a daily as I have 19 other watches and wear in rotation as I said, it's for times when you want something special on your wrist, in my view it's just not a watch to wear all the time, it's too good for that
Went to the tokyo Grand Seiko boutique today and saw it in person. The video doesnt do it justice but this put it on my radar and this became my firsr GS! Thanks!
I nearly bought one of these, but then discovered the SBGE225, which is really close to this, but Spring Drive. Couldn’t be happier with the piece. Proportions are pretty much perfect to me. Total strap monster. That one comes on a bracelet too. Complain about GS bracelets and clasps all you want. I’ll agree that they aren’t the best, but they are far from terrible. Also, the Spring Drive is rated at +/-15s per month, but mine runs +1s per week, and it doesn’t matter if it’s on the wrist or on the dresser. It’s always the same.
I haven't done exhaustive research by any means, but this seems to be a rare ivory dial watch across all brands. I absolutely love the color, visual design, and functionality of this piece. Great review. Liked & subscribed.
My first mechanical watch bought 2 years ago. For me it was everything I was looking for. An elegant watch with refinement that could be appreciated visually and also a little something bonus with a GMT function. It flies under radar as a random watch and only someone used to check wrists will pay attention.
This is my everyday work watch. Monday to Friday. I put mine on a cigar suede band from veblenist. Makes it more casual. Also put a deployment clasp on it.
I've recently began my obsession as a watch collector. And i must say- out of all the luxury brands I've been researching, for me the amzwatch's watches are the most intriguing.
Great video, and an absolutely beautiful piece, I’d love to get this for my father eventually. He and my mother travel the world together, and it’d suit him perfectly.
Brought a non-watch fan cousin to visit a Grand Seiko boutique and despite having almost all the watches up on display, this was the first one that caught his eye. I just wish Seiko and Grand Seiko would cool it with their region-exclusive models.
A beautiful watche to enter the world of luxury watches . I like the size, i like the DIAL, the calendar and the GMT time. Great dress watch . You can wear it in many opportunity . Thank You TEDDY.
Congratulations on being an AD for Grand Seiko! This model was the first Grand Seiko that really caught my eye a few years ago. A bit more dressy than my others, but every time i see an image or review on it, its back to the top of my list. And like others have commented, get in on your wrist because pictures don't do it justice! Cheers!
The SBGM221 is my most worn watch! I normally put it on a Delugs leather strap because the original strap doesn't match my style, and it dresses down very well on an olive green perlon Nato strap. I can't get over what it provides for the money and don't see myself getting tired of it anytime soon
I looked t this watch a few years ago when I wanted my first really nice watch. In the end I went with the Tudor GMT as the WR of this watch was not up to snuff for a GADA watch. I have since moved on from the BB GMT (date issue). While I do love the look, price and function of this watch it is still the WR that keeps it out of my small collection. I am sure that with a sold casebook and screw down crown they could get this model to 100m of WR.
The writing for your channel is under appreciated. I can tell you put a lot of time into the writing. It's so good that it becomes transparent, making it easy to overlook. Kudos.
Teddy I would love one of if these videos for the 3 day manual wind piece! Great video, it was the first watch that really introduced me to grand Seiko!
I’ve loved this watch since the first time I ever saw a picture of it a couple of years ago. I have not seen one in person yet at an AD, but I suspect I may buy it when I do.
Great video Teddy! I love this watch so much. If I didn’t just buy a grand seiko SBGA407, I would buy this watch. So elegant and unlike any other gmt I’ve seen.
I went into a boutique, with my mind set on this piece, but I was blown away by sbgm253 and ended up getting it instead of 221. Same watch, just a different dial and on a bracelet. Sbgm221 looked more yellow in person, which I think may be attributed to lighting in the boutique. Regardless, love this piece, and happy with an iteration of 221 in sbgm253.
My favorite 2024 is the Prospex Limited Edition 1965 Recreation European Exclusive in Gradation Island Blue. The dial is stunning and the contrast when on a white strap is to die for. I will get my hands on one from amzwatch
I have to admit it if i ever get a grand seiko and im a one brand per watch person, this is the one im choosing, something about it is absolutely gorgeous but i cant put my finger on it.
Absolutely love this piece. I'll probably add a GS to my collection this year in October, since I'm planning a trip to Tokyo! I think it's between this GMT and the Omiwatari.
Not sure if I'm correct, but watches are starting to feel like cars. Where the Japanese cars last long, hardly give you issues and the issues they do have are simple and easy to fix. All my Japanese watches have worked fine for years that I've owned them. Last year I purchased a Sinn 104 st sa a beautiful watch and less than 1 year later it already was losing time even though I was wearing all day and then a couple weeks later died completely. I didn't even wear it at work. Yes I purchased the watch brand new. Now I have to send it in to get fixed luckily still on warranty but very annoyed.
I absolutely love this watch. I don't really like the birch dials as they look like plastic to me. This dial is beautifully simple. This is not a sports watch, but only 30m of water resistance at this price is a company not listening to its clients.
Congratulations Teddy on Becoming a GS Authorized Dealer! GS has been on my radar for some time, This Watch is the one I would buy First. I love GMT MOVEMENT, I have the Tudor Black Bay GMT Pepsi Dial , Longines’s Zulu GMT and The Seiko 5 GMT with Yellow Dial, this would Round Out my GMT’s , been on the wait list for Rolex Batman for about 6 months. Thank you Teddy for the in depth review of this Beautiful Piece. I will Pull the trigger Next Month. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas To you and Your Staff.
Love mine, but it really was elevated by putting the right strap on it. The original strap just never did it for me. I've got a strap atelier "Earl grey" leather strap. It's a brown into an olive colour with cream stitching. It's dressed the watch down just enough to make it versatile enough for office to casual wear. It's the watch i find myself staring at the most, in the box and on the wrist. And it's my girlfriends favourite of my watches for exactly that reason.
Gorgeous! Wish they made it in different dial color options though. That combo while beautiful makes it difficult to wear with any suit you're not wearing brown/tan shoes & belt. I get you can change the strap but a more neutral and flexible dial would be a done deal!
A friend of mine has this (on a beautiful bespoke strap that is much more befitting this beautiful piece). Every time I try it on I get “those feelings”!
I replaced my 42mm Longines zulu time with this model. It wears really nice. The original brown strap is long and too much... but paired with some new straps it becomes a great daily wear.
Nice-looking dial and nicely proportioned. But I can't get behind just 30 meters of water resistance. That's wimpy, even fragile -- especially for a GMT. Would really like to see a side-by-side comparison of this with the new Seiko Alpinist GMT. Nice video, as usual, from TB. The best in the business.
@@alsayedfakhri4597No, they are quite fragile actually. I’ve owned a SBGM003 (the true predecessor of the models showcased in this video) for nearly twenty years and it’s the only watch I’ve had to send in for servicing simply because it stopped working…three times! One of those was because of water intrusion for which I have no idea the source. Over the years I had actually planned to upgrade, first to the 021, then the 221, when those newer respective models were released, but the lack of meaningful improvements (uninteresting movement, just as bulky, embarrassing water resistance, etc) kept me away. I get it, you’re defensive of a now-popular brand. The Grand Seiko hype train has been running at full steam for a few years and there’s plenty to admire about them. But GS isn’t perfect, and they actually have a number of glaring blind spots. I think it’s more than fair to call out their deficiencies.
I really like GS and hope to own this one someday. The single most important thing they could do though is to call their models by names, not just an alphanumeric code. By all means keep that for movements but if you can’t distill it down to a name, that’s a sign that you have too many models. Oh wait…
Beautiful watch! Thanks so much for your content. As I struggle with health issues and try to look at the bright side of things your channel has been a great distraction and you got me into watch collecting and watches. I’ve bought two watches from your website and don’t plan on buying anywhere else 😁
It's great to see a GMT that doesn't look like a dive watch. I have an SSK and a Zelos true GMT with the Miyota 9075, but both have a big bezel. I think there's an obvious place for a GMT that looks more like a dress watch then a sports watch. If I had $5K burning a hole in my pocket, this one would probably be my choice.
I own the older version of the sister to this, I believe the 007. It came on a bracelet (my thought was GS, amazing metalwork, why not get a bracelet) and mine has a light gray dial. It has been problem free.
Please, please, please talk your way into the GS headquarters for a tour. I've got the SBGJ227 Green "Peacock" GMT and absolutely love it. Growing up and later working in Japan, I just had to include Grand Seiko in my collection.
Imagine if the dimensions are more towards 38mm, 43-44 lug to lug and around 11mm thickness. If they get can better dimensions and better bracelets, they will destroy the market.
Easily the best purchase i've made from GS, tied with the shunbun for me. Perfect size, weight, high quality comfortable band, and as always a great dial! Much prefer the indices on the GMT to the basic version.
