Ginault Did It Again... the Ginault Silent Service 

I own a few RLX/TDR watches, and I can say the quality of Ginault's watches are definitely up there comparing to major Swiss brands. I purchased my first OR2 three years ago and so far the watch is solid and runs within +\-2spd. Last year, I accidentally dropped my watch hard on the floor, the movement had some issue after. John took care of the issue for me under warranty although it was my own fault. That is going above and beyond for his customers!! One thing to note is John spends most of his working hours at the workbench building watches so his email replies could be slower (up to 72hrs and he was upfront about this in the beginning) so don't need to worry. He really stands solidly behind his customers. 👍🏾

From people who have bought watches from Ginault (including me) I've heard very few complaints and many great reports about their watches. The quality of the brand is superb. I'm on the bubble about this newest iteration from Ginault but starting to get more interested. As far as Ginault's prior history of possibly being a replica producer back in the day, if true, I'm forgiving them. Just like I've forgiven many friends for being young and dumb back in the day before turning their life around. If this watch or brand doesn't resonate with you there are many other good ones that should. Monta, Oak & Oscar, etc.

I have a no date. I’ve pretty much stopped wearing any other watches. I’m still in awe of the build quality and finishing. I judge things based on the actual product and this just surpassed what I expected.

Once again, great review. Based on your previous reviews of Ginault, and running into a gent on the golf course in FL who had an Ocean Rover II, I placed an order and just received shipping confirmation this morning. About 5 weeks from time of order. I don’t have the watch in hand yet, but I must say the email communication between John and I was very professional and educational about the brand. So far I’m impressed, can’t wait for the watch to arrive.

Looks like a great watch. I have an ORII and I like that one. I'm kind of sick of the people who can't let a post about Ginault go by without trying to ruin our fun.

I‘d like to weigh in on the Hommage I‘d like to weigh in on the Hommage issue. The term, often intentionally, I think, is used far too loosely. In the true sense, a Hommage IMO is a watch that honors a long out of production and hardly available watch by bringing it back in a modern form with updated technical and some own style features. That is a good and morally defensible thing, I would argue. Which is different from a watch that calls itself Hommage but is nothing but an inexpensive copy of a popular model, that brings nothing of its own to the table, and derived its entire appeal from being a lookalike at a cheap price. Here I am firmly in the disapproval camp that has no love for that. What about the Ginault? To begin with, borrowing some isolated design element is not a Hommage. For example, the Rolex Milspec of old was not a Hommage to the Omega seamaster just because it used its hands. The Silent Service, while incorporating a case design similar to a Sub without crownguards, and a dial design that seems derived from a vintage Seamaster, to my eye is a much improved design over the Seamaster that by virtue of its outstanding aesthetics stands on its own feet, with a bezel entirely its own. Add to that the superb logo design which adds to the quality of the watch by virtue of its beauty and execution (as opposed to copy watches where the entire appeal is the copied design, and the logo a boring add-on). So no, the Silent Service is neither a copy nor a Hommage in any sense of the word but a great watch in its own right. What about the OR and OR2 from Ginault? The similarity to the 5 digit Subs is undeniable. Yet, I would argue, many of the models are not primarily a copy. The no date OR model with golden sand lume IMO is a true and deserving Hommage to the Rolex Milspec. The golden sand lume OR model with blue bezel and golden bezel numbers adds design features that no Rolex had. The bezels of the OR2 do heavily borrow from that of the current Rolex Seadweller, yet by combining it with a Sub case, having that highly appealing own logo design and, which applies to all Ginault models, adding another quality of its own, namely offering superb materials and finishing qualities at a very good price, these watches have convinced me based on their own merit. IMO, Ginault offers what Rolex offered 50 years ago: superior quality/price ratio with a highly appealing design, overall creating a package that stands on its own feet. I am a fan. issue. The term, often intentionally, I think, is used far too loosely. In the true sense, a Hommage IMO is a watch that honors a long out of production and hardly available watch by bringing it back in a modern form with updated technical and some own style features. That is a good and morally defensible thing, I would argue. Which is different from a watch that calls itself Hommage but is nothing but an inexpensive copy of a popular model, that brings nothing of its own to the table, and derived its entire appeal from being a lookalike at a cheap price. Here I am firmly in the disapproval camp that has no love for that. What about the Ginault? To begin with, borrowing some isolated design element is not a Hommage. For example, the Rolex Milspec of old was not a Hommage to the Omega seamaster just because it used its hands. The Silent Service, while incorporating a case design similar to a Sub without crownguards, and a dial design that seems derived from a vintage Seamaster, to my eye is a much improved design over the Seamaster that by virtue of its outstanding aesthetics stands on its own feet, with a bezel entirely its own. Add to that the superb logo design which adds to the quality of the watch by virtue of its beauty and execution (as opposed to copy watches where the entire appeal is the copied design, and the logo a boring add-on). So no, the Silent Service is neither a copy nor a Hommage in any sense of the word but a great watch in its own right. What about the OR and OR2 from Ginault? The similarity to the 5 digit Subs is undeniable. Yet, I would argue, many of the models are not primarily a copy. The no date OR model with golden sand lume IMO is a true and deserving Hommage to the Rolex Milspec. The golden sand lume OR model with blue bezel and golden bezel numbers adds design features that no Rolex had. The bezels of the OR2 do heavily borrow from that of the current Rolex Seadweller, yet by combining it with a Sub case, having that highly appealing own logo design and, which applies to all Ginault models, adding another quality of its own, namely offering superb materials and finishing qualities at a very good price, these watches have convinced me based on their own merit. IMO, Ginault offers what Rolex offered 50 years ago: superior quality/price ratio with a highly appealing design, overall creating a package that stands on its own feet. I am a fan.

Since I already have a Steinhart Ocean 39, not sure I could do one of these. Same movement, for 30% the price (just not regulated as nicely, but perfectly accurate enough).

I own this watch down to the cyclops. I love the lume, the accuracy, and the amazing bezel and highly recommend. The dial truly pops!

I had an ocean rover. It was a beautiful watch in all respects. I gave it to my brother in Law as a present. he loves it so much

Nice review Guy and great to see you back on YT. Cheers!

Wonderful watch, I just don't know how they get around a stained history

I did a pre order silent service and it's fantastic. I owned the ocean rover 2 and I prefer the silent service.

I actually own both versions traveler and diver The travelers no date the divers Date and cyclops both are absolutely exquisite and I highly recommend them

That hoo hah about where it’s made is funny. I own many watches that say, “Swiss made” on the dial. The majority of the parts aren’t sourced from Switzerland. They’re sourced from Asia. It really is the watch world’s dirty little secret…

I miss their older watches that looked more like the older Sub. I regret not getting one back in the day. For whatever reasons, they've stepped back from producing those.

I own one-it’s a great watch!😎

Hi there Guy …. I wanted to check if you have any idea if it is anti magnetic?

I have the Traveler bezel version with the date but no cyclopes, It's my 2nd favorite watch right behind my Omega sapphire sandwich Speedmaster #1 by far.. I also own the new Tudor Black Bay Maroon Bezel but I find myself wearing my Ginault more.....

Great to have another video from you, hope you’re well Guy.

Really nice video! Would you be able to comment on how the quality of this compares to a comparable Monta?

Great review and very nice. However, it looks like a Omega Dial.

Question for me would be after sales service and warranty issues. Then you will know if the brand is legit

Great job, and I appreciate the share. These offer a decent value

What is accrosst???

Sort of a vintage Seamaster vibe to me, but I don't think that's a bad thing.

Very nice review. Do you still have the watch?

This watch looks like they took the dial, hands and bezel from the Mil-Spec Omega Seamaster 300, slapped it on a Rolex Submariner case with a Cyclops lens and gave it the Rolex Oyster bracelet. Definitely an interesting frankenwatch design

The bezel does not line up perfectly i see. I had a Ginault Rover and it was fantastic

Another Rolex homage…..lovely.

Hi guy you say its far better quality than your spb143, but what has more charm and what would your prefer to own ?

Stunning, love the red

I like the handset on the Ocean Rover better. I like Mercedes's hands. I can't really judge this kind of watch without it on the wrist.

It's essentially a mil spec Omega Seamaster 300 homage. So not original, but it looks well built.

Some other reviews will hate on homage brands like San Martin but gush about this watch. I don’t get it.

The Military Seamaster design is one of the most beautiful (in my opinion). It would be even better if the case had lyre lugs. The slab-sided cases are not my favorite.

How does Ginault compare to Christopher Ward in build quality? I consider the CW line the bench mark for mid to entry level luxury watches.

Love my Ocean Rover…

nice watch really like it.... cheers

Very nice.

Now it looks more like an Orient homage.

Last year I put down a deposit for Silent Service as a present for myself for taking a new job and moving from Virginia to Colorado. About a week after putting down the deposit, I cancelled the order as I could not go through with the purchase after I read about the rather murky past. Let me state that this is an amazing watch - I absolutely love the look. It's a nod to some old(er) omegas and I really love the flat ceramic bezel insert and hand set. It is expensive and Guy produced a great video comparing a bunch of submariner homages (the Ocean Rover was part of the line up). For the money, I would probably go with a Davosa or Steinhart if one desires a well built homage as those watches are about half the cost of the Ginault, but have similar specifications. Great job, as always, Guy!

"Kenetic Continuous"?

So a Sub with a Seamaster 300 MoD Dial. Alright. Still nothing I would call distinctive.

Now making omega homages

Great video. Great watch. Awful brand, with a criminal owner (TC/Tsung Chi) who hides behind an alias, and who used to make counterfeit watches.

I don’t think it’s a good value watch. It is basically a franken watch with parts mostly from China using Swiss made movement. A sub homage with pt5000 is like $250 on AliExpress and the overall quality is probably close to this watch. Just add another $100 or so for a Selitta movement.

The OR2 was much better

I ordered this watch but like an idiot I didn’t do enough research and now I’m finding out that this fucking company and this guy and the quality of this watch including the movement could be a scam so now you know what I’m thinking of just walking away with my walking away from my deposit and putting that money towards another brand of watch that I know is legitimate and not a scam

Who cares if it was made in America or on Jupiter, as long as the quality is good and the price is realistic. It's stupid to even bother with such things!

Did what? Make another Rolex copy? I have to laugh.

The very first editions were the best because they combined the very best of vintage, neo vintage and contemporary sub references. Now to me it’s pretty ugly, especially those bold lugs and the ceramic insert ruin it all.

Frankenstein using super cloned surplus parts...

They should have started with this one, for me they are cursed anyway

Hard pass…..price is waaaay to high. In that price range I would buy the latest Formex diver.

Unique design??? No, now they’ve copied the Orient Kamasu!!! Pretty much a copy of the Kamasu.

Frankenstein using super cloned surplus parts...