The silver dial Grand Seiko SBGR081 is still my favorite GS. So clean. So elegant. Yet, it still has a 40mm case when most of these are much smaller...
Good vid Rob. I have the GS SBGN005 GMT 9F quartz. Outstanding value for money. Finishing is amazing as you note. Highly accurate, a bit smaller than the snowflake at ~39x11.8. 👍⌚🇯🇵
This was my first GS. Have never seen this kind dial before. Have never seen this kind of finishing on the hands and markers. The sharp angles and Zaratsu. Have never seen it on luxury watches that cost many times over. I was captivated. Still am. Now, l have 12 in my collection. Just enjoy looking at them. Personally, just this is value for the money.
My Grail is the Grand Seiko Sport Quartz SBGV245. I'll get that thing some day. I need lume, and the Sport has it. And it's +-3 sec/year I think. Wow. Grand Seiko is Boss.
Great video. The other great thing about this watch is the accuracy. My snowflake is accurate to 3 seconds/month. Insanely accurate. I’ve never seen a super luxury watch but I’m guessing the finish on this watch is just as good or maybe still better. This watch definitely has GREAT value.
I had one and it wears bigger than 41mm imo. I think its because of the white dial and it builds high. I love the dial and the movement. But size, missing lume and the greyish look of the Titanium made me the sell this great watch again.
The only issue is the lack of micro-adjustments. I know someone who has a snowflake and he said there are half links but they are a pain to take out and put back in. The one thing that stands out is the accuracy of the Grand Seiko Spring Drive and the Quartz 9F movement just a few seconds a year loss or gain. The quality is there and he used to be a Rolex guy. But can't go back because of the lack of accuracy of time keeping.
He mentioned in a live stream that he'd pick the OP. I've owned Rolex and GS and have handled both of these watches and I'd pick GS all day every day. It may be one of those "different strokes for different folks" kinda things with personal preferences.
It’s almost strange that we try to compare the two. I am a flipper, so the OP for me. If you tend to buy and keep that would offer up the GS much higher. If I am forced to choose one I stand by my choice OP
check out their elegance series, especially the SBGZ003 model. It's a bit dressier but it's much simpler watch with just 3 hands, no date and power reserve like the snowflake.
One thing I can't figure out, is why so many bash the GS bracelet. I've worn so many high end watches and the GS bracelet is like silk on the wrist. Ok, maybe they arent the very best design with looks out there, but they are the most comfortable I have worn. Just my opinion of course.
How well do GS hold their value on the 2nd hand market? I would love to get my hands on a GS piece but I'll probably never want to pay full retail as $6k is a lot of money for me.
Rough numbers here. They bottom out high. If that makes sense. So yeah they take a hit, but then hold solid. You won’t find these for less then say $1500 off retail ever basically. Guessing most people that buy them keep them too.
These pop up for sale every couple of months, usually around 25% off retail in excellent condition and full set. The Seiko boutique here (Melb, Australia) doesn't discount, but some AD's will give quite a good discount off RRP/SRP, almost matching 2nd hand prices.
what does zaratsu polishing looks like as a watch is worn and how well does a GS age? Those are expensive but seem worth it…but most buy one not one every few years
I'd rather have a Quartz GS with the high accuracy 9F movement. You still get the finishing and build quality, but there is no need to send them back to Japan for expensive servicing.
Pugzilla69 you won’t get the interesting face designs on the quartz models. They tend to be either black or white. The spring drive can be serviced outside of Japan, in the UK anyway
@@RichardsModellingAdventures I'm okay with a black face, they're also less than a half the price of a spring drive. The 9F movement is sealed and GS claims can run for 50 years with just battery changes.
Pugzilla69 I had one for a while. They are a lot thinner too. Proper scratch magnet though. I would not recommend one as an every day watch unless you’re careful with it.
Do you mean the same visuals in terms of case and hands? Or do you mean the snowflake dial in particular? Plenty of mechanical GS with similar case and hands, but the snowflake dial is so far reserved for spring drive only. Mechanical watches have the Mt. Iwate dial, which to my eyes are even more stunning.
Grand Seiko uses a proprietary titanium alloy (some say similar to grade 5) that is actually more scratch resistant than stainless steel, and it does so without a coating, so it can be refinished down the track.
I had one and it wears bigger than 41mm imo. I think its because of the white dial and it builds high. I love the dial and the movement. Size, missing lume and the greyish look of the Titanium made me the sell this great watch again.
I really like GSs. However, I find the polishing is one thing that bugs me. It just seems very busy. It overwhelms my desire for simplicity in the same way the Omega Seamaster and its bracelet do. That said, I don't find fault with the craftsmanship. It is a matter of aesthetics. Cool dial though. --Michael
ehh, pretty boring and uninspiring like everything else from GS. I want to like the brand but their designs, lackluster bracelets, and toxic fanbase make it tough.
