I Bought My 2024 Grail Watch! 

For a poor man like myself my holy grail watch was the Seiko Speedtimer Panda and I got it today!

That champagne dial... perfection. I'm a sucker for a beautiful champagne dial. And that blue GMT hand looks so nice in contrast. I'm envious.

I recently picked up an SBGV245 and I am loving the 9F movement. It is incredibly accurate and the second hand hits its mark flawlessly every single time! And it has good lume! It truly is spectacular!

YES! That's my watch! I love it and I'm wearing it right this very minute! The champagne dial is a killer.

I bought this very same watch two weeks ago! It's a beauty. The best quartz gmt money can buy. Hooray for us.

I love that you tell us exactly how you got the watch. You tell us what buyee gives you when you mention them in the video and how that turned into this watch. I just really appreciate the 100% transparency. So many people dont do that.

Congratulations on the purchase. The only other difference apart from the colour with your GS 9F quartz regulated to +/- 10 seconds per year is the GS SBGN007 9F quartz is regulated to +/-5 seconds per year and hence the one star. Enjoy!

Congrats Jody! That's a lovely GS and the combination of classy looks, practical quartz and the added functionality of the GMT complication (and how that GMT hand pops) make it a worthy grail piece. Wear it in good health!

Congratulations! I bought an SBGE001 a couple years ago because I always wanted one, and I'm not disappointed either! I actually prefer the old double-branded dials because that's what their vintage Grand Seiko dials in the 60s and 70s looked like.

Congrats! I now have two 9F GS's (SBGY019 and SBGX033) and absolutely love them.

If Chronomaster/Grand Seiko are outside of your budget, do yourself a favor and look for watches with the Seiko VH31 movement, which has a 4-ticks per second "sweeping" second hand and generally fairly good accuracy, even for a quartz.

Congrats Jody! You deserve it!

Congratulations , enjoy. A lot of what you say makes perect sense. I have a couple of nice Seiko quartz in my box I put them right when the clocks go back/forward and change the batteries every few years but rarely take them out, usually its an auto.

Amazing piece Jody - CONGRATS!

Lovely champagne dial! I had picked up a Citizen Chronomaster first and eventually also acquired a Grand Seiko quartz. Both models you have are great and bring something different to offer.

Congratulations Jody! It’s a beautiful piece.

I’ve got the basic 3 hander 37mm gs quartz. Took me way too long to get the bracelet right but it’s nice now. I enjoy it more and more as the days go by.

I've also bought second-hand Japanese watches, in Japan as it happens, and was highly satisfied with both the condition (which was absolutely mint) and the price. Enjoy that Grandie Jody! Cheers!

Hey, I must have great taste! I just purchased an extremely clean used one of these. I love it. It's truly grab and go, and every time I look at it the dial is amazing!

Cheers, Jody! That GS is stunning! A true grail if there ever was one. When will we see you in the new digs? We miss that handsome mug o' yours!

Congrats. I had a SBGN003 and sold it last year, but I'm kinda regretting it. The one thing I didn't love was the mismatch of the sportier case and dressy hands. Might look into one of these bezel-less models. I think the design is a bit more cohesive.

Nice pickup! My grail was an SBGE205; same champagne dial, GMT numbers are out of the way, and Spring Drive. Love it to death!

"The Schwartz is with The Quartz", and Seiko makes some of the very best, when it comes to accuracy! I have all these watches, most with Seiko/TMI/SII quartz movements, that keep time wonderfully, just like my Invicta Pro Diver, that runs only 3 seconds fast after a month, and a Skagen that runs ONE second fast after 40 days! I also have a 35 year old absolutely beautiful Pierre Cardin analogue quartz watch I bought at Woolworth's here in USA, near Olympia, Washington, on the West Coast, and just found it again in an old box. I know, many will sneer at "fashion" watches, but pieces like it are literally not made anymore, with its small and super flat, slightly ornamental, polished and sand blasted surface gold case in the shape of an 80s television saucer space ship and fitting metal band. It reminds me a bit of the motherships in "V, The Visitors". I used to wear it all the time, until a few more watches came along. So, I put a new battery in it last Christmas Day, and it runs again! It has a Seiko PC21A caliber, which is still accurate to 15 seconds a month! That may not make it a high accuracy watch, but it is better than many watches on the market now, is far better than specs for most of today's modules/calibers, and certainly better than a Rolex :) It also cost only 25 dollars, rather than a few thousand. Many of the older quartz crystal forks were actually more accurate than today's, and my newest Casio digital, a W800, is a wee disappointing. Then again, I also just got a JDM Casio WVA-M630, which tunes in to atomic transmitters and just sets itself perfectly :)

Congrats! I hope to buy this myself in 2024. I have the SBGX263, but I really miss the GMT function. Bdw, do you know the glass opening diameter?

Congrats, enjoy it. I want one spring drive from years ago, maybe one day.

Congrats on the purchase. That's a lovely watch.

Happy for you mate, it's a beauty and one I've often admired. You're right about having at least one Quartz - my Phoibos GMT is incredibly accurate and I've really learned to value that compared to my autos that I love for different reasons !

Congratulations Jody, beautiful watch 👍🏽

I used buyee to get two vintage king seikos last year, both under $200. Definitely recommend! Just do your research and know what youre getting into if you go the vintage route!! Amazing grand seiko! Hoping for my first GS this year as well.

Congratulations! Wonderful piece of Art! As a owner of a SBGN005 with a 9F86 i absolutely know what it means to have a absolute accurate GS! I thought of the more simpler one you got, but the 24 bezel on mine just gives the watch e sportier look i wanted😎

Love the 9F movement! A 9F GMT is absolutely on my grail list! As time goes by I do find myself preferring quartz more and more. While there do seem to be excellent quartz pieces at the high end of the market, I very much wish there were more quartz + sapphire offerings at the low end.

Jody, what’s your best way to purchase through buyee? Do you go to their eBay? Marketplaces? It’s a little overwhelming trying to figure out the best place to start.

Congrats and welcome to the Cult! We happen to join roughly at the same time, I got myself earlier this month a SBGX261, which is supposed to be my only purchase for the year. GS just hits differently. It is such an intentional piece, so carefully engineered for precision, legibility and comfort. It just becomes one wirh my wrist and I just can’t rip that thing off!

Great choice Jody - I picked up exactly the same model a couple of years ago!!! Just love it and will never part with it until I am pushing up daisies... Enjoy - and strangely enough - I am also a big fan of Citizen and I am going to pick up your "Grail Citizen" someday - likely next year... Good on you again Jody!

Looks stunning. Congrats on a great purchase!

They are both absolutely gorgeous! I love high quality quartz watches.

I love this watch. I almost purchased this instead of my SBGN019 with the same movement. I’m glad I did. Mine has been discontinued from the US market.

Lovely watch. I had a nerve wrecking "will the bracelet fit" hour with my GS. Understanding that two half links are slightly bigger than a full link helped.

Nice! I picked up the low-end spring drive a few years back. It’s like a souped-up SARB033. You’re so right about the bracelet though… The only other thing that would make it better is a perpetual calendar feature.

Congrats! I have the SBGN005 9F GMT. It’s my favorite watch in my collection. I gained a single second in 5 months.

I bought my Omega Speedy from Japan a couple of years ago Jody. It was actually an eBay purchase, but was listed as a mint 2002 model. And yes it was mint on arrival! I have bought a number of really nice 2nd hand watches out of Japan & have been more than happy! Having said that I did join Buyee some 6 months ago but to date, have not bought there… ⏳🤔 Nice purchase mate!👏🏼

Congrats! BTW: what about a Video which Casios have the most and best third-party watch straps? I'm somehow into orange and this limits which watches to choose from...

Congrats on the GS! I didn't consider it at the time, but, I guess I picked up a grail watch a few months ago... Something that was on my wish list for a while and expensive to get. But, I finally got an older GS dive watch with a 9F movement. The last time I reset the watch was to Fall back on 11/18/2023. Since then, it has not deviated at all.. ok.. my app says it's averaging +0.01 s/d. Out of my current watch collection, the only watch that rivals in accuracy would be my Casio G-Shock with Bluetooth and Radio synchronization. But, the GS is totally self-reliant in keeping its accuracy without any outside checks and references to maintain its outstanding accuracy. If I'm not mistaken, the service interval for a 9F may be 50 years. Of course you do the battery change every 2 years or so. But, the 9F quartz movement is basically completely sealed with quality parts and assembly. And, the parts are supposed to last about 50 years before one should ever need a replacement or servicing of its components. At least that's what many people seem to say about them.

Congrats Jody! That is a stunning watch.

It would have been nicer if they made the case thinner. I mean they have about 2-3 mm from hands to crystal!

Well done Jody. My GS sbgn007 is one of my favourite pieces. Plus it's hotroded to 5 seconds per year. In practice the 9F is set and forget.

Great watches! Congratulations on picking up the GS, stunning watch. But I honestly like the Chronomaster better.

I picked up the SBGN027 on a recent trip to Tokyo, welcome to the club Jody (even though you bought the wrong GS Quartz GMT). 027 is $4900 in Aussie vs $3600 AUD brand new from Seibu department store on Sibuya.

Me too yesterday a GS SBGJ273 Yuka Momiji. I can't wait!!

Congrats Jody! Very nice piece.

I just got my first GS. A champagne dial spring drive model. It is the most incredible watch ive ever seen in person, let alone owned.

Great choice Jodie. I’m going to get a GS quartz for my big birthday next month, with my 6.5 inch wrist I’m going for the SBGX 259/261/263 range. I’m in NZ atm but returning to IK in April with a week stopover in Tokyo. Would I be better buying in Tokyo or is Buyee to NZ or UK likely to be cheaper? Thx

High end Japanese quartz watches are a category of their own. I own both the Citizen Chronomaster AQ4091-56L and the Grand Seiko SBGN003. The tech, the finishing, the accuracy and the fact that no one has a clue what these watches are and how much they cost bring me an awful lot of satisfaction.

Great purchase Jody - a smashing timepiece!👍👍

How does the GS compare vs your Omega AT in terms of fit/finish/ utility/ looks etc? Also, what emotions does the GS give you when you wear it?

Congratulations, Jody! That’s a stunner of a watch! Nice choice!

I usually buy 40mm and this looks a good size for your wrist? What size is your wrist to give me an idea how it may fit? I noticed it’s a slight cushion case so will wear slightly smaller maybe?

My goodness, what a stunner. I used to have the same opinion of GS but also have done a 180. I don't really do GMTs or dressy but I'm now off to Buyee to search for one of those....or a hat

Congrats. Champagne dial is on my radar. But you pt out the huge issue: GMT hand does not pop. Like you I have too many blk dial watches - offer this with a gold, yellow, red, or orange GMT hand and it’s an easy buy.

Ridiculously accurate but impossible to tell the time unless the light hits it right! Still a gorgeous piece and a great choice - these HAQ Grand Seikos are the perfect dress watches.

Great review and buy 👌,,would one say this watch is an intermediate link to the GS-spring drive? It seems so….

Massive congratulations Jody, a real milestone in the collection. I have wanted one for years but the date still bugs me and not keen on the GMT either on that one. However I have a SARB 035 so I have my champagne dial. The Chronomaster therefore I prefer too plus I forgot it never needs a battery, hmmm maybe I could live with the date who knows 🤔Anyhoo just chuffed to mintballs for you 🥂

Hi Jody, I have the 37mm 3 hander champagne dial. It's a beautiful watch and it's gained less than 3 seconds since I got it in June last year.

Congrats, Jody! Great pick!

congrats Jody! i like this way of looking at it. instead of a "one and done grail watch" having a grail per year is a great idea.

I have two Grand Seikos that have their share of scratches as daily wearers. Doesn't detract from my enjoyment. And the indices are still brilliant. That's where the polishing really pops IMO

Come on now, Jody... This was the real christmas present to yourself, wasn't it? 😄 GS make some gorgeous watches, very nice purchase you've made

Love it! Congrats!

I did the same. A Seestern S446 with black dial and NH34 movement for about US$215. As far as GMT's are concerned, the Grand Seiko SBGM221 is strikingly similar in design to my Seestern.

Congrats, sir! A beauty to be sure. Enjoy!

Congrats om acquiring your grail watch !!!!!! Wear it in healt and prosperity

Congratulations, Jody. Helluva watch. Best of luck with it. 👍😎

Congrats on the grail! So good to get it early and enjoy throughout the year

Brilliant looking watch mate...nicely done.

The links aren't half links they are 2/3 links, allowing adjustment in thirds not half. Fit the bracelet with full links only and then check the fit. To tight take 1 full link out and add two 2/3 links to increase it overall by a third. It the bracket is to loose take out a full link and add a 2/3 link taking it down by a third and you then get a great fit

Congrats on picking up your grail watch, very nice indeed. Well done Jody for championing Quartz, I have autos that need baying morning and night , it can be a pain. Solar Quartz is so difficult to argue against, it just works.

Aragon sometimes will put a display back on some of their watches with the ETA Quartz movement to show it off. Unfortunately, sometimes they have some Invicta like leanings wing likes to build 50 mm, but when he goes and builds a smaller watch, it’s usually outstanding Good quality at a good price

I would prefer a dark dial for better readability. Nevertheless a great time piece. Congrats!

My new grail is Bulova Lunar Pilot Meteorite. Being limited edition, price will keep going up, doubt Ill ever get one 😢. Congratulations!!

I prefer the cream one myself, but this is a beauty. I am also on a quartz kick too, I need more.

Very beautiful watch, a true gentleman watch. Congratulations

Congrats on the purchase! I didn’t want to like this. As it’s a quartz and I just lust over the hi-beats and spring drives. But even the second hands on these have a way about them. Great looking watch. And not at all overpriced in this case. 🎉

Congrats, Jodi!

Happy for you man!😊

Nice. I love my Seiko Dolce SACM151, with a Gerard Perregeux strap. In my mind my little baby GS.

My goodness she's a SPECTACULARLY GORGEOUS watch! Congratulations on the purchase. 👊🏼

Ey Jody, I'd flip the bracelet around. The GS would be upside down but you wouldn't notice the gap anymore. I've done that several times on watches with this issue. Cheers!

Welcome to the 9F86 crew Jodi. As a (not so new now) parent, I have done a complete 180 of quartz, especially, high end quartz. I appreciate nothing more than picking up my watch and date/time is spot on and ready ago. And the 9F86 are very very spot on. Agree it's a shame about no clear caseback. From my recollection, there is only one quartz GS with a clear caseback sadly

I love that this has the old school GS hands: flat with the polished, beveled edges. The half polished/half brushed hands are clever, but this here is what a GS is supposed to look like.

Congratulations 👏🎉

So on my teeny tiny budget, my Seiko 5 SNXS73 silver dial will do just fine. Bought 2 years ago for $70 on Amazon warehouse (like new condition).

Thanks for the video. Buyee is a great service. I got an awesome deal on a Seiko Astron last year when Buyee had a 20% off coupon. I read somewhere that the Seiko Astrons are made in the same factory as the Grand Seikos and it wouldn't surprise me because the quality of the Astrons is superb. Please consider reviewing an Astron - there are plenty of models to choose from.

Congrats, I love quartz as well. Wearing my Casio Tiffany Blue with the reliable Miyota 2115 Quartz at the moment. 👌🏼 My grail for 2024 is the Tissot Courtier Quartz as Tom Hiddleston wore in the show “The Night Manager” My only automatic atm is a Steeldive 1953 Submariner homage with the Seiko NH35 movement. You should pick up a Tissot Courtier Quartz, very similar to both the GS, and Citizen.

Congratulations on obtaining one of your grails. For me, I define a grail as a watch I will never be able to obtain. Fortunately for me, I have the mini grail. These are watches I love but can obtain. At the moment, I have all my mini grails so I feel pretty good about that.

Congrats mate, it's a beauty! It's a grail of mine as well...along with about 50 other watches I can't afford, lol 😆

Never thought I would be interested in a GS. There is a tiny spark there after your vid. Merci!

Nice dimensions! What happened to the lume shot?

Congrats Jody. Welcome to the club. Personally I love more colorful GS dials. For example, I picked up the green bamboo US version GMT SBGJ259 last year. From an AD which was offering 30%+ off MSRP. 🎉😊 So a win win from my viewpoint.

I have the black one! Absolutely love it

Congrats, lots of hard work