Can we talk about how great you guys did with the camera work... what a great way to capture and appreciate the details. It’s literally human passion in their profession captured and immortalized in time by something that will tell it. ❤️
It’s the finest videography the watch industry has. They should be very proud. It’s such an immersive experience that really allows you to appreciate ownership of a watch that you’ll likely never see in person, let alone own.
That’s what I admire about Seiko / Grand Seiko, always pushing the technology envelope. Rather than sat back relying on watch snobs and saturating marketing.
^all those watches have great finishing, but don't let the price tag on this particular Grand Seiko fool you. You can have the same, or at least VERY similar levels of finishing on a $5,000 Grand Seiko
well,i guess that is what making a watch with your soul put in it means,ultimately is a piece of art.many rolex and breitling etc fanboys don't understand that, those watches are marketing, not art, they don't have souls, everything is done for the money, every polish, every engraving etc. that is the difference.
I watched this video long time ago and didn’t really appreciate the watch and especially at this price tag. Now after spending countless of hours of reading about watches, I see this video and watch from a completely new perspective. If I was a wealthy man, I would definitely rock this one on my wrist instead of those flashy Patek’s and AP’s.
In terms of finishing maybe but that's just one aspect of the whole package. At 43mm x 13,2mm it just lacks refinement. Also, GS straps and bracelets are notoriously mediocre. This is not a 50k watch.
@@Gnomosfortheoffice Agreed with you about the bracelet. Thinking how good Chinese Rolex submariner bracelet became, there should not be any reason why a high end japanese manufacturer couldn't come with a solid proposition.
After the hands on the last two Pateks featured on the channel had poorly finished undersides, this is a timely demonstration of what the perfection expected at this price point should look like. Simply stunning.
Thanks for the Christmas Gift 🎁. This video was so enjoyable and informative that I was glued to your every word. I’m very fond of the Grand Seiko Spring Drive line. I own the GS GMT Spring Drive w/9R66 movement. I wear it every Sunday & on special occasions.
Simply incredible. When I first heard the price I went WHAT !!! But after hearing the specs. WOW. Actually the real reason why GS is not getting the recognition it deserve because of Prejudice towards Asia and the rest of the non-western world. But behold, a time will come where things will be the other way around.
@I I think it has to do with the customer base being very rigid when it comes to accepting "new" players in the luxury market. People often say it has to do with history of the brand, but we all know that's not the case.
That's bullshit. Most people I know (even the most prejudiced/racist people) acknowledge the craftmanship of the Japanese. Be it in watchmaking, cars or videogames/consoles.
I'm Swiss and I do think there are a couple of Swiss watchmakers who'd be able to manufacture such a watch. But it would then cost 150k. This watch is a steal for 50k.
The swiss are brilliant at mechanical engineering. The japanese have an added speciality in electrical/physcis engineering. I really doubt the swiss have the knowhow to make a spring drive system.
Probably not invent the watch from scratch. But build it by copying from an existing specimen. Swiss watchmakers and swiss electrical engineers teaming up.
If i was wealthy this GS would definitely be in my collection. It's has incredible craftsmanship and quality that deserved any ones £50,000 without a doubt.
My standard GS spring drive which cost 3K has the SAME level of craftsmanship. This particular one I have to say is a huge waste of money... Get a Patek for that kind money.
I love all these GS videos, the incredible macro shots and the amazing Spring Drive technology, and I keep feeling I really should buy one. But every time I go to try one on I'm somehow disappointed. For a start most of them have huge thick cases with little design subtlety, and at least to my non macro-enhanced vision the dials look nice but nothing super-special. Turning them over the movement finishing is very good, but still doesn't compare to a Lange. And having been to a Seiko factory in a developing country where they use low cost labour to make GS parts and cases under the same roof as $100 entry level quartz models, I don't believe the hype about them being entirely crafted by ancient Japanese gurus working on mountain tops. Anyway, I'm still hoping to see a GS I really like, but for now I'll stick with an immaculate gold sliver of Calatrava or Saxonia on my wrist.
@@bycarlsjunior You have to be a special type of bastard to buy that Grand Seiko. It's for a boss of bosses, somebody who doesn't give a shit about anybody but themselves.
Acesuprol 2107 really? The whole comment of the finish on the back of the hands is because the last TWO pateks on this channel clearly didn’t have them finished.
Some people buy things not just for their resale value or for other people their opinions, but because they want it and have the money for it. Think of any simple clothing designer brand, or maybe some extremely expensive cars with less performance than cheaper cars. Are the people who buy these autistic? Or are they just filthy rich and can they buy and do anything they want?
An excellent well presented review of this magnificent timepiece. I never appreciated the craftsmanship involved in producing this watch and I now understand why it costs so much.
Year ago I had a Universal Geneva Unisonic that used tuning fork technology. The second hand moved smoothly without any "ticks" just like the beauty presented here.
If the watch snobs don’t look at GS after this vid they need to give their heads a shake big time! GS have landed (for a while TBH) and it’s time they sampled. Just wish I could afford. Been to the boutique in London and the watches are amazing.
Wonderful close-up video showing all the extraordinary details of this GS which I would not be able to see with naked eyes. The gears turning behind the jewels are so mesmerising.
Review a Seiko 5 of your choice please or get many of the varieties to compare like the diver ones, dress ones and field ones...also pilot design ones.
@Acesuprol 2107 and yet they sell my the thousands . dont be that guy that thinks he knows it all because he has a little bit more exspendsive watch ....you not
Phillip Pugh well said. I think he’s forgetting how much of an impact seiko 5s have on the watch community in terms of many many important collectors first pieces and open ground of modifications. Let the sheep graze.
I had no idea the Spring Drive was this clever, they should have called it something more fancy like "RQA" = "RQA Quartz Automatic", the R standing for it's own Recursive acronym.
I have an SBGC223 which was reviewed on this channel a while back. I HAD a Rolex Submariner and a James Cameron Sea dweller. I sold both of them 3 month ago. I have zero regrets. The SBGC223 is my daily wearer forever. I put it on a high quality dark brown vintage leather strap which really makes it incredibly beautiful in comparison to the factory bracelet. As the old saying goes, you buy a Rolex to impress others and you buy a Grand Seiko to impress yourself. And I don't really care about any depreciation this watch experiences. I bought it for me because it was love at first sight when I saw it. I don't really care what it's value is or if anybody else likes it.
@@georgeseaton67 they call me poor. They say I can't afford a "real" watch. And since I look asian they say a bunch of other mean things that relates to that
@@georgeseaton67 we do the same line of work but I'm the newest. But even if I had the money I wouldn't buy a Rolex or Breitling. That's what those guys wear but it's like Seiko has depth to me. I'm almost browsing Seikos online. I just like them like how I like collecting coins or hot wheels.
@@friendlyjunco6836 only people that hide behind brand names it's those insecure bastards who needs a name on their wrist to tell them what their self worth is. Seiko is well respected among collectors that collect watches like PP, Als, etc..watch lovers respect seiko, brand whores does not. I wear my seiko proudly and just as satified or more along eith my Tudors, Breitling, GS, GO, GP, Rolex, etc, got eid of mt AP as it became the watch for douches. Seiko actually has more credentials as they are fully vertically independent who makes everything inhouse vs rolex, breilting and make things they never could. Those watches rely on " often embellished hx, resale , branding, iconic designs."..buy and wear what you like/can afford and be proud of it.
Friendly RU-vid Guy don’t worry. I own a Seiko as well and strangely, I have a greater fuzzy feeling wearing it as any other brand I’ve owned. I’m looking for a new Seiko now.
Your close up shots made me worry that i may see blemishes or imperfections on a watch that is well known to collectors to be Perfect. Thankfully it is indeed PERFECT.
I always aspired to having a Seiko once I could afford a ‘nice’ watch (because they were the best watches in the Argos catalog). I got to a point where I could get myself a half decent Tag (i.e. £1,500) but decided to stick with the dream - I’m onto my 2nd Seiko quartz chrono now, 25 years later and they both look great and work fine. Now I’m ready for the next step but I’m scared to go GS. It was always going to be a pre-owned Breitling but the GS SBGA403/SBGC231 in particular have had my knickers in a twist now for far too long. Any GS I’d want would likely have to be brand new - so would cost double the Breitling. I’m a tortured soul.
@@stan15263 was about to push the button about 4 months ago but was racially profiled by Watches of Switzerland while with my wife. Sounds lame but the experience put me off. However I still had an itch to scratch - and the missus had just spent a small fortune on her gnashers - so I bought a ‘Tuna’ (S23629J1) just before Xmas. Honestly love it more than I expected. Still unsure about GS - there crossover between Prospex and GS I’m not happy with, but I’ll probably still get one at some point. What’s your situation with GS?
@@0brand0brand34 how insane that sales people can still behave like that in 2022. Fair enough for pulling out on that one. That Tuna looks super rugged, nice choice :) The GS is still a dream for me, will take a while, but would go for the snowflake or something similar with a spring drive. I'm hoping to land my first "real" job in September so maybe I can save up over the next years. For now I have a little Seiko 5 with a blue dial to motivate me, as well as a Timex Q reissue and an old 1950s Nivada skymaster compensamatic, so I have no reason to rush as I still enjoy this combo. Maaaybe I'll go for a Tissot PRX or different Seiko if I'm too impatient for saving for the GS haha
@@stan15263 nice little collection. Love the 5. Tried on a nice one with bright sky-blue case but too small for me. Been looking at the Tissot myself - very nice. The Tuna is amazing. So much more comfy than it looks. Got almost £200 off it from Jura - I simply asked for their best discount - I was shocked! Was going to get the metal bracelet but I can’t go back on the comfort now. I tried the snowflake. I’m a big guy - it was too small on my wrist. I was gutted. So if I do get one it’ll be either SBGJ237 hi-beat (ridiculously beautiful on the wrist and I’d have bought it if not for the salesman) or the similar newly released limited edition SBGE275 which is blowing my mind right now. Good luck pal
I'd say GS is for people who value hand made quality and innovation instead of being insecure individual, who only cares about the brand's name and what others think. But hey..... your money - your choice.
9 out of 10 videos about Grand Seiko tell its underdog founding story of skill, dedication, technology and artistry. Videos about other brands sometimes name the founder and tell us the age of the company. So let's appreciate Grand Seiko's marketing department as much as its polishers!
Emerald Bullet or Patek Philippe/ Audemars Piguet/ Vacheron Constantine.. at least they’re not loose a price so dramatically... honestly saying latest prices of Grand Seiko and Seiko makes me sick!! They are definitely will loose people who has desire to buy their watches !!! And this absolutely simple watch for $50000? Bloody hell noooooooooo
You will need to have the knowledge and trained eyes to justify this watch. If you don't have, you will also question why Dufour's Simplicity costs more than 200k but Patek's Calatrava only costs for 20k. And it's by far not the first Spring Drive project of Micro Artist Studio. Before this watch, Micro Artist Studio already has made the Eichi I, Sonnerie, Minute Repeater and Eichi II under the Credor brand.
The finishing and craftsmanship is out of this world but I wish Grand Seiko designs were a bit less conservative sometimes. Fabulous review and macros btw!
I couldn’t find any fault with this. And I really tried. Just like high horology’s love of finishing parts that only a servicer will ever see, so Grand Seiko have produced a watch that you can only truly appreciate with a 20+ times loupe. An astonishing and refreshing lack of cynicism.
My good...I can go for a presage...or maybe dare to go for the basic GS Quartz...but this spring drive movement it's just stuck in my head, I love quartz and I do love mechanical movements for the second hand... But this is just a whole new level, Seiko it's always ahead
I 100% believe that this watch is worth that price, and if i had that kind of money i would own one, but it's still kind of amusing that it isn't even an automatic
Stunning production as always guys. Only this channel gets those razor sharp macro shots! Looking forward to another year of gratuitous horological close-ups. Merry Christmas & Happy 2020.
The damaged screws hurt my eye and my requirements of perfection. I hope this watch hasn't left the company like that and some third party watchmaker had his fingers on the movement.
I saw it towards the end. That’s rather egregious. With some feedback, I’m sure grand seiko would easily and swiftly rectify that if indeed it was an error on their part.
I'd fork over $50K in a heartbeat if I was in that league. This watch not only deserves to be in this category of finest watches ever made but also commands the respect of any purist who appreciates time in its most fundamental aspect, accurately kept. There is no other automatic movement (that I have ever seen by comparison), irrespective of the country of origin, that can hold a candle to the Spring Drive. I'm a true believer in Grand Seiko having made a sizeable investment by expanding my collection of Spring Drive pieces. I can attest to the +1/-1 daily accuracy. It's mind boggling how a mechanical movement can achieve near perfection. With all of that said, and with complete appreciation of the exquisite filming and light capture of this video, I have to point out something that I had to re-watch a few times to comprehend. At the 8:29 frame, the blued screw has an obvious raised edge(s) I assume from overtightening during assembly. I can almost hear a collective gasp from the team at GS having seen this as well. As simple as it may to replace a screw, I imagine it'd take a few days on this piece. Crazy stuff!!!
Looks amazingly like my King Seiko 5626-7040 without the day/date but the hands and markers aren't as nice, in my opinion. The spring drive is more accurate though.
There are cheap quartz clock movements that have sweep second hands, they use the same battery as a normal quartz clock; a double A , which lasts just as long. The main change to the motor that drives the hands is the addition of a flywheel. It takes less energy to drive something smoothly at a constant rate than it does to start it and stop it continuously at the same average speed. So there is no reason why a normal quartz watch couldn't have a sweep second hand if they wanted to do it. Give that watch a solar dial to charge the battery and you would have a functionally identical watch to the spring dive, but without the complication and cost.
When I would show with this watch in a bar/restaurant,i wouldn’t have ANY chance by a girl,when she would “accidentally” take a look at my wrist,but I’m sure she’d fall on John and Larrys 2 grand rolex on the wrist...and maybe she wouldn’t even know if it’s a fake or real one...😂
ligrattegraine i was just sarcastic if you haven’t noticed.I agree with your statement,the point was that grand seiko is a watch just for a few connoseiurs,especially at this price point.A very few.
Power reserve at the case-back, that's ingenious! An no need to break the front dial either with a cutout, no one who buys a 50K watch does it to know the date.
i maintain that no matter what price tier you’re talking about, a seiko/grand seiko is the best watch you can buy for the price. the cheap seiko 5s are excellent for the money, presages hold up very well vs cheaper swiss pieces, a rolex sub won’t hold a candle to an entry-level grand, and nothing can compete with the highest tiers of grand seiko’s lineup. no matter how much you paid for it, if it says “seiko,” you got it for a bargain.
