I will be receiving this watch in celebration of my upcoming 40th birthday. It will be a gift from my wife, although clearly not a surprise. I have lusted after it since I first put it on my wrist at the GS boutique in NYC a year ago. What brilliant finishing! I cannot wait to add it to my collection!
I own this watch since 18 months and fall in love with it every time I put it on my wrist. You get lost in the dial! I also love my Rolex Explorer but the finishing off this piece is so incredibly perfect and sharp it jumps in your face like no other at this price point. I plays in a totally different league. I agree when it comes to the bracelet. It wears very well but the look is only OK. But, put it on a black alligator strap and it shines even more because the beautiful 44GS case becomes even more accentuated. Happy to have mine and will never sell it. Thanx for the great video!
Two years ago I bought this watch over the Snowflake for two reasons, one: bigness or bulkiness of the hands and indices against the dial area. Two: the case design. And I never regret my decision.
Great to see more love given to Grand Seiko in Europe. The brand is focusing heavily on the US market, almost at the expense of other key collector markets imho.
Agree. The pricing structure is also more than awkward. We hope they’ll fix it at some point. For example the new White Birch (SLGH005): $9,100USD in the US and €9,500 Euro (for the German market), while $9,100 converts to €7,500 according to XE Currency Converter. That’s quite ridiculous.
@@FratelloMagazine I just pre-ordered my white birch here in Bangkok for approximately 7700 EUR, just fyi (actually 7400 EUR but the additional 300 EUR discount only works with Krungsri credit cards)
I have one of these in my collection. For everyone who criticise the bracelet and rave about the Rolex Oyster bracelet. Do you actually own a Roli. I have six Rolies, the links of the bracelets especially the oysters are allowed to articulate and rub against the clasp scratching the links. I have tape on all my Rolex to prevent self-destruction. This does not happen on the G.S. because more thought has gone into it. All my Rolex watches look like they were made by Fisher Price compared to the G.S. and this is is coming from a huge Rolex fan.
Totally aggreed. I got the GMT Peacock SBGJ227 and totally fell in Love with it. This green Dial ist the most stunning Of all Green Dials i have ever seen. I even got over the thick Case and the Omega Seamaster like Braceler without Micro Adjusting. Love also the Polishing and Edges; Its a Keeper!
A stunning watch and I agree with your feelings towards steel. But more importantly you went to an AD and they actually had popular watches that people want in stock that you can try on! What madness is this!? 😁
I had mine for 3 years and finally wore it last month and it quite stunning on the wrist - the only issue I have is the Seiko recommendation of 3 year maintenance schedule they suggest. But that’s ok, its in a rotation of of 6 other watches I wear so maybe I can extend it to 5-6 years, the bracelet should have micro adjustments is the only complaint I have, it still fits good though
I love that watch. I have the blue version and it is mind blowingly nice. Would love to see a review on Girard perregaux laureatu skeleton. Every time I see that watch it amazes me and I feel it is so much underrated compared to its counterparts from AP and Vacheron
The blue and black versions are stunning as well! The GP Laureato is an interesting choice. We definitely love the black dial version they did in 2020 for Wempe, but some of the ceramic ones are simply not good (bracelet issues). Let's see if we can request a GP for a video review soon.
@@FratelloMagazine I am referring to the skeleton version. It looks interesting. Also what bracelet issues you refer to because I am almost purchasing the ceramic skeleton with blue PVD coating. Would be great to know before buying
I hope you’re not annoyed at the new steel White Birch… That’s my issue. I’d see a new one and say “Well, that’s just a bit more perfect than my current one so I’ll have to sell mine and buy that now!”
I bought the SBGA413 cherry blossom over the snowflake, however you cannot compare the gmt to the snowflake as they different movements and the gmt has an additional complication. I changed the strap on mine as well to a custom leather strap. I do like this GMT though, maybe a future purchase.
Thank you for the review RJ & Karina. A Grand Seiko HI Beat movement is that not more acceptable to wear and tear of the components? The service interval of Rolex and Omega's are around 7-10 years. Do you think that servicing might be an issue here? 🤔
Easily better than the snowflake except for the lack of spring drive. Have you ever seen the sbga413 spring drive? US only model but my favorite of them all.
It’s lovely .. I think there’s certainly things that GS do way better than Rolex however they lag behind in other areas bracelet, clasp and often I find them just too thick for my tastes .. If they addressed these issues they would leave Rolex standing with regards quality ..
I have pre-ordered my first GS last week (white birch) and I just found a good as new 2020 Iwate in a store here for 4000 EUR and because of your video I'm seriously considering getting this one too. I currently don't have a GMT and 4000 EUR for a mint used Iwate with box and papers seems quite good right? :)