@@emptybucket1988 there are more than one reasons to buy a quartz, for my line of work accuracy is everything i need it, i need something that is daily regulated to be spot on every time, or when i go hiking in remote places i need something like a Casio or a Garmin that are more than just a watch. I have total love for mechanical watches but at the end watches are tools and they must be chosen for the ideal use we are going to be buying them for.
Do you know how his mother bought him a no date submariner to help him with his depression? I have depression too but I don't think my mom would do that without expert convincing.
Nice coming out story. Don't worry Adrian, we love you whatever your movement proclivities. (Seriously it's a brilliant watch and thanks for the shout out.)
and you can go in to any reputable watch dealer to have the battery changed as well. Rolex like some other top rated brands, even if battery powered you cant..
Having recently purchased the same watch you did a masterful job articulating my same sentiment. I went into my local AD 4 times before making the purchase and couldn't get the watch out of my head. You didn't even mention the jump hour hand. The quartz options with that feature are minimal.
Y'know, I think this is one of your finest works. On the surface it's "merely" a new purchase, but on a deeper level, it's an enlightening commentary. I'm all about brand prestige and history, but there's a lot of ignorance, judgement and stigma around. This video helps dismantle that. Thank you!
Yes! Absolutely right! And that is the sentiment that I was left with. It's a refreshing and thought provoking question that Adrain has got across so well, asking us all to really reflect on why we choose what we do. Nice one Adrian ...
Your videos are killing it Adrian, editing and production are spot on. Love the move to full time....there's nothing stopping your channel now from reaching the top. Cheers
I didn't notice the finish on the hands until I'd sold mine and I was editing photos of it. It's crazy, but then it is a tool. Thanks again for lending me your stunning Explorer.
You cannot dislike this video, simply based on your passion about what you bought. At the beginning of the video I thought I would not buy a quartz at that price, but you made an excellent point and I think you made the right choice there. Hell, I want one.
Great choice the GS. I also decided on the 9f Quartz GS five years ago and will never part with it .I do own a couple of really nice Swiss automatics , one a chronometer grade but I will never be able to afford the really high end Swiss watches but with the GS 9f , I believe I own one of the best if not the best available Quartz watch with a hand assembled movement. As far as accuracy goes , mine is approx 2 seconds per year and hopefully last a life time.. Cheers Dave
Totally enjoy your channel. I am a traditional mechanical watch movement collector, How ever after Trying on a Grand Seiko quartz I was blown away. The fit, build. Quality, rivals my oyster Perpetual. Oh Lord did I actually say that? Happily I have both in my collection and for my nephews wedding last month, opted for the Grand Seiko. Keep up the great work.
You made a wise choice. I have this model (#690, close to yours!) and I think it's the perfect watch for travel. I am wearing it as we speak while I'm on a business trip this week. It wears so well on the wrist and is beautiful to stare at. Enjoy it to the fullest!
Nice to see a watch lover buy a quartz watch because it’s appreciated for what it is. A beautiful watch. Quartz shouldn’t be a no- no. Thanks Adrian. Hope you enjoy it.
I love that you are authentic and will brave the deep recesses of the watch world that have been declared “off limits” by the common majority. Your reasoning is solid. Grand Seiko, even the supposed heartless quartz is still a complex work of art and all true art comes with heart.
What a masterful PR campaign the Swiss managed to pull off. After being decimated in the Quartz Revolution the Swiss watch makers have managed to turn "Quartz" into a dirty word. Even when quartz are more accurate, more durable, smaller, and more affordable to make, buy, and maintain watch snobs have managed to shift the discussion to "having a relationship" with a watch, and an "emotional connection"!! Ridiculous!! The real cost and loss from this is that high end watch makers don't invest in and develop new quartz watches, so those of us who value the benefits of quartz watches and are also watch aficionados are left to the margins. Imagine if Omega and Rolex and IWC and Patek and on and on would invest their full creative power into quartz watches. We'd then have many, many more beautiful and luxurious and creative watches that would also be accurate and durable and significantly less expensive over the life of the watch. Thank you Grand Seiko for recognizing quartz technology for what it is and can be.
I have one quartz watch in my collection, and it's a Grand Seiko 9F, an SBGV027 in a beautiful dark red face. Limited to 500 pieces. Photos never do them justice, and it's great that I can pick it up any time and it'll be accurate to the second. Amazing accuracy.
Adrian, you are simply the best watch/timepiece channel on UA-cam. Challenge conventional wisdom! Break boundaries! F**k the rest of the snobs. Love this channel. Love that watch. I just purchased the SBGA375. I stare at it in awe. What a company. What a timepiece!
My local watch shop is an AD for Omega and Grand Seiko. The sit side by side in the case. I went back and forth and ended up walking out with a Seamaster 41mm, and I'm thrilled. Always wanted one and zero regrets. But I kept looking over my shoulder at the Grand Seiko. They are so well finished and so classy they almost don't look real. Until you see one in person it's hard to explain. I now have an itch that must be scratched and so a limited-edition Grand Seiko quartz is in my immediate future.
The level of finishing is just amazing, the movement is a great talking point, and you could buy two for the price you wouldve paid for a used Explorer II. Plus the 50 year service interval will save you money over the life as well. I can stand behind your choice (as if what anyone thinks besides you matters anyway). I actually purchased a Tag Heuer Aquaracer quartz for a daily beater/work watch (I work outdoors mostly) and I went into that purchase second guessing myself due to the stigma surrounding quartz. Its not even a great quartz movement, midrange at best, but its very accurate and I dont have to worry about it...ever. Congrats on the purchase, you have an absolute stunner.
High accuracy quartz is a beautiful thing in and of itself. Watching that seconds had hit the indicator at exactly the right spot is satisfying, but to me, only if I also own a mechanical movement.
I picked up the black version about a month ago. I had similar reservations regarding getting a quartz watch (I already have and wear a mechanical Grand Seiko). I decided to buy it as soon as I put it on my wrist and really looked at it. It's elegantly simple, easy to read and the precision is truly remarkable. I still love it as much as that first moment and wouldn't be surprised if others fall in love with this model as well. I'm looking forward to your future video so I can seeing how it looks with another band. However at this point I think the band it comes with looks and feels great.
Superb watch! My first Grand Seiko was a 37mm SBGX059 with Polar White dial. Wish I had not sold it! I can totally relate to your enthusiasm for this watch. A good friend of mine has the same Explorer II that you show, and I agree it is a wonderful watch. Funny thing is, he was also looking at a GS Quartz GMT recently. I must show him this video. Great video as usual, I love your charisma and unpretentious enthusiasm! Cheers, Carl
I own a grand Seiko spring drive, and I'm amazed with the quality and finish, I always use my grand Seiko to set the correct time on my other watches, including the rolex explorer 2.
I love the look of the Grand Seiko and I said so when you presented all of the watches that you were considering. This is a perfect example of having a connection to a quality watch and buying what you like. 👍
I wear a Casio "Marlin" at work at the firehouse. After talking to several rescue divers with the Marlin on their wrist, I KNEW this was a great watch. It's great because of the value for money. It's great because it does it's job in life and death situations. I look at my wrist year after year and KNOW I'm wearing the real deal. Now YOUR wearing a "real deal" too....
One thing I have to look into is the expected lifespan and serviceability of quartz watches. The reason I got into watches was the fact that the old watch my dad gave me stopped working, and I was told it was just the life expectancy of the movement and all I could do is source the movement from another watch. So I made sure that my next watch could be serviced and repaired. But how does that work for high end quartz?
You explained yourself really well. I can now see why you did it,... was a bit surprised before. It is great to see you have such passion for it, and I do think it will last.
Hi Adrian. To me there is nothing to be ashamed of owning a quartz. I have a several automatic watches and have two quartz watches and two eco drive watches. Quartz and solar got into automatic. At the end everybody should be proud of their path to automatic and even if you buy quartz later the passion for watches is all matters. Snobbery is antithesis of passion and love for what you like: watches. And love is the antithesis of selfishness. Some people own a Rolex and don't even know the caliber powering it or the reference number. GREAT VIDEO SIR. Introduce us to all you like and make you curious. Keep it up Sir!
@Hulk GTI "any person who appreciates high quality horology would take a rolex over a seiko" I think this video itself just proved you wrong. Any person who appreciate high quality horology knows that Rolex isn't the only brand that makes high quality watches.
New found respect for your channel. Every channel is saying Rolex, Rolex, Rolex! Once you experience the quality and the finishing of the GS, it makes it quite hard to look at Rolex the same way. I just traded my Explorer for a GS, no regrets at all. Made a few thousand to put toward my next piece. Bravo sir, Bravo.
the reason the submariner is good in my opinion (and I have defended it in this way many times): apart from the logo and text on the dial, every single detail is there for a purpose. point to anything on that watch and the watch would be less functional (for its intended purpose) without it. its a perfect design.
Great watch. Nothing wrong with a quartz watch. Buy what ever you like. And most importantly wear it! Also love the stand your explorer 1 is on. Where is that from?
I feel this is what direction you should be heading... the very hefty passionate debates about what YOU like. You do it well, and convincing.... it’s your forte. Take full advantage of this my friend. I wasn’t sure what your channel was all about, but this episode convinced me to follow your channel with interest. People tend to be a bit bland these days, on the surface, I like the passionate people. Well done.
I like the way you felt the watch calling to you. I think that’s what really makes watches enjoyable. Even if you don’t have the money for a rolex or a gs, sometimes you see a watch and it jumps out at you. I could care less what anyone thinks of my watch. I am the one wearing it.
You are a mind reader. I just bought a used SBGX053 from Japan, my first Grand Seiko, it really is that good. It doesn't have a GMT or anything like the one you review, it is just the basic one- but it is that good! I can't stop looking at it!
I'd do exactly the same. That 9F can handle literally anything. It's just a nice feeling knowing it could endure things a mechanical watch wouldn't stand a chance in, all the while keeping nigh perfect time 😊🌟
Welcome to the 9F sandbox. My experience with discovering Grand Seiko quartz watches (SBGX263 for me) was very similar. I was astounded at the quality of the Japanese timepiece. From the fine zaratsu polishing to the precision of its movement, it’s stands leaps and bounds above the run of the mill quartz watches. And the history of how they came to be is impressive as hell. Like you said, you have to know your watches to truly appreciate the GS. Congrats on your newest acquisition.
@@gyang333 Watch winders are also an additional expense, and you still have to set that watch winder. With the money and time needed to set the winder, you may as well set the watch in your watch box, and then wind it again when you want to wear it. At least that has some sort of pleasure of interacting with your watch.
Great review and good choice! Congrats. Geek corner: You failed to mention the 2 stages of the seconds hands per second. 7:44 - I put your video on 0.25x speed and the two beats can be clearly seen.
This video was originally 26mins long, but I had to cut it down. I’m going to do a separate video talking about the little “Easter eggs” in this watch. There are quite a few cool little details. Cheers, Adrian
Bark and Jack Great! look forward to that. Agree, it’s easy to get bogged down in too much detail in reviews so yours was a great overview of the watch.
Thinking mechanical is always superior is phase one of being a watch enthusiast. Recognizing there's value in both mech and quartz shows a more full understanding. It's similar to the way fledgling music nerds will claim to hate all "pop" music.
I wonder if GS made the lugs 1mm thinner so that any strap added would be special order / hand made. I had to special order one from equus leather for my high-beat GMT and it is a nice combo to have hand crafted strap with zaratsu polished piece
I think GS uses those 19mm or 21mm lugs width just because they believe the proportions suit the watch better. They are not in the business of selling custom straps, so I don't think they use it to "lock" the customers into buying their straps. Well done on the Equus strap, though. Fantastic craftsman. I have several of their belts.
Nice review. The only thing that matters in the end is if you love your new Grand Seiko quartz and you certainly have made that clear that you do because it is for you, and not anyone else and you are the one who has to be happy wearing it. Congrats on the new watch and enjoy it! For my taste, I prefer the Rolex Polar Explorer II because I am a Rolex lover and already own two of them.
I say congrats and well done and well considered. I really love this particular limited edition version with the textured dial and yellow accent. And, i did consider the very watch for myself when first announced last year. The precison and craftsmanship is nothing short of amazing and something to both enjoy and be proud of when viewed on the wrist. Do i own one No, i sure wish, though. Still, I've done the research and understand the watch and where it comes from and why it deserves rightful praise. I wouldn't mind if that was my only GS. Seiko knows their quartz and how to make some of the best. It's a good size too where I feel the Spring Drive models are too bloated, still. This is a great, unique and reliably accurate everyday watch which I imagine makes a great strap monster as well. Enjoy! I am glad you are making a point that more people should try and open their mindset to the possibilities and especially to avoid the lazy practice of making poor and somewhat ignorant blanket statements denouncing all quartz watches. Not all quartz are created the same. And, i believe u don't necessarily have to spend super top dollar too get a very decent quartz. There's much more to factor in as to the overall design and feel of a watch to you. If it really is attractive and something you will enjoy but only offered in quartz, you still might want to give it a try and potentially surprise yourself by how little a watch's movement matters as much as the overall charm of the watch and how it may bring true enjoyment regardless of what beats inside.
Great video. Funnily enough my first Rolex was the white Explorer II that I bought on a whim one lunchtime in 1996 in the days when you saw Rolex sports watches sitting in shop windows LOL. Anyway tried on an SBGN005 (blue dial) some months ago and fell in love to the extent I have bought one despite feeling the urge to get that Explorer again. Can’t wait for it to arrive.
I made the mistake of selling my polar explorer ii. I’ve been planning on buying it again but was intrigued by the quartz GS and was offered a great deal. I bought the quarts GS over the explorer ii polar. I immediately regretted it. Will be selling it soon and just get the polar explorer ii again.
@@BarkandJack so glad that you've seen the 9f light! I have an sbgx103 in rotation and the finishing is so amazing (zaratsu hands and hour batons, blued second, sublime dial, etc) that sometimes I find myself just staring at it for a couple of minutes appreciating the quality. You're right that value retention is horrible so it's lucky for me that it's a keeper - the only dress watch I'll ever need. Hopefully you feel the same way about yours! Btw, super easy to change the battery yourself if you've got a cheapo case opener.
The first version was in 4k. It was my first 4k upload and I didn't know it would take 24 hour for youtube to processes the video. I deleted it and uploaded a 1080p version. I'll leave 4k for when I'm more organised.
"New found passion for quartz"...hmm... I'm not 100% convinced that buying a GS over a Rolex Explorer 2 was the right call, Adrian...I'm not absolutely 100% convinced.... I mean, 1 to 5 second per year accuracy is all fine and dandy....but wouldn't that rather deprive me of my delightful monthly ritual of resetting the watch against an online clock?
Different strokes for different folks. Incredibly satisfying to reset my sbgx103 when the clocks go forward/backwards and see that it's only 1 sec out.
@@inscrutablechicken Of course. I'm not one of the hardcore anti-quartz crowd. I'm not someone who claims that "quartz watches aren't real", or whatever. But for me personally, I do find that super-accuracy is greatly overrated as a feature. To be honest I find that even the vintage watches in my collection from 1940-1960 usually deliver a level of accuracy which allows me to manage my time perfectly - provided that they are adjusted about once every week. Basically we don't miss a train by 15 or 20 seconds! (Well...saying that....when I was about 19 or 20 I once _did_ have a train conductor on Portsmouth Harbour Station close the freaking doors right in my face!. But ironically I had quartz watch back in those youthful days...so....!)
@@j.burgess4459 The primary function of a wrist watch is to show the time, how could accuracy possibly be "overrated"? If anything it's the fascination with mechanical watches, relatively simple machines, that is overrated. Most of my watches are mechanical and I do own watch winders but time still needs to be adjusted periodically on all of them. After a while all it does is remind me how inaccurate these things are and I find myself picking my quartz watches more and more often. I guess it is fine if you only own a couple of pieces. Accuracy is underrated.
@@DM-rc4yu I didn't say " _accuracy_ is overrated". I said " _super-accuracy_ is overrated". This distinction is not merely pedantic. It is obvious that accuracy is important - up to a certain point. For example, if a watch were gaining or losing several minutes per day that could have a real impact on its practical usefulness. But beyond a certain level of performance (i.e. when we start to talk about accuracy to within 1 or 2 seconds PER YEAR) this very high accuracy - or "super-accuracy" - isn't delivering any significant additional benefit to most practical purposes. For many of us who are watch lovers, spending time periodically adjusting the watches is part of the joy. I can understand how it might become a drag for many people though.
I think having a quartz watch in addition to the mechanical watches he owns is what seals the deal. If one is a mechanical watch fan, but only owns one watch, and that watch is a quartz, then that's quite unsatisfying. But to be able to experience all that horology has to offer, within budget, that's a pretty cool thing.
Adrian I’ve found that 1mm difference is quite insignificant when it comes to straps. A 20mm leather or nato will usually fit 19mm lugs (I hate odd sizes too) but it will fit snug. You can’t go 2mm. That’s where you’ll have trouble fitting it. Just sayin.
Any jeweler can replace the battery in a GS 9F, but they’re not going to have the gaskets to replace them during the battery change which is what’s recommended by GS to keep its water resistance. So if someone does change the battery besides GS, a regular pressure test is a good idea unless you want a water logged GS and a hefty service bill.
Hey, this is a great video I really enjoyed the comparisons you made. Could you please consider making a video on the Rolex Air King. I think its quite a unique Rolex and would like to hear your thoughts on it.
DutchClawz if you buy a watch just because you want to be amazed and satisfy your craving for an incredible watch you go get urself a GS. now for any other reasons go get urself a Rolex.
Nothing helps distancing you from a free Rolex lunch to prevent another Bremont infomercial-like debacle than buying the GS quartz homage to their collectible 16570. Brilliant. I can’t wait for Archie’s response to that. Keep it going, feed the Pontiff with quality material like this. You need to buy a Tag or IWC at retail.
Every mechanical watch guy needs at least 1 quartz watch!
How else would we know what the real time is :)
Simon g my phone :)
Hard burn! 😂
Nice comment bro totally agree Citizen Evo Drive Simon g
And for that epic awesome correct comment we thank u
@@emptybucket1988 there are more than one reasons to buy a quartz, for my line of work accuracy is everything i need it, i need something that is daily regulated to be spot on every time, or when i go hiking in remote places i need something like a Casio or a Garmin that are more than just a watch. I have total love for mechanical watches but at the end watches are tools and they must be chosen for the ideal use we are going to be buying them for.
"there is a lot of shit out there. my wife has some" HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA that killed me!
Do you know how his mother bought him a no date submariner to help him with his depression? I have depression too but I don't think my mom would do that without expert convincing.
Went looking for this comment ... don't we all feel like this about 95% of people's watches
A quiet quartz movement that has a solid second hand movement and accurately hits the markers is just as satisfying as a sweeping hand IMO
That heavy seconds hand too.
On point 👌🏽
Nice coming out story. Don't worry Adrian, we love you whatever your movement proclivities. (Seriously it's a brilliant watch and thanks for the shout out.)
Haha, coming out to quartz.
Adrian gained you a sub from me.
Really enjoy your vids, Pete.
I too am a quartzexual.
@@tomjsmith000 Not there yet but definately quartzcurious.
I love the way seconds hand hits the mark every single time! My major gripe with low quality quartz watches.
The Citizen Promasters do it as well ;-)
Was just about to comment the same. A 140$ citizen pro master is known for second hand alignment. You don’t need to spend thousands for that at all.
Jonathon Cottone my CitizenEco drives all hit spot on, my Swiss Quartz all wobble and jiggle and never hit all on the marker
anurag singh it doesn’t
My 20$ Casio does it... Price don't correlate with that, but the quality of the brand.
Thank god a Rolex fan that can appreciate another brand....you are a rare commodity.....
At least you can walk right into a Grand Seiko AD and purchase this watch, unlike the Rolex.
and you can go in to any reputable watch dealer to have the battery changed as well. Rolex like some other top rated brands, even if battery powered you cant..
I think Archie got a heart attack just by reading the title
We can only dream ;)
I shouldn't joke about that. It could easily be a reality!
@@BarkandJack Relax, your comment is totally in the spirit of Archie
Bark and Jack 🤣😂🤣
@@mikkelravn Haha, my response had a hint of sarcasm. I forget that's lost over written word. Cheers.
Having recently purchased the same watch you did a masterful job articulating my same sentiment. I went into my local AD 4 times before making the purchase and couldn't get the watch out of my head. You didn't even mention the jump hour hand. The quartz options with that feature are minimal.
Y'know, I think this is one of your finest works. On the surface it's "merely" a new purchase, but on a deeper level, it's an enlightening commentary. I'm all about brand prestige and history, but there's a lot of ignorance, judgement and stigma around. This video helps dismantle that. Thank you!
Yes! Absolutely right! And that is the sentiment that I was left with. It's a refreshing and thought provoking question that Adrain has got across so well, asking us all to really reflect on why we choose what we do. Nice one Adrian ...
Your videos are killing it Adrian, editing and production are spot on. Love the move to full time....there's nothing stopping your channel now from reaching the top. Cheers
Well worth the wait! Great video, that B roll on the GS was bloody superb!
Can’t believe we didn’t notice the finish on the hands of our Explorer!
I didn't notice the finish on the hands until I'd sold mine and I was editing photos of it. It's crazy, but then it is a tool.
Thanks again for lending me your stunning Explorer.
Yeah that B-roll, freakin awesome! Adrian, a 20mm NATO with curved spring bars might work on a 19mm lug width.
clockbait That SBGN is a limited edition piece
@@tomkhong9828 The finishing is equally great on all Grand Seiko's - no matter if it's LE or not.
otobotrecords Absolutely, the only difference is the dial.
Adrian, I'm glad you enjoy it. That's what is important in the end
You cannot dislike this video, simply based on your passion about what you bought. At the beginning of the video I thought I would not buy a quartz at that price, but you made an excellent point and I think you made the right choice there. Hell, I want one.
Great choice the GS. I also decided on the 9f Quartz GS five years ago and will never part with it .I do own a couple of really nice Swiss automatics , one a chronometer grade but I will never be able to afford the really high end Swiss watches but with the GS 9f , I believe I own one of the best if not the best available Quartz watch with a hand assembled movement. As far as accuracy goes , mine is approx 2 seconds per year and hopefully last a life time..
Cheers
Dave
Totally enjoy your channel. I am a traditional mechanical watch movement collector, How ever after
Trying on a Grand Seiko quartz I was blown away. The fit, build. Quality, rivals my oyster Perpetual. Oh Lord did I actually say that?
Happily I have both in my collection and for my nephews wedding last month, opted for the Grand Seiko. Keep up the great work.
Truth my brother.!!! Torn between my love of mechanical watches & accuracy I was a snob but GS has opened my eyes.
I was exactly the same, and that’s why I was so conflicted over this piece.
@@BarkandJack ~ Time to do a 3-month on the wrist review!!
You made a wise choice. I have this model (#690, close to yours!) and I think it's the perfect watch for travel. I am wearing it as we speak while I'm on a business trip this week. It wears so well on the wrist and is beautiful to stare at. Enjoy it to the fullest!
Nice to see a watch lover buy a quartz watch because it’s appreciated for what it is. A beautiful watch. Quartz shouldn’t be a no- no. Thanks Adrian. Hope you enjoy it.
I love that you are authentic and will brave the deep recesses of the watch world that have been declared “off limits” by the common majority. Your reasoning is solid. Grand Seiko, even the supposed heartless quartz is still a complex work of art and all true art comes with heart.
Fantastic comparison, amazing macro shots and great discussion on the merits of GS quartz. This is a brilliant video. Thank you Adrian :)
What a masterful PR campaign the Swiss managed to pull off. After being decimated in the Quartz Revolution the Swiss watch makers have managed to turn "Quartz" into a dirty word. Even when quartz are more accurate, more durable, smaller, and more affordable to make, buy, and maintain watch snobs have managed to shift the discussion to "having a relationship" with a watch, and an "emotional connection"!! Ridiculous!! The real cost and loss from this is that high end watch makers don't invest in and develop new quartz watches, so those of us who value the benefits of quartz watches and are also watch aficionados are left to the margins. Imagine if Omega and Rolex and IWC and Patek and on and on would invest their full creative power into quartz watches. We'd then have many, many more beautiful and luxurious and creative watches that would also be accurate and durable and significantly less expensive over the life of the watch. Thank you Grand Seiko for recognizing quartz technology for what it is and can be.
You can enjoy both, just a thought.
@5:00 "lotta shit out there, my wife has some" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I lost it hahah
I have one quartz watch in my collection, and it's a Grand Seiko 9F, an SBGV027 in a beautiful dark red face. Limited to 500 pieces. Photos never do them justice, and it's great that I can pick it up any time and it'll be accurate to the second. Amazing accuracy.
Nice vid man! It takes a lot of guts to talk about quartz vs mechanical in a watch channel! Congratz on your new purchase! And waiting for the review!
so true... as said in the last vid, like your work, but not the quartz though 😅
Adrian, you are simply the best watch/timepiece channel on UA-cam. Challenge conventional wisdom! Break boundaries! F**k the rest of the snobs. Love this channel. Love that watch. I just purchased the SBGA375. I stare at it in awe. What a company. What a timepiece!
That Grand Seiko is absolutely beautiful!
My local watch shop is an AD for Omega and Grand Seiko. The sit side by side in the case. I went back and forth and ended up walking out with a Seamaster 41mm, and I'm thrilled. Always wanted one and zero regrets. But I kept looking over my shoulder at the Grand Seiko. They are so well finished and so classy they almost don't look real. Until you see one in person it's hard to explain. I now have an itch that must be scratched and so a limited-edition Grand Seiko quartz is in my immediate future.
My rotation is almost exclusively Rolex and Grand Seiko. Any collector who dismisses quartz is not a WIS.
WIS?
zer0slayer Wanker in sunlight
Wanker into shoes!!
The level of finishing is just amazing, the movement is a great talking point, and you could buy two for the price you wouldve paid for a used Explorer II. Plus the 50 year service interval will save you money over the life as well. I can stand behind your choice (as if what anyone thinks besides you matters anyway). I actually purchased a Tag Heuer Aquaracer quartz for a daily beater/work watch (I work outdoors mostly) and I went into that purchase second guessing myself due to the stigma surrounding quartz. Its not even a great quartz movement, midrange at best, but its very accurate and I dont have to worry about it...ever. Congrats on the purchase, you have an absolute stunner.
The second ticking have would do my head in. If going GS I'd go Spring Drive for the continual sweep.
High accuracy quartz is a beautiful thing in and of itself. Watching that seconds had hit the indicator at exactly the right spot is satisfying, but to me, only if I also own a mechanical movement.
YES
I picked up the black version about a month ago. I had similar reservations regarding getting a quartz watch (I already have and wear a mechanical Grand Seiko). I decided to buy it as soon as I put it on my wrist and really looked at it. It's elegantly simple, easy to read and the precision is truly remarkable. I still love it as much as that first moment and wouldn't be surprised if others fall in love with this model as well. I'm looking forward to your future video so I can seeing how it looks with another band. However at this point I think the band it comes with looks and feels great.
Your Grand Seiko is a lovely watch. For accuracy,I'm looking forward to see the Citizen Caliber 0100 quartz movement when it comes out.
It released. A very beautiful watch. There is a Hodinkee review out there already:
ua-cam.com/video/bEkmd1EGec8/v-deo.html
Have you seen the prices though, really scary!
For accuracy I am looking at an Apple Watch
@@gilliebrand #Whitegold #Novelties #Firstadopters
@@gilliebrand not yet, do you have a link?
Superb watch! My first Grand Seiko was a 37mm SBGX059 with Polar White dial. Wish I had not sold it! I can totally relate to your enthusiasm for this watch. A good friend of mine has the same Explorer II that you show, and I agree it is a wonderful watch. Funny thing is, he was also looking at a GS Quartz GMT recently. I must show him this video. Great video as usual, I love your charisma and unpretentious enthusiasm! Cheers, Carl
I own a grand Seiko spring drive, and I'm amazed with the quality and finish, I always use my grand Seiko to set the correct time on my other watches, including the rolex explorer 2.
How the seconds hand hit the markers precisely is as satisfying as seeing a buttery smooth automatic seconds hand.
I agree, that’s exactly how I feel about it.
I love the look of the Grand Seiko and I said so when you presented all of the watches that you were considering. This is a perfect example of having a connection to a quality watch and buying what you like. 👍
I wear a Casio "Marlin" at work at the firehouse. After talking to several rescue divers with the Marlin on their wrist, I KNEW this was a great watch. It's great because of the value for money. It's great because it does it's job in life and death situations. I look at my wrist year after year and KNOW I'm wearing the real deal.
Now YOUR wearing a "real deal" too....
Anson Love my Marlin! My $40 Sub! I chuckle to myself every time I look at it.
I totally agree with you when you say buy what you like. As this will make you happier that buying what someone else say is good. Nice video.
One thing I have to look into is the expected lifespan and serviceability of quartz watches. The reason I got into watches was the fact that the old watch my dad gave me stopped working, and I was told it was just the life expectancy of the movement and all I could do is source the movement from another watch. So I made sure that my next watch could be serviced and repaired. But how does that work for high end quartz?
Bought a 16570 Explorer II as my first Rolex two months ago!
Excellent choice! Unlike coffee boy here
Is it real ?
@@unclemonkey808 He's got an Explorer I and a Kermit, I think diversifying the collection is a good choice
You explained yourself really well. I can now see why you did it,... was a bit surprised before. It is great to see you have such passion for it, and I do think it will last.
Looking forward to those 19mm nato straps! :-)
Hi Adrian. To me there is nothing to be ashamed of owning a quartz. I have a several automatic watches and have two quartz watches and two eco drive watches. Quartz and solar got into automatic. At the end everybody should be proud of their path to automatic and even if you buy quartz later the passion for watches is all matters. Snobbery is antithesis of passion and love for what you like: watches. And love is the antithesis of selfishness. Some people own a Rolex and don't even know the caliber powering it or the reference number. GREAT VIDEO SIR. Introduce us to all you like and make you curious. Keep it up Sir!
As have been said before, a Rolex is to impress other people. A Seiko is to impress yourself (and watch nerds).
And omega is both, to impress others and yourself 😎
@Hulk GTI "any person who appreciates high quality horology would take a rolex over a seiko" I think this video itself just proved you wrong. Any person who appreciate high quality horology knows that Rolex isn't the only brand that makes high quality watches.
@Hulk GTI high quality horology appreciates that grand seiko elite movement over any rolex
@@shaikhpapi2083 omega is a terrible brand living off the moon association and james bond. Worse brand than seiko or rolex
New found respect for your channel. Every channel is saying Rolex, Rolex, Rolex! Once you experience the quality and the finishing of the GS, it makes it quite hard to look at Rolex the same way. I just traded my Explorer for a GS, no regrets at all. Made a few thousand to put toward my next piece. Bravo sir, Bravo.
Actually laughed out loud when he said “My wife has some”😂😂
the reason the submariner is good in my opinion (and I have defended it in this way many times): apart from the logo and text on the dial, every single detail is there for a purpose. point to anything on that watch and the watch would be less functional (for its intended purpose) without it. its a perfect design.
It could really do with a new movement and increased power reserve, though. And I don't see how the fat lugs make it any more functional.
I read this as why I sold my Grand Seiko Quartz and bought a Rolex Explorer 2 ....
Very honest review and some good points of view 👍
Great watch. Nothing wrong with a quartz watch. Buy what ever you like. And most importantly wear it! Also love the stand your explorer 1 is on. Where is that from?
Thanks David. A viewer made me that stand for his product design degree. It’s amazing. It has an imprint of the moon’s surface on it.
@@BarkandJack looks great. May have to shop around for one similar.
I feel this is what direction you should be heading... the very hefty passionate debates about what YOU like. You do it well, and convincing.... it’s your forte. Take full advantage of this my friend.
I wasn’t sure what your channel was all about, but this episode convinced me to follow your channel with interest. People tend to be a bit bland these days, on the surface, I like the passionate people.
Well done.
Your money, your choice. I would have gone for the Explorer II - in fact I did!
I like the way you felt the watch calling to you. I think that’s what really makes watches enjoyable. Even if you don’t have the money for a rolex or a gs, sometimes you see a watch and it jumps out at you. I could care less what anyone thinks of my watch. I am the one wearing it.
Great choice. I also own this GS. LOVE it
You are a mind reader. I just bought a used SBGX053 from Japan, my first Grand Seiko, it really is that good. It doesn't have a GMT or anything like the one you review, it is just the basic one- but it is that good! I can't stop looking at it!
I'd do exactly the same. That 9F can handle literally anything. It's just a nice feeling knowing it could endure things a mechanical watch wouldn't stand a chance in, all the while keeping nigh perfect time 😊🌟
Welcome to the 9F sandbox. My experience with discovering Grand Seiko quartz watches (SBGX263 for me) was very similar. I was astounded at the quality of the Japanese timepiece. From the fine zaratsu polishing to the precision of its movement, it’s stands leaps and bounds above the run of the mill quartz watches. And the history of how they came to be is impressive as hell. Like you said, you have to know your watches to truly appreciate the GS. Congrats on your newest acquisition.
The automatic version of this watch is Grand Seiko SBGM029 GMT
the way the GS second beats is noticeably smoother than a regular quartz, very cool.
You'll appreciate not wearing it for a week, picking it up.....and guess what? Still running and keeping perfect time!
Derek Hicks watch winders exist and so do watches with 7+ days movements.
What a stupid thing to say Derek hicks
@@gyang333 And still worse accuracy.
@@gyang333 Watch winders are also an additional expense, and you still have to set that watch winder. With the money and time needed to set the winder, you may as well set the watch in your watch box, and then wind it again when you want to wear it. At least that has some sort of pleasure of interacting with your watch.
Great review. Shows you have strength of character and not swayed by opinion.
Quartz doesn't bother me unless the second hand is off center.
5:05 “my wife has some...” hahahaha best line in the whole video!
Great review and good choice! Congrats.
Geek corner: You failed to mention the 2 stages of the seconds hands per second. 7:44 - I put your video on 0.25x speed and the two beats can be clearly seen.
This video was originally 26mins long, but I had to cut it down. I’m going to do a separate video talking about the little “Easter eggs” in this watch. There are quite a few cool little details. Cheers, Adrian
Bark and Jack Great! look forward to that. Agree, it’s easy to get bogged down in too much detail in reviews so yours was a great overview of the watch.
Thinking mechanical is always superior is phase one of being a watch enthusiast. Recognizing there's value in both mech and quartz shows a more full understanding. It's similar to the way fledgling music nerds will claim to hate all "pop" music.
Been waiting for this!! :D
I wonder if GS made the lugs 1mm thinner so that any strap added would be special order / hand made. I had to special order one from equus leather for my high-beat GMT and it is a nice combo to have hand crafted strap with zaratsu polished piece
I think GS uses those 19mm or 21mm lugs width just because they believe the proportions suit the watch better. They are not in the business of selling custom straps, so I don't think they use it to "lock" the customers into buying their straps. Well done on the Equus strap, though. Fantastic craftsman. I have several of their belts.
This is why I stay up until 11 PM
11 PM, in which time zone?
Apple Watch switzerland
Nice review. The only thing that matters in the end is if you love your new Grand Seiko quartz and you certainly have made that clear that you do because it is for you, and not anyone else and you are the one who has to be happy wearing it. Congrats on the new watch and enjoy it! For my taste, I prefer the Rolex Polar Explorer II because I am a Rolex lover and already own two of them.
If you do make 19mm straps i would love one for my Rolex Air King 5500!
+1 - getting a sbgn 005 soon, want to get a strap for it as well.
My FOIS speedy would love it!
I am supporting the 19mm option too! :) definitely would buy one
Great review. One thing: Grand Seiko wanted to use the heavy grand seiko hands, necessitating a torqued up movement, not the other way around.
I say congrats and well done and well considered. I really love this particular limited edition version with the textured dial and yellow accent. And, i did consider the very watch for myself when first announced last year. The precison and craftsmanship is nothing short of amazing and something to both enjoy and be proud of when viewed on the wrist. Do i own one
No, i sure wish, though. Still, I've done the research and understand the watch and where it comes from and why it deserves rightful praise. I wouldn't mind if that was my only GS. Seiko knows their quartz and how to make some of the best. It's a good size too where I feel the Spring Drive models are too bloated, still. This is a great, unique and reliably accurate everyday watch which I imagine makes a great strap monster as well. Enjoy!
I am glad you are making a point that more people should try and open their mindset to the possibilities and especially to avoid the lazy practice of making poor and somewhat ignorant blanket statements denouncing all quartz watches. Not all quartz are created the same. And, i believe u don't necessarily have to spend super top dollar too get a very decent quartz. There's much more to factor in as to the overall design and feel of a watch to you. If it really is attractive and something you will enjoy but only offered in quartz, you still might want to give it a try and potentially surprise yourself by how little a watch's movement matters as much as the overall charm of the watch and how it may bring true enjoyment regardless of what beats inside.
Is the 9f serviceable like a mechanical watch? If yes, what is the recommended time between service?
Mathieu Vaillancourt 50yr service interval
Kudos for coming out as quartz-curious!
Great video. Funnily enough my first Rolex was the white Explorer II that I bought on a whim one lunchtime in 1996 in the days when you saw Rolex sports watches sitting in shop windows LOL. Anyway tried on an SBGN005 (blue dial) some months ago and fell in love to the extent I have bought one despite feeling the urge to get that Explorer again. Can’t wait for it to arrive.
Quartz watches are what you set your mechanicals by !
I made the mistake of selling my polar explorer ii. I’ve been planning on buying it again but was intrigued by the quartz GS and was offered a great deal. I bought the quarts GS over the explorer ii polar. I immediately regretted it. Will be selling it soon and just get the polar explorer ii again.
Rolex all day
Adrian who are you kidding, you will probably have the Explorer II back in your collection by the end of the year. 😂
Haha. I would like both of them.
@@BarkandJack so glad that you've seen the 9f light! I have an sbgx103 in rotation and the finishing is so amazing (zaratsu hands and hour batons, blued second, sublime dial, etc) that sometimes I find myself just staring at it for a couple of minutes appreciating the quality.
You're right that value retention is horrible so it's lucky for me that it's a keeper - the only dress watch I'll ever need. Hopefully you feel the same way about yours!
Btw, super easy to change the battery yourself if you've got a cheapo case opener.
My OCD loves that the seconds hand lines up with the markers. I've never had a watch which did that.
Why the reload?
The first version was in 4k. It was my first 4k upload and I didn't know it would take 24 hour for youtube to processes the video. I deleted it and uploaded a 1080p version. I'll leave 4k for when I'm more organised.
Thanks. Btw your channel is getting better and better. Keep up the good work.
@@graywolf6498 Thanks so much James. I'm really glad you think so. Cheers, Adrian
Congrats on the GS - a great watch. And thanks for taking the time to explain your reasoning behind your decision. Enjoy!
"New found passion for quartz"...hmm... I'm not 100% convinced that buying a GS over a Rolex Explorer 2 was the right call, Adrian...I'm not absolutely 100% convinced....
I mean, 1 to 5 second per year accuracy is all fine and dandy....but wouldn't that rather deprive me of my delightful monthly ritual of resetting the watch against an online clock?
Different strokes for different folks. Incredibly satisfying to reset my sbgx103 when the clocks go forward/backwards and see that it's only 1 sec out.
@@inscrutablechicken Of course. I'm not one of the hardcore anti-quartz crowd. I'm not someone who claims that "quartz watches aren't real", or whatever. But for me personally, I do find that super-accuracy is greatly overrated as a feature. To be honest I find that even the vintage watches in my collection from 1940-1960 usually deliver a level of accuracy which allows me to manage my time perfectly - provided that they are adjusted about once every week. Basically we don't miss a train by 15 or 20 seconds! (Well...saying that....when I was about 19 or 20 I once _did_ have a train conductor on Portsmouth Harbour Station close the freaking doors right in my face!. But ironically I had quartz watch back in those youthful days...so....!)
@@j.burgess4459 The primary function of a wrist watch is to show the time, how could accuracy possibly be "overrated"? If anything it's the fascination with mechanical watches, relatively simple machines, that is overrated.
Most of my watches are mechanical and I do own watch winders but time still needs to be adjusted periodically on all of them. After a while all it does is remind me how inaccurate these things are and I find myself picking my quartz watches more and more often. I guess it is fine if you only own a couple of pieces. Accuracy is underrated.
@@DM-rc4yu I didn't say " _accuracy_ is overrated". I said " _super-accuracy_ is overrated". This distinction is not merely pedantic. It is obvious that accuracy is important - up to a certain point. For example, if a watch were gaining or losing several minutes per day that could have a real impact on its practical usefulness. But beyond a certain level of performance (i.e. when we start to talk about accuracy to within 1 or 2 seconds PER YEAR) this very high accuracy - or "super-accuracy" - isn't delivering any significant additional benefit to most practical purposes. For many of us who are watch lovers, spending time periodically adjusting the watches is part of the joy. I can understand how it might become a drag for many people though.
I think having a quartz watch in addition to the mechanical watches he owns is what seals the deal. If one is a mechanical watch fan, but only owns one watch, and that watch is a quartz, then that's quite unsatisfying. But to be able to experience all that horology has to offer, within budget, that's a pretty cool thing.
Adrian I’ve found that 1mm difference is quite insignificant when it comes to straps. A 20mm leather or nato will usually fit 19mm lugs (I hate odd sizes too) but it will fit snug. You can’t go 2mm. That’s where you’ll have trouble fitting it. Just sayin.
You buy what you love, regardless a Rolex or Timex... Got to say, GS is a very very good choice indeed...
The technology in the spring drive is just beautiful. Simple classic looks with an excellent movement and finish.
Please do a video of the GMT functionality 👌 great watch and review !
Just when you think you've recovered from your watch addiction - a video like this pops up. That grand seiko looks absolutely incredible.
Also do check out casio oceanus. A budget version of this one.
Agree on the lugs.
Any jeweler can replace the battery in a GS 9F, but they’re not going to have the gaskets to replace them during the battery change which is what’s recommended by GS to keep its water resistance. So if someone does change the battery besides GS, a regular pressure test is a good idea unless you want a water logged GS and a hefty service bill.
Hey, this is a great video I really enjoyed the comparisons you made. Could you please consider making a video on the Rolex Air King. I think its quite a unique Rolex and would like to hear your thoughts on it.
I love Grand Seiko. I own a GS GMT 9F86 and a GS spring drive SBGA201G. Both are stunning watches and i'm happy with it.
The only downside the grand seiko has over a Rolex is the resale value, besides that its better in every aspect👏🏼
Amen to that, if you are buying with a view to re selling nobody can argue against Rolex.
I just feel GS is a bit over priced.
DutchClawz if you buy a watch just because you want to be amazed and satisfy your craving for an incredible watch you go get urself a GS. now for any other reasons go get urself a Rolex.
Gold Dragon I read the following somewhere on a watchpage “you buy a Grand Seiko for yourself, a Rolex for everyone else”
DutchClawz yes sir! amen to that.👍
“My wife has some” 😂 That was gold, but like I said before...was excited when I saw you got this piece! Wear it in good health!
Haha. I’m lucky she doesn’t watch the videos. 👍🏻
The lack of a disgusting cyclops, perfect.
Nothing helps distancing you from a free Rolex lunch to prevent another Bremont infomercial-like debacle than buying the GS quartz homage to their collectible 16570. Brilliant. I can’t wait for Archie’s response to that. Keep it going, feed the Pontiff with quality material like this. You need to buy a Tag or IWC at retail.
Extremely impressed with the build quality. A really nice watch and great video. Thank you 😁👍🏻
Just tried the watch today. Going through the same “it’s not a mechanical watch” argument in my head. But what a great watch.
Congrats, I’m impressed you stepped away from the Rolex frenzy.
The Grand Seiko GMT is appreciated for what it actually is and what it does. It does not rely on the PR and hype of Rolex for its value.