Owning this for a month, it is definitely one of my best purchases recently. The case fits so well on my wrist, performance of the SD movement is unbeatable, not even a single sec off for a whole month. The dial react differently under the sun. Countless surprises during the 1month ownership of this watch. Get it if you are planning to, you will regret only if you didn’t :)
I got mine on april 7th at the GS flagship boutique in Ginza. Cheers to us. Hehehe. A question, does your crown have a slight amount of play/wobble when it is in the unthreaded position? I kept mine running this whole time since i got it and it has only deviated -0.5 seconds from perfect time. So so impressed with this movement. ❤
@Ryan Gochuico haha congratulations, I haven't got a chance to visit there. Must be a delightful shopping experience. To be honest, I didn't pay attention to this, let me get back to you later with this.
@@jasonchow5467 they had so many GS models on display, but i could only afford to buy one hehe. Congratulations to you as well and thank you for taking the time to reply. 😊
Yes but it feels like I have nothing on my wrist because it's so evenly balanced due to no taper adding weight to the bracelet. That's why they do that. They talk about their perfect weight distribution.
@@JohnnyADi Totally agree. The balance is great. For a hefty watch it wears very well. The lack of taper makes sense, as does the 22 MM lugs, with this watch.
@@JohnnyADi but the weight distribution SHOULD be accommodated by an improved clasp. Tapering improves fit on the wrist and allows better hugging around wrist bones. GS still has subpar clasps, tho, and if they improved the construction with a flip lock (NOT the same as their divers) they could balance it still.
I got the SBGA019 about two months ago and it's my favorite watch now. Accuracy and the power reserve is off the charts !!! The taitanium feels great and so lite.
I own an SLGA 007, which has the lighter dial and golden second hand + GS logo. The wide bracelet took some getting used to, but I understand the aesthetic approach. It’s sleek and chunky at the same times which lends some presence to your wrist. I really like it now. It suits the case IMO.
Another great knowledgeable review. But it is the dryness of your wit and your delivery that puts you apart from all others (in my opinion ) 😁Brilliant 👏
Thanks for the video. I currently own two GS watches, and would like to add a Spring Drive model soon since my current two are both 9F quartz. Like you, I also wish more Spring Drive models had lume. This really is a deal breaker for me. Keep up the good work and stay well :-)
Love the Evolution 9 design language. For me, it updates Grand Seiko's Grammar of Design to apply to people looking for a more contemporary design. The 22mm/20mm strap might look too big when on display, but-for me-on the wrist, it's perfect with the watch itself. As for lume, I always want it, but never actually find any use for it. Grand Seiko's method of creating legibility by the precision design of the angles and contrasting finishes makes them extremely legible even in very low light. I love the Night Birch, the Lake Suwa SLGA021 would be a very close 2nd for me.
Love what GS is doing and owning a spring drive GS specifically is top of my list right now. That said, I don't want such a dark dial. With GS you really want to see the beautiful detail they put into the dial (ala the Birch and more). Great video as always!
There's plenty of GS watches that have a dial you can see in any lighting conditions. The fact that the details on this dial can only be seen in certain lighting is what makes it unique, and it's part of the designer's intent.
There is a crucial development in the 9RA2 that wasn’t touched upon, the same tech that allows high accuracy quartz to be so accurate, and that’s thermocompensation. People don’t emphasize enough how difficult this was to achieve without a battery.
Agree completely with your critique of the bracelet. Only Arnold could pull off that wide of a bracelet without it looking odd. At 22mm, it will be hard to even find a strap that won't look weird.
That's completely untrue lol. Delugs has a post on their website with the white birch on different straps. It looks just fine, 22mm is not as common as 20mm, but it's not as uncommon as you think.
you are so wrong. But i understand where you come from. keep an open mind, go try out this watch. There could be more than what you understand, which i understand.
I think the reason for the bracelet lug width being 22mm instead of 20mm is to ensure the lugs don't look fat, which would then made the case look less refined. It is similar to what Rolex did with the Submariner when they changed the lug width from 20mm to 21mm... they slimed the lugs and expanded the lug width. Just my guess.
They are releasing a new model: SLGW003. It's a hand wound white birch on a strap with 20mm lugs. Look at the lugs on the watch. They look identical to the 22mm. The reason GS lugs typically look fat is because they design them that way on purpose.
Nice Video! I am "Jonesing" for a Spring Drive. The Lake Suwa is the most beautiful watch to me. The dial is wonderful, and the Spring Drive with the indicator on the back is where it should be! Would I spend 10K on this watch, Yes. Not a Rolex. Would I pay it out in monthly installments, Yes. I have a Bulova Precisionist and a SpaceView ('70) because of the sweep seconds hand.
I love and own grand seiko. The one thing that has frequently frustrated me is how the bracelets are a let down. On the fly clasps are required to make the bracelet match the excellent watches they are.
I kinda agree. I own the 007 version... I love the fit of the bracelet on my 7.25 wrist. I never find myself wanting micro adjust like I do on other brands I own. Something about the complete design fit in this particular version that just works really well.
here too. My biggest problem with GS is that for all that money the bracelet and the clasp don't feel that much premium but as they are a third party product. They are just straight up ugly imo. For me a good bracelet and a clasp is like a cherry on top, but with GS it is like a small turd on top and I have to throw the whole cake.
Yeah, I too was into Grand Seiko way before it was cool, as both fellow connoisseur of a brand (Grand Seiko) from way before it (Grand Seiko) was indeed considered cool, I do shake your hand in great satisfaction. In all seriousness, love the watch but I totally agree with your complaints with both the bracelet and the hour hand. Lume I personally don't care that much, I never actually use it for some reason lel and very nice review as always. Props.
Agree with your review. While it isnt shown here, the dial is more vibrant when hit with stronger lighting such as sunlight. The 22mm bracelet feels solid and comfortable, even if it is wide. I have no problems with it. Microadjust is also unnecessary for my 7 inch wrist. The GS boutique sized it well and i have not found an instance of needing to micro adjust it. Fits perfectly. The timekeeping on this thing is superb! -0.5 seconds deviation after 33 days of ownership❤ Thanks for this review and validating my expensive purchase 😂😂😂
Excellent review. The nightmare of catching that blue! I was very keen on these, but in the metal, less so. I still think the Evo 9s are less good looking (that coffin hour hand mainly, but the wide bracelet too) that the regular Heritage models. And slightly more obvious, even crude in concept - must make the inspiration obvious! Oh, and nearly twice the price. I kinda get that for the Hi Beat, but the Spring Drive? Less so. Then, I think there's too many of them: GS would do better refining existing models, rather than continually churning out new ones.
Great video my man! I’m with you on that bracelet, it’s a little big and looks disproportionate.l to the case. BTW thanks for letting us know about the thickness of your arm hairs 😂
I have this watch and like it without the lume; not all situations call for lume, and the lack of lume adds to the understatedness of this watch which I appreciate.
I have the 007 version - its dial is a more royal blue. Love the evo9 case, extremely comfortable. I originally wanted a narrower bracelet too but now I think 22mm is right, it would be unbalanced at 20mm. I also do not want lume - it's just not that kind of watch imo, and you can read it by candlelight. My watch was +/- 0 seconds between Oct 22 and Mar 23 (daylight savings) this year. That thermo-compensated spring drive is the bees knees.
I want to wait to get another grand seiko til I take a trip to Japan. Owned two and didn’t bond with em so they didn’t stick. If this watch had Lume and a thinner bracelet I would book my flight to Japan now to go get one 😂
About twelve years ago, I was invited to an event hosted by Topper's Jewlers and Seiko in Burlingame California. A Seiko Master Horolgist disassembled a Seiko Spring Drive movement in front of us during dinner. Then the Master reassembled the movement while the Seiko representative fielded questions. It was art in motion. Seiko / Grand Seiko has just started. I started collecting in 1994 while in college. The horological landscape has changed dramatically. Seiko / Grand Seiko has been an integral part of that change. I hope one day soon, they will bring back their 9F powered Dive Watches, but in reduced proportions. May be offer the same case in automatic, spring drive and 9F? That would be terrific!
Evo9 is a nice step up. But i agree 100% on the bracelet. Too wide, no taper, no quick-adjust. I guess we have to wait for Evolution 10 for them to fix the remaining gripes.
They had mentioned they put a lot of thought to having a low center of gravity on the evolution 9 watches, and I'm wondering if the bracelet's uncommonly large size is a partial reason for it.
I have the SLGA009. I am not a bracelet guy to begin with, so I substituted a navy blue Artem strap that tapers nicely. (By the way, it seems to be accurate to about one second per day, although my measuring technique is surely less accurate than the watch.)
That's the thing I love, it's not 9,100 for the mechanical white birch it's around or under 6000 on chrono24 even the spring drive varient. All because it's Japanese it's value doesn't stay, for watch lovers and not sellers, it's the best bang for the buck for ANY major brand.
I love the dials and finishing quality and would totally buy them. Bracelets are a letdown though and would bother me in the long run if you spend almost 10k on the piece. Do they really come in a cardboard box??
You’re on fire 😂, and I say that as someone who was into You’re Terrific before it was ‘cool’! These are super cool, but darn pricey, and the grand Seiko snobs are among the very worst I’ve ever encountered.
So true, the width should be 20 instead of 22 ! It would make it so much nicer ! They are coming closer to perfection but they have to stop with all the limited editions and make there collections more cleaner,..
Grand Seiko Lake Suwa 021 Spring Drive belongs in the LAKE! Bought a brand new Lake Suwa Ref 021 with the Spring Drive in Japan after hearing how great GS was. It's supposed to have a 5 day power reserve. I got the watch for a family member as a gift thinking this would truly be a watch he could enjoy for years to come. Never wore or sized the watch. Absolutely brand new from authorized Grand Seiko dealer in Japan. I just opened it up and wound the power reserve to near full and hoped to see it last for up to 5 days. Two days later I go back to see the watch that's in the box and it's stopped running! Now this can't be normal right? Since I don't live in Japan I couldn't go back to the selling dealer. So I went to my local GS dealer in my country and he said this is not normal. He said let us bring it to our Grand Seiko watch repair center to see what they say. 4 days later they tell me oh this is something ONLY Japan can repair and because this model is so new we are not equipped to repair this! I said so I paid about for a new watch and it has to go back to Japan for about a month or more to get repaired? I requested that Grand Seiko simply replace the unit with a new unit and he said they could not do that. I find this practice to be unethical, poor business sense, and a quick way to lose brand loyalty, of which they have not even yet established yet. SO basically I have to pay in full, never get any use from the purchase, and it has to go to Japan for repairs for God knows how long. Not sure Grand Seiko Marketing or Director of Sales would find this remedy to be fair. Anyways, that's my experience with GS so far and no I won't recommend this brand to anyone. If you have any suggestions kindly let me know. Thank you and Happy Holidays!
@YoureTerrific now that you have tried at least 3 of the 5 link evolution 9 watch bracelets, what link configuration did you find the most comfortable? Each of the videos it seemed you had a different balance of links on each side of the bracelets
Thank you for the video! I am debating between the slga 021 vs 019. I like the 021 dial better since it’s more subtle and darker, and worry that the 019 would be too blue. do you think so? But 021 maybe a bit boring being dark most of the time. In addition, do you think the stainless steel weight is an issue on the 021? Or the titanium on 019 is better? /
Yea agreed on all cons of the evolution 9 collection. They are so close yet so far to me… interested to see future releases as they continue to refine the collection. Great vid!
Grand Seiko - Quality Control and Company Response TBD!! Heard so much about the Grand Seiko line and the Lake Suwa watch. The Spring Drive truly is in theory a great innovation and the sweeping second hand is impressive to look at. Quick run down: Bought one in Japan from authorized GS dealer and two days later found that the 5 day claim was inaccurate because it stopped after less than one day. Yes and the rear case back power reserve showed that it was full. Just two days and I never even sized or wore it yet. I immediately took it back to GS dealer that has offered to send it in to GS repair center to see what happened. This is somewhat concerning because list price is over 9K and you wouldn't expect this to happen to a Grand Seiko! I told the GS dealer if it requires opening up to repair I want a new replacement because this is brand new/never worn. So how would you feel if you bought a new watch and immediately it needed emergency care? Let's see how Grand Seiko responds to this "hopefully anomaly" and do the right thing because if Im the manufacturer and its an internal issue I would surely want to do the right thing and replace it right away.
@@YoureTerrific 1. I don't use it (I have a tritium watch and a Timex Indiglo, both of which give better results for those rare situations when I think I may need to see in the dark.) 2. Lume fades after time. 3. In the case of a GS the brilliant polishing looks better in the daytime than lume.
The only issue I have with my SLGA009 is the taper. Love the overall design of the Evo 9. I'm sure I am in the minority but a lack of lume on any dial is a non factor for me.
I agree the bracelet is a negative point and disproportionate compared to the case. Also the date window should have the same colour as the dial. If they correct that it would be perfect design for evolution 9.
You know grand Seiko has arrived cause when I in the Rolex dealer in Vegas waring my sbga211 every salesman in the store stopped in there tracks to look at it . Imagine that
Thank you for reviewing this watch. I’ve been looking at it longingly online for a few months now. Then they release another version of this, a lighter blue, then another version which is really light blue, then another navy version but high beat this time based on a mountain. Have you had the chance to see any of the other versions? This dial is beautiful but looks black most of the time. Is that fair or is it more blue in real life? Ps no need to convince anyone you’re Uber cool. We know 😉
It is dark most of the time. But if you hit it with strong light or out in the sun, the blue and wave texture will pop! I specifically picked this watch because of that. But i understand if others may want a more showy or visible textured dial. The slga007 original lighter dial was a limited edition and pretty much sold out at retail (can still buy from secondary markets). The upcoming lighter blue dial with the same wave pattern comes out in July SLGA019 i think its called. It will be on a titanium case and bracelet. The one inspired by mount iwate is a different texture from this. 😊
Grand Seiko. The maker of the best watch heads at that price on the market by miles. But once you’ve got over the lustre of the dial you’re left with a watch that doesn’t fit right half the time no matter what you do as clearly in Japan nobodies wrist size changes during the day ever! Grand Seiko = the best looking girl you ever went out with. They we’re crazy hot but will cut all your clothes up over nothing!
Awesome video, as always! I have even larger wrists than you, so luckily, the case fits my wrist well, but I have the same gripe with the hour hand as you. I’m not sure why it’s so thick, and not sure why it’s squared off at the end. It might be nitpicky, but for this amount of money, you don’t want to feel like you’re making any sort of compromise. Otherwise, this would’ve been a perfect watch, imo. Lume, on the other hand, is something I never understand the amount of focus reviews put into it. I honestly feel like Lume is useless. I don’t find myself in dark enough environments where I would ever need that as an actual tool, and I love how much cleaner a watch looks without it. With how “mirror-like” zaratsu indices are, I’m genuinely curious about what pitch-black environments people find themselves in with a grand seiko and can’t read the time.
@@chia-mingyang5804 Wasn’t referring to GS making a compromise. I was saying that I think it looks worse aesthetically so to me it would be a compromise to purchase it. I like the 9RA5 with the power reserve on the back but I’m not a fan of the evo9 style. Going to wait and see if they throw it into a 62GS case.
My bedroom at 2am is pitch black. I stopped sleeping with the light on quite a few years ago. I will not buy a watch without lume. I have 2 watches in my collection without lume and never wear them. $9000 and it doesn't have lume? You've gotta be kidding Seiko!
@@wendyandgeoffpattison2610 I guess I can’t relate cus I just have my phone on a charging stand and it shows the time all night… don’t use my watch in my pitch black room lmao
I honestly thought the White Birch was a 36mm watch when I saw the launch photos. And that’s still the case here in this video. The bracelet just threw me off completely. I just don’t understand how a company so devoted to the smallest detail, managed to mangle their bracelets. Still intend to purchase an sbgn285 this year though.
Unpopular opinion/request: Please please please bring back the power reserve on the dial, at least as an option. The asymmetry is beautiful and the texture of the "stepped" power reserve indicators is beautiful and adds yet another layer to their beautiful dials. I enjoy the clean simplicity of the new dials, but I still wish there was an option to get these same models with the extra little hand.
The wider bracelet at 22mm means there is less movement of the watch on the wrist. The comment that the bracelet would "look better with a more dramatic taper" ignores design and function.
Maybe Seiko is further ahead of the curve then we are? I'm in the same camp as everyone else. I wish it was 20mm and tapered better. But maybe we're stupid and Seiko knows better in regards to shifting consumer demand. Sometimes you have to stop and force yourself to look at things objectively.
Owning this for a month, it is definitely one of my best purchases recently.
The case fits so well on my wrist, performance of the SD movement is unbeatable, not even a single sec off for a whole month. The dial react differently under the sun.
Countless surprises during the 1month ownership of this watch. Get it if you are planning to, you will regret only if you didn’t :)
Wrist size?
I got mine on april 7th at the GS flagship boutique in Ginza. Cheers to us. Hehehe.
A question, does your crown have a slight amount of play/wobble when it is in the unthreaded position?
I kept mine running this whole time since i got it and it has only deviated -0.5 seconds from perfect time. So so impressed with this movement. ❤
@Ryan Gochuico haha congratulations, I haven't got a chance to visit there. Must be a delightful shopping experience.
To be honest, I didn't pay attention to this, let me get back to you later with this.
@@jasonchow5467 they had so many GS models on display, but i could only afford to buy one hehe. Congratulations to you as well and thank you for taking the time to reply. 😊
that's because it's a qrtz movement
100%. The lack of a taper makes this a brutally wide bracelet
Yes but it feels like I have nothing on my wrist because it's so evenly balanced due to no taper adding weight to the bracelet. That's why they do that. They talk about their perfect weight distribution.
@@JohnnyADi Totally agree. The balance is great. For a hefty watch it wears very well. The lack of taper makes sense, as does the 22 MM lugs, with this watch.
@@wineman88881 yes it helps balance the watch
I would buy a leather strap for it immediately
@@JohnnyADi but the weight distribution SHOULD be accommodated by an improved clasp. Tapering improves fit on the wrist and allows better hugging around wrist bones. GS still has subpar clasps, tho, and if they improved the construction with a flip lock (NOT the same as their divers) they could balance it still.
Great content as ever Evan. Thanks for all the work you put in.
Always enjoy watching your videos. Ten minutes learning about a watch I’m never going to buy, time well spent 👌
Another review that I absolutely enjoyed! Thanks for the work put in!
Characteristically amusing but sincere criticism that seems to come from a place of love. What a great channel this is.
A very aesthetic watch and video. I’ll now go and take a shot. Thanks for the review!
I got the SBGA019 about two months ago and it's my favorite watch now. Accuracy and the power reserve is off the charts !!! The taitanium feels great and so lite.
I own an SLGA 007, which has the lighter dial and golden second hand + GS logo.
The wide bracelet took some getting used to, but I understand the aesthetic approach. It’s sleek and chunky at the same times which lends some presence to your wrist.
I really like it now. It suits the case IMO.
You are brilliant and funny! Thank you for your wit and insight.
Love your sense of humor! Also, this is actually a decent review video! Keep ‘em coming!
I bought my first Grand Seiko in 1993. Still wear it in rotation to this day, in fact I am wearing it now..
Great vid. So much inspiration from the same window in that factory.
Watch for the upcoming parking lot inspired LE
Always the clasps that let them down,but fantastic watches ,thanks 🏴
I love the clasp on my SBGN019. Super positive click and very shallow depth. Super thin compared to my G Shocks.
Another great knowledgeable review. But it is the dryness of your wit and your delivery that puts you apart from all others (in my opinion ) 😁Brilliant 👏
Hmm. Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
@@YoureTerrific let the Simpsons flow
Thanks for the video.
I currently own two GS watches, and would like to add a Spring Drive model soon since my current two are both 9F quartz. Like you, I also wish more Spring Drive models had lume. This really is a deal breaker for me.
Keep up the good work and stay well :-)
The more I watch your videos, the less I believe you "only" have 67k subscribers. You deserve much more! keep the content coming (:
Love the Evolution 9 design language. For me, it updates Grand Seiko's Grammar of Design to apply to people looking for a more contemporary design. The 22mm/20mm strap might look too big when on display, but-for me-on the wrist, it's perfect with the watch itself.
As for lume, I always want it, but never actually find any use for it. Grand Seiko's method of creating legibility by the precision design of the angles and contrasting finishes makes them extremely legible even in very low light.
I love the Night Birch, the Lake Suwa SLGA021 would be a very close 2nd for me.
The best watch content on UA-cam.
I love grand Seiko’s finishing due to the way the case “plays with the light”. 😂
I like the hour hand, makes it more sporty. Agreed on the bracelet.
Beautiful movement.
Love what GS is doing and owning a spring drive GS specifically is top of my list right now. That said, I don't want such a dark dial. With GS you really want to see the beautiful detail they put into the dial (ala the Birch and more).
Great video as always!
There's plenty of GS watches that have a dial you can see in any lighting conditions. The fact that the details on this dial can only be seen in certain lighting is what makes it unique, and it's part of the designer's intent.
@@rousseau327 Yep, I know. I want one with a lighter dial.
This watch is stunning. Period.
Beautiful watch!
There is a crucial development in the 9RA2 that wasn’t touched upon, the same tech that allows high accuracy quartz to be so accurate, and that’s thermocompensation. People don’t emphasize enough how difficult this was to achieve without a battery.
Evolution 9 is the reason I got into GS. The hands are finally super legible!
Great video and spot on!
Agree completely with your critique of the bracelet. Only Arnold could pull off that wide of a bracelet without it looking odd. At 22mm, it will be hard to even find a strap that won't look weird.
That's completely untrue lol. Delugs has a post on their website with the white birch on different straps. It looks just fine, 22mm is not as common as 20mm, but it's not as uncommon as you think.
you are so wrong. But i understand where you come from.
keep an open mind, go try out this watch.
There could be more than what you understand, which i understand.
I love how the zaratsu...."plays with the light."
I think the reason for the bracelet lug width being 22mm instead of 20mm is to ensure the lugs don't look fat, which would then made the case look less refined. It is similar to what Rolex did with the Submariner when they changed the lug width from 20mm to 21mm... they slimed the lugs and expanded the lug width. Just my guess.
They are releasing a new model: SLGW003. It's a hand wound white birch on a strap with 20mm lugs. Look at the lugs on the watch. They look identical to the 22mm. The reason GS lugs typically look fat is because they design them that way on purpose.
Great video and true they need lume
Great video
Nice dial, clunky bracelet, pricey. Great video as always, thanks 🙏
Nice Video! I am "Jonesing" for a Spring Drive. The Lake Suwa is the most beautiful watch to me. The dial is wonderful, and the Spring Drive with the indicator on the back is where it should be! Would I spend 10K on this watch, Yes. Not a Rolex. Would I pay it out in monthly installments, Yes. I have a Bulova Precisionist and a SpaceView ('70) because of the sweep seconds hand.
Was at Lake Suwa a couple of months ago. The dial looks exactly like the lake on a bright day.
Love it. Thanks.
I have the SLGA007 and love it, except for the wide non-micro-adjust bracelet. It looks so much better on a strap!
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
SEVEN INCH WRIST 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
I love and own grand seiko. The one thing that has frequently frustrated me is how the bracelets are a let down. On the fly clasps are required to make the bracelet match the excellent watches they are.
The good thing is they are strap monsters.
I kinda agree. I own the 007 version... I love the fit of the bracelet on my 7.25 wrist. I never find myself wanting micro adjust like I do on other brands I own. Something about the complete design fit in this particular version that just works really well.
here too. My biggest problem with GS is that for all that money the bracelet and the clasp don't feel that much premium but as they are a third party product. They are just straight up ugly imo. For me a good bracelet and a clasp is like a cherry on top, but with GS it is like a small turd on top and I have to throw the whole cake.
Yeah, I too was into Grand Seiko way before it was cool, as both fellow connoisseur of a brand (Grand Seiko) from way before it (Grand Seiko) was indeed considered cool, I do shake your hand in great satisfaction.
In all seriousness, love the watch but I totally agree with your complaints with both the bracelet and the hour hand. Lume I personally don't care that much, I never actually use it for some reason lel and very nice review as always. Props.
Agree with your review. While it isnt shown here, the dial is more vibrant when hit with stronger lighting such as sunlight.
The 22mm bracelet feels solid and comfortable, even if it is wide. I have no problems with it. Microadjust is also unnecessary for my 7 inch wrist. The GS boutique sized it well and i have not found an instance of needing to micro adjust it. Fits perfectly.
The timekeeping on this thing is superb! -0.5 seconds deviation after 33 days of ownership❤
Thanks for this review and validating my expensive purchase 😂😂😂
I have the Snowflake for about 5 years and it is my favorite watch. It is titanium, so it is as light as a feather.
Maybe I'll pick one up pre-owned one day. I think the bracelet should taper more, and have a toolless micro-adjust clasp.
Lume would detract from the fine finishing of the hands and indices and serve its purpose only in low light. That would be a shame.
Excellent review. The nightmare of catching that blue! I was very keen on these, but in the metal, less so. I still think the Evo 9s are less good looking (that coffin hour hand mainly, but the wide bracelet too) that the regular Heritage models. And slightly more obvious, even crude in concept - must make the inspiration obvious! Oh, and nearly twice the price. I kinda get that for the Hi Beat, but the Spring Drive? Less so. Then, I think there's too many of them: GS would do better refining existing models, rather than continually churning out new ones.
I'm going to be using Zaratsu as grouping term now, ty.
I absolutely agree with your comment on the 22mm vs 20mm. find it too wide
Your videos are so well written man Love your shit
thanks
Great video my man! I’m with you on that bracelet, it’s a little big and looks disproportionate.l to the case. BTW thanks for letting us know about the thickness of your arm hairs 😂
What a stunning watch and luckily out of my price range lol
I have this watch and like it without the lume; not all situations call for lume, and the lack of lume adds to the understatedness of this watch which I appreciate.
I have the 007 version - its dial is a more royal blue. Love the evo9 case, extremely comfortable. I originally wanted a narrower bracelet too but now I think 22mm is right, it would be unbalanced at 20mm. I also do not want lume - it's just not that kind of watch imo, and you can read it by candlelight. My watch was +/- 0 seconds between Oct 22 and Mar 23 (daylight savings) this year. That thermo-compensated spring drive is the bees knees.
I want to wait to get another grand seiko til I take a trip to Japan. Owned two and didn’t bond with em so they didn’t stick. If this watch had Lume and a thinner bracelet I would book my flight to Japan now to go get one 😂
About twelve years ago, I was invited to an event hosted by Topper's Jewlers and Seiko in Burlingame California.
A Seiko Master Horolgist disassembled a Seiko Spring Drive movement in front of us during dinner.
Then the Master reassembled the movement while the Seiko representative fielded questions.
It was art in motion.
Seiko / Grand Seiko has just started.
I started collecting in 1994 while in college.
The horological landscape has changed dramatically.
Seiko / Grand Seiko has been an integral part of that change.
I hope one day soon, they will bring back their 9F powered Dive Watches, but in reduced proportions.
May be offer the same case in automatic, spring drive and 9F?
That would be terrific!
Evo9 is a nice step up. But i agree 100% on the bracelet. Too wide, no taper, no quick-adjust. I guess we have to wait for Evolution 10 for them to fix the remaining gripes.
Ok, Grand Seiko, you've won the dial game. NOW FOCUS ON BRACELETS!
That sweep is sublime 😎
They had mentioned they put a lot of thought to having a low center of gravity on the evolution 9 watches, and I'm wondering if the bracelet's uncommonly large size is a partial reason for it.
I have the SLGA009. I am not a bracelet guy to begin with, so I substituted a navy blue Artem strap that tapers nicely. (By the way, it seems to be accurate to about one second per day, although my measuring technique is surely less accurate than the watch.)
LOL thanks for the arm hair specs
That's the thing I love, it's not 9,100 for the mechanical white birch it's around or under 6000 on chrono24 even the spring drive varient. All because it's Japanese it's value doesn't stay, for watch lovers and not sellers, it's the best bang for the buck for ANY major brand.
The jokes about your wrist never get old. Nice work
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
I love the dials and finishing quality and would totally buy them. Bracelets are a letdown though and would bother me in the long run if you spend almost 10k on the piece. Do they really come in a cardboard box??
You’re on fire 😂, and I say that as someone who was into You’re Terrific before it was ‘cool’! These are super cool, but darn pricey, and the grand Seiko snobs are among the very worst I’ve ever encountered.
GS needs to do something with their bracelets, switched mine to leather immediately
So true, the width should be 20 instead of 22 ! It would make it so much nicer ! They are coming closer to perfection but they have to stop with all the limited editions and make there collections more cleaner,..
SPRING DRIVE🥰
Grand Seiko Lake Suwa 021 Spring Drive belongs in the LAKE!
Bought a brand new Lake Suwa Ref 021 with the Spring Drive in Japan after hearing how great GS was.
It's supposed to have a 5 day power reserve. I got the watch for a family member as a gift thinking this would truly be a watch he could enjoy for years to come.
Never wore or sized the watch. Absolutely brand new from authorized Grand Seiko dealer in Japan. I just opened it up and wound the power reserve to near full and hoped to see it last for up to 5 days. Two days later I go back to see the watch that's in the box and it's stopped running! Now this can't be normal right? Since I don't live in Japan I couldn't go back to the selling dealer. So I went to my local GS dealer in my country and he said this is not normal. He said let us bring it to our Grand Seiko watch repair center to see what they say. 4 days later they tell me oh this is something ONLY Japan can repair and because this model is so new we are not equipped to repair this!
I said so I paid about for a new watch and it has to go back to Japan for about a month or more to get repaired? I requested that Grand Seiko simply replace the unit with a new unit and he said they could not do that. I find this practice to be unethical, poor business sense, and a quick way to lose brand loyalty, of which they have not even yet established yet.
SO basically I have to pay in full, never get any use from the purchase, and it has to go to Japan for repairs for God knows how long.
Not sure Grand Seiko Marketing or Director of Sales would find this remedy to be fair.
Anyways, that's my experience with GS so far and no I won't recommend this brand to anyone. If you have any suggestions kindly let me know.
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Bracelets. That’s the reason I still haven’t bought one. So close.
This dial always reminded me of a floating David Byrne.
@YoureTerrific now that you have tried at least 3 of the 5 link evolution 9 watch bracelets, what link configuration did you find the most comfortable? Each of the videos it seemed you had a different balance of links on each side of the bracelets
as the owner of another evo9 (SLGH011) they really need to add a modest lume (maybe hands only) and micro-adjustment to the bracelet
Thank you for the video! I am debating between the slga 021 vs 019. I like the 021 dial better since it’s more subtle and darker, and worry that the 019 would be too blue. do you think so? But 021 maybe a bit boring being dark most of the time. In addition, do you think the stainless steel weight is an issue on the 021? Or the titanium on 019 is better?
/
Would it be possible to get the dial opening from now on? Please.
IMO in addition of diameter, it gives a good feel of how the watch wears.
Merci
Really love GS but that hour hand has to go. Probably going to get Sea of Clouds for my first and only GS.
Yea agreed on all cons of the evolution 9 collection. They are so close yet so far to me… interested to see future releases as they continue to refine the collection.
Great vid!
+100% drop some bioluminescent into lake Sua, I’d love a 3 hand GS with lume!
Grand Seiko - Quality Control and Company Response TBD!!
Heard so much about the Grand Seiko line and the Lake Suwa watch.
The Spring Drive truly is in theory a great innovation and the sweeping second hand is impressive to look at.
Quick run down: Bought one in Japan from authorized GS dealer and two days later found that the 5 day claim was inaccurate because it stopped after less than one day. Yes and the rear case back power reserve showed that it was full. Just two days and I never even sized or wore it yet. I immediately took it back to GS dealer that has offered to send it in to GS repair center to see what happened.
This is somewhat concerning because list price is over 9K and you wouldn't expect this to happen to a Grand Seiko!
I told the GS dealer if it requires opening up to repair I want a new replacement because this is brand new/never worn. So how would you feel if you bought a new watch and immediately it needed emergency care?
Let's see how Grand Seiko responds to this "hopefully anomaly" and do the right thing because if Im the manufacturer and its an internal issue I would surely want to do the right thing and replace it right away.
No lume is a big plus for me.
Interesting. Why?
@@YoureTerrific
1. I don't use it (I have a tritium watch and a Timex Indiglo, both of which give better results for those rare situations when I think I may need to see in the dark.)
2. Lume fades after time.
3. In the case of a GS the brilliant polishing looks better in the daytime than lume.
What part of the day is that version of the Lake Suwa? I lost track with all the versions and more to come.
The only issue I have with my SLGA009 is the taper. Love the overall design of the Evo 9. I'm sure I am in the minority but a lack of lume on any dial is a non factor for me.
I agree the bracelet is a negative point and disproportionate compared to the case. Also the date window should have the same colour as the dial. If they correct that it would be perfect design for evolution 9.
You know grand Seiko has arrived cause when I in the Rolex dealer in Vegas waring my sbga211 every salesman in the store stopped in there tracks to look at it . Imagine that
Micro adjustment clasp
I’m a part of the Zaratsuminati
Thank you for reviewing this watch. I’ve been looking at it longingly online for a few months now.
Then they release another version of this, a lighter blue, then another version which is really light blue, then another navy version but high beat this time based on a mountain.
Have you had the chance to see any of the other versions?
This dial is beautiful but looks black most of the time. Is that fair or is it more blue in real life?
Ps no need to convince anyone you’re Uber cool. We know 😉
It is dark most of the time. But if you hit it with strong light or out in the sun, the blue and wave texture will pop! I specifically picked this watch because of that. But i understand if others may want a more showy or visible textured dial. The slga007 original lighter dial was a limited edition and pretty much sold out at retail (can still buy from secondary markets). The upcoming lighter blue dial with the same wave pattern comes out in July SLGA019 i think its called. It will be on a titanium case and bracelet.
The one inspired by mount iwate is a different texture from this. 😊
0:58 'two things to be embarrassed about' 😀 Bioluminescence in the lake - you're on fire today mate
Thanks. I still think RM watches are some kind of prank.
Are you using a polarizer on the lens? May help with the glare and show the dial a bit more.
I know my humor is polarizing, at least. Does that count?
Grand Seiko. The maker of the best watch heads at that price on the market by miles. But once you’ve got over the lustre of the dial you’re left with a watch that doesn’t fit right half the time no matter what you do as clearly in Japan nobodies wrist size changes during the day ever!
Grand Seiko = the best looking girl you ever went out with. They we’re crazy hot but will cut all your clothes up over nothing!
Good
Awesome video, as always! I have even larger wrists than you, so luckily, the case fits my wrist well, but I have the same gripe with the hour hand as you. I’m not sure why it’s so thick, and not sure why it’s squared off at the end. It might be nitpicky, but for this amount of money, you don’t want to feel like you’re making any sort of compromise.
Otherwise, this would’ve been a perfect watch, imo.
Lume, on the other hand, is something I never understand the amount of focus reviews put into it. I honestly feel like Lume is useless. I don’t find myself in dark enough environments where I would ever need that as an actual tool, and I love how much cleaner a watch looks without it. With how “mirror-like” zaratsu indices are, I’m genuinely curious about what pitch-black environments people find themselves in with a grand seiko and can’t read the time.
Of course the hour hand isn't a result of compromise. GS makes it for better legibility.
@@chia-mingyang5804 Wasn’t referring to GS making a compromise. I was saying that I think it looks worse aesthetically so to me it would be a compromise to purchase it. I like the 9RA5 with the power reserve on the back but I’m not a fan of the evo9 style. Going to wait and see if they throw it into a 62GS case.
My bedroom at 2am is pitch black. I stopped sleeping with the light on quite a few years ago. I will not buy a watch without lume. I have 2 watches in my collection without lume and never wear them. $9000 and it doesn't have lume? You've gotta be kidding Seiko!
@@wendyandgeoffpattison2610 I guess I can’t relate cus I just have my phone on a charging stand and it shows the time all night… don’t use my watch in my pitch black room lmao
I honestly thought the White Birch was a 36mm watch when I saw the launch photos. And that’s still the case here in this video. The bracelet just threw me off completely. I just don’t understand how a company so devoted to the smallest detail, managed to mangle their bracelets. Still intend to purchase an sbgn285 this year though.
Putting bioluminescent algae in the darn lake is actually a genius idea.
Im buying the other lake suwa watch. The lighter blue non LE one
Unpopular opinion/request: Please please please bring back the power reserve on the dial, at least as an option. The asymmetry is beautiful and the texture of the "stepped" power reserve indicators is beautiful and adds yet another layer to their beautiful dials. I enjoy the clean simplicity of the new dials, but I still wish there was an option to get these same models with the extra little hand.
The wider bracelet at 22mm means there is less movement of the watch on the wrist. The comment that the bracelet would "look better with a more dramatic taper" ignores design and function.
Grand Seiko really fked with us SLGA007 owners
Zaratsu definitely was some marketing genius. Heard it once and it stuck.
Maybe Seiko is further ahead of the curve then we are? I'm in the same camp as everyone else. I wish it was 20mm and tapered better. But maybe we're stupid and Seiko knows better in regards to shifting consumer demand. Sometimes you have to stop and force yourself to look at things objectively.
Woah they tapered their bracelets tbh