The GMT SBGM221 is the one GS I want and actually own! I'm a Rolex man & I also own an Omega that I love dearly, but GS beats them both for bang for buck... I'm fully aware that I'll still lose money (even with the 20% discount off retail I got) IF I ever decide to sell it. But the joy and smile I get whenever I look at my wrist is just priceless. Keep up the good work, Christian! Cheers!
Seikos may be cheap my friend for the most part but in terms of what you get in reliability and functionality, very few watches can match them that cost 5 times as much. And as for the Grand Seikos, they are supreme in quality even when you compare them to watches again costing a lot more.
Ive been collecting mainly seikos, so naturally the GS snowflake is my holy grail.. that is untill i saw that blue Mt Iwate dial! Absolutely stunning!!
I held that Limited Edition at my local AD. It's the most visually impressive watch I've ever set eyes on. I honestly couldn't look away for several minutes. It's that impressive.
i keep thinking that the texture would oonly be visible under a microscope and ordinarily it will just look a blue dial with some pattern. Is that the case?
It's not Grand Seiko that needs to change their marketing... it's unintelligent consumers who fail to research the market properly before buying a watch.
Jack Neals there’s a reason why in the USA that japan has to sell its upscale vehicles under another brand. Consumers are consumed with perception over quality.
If only this were true in the world of luxury goods. Marketing and brand perception are king. Look at awful brands like Supreme and Off-White, normal products but overinflated prices and disproportionate cachet.
@@glenbuyer8738 Hey Blayde. How are you liking your Skyflake? I just bought by first 2 Grand Seiko’s a few days ago and one of them was the Skyflake. Loving it so far. Other one I bought was the Silver Birch.
It's not the Japanese way to brag up their brand, they let the watch do the talking, and it's only ignorance on the behalf of the consumers that prevent them from discovering a brand who's quality kicks Rolex into touch.
Yeap i made a mistake the other week. I bought a rolex because I did not know about this watch. If I knew about this I would have chose this instead With Rolex you bought the name and the so called prestige like the feeling you can keep up with the Jones and shmoes out there.
Grand Seiko! 🤤 That Zaratsu polish is just...🧐 pure finesse, just as you said it, give it a few more years like a good wine and people will see beyond the value and will embrace the brand heritage .
Sorry bud, but he's right. The vast majority of people (not watch experts) think of Seiko as being a low cost/cheap brand. So Grand Seiko is always tough to explain. Just ask any of your friends/family who are not into watches and see if they know anything about Grand Seiko or why it costs thousands of dollars
Having owned a few Swiss watches, I was no stranger to quality mechanical watches. I kept hearing about Grand Seiko but some of their watches were just too large. When that limited edition was released about a year ago...I went into my local AD to experience it in person and it was a wrap. That sbgk 005 is perfect. The right size, purely mechanical and the attention to detail is incredible. And that is how I fell into the bandwagon.
I have the GMT SBGM221, and it is remarkable. I regrettably sold my SBGA375, and really wish I had it back, will source another in the future. Some fo the best finishing in the game, probably the best in the Sub $6k range.
I love the limited edition SBGK005. The dial is gorgeous and I love that it doesn't have a date (one of my gripes with GS usually, I don't like the way the date window on most of its models look). And I actually like the sub seconds and power reserve indicator on the dial. Definitely my pick out of the GS collection.
I just acquired the SBGK005. It was my second Grand Seiko. The GS concept, dial, finishing and horology are the attractions for me. Taro Tanaka’s Grammar of Design defines the brand and the uniquely Japanese sensibility underlying the brand which expresses itself in small and sublime details which stand in real contrast to Swiss horology. While Grand Seiko’s production of 20,000+ watches per year is not negligible, there is a craft component to Grand Seiko that is absent from most comparable watches. The SBGK005 is generally comparable in price to such Swiss watches as the IWC Portuguiser and certain Rolex references but it is hard to otherwise compare the value proposition presented by the GS in contrast to its Swiss counterparts. I have two Rolexes, a Datejust and a Yacht-Master I, and I am choosing GS as a distinctive horological step up to Rolex which has become too ubiquitous given the volume of its production over the course of time. I have not forsworn Swiss horology but I have reached the point where I have found GS to be more compelling to me than new Swiss offerings in the under $10,000 mid price category.
I have a dozen of GS, which includes, 4 different gmt, the snowflake, and the blue iwateyama, with the calibre 9S63, which is better than a patek small sec. You could have also pick the smaller sbgw231 or 235, with the calibre 9s64, which you cannot find one better in patek or Lange. You could also pick the sbgy003 with the calibre 9R31 with the dual mainspring architecture. The finishing on the front is already well known, but, with this, you could talk about the decorations on the back. All these i own. All in steel and affordable. Can't wait for them to put this latest innovation on the 9S. GS fans are in for a ball. Now, youtubers realised that if they don't talk about GS, they loose out. Look at this article by a watch connoisseur who has a team of horologist working with him. Even, 'just' a seiko, now, is better than a rolex; deployant.com/review-seiko-prospex-snr031j1-lx-black-edition-dive-watch/?amp
@@canonyeo4286 I like the batman, but I agree with you on the finish and the wait is BS hype made by Rolex so I am over it. I have a date just and a snow flake. I am a date and time guy I guess hahaha, trying to branch out to one more complication.
I have the Snowflake and the GMT. Just beautiful watches. I own 7 GS. Three 9f Quartz. Love them all. Also have Rolex and Omega, but always fall back in GS
Nailed it Christian. Fantastic video. GS was not on my radar until I saw the SBGK005. That is majorly in contention for my next dress watch. I completely agree with you on the GMT (SBGM221). Amazing watch. Amazing value. I wish it were a tad thinner too. Those are two of the best lookin watches on the market right there. I still have reservations about spending so much for a GS. I am glad they took the Seiko badging off their high end watches though.
Love the snowflake. But the Spring “pink” dial GS still has to be my favorite dial. One day. After the vintage DJ.. and the Reverso I want.. and the Oris Pointer Date.. ugh.. I need more money😂
I too had a little bit of "brand" concern. Back when I first heard of Grand Seiko. Back when I knew nothing about it. Then a little research uncovers the history, of beating the Swiss at their own game, and so decisively they banned them rather than try and compete. Then I learned about the technology, so deep and pervasive it extends into every single part of a Grand Seiko being made in-house. Even the Spron alloy used in the Spring Drive, the fricken alloy, was developed in-house. The Spring Drive chip, developed and made in-house. Even the silicon crystals, grown in-house. On and on and on it goes. Until one day I'm interested enough to track down a dealer and have a look. Which now we are at the point where your snooty posing ignorance really shows itself. Because no way anybody with no pretentious axe to grind looks at and holds a Grand Seiko and makes comments like yours. Just no way. Not when the quality and detail and craftsmanship of the Grand Seiko makes everything else in the case costume jewelry by comparison. Its not Grand Seiko that has the brand problem dude, its you. Thank God 6 years ago there was no pretentious snob influencing me, or I might not have tracked down the Diver's 200M Spring Drive it has been such a pleasure to own. For those who don't know, no video or picture comes anywhere near doing justice to a Grand Seiko. You just have to find one to know.
Charles Miller it’s funny, but I actually followed the same course as you to learn all about watches before buying. This is truly one of the great benefits of technology - you can now learn for yourseld. I just peeled under the hood and the journey of discovery was amazing. Like yourself I was open minded but the more I researched, i has to arrive at the same assertions and conclusions exactly. I had to go with the actual watch maker experts and the consistent message was that the GS is the quiet achiever. Actually, in my book the Swiss should be comparing themselves against GS, rather than the other way round.
They're nice watches but their legacy is that they almost destroyed the mechanical watch industry. We almost lost great movements like the one in the zenith el primero, due to Seiko's introduction of quartz. And yes, Seiko can do what they want but I think it's a fair reason to not want to support them. Just like I don't like to associate with Rolex for many reasons (needing to jump through hoops to get models you want, the snobbery, it being a cliche, etc)
The reason to buy GS is a Spring Drive watch, and they are just to big for some of us. I have a 6.5" wrist, and I've tried on the snowflate...it was amazing watch, I would have 100% bought it, but it was too big for me. They really, really need to make a Spring Drive movement for a 37mm watch case.
I hope to own a Spring Drive GS at some point. I don't know which though. The larger GMT with the 24 hour bezel is one I really like (I have wrists big enough to easily wear one. The problem I have with a lot of the GS models isn't the level of finish or the quality of movement, those are always impeccable, but they all have a certain sameness about them. The best way I've found to describe it is "You can always tell a Grand Seiko, but you might not be able to tell it apart from another Grand Seiko without a close look."
But specially that larger Spring Drive GMT with the 24 hour sapphire bezel sets itself apart very much. I have it. It's an incredible value with many USP's.
I've lived in Asia many years, Thailand actually, and I've visited Japan a number of times; I love the orient. Having visited Japan and many of her cities and townships, I've come to learn much about her culture and day to day society. As a result of seeing Japan's masterful preservation of art, cultural aesthetics and history, I see the Japanese have successfully created an intertwining and balance of preservation of past societal building blocks and the creation of futuristic modernisation, the old and new; this can be seen everywhere from buildings to bullet trains, electronics to Kabuki. So much of what I adore about Japan I've discovered in Grand Seiko. I'm going to buy the SBGM221 and wear it very proudly. Japan really is worth falling in love with by the way.
Love the SBGA211. Just an amazing watch. In my opinion Seiko does not have a branding problem. I would rather name them Seiko (without the Grand). Because Seiko is a prestigious brand on its own.
Just came across this video recently, noted it was originally posted 2 years ago - do you still think that the brand is still lacking the brand image today in early 2022 ?
What's the price in £? Exactly 50 years back Seiko had introduced automatic watch in India .I as a school student craved for my first watch ,a black dial Seiko .But it was 500 rs and couldn't afford ,so bought a swiss made favour leuba for 200rs .Even now I can't afford a Seiko at about 20,000rs !ha ha .And the Favour leuba is working fine after 50years .Great Swiss .
Cheap is a word anyone can use, but it doesn't mean "bad" in any way. The guy with a Seiko looks at the watch of someone wearing a quartz Timex and thinks it's cheap. The dude with an Omega looks at the Seiko and thinks it's cheap and the guy with a Jacob and Co watch looks at the Omega and thinks it's cheap.
Thx Christian, great review....that snowflake though....and somehow for however great the 005 is (the face), for that price I cannot justify that price point considering the company it keeps on secondary market...nonetheless thx for sharing...
Tbf it's done on Seiko prospex watches at $600 (SBDC053, 061, etc) so it's not unique to GS nor is GS the only company to have nice finishing. Anyway I think the germans did it first but call it something else
They’ve been producing watches like this for awhile. People tend to be ignorant because the name Grand Seiko doesn’t have much of a statement attached to it and most of high(er) end watch buyers only care for the status symbol that their watch brings. This is a great example of Japanese culture. Understated clever engineering. It’s perfect.
Understated? This is as gaudy and high polish as it gets. People who want understated will get something like a master control, calatrava, things that look like that...
@@hersheysquirt6526 Also true, I just think it's a very Japanese form of understatedness. Not so much in the individual watch itself, but also in the manufacturing, marketing, and design "ethos" that comes with it. I get your point, but I think you missed mine. It's an interesting perspective.
Understated is totally fine. But when you charge thousands to tens of thousands of dollars for your product, it's not on the consumer to simply "know" about your brand. You need to market and educate them. Otherwise its going to continue to be a hard sell for Grand Seiko.
Just my opinion here but for a brand that wants to not seem cheap, titanium was a strange choice. When I checked them out in person I just couldn't get on board with their bracelet. It feels so light and almost hollow. I know that is a personal preference but to me some heft makes me feel like there is more substance to what I would argue is a rather substantial purchase.
The SBBGK005 dial is beautiful. But the strap looks (and feels) cheap and tacky. That’s easily fixed (see the Hodinkee review). But the logo on the display back case...what were they thinking??
Is it cheaper to buy in Japan?? How much is the snowflake. I might just have to get one when i visit. I like the Panda Rolex but that aint happening at retail.
But be honest: if Grand Seiko was a Swiss brand, the mainstream watch world would be falling all over themselves about what value and innovation they bring. If Rolex had invented the spring drive, Baselworld would never shut up about it.
Best-looking watches with blue dials: 1. F P Journe Chronometre Bleu 2. Any Lange with blue dial 3. AP Royal Oak Jumbo 4. JLC Reverso Tribute Duo 5. Omega Seamaster And, 6. The GS in the thumbnail
"associated with Seiko, cheap watches". expensive doesn't automatically mean better watches. plenty of great seiko watches out there. maybe the problem is not so much the brand itself but the average consumer...
To be honest, at first glance the two white-dialed watches look really appalling to me. I still love SBGK005, but the other two have kind of nothing to differentiate themselves
GS leather straps are buttery smooth. I have no idea how they do it but compared to my Hirsch alligator and my Camille Fournet alligator, i find the GS strap softer and more comfortable.
The GMT SBGM221 is the one GS I want and actually own! I'm a Rolex man & I also own an Omega that I love dearly, but GS beats them both for bang for buck... I'm fully aware that I'll still lose money (even with the 20% discount off retail I got) IF I ever decide to sell it. But the joy and smile I get whenever I look at my wrist is just priceless. Keep up the good work, Christian! Cheers!
The Limited Edition is my favorite. Absolutely stunning
Same here, the SBGK005 is my grail watch
THHHHAAAAAANK YOU for finally exploring GS. Also, jsyk the polishing on those pieces are all HAND polished.
ZARATSU!
Seikos may be cheap my friend for the most part but in terms of what you get in reliability and functionality, very few watches can match them that cost 5 times as much. And as for the Grand Seikos, they are supreme in quality even when you compare them to watches again costing a lot more.
Ive been collecting mainly seikos, so naturally the GS snowflake is my holy grail.. that is untill i saw that blue Mt Iwate dial! Absolutely stunning!!
I held that Limited Edition at my local AD. It's the most visually impressive watch I've ever set eyes on. I honestly couldn't look away for several minutes. It's that impressive.
i keep thinking that the texture would oonly be visible under a microscope and ordinarily it will just look a blue dial with some pattern. Is that the case?
@@waq12sThe texture is clearly visible for the wearer. Passersby won't be able to see it but it's easy to see from a couple feet away.
It's not Grand Seiko that needs to change their marketing... it's unintelligent consumers who fail to research the market properly before buying a watch.
Jack Neals there’s a reason why in the USA that japan has to sell its upscale vehicles under another brand. Consumers are consumed with perception over quality.
If only this were true in the world of luxury goods. Marketing and brand perception are king. Look at awful brands like Supreme and Off-White, normal products but overinflated prices and disproportionate cachet.
Yep, if grand seiko start acting like Rolex I’m out. In saying that I’d never get rid of my skyflake
@@glenbuyer8738 Hey Blayde. How are you liking your Skyflake? I just bought by first 2 Grand Seiko’s a few days ago and one of them was the Skyflake. Loving it so far. Other one I bought was the Silver Birch.
It's not the Japanese way to brag up their brand, they let the watch do the talking, and it's only ignorance on the behalf of the consumers that prevent them from discovering a brand who's quality kicks Rolex into touch.
100% agree. Grand Seiko>Rolex...
Yea but at the end of the day, dollars don't lie. Managing a brand's equity is just as important in a watch BUSINESS.
agree
Yeap i made a mistake the other week. I bought a rolex because I did not know about this watch. If I knew about this I would have chose this instead
With Rolex you bought the name and the so called prestige like the feeling you can keep up with the Jones and shmoes out there.
@@bestthingsinceslicedrice Rolex-high end fashion watches.
Grand Seiko! 🤤 That Zaratsu polish is just...🧐 pure finesse, just as you said it, give it a few more years like a good wine and people will see beyond the value and will embrace the brand heritage .
No they won't - people are stupid and thick as shit. Grand Seiko is for the few, not the many.
Love Seiko watches. I have a Sarb . It is beautiful.
"Cheap" brand Seiko? Grand Seiko is doing fine with their "marketing". This is how you know who is, or isn't, a watch snob.
What a snob
Sorry bud, but he's right. The vast majority of people (not watch experts) think of Seiko as being a low cost/cheap brand. So Grand Seiko is always tough to explain. Just ask any of your friends/family who are not into watches and see if they know anything about Grand Seiko or why it costs thousands of dollars
Having owned a few Swiss watches, I was no stranger to quality mechanical watches. I kept hearing about Grand Seiko but some of their watches were just too large. When that limited edition was released about a year ago...I went into my local AD to experience it in person and it was a wrap. That sbgk 005 is perfect. The right size, purely mechanical and the attention to detail is incredible. And that is how I fell into the bandwagon.
Saad Mubarak did u buy it?
I have the GMT SBGM221, and it is remarkable. I regrettably sold my SBGA375, and really wish I had it back, will source another in the future. Some fo the best finishing in the game, probably the best in the Sub $6k range.
I love the limited edition SBGK005. The dial is gorgeous and I love that it doesn't have a date (one of my gripes with GS usually, I don't like the way the date window on most of its models look). And I actually like the sub seconds and power reserve indicator on the dial. Definitely my pick out of the GS collection.
I just acquired the SBGK005. It was my second Grand Seiko. The GS concept, dial, finishing and horology are the attractions for me. Taro Tanaka’s Grammar of Design defines the brand and the uniquely Japanese sensibility underlying the brand which expresses itself in small and sublime details which stand in real contrast to Swiss horology. While Grand Seiko’s production of 20,000+ watches per year is not negligible, there is a craft component to Grand Seiko that is absent from most comparable watches. The SBGK005 is generally comparable in price to such Swiss watches as the IWC Portuguiser and certain Rolex references but it is hard to otherwise compare the value proposition presented by the GS in contrast to its Swiss counterparts. I have two Rolexes, a Datejust and a Yacht-Master I, and I am choosing GS as a distinctive horological step up to Rolex which has become too ubiquitous given the volume of its production over the course of time. I have not forsworn Swiss horology but I have reached the point where I have found GS to be more compelling to me than new Swiss offerings in the under $10,000 mid price category.
I have a dozen of GS, which includes, 4 different gmt, the snowflake, and the blue iwateyama, with the calibre 9S63, which is better than a patek small sec. You could have also pick the smaller sbgw231 or 235, with the calibre 9s64, which you cannot find one better in patek or Lange. You could also pick the sbgy003 with the calibre 9R31 with the dual mainspring architecture. The finishing on the front is already well known, but, with this, you could talk about the decorations on the back. All these i own. All in steel and affordable. Can't wait for them to put this latest innovation on the 9S. GS fans are in for a ball.
Now, youtubers realised that if they don't talk about GS, they loose out. Look at this article by a watch connoisseur who has a team of horologist working with him. Even, 'just' a seiko, now, is better than a rolex;
deployant.com/review-seiko-prospex-snr031j1-lx-black-edition-dive-watch/?amp
What GMTs? I want a high beat GMT Seiko. I REALLY like the SBDW011
@@michaelmckayI have the Peacock SBGJ227, Nighthawk SBGE201, 9F SBGN005, Jade Dragon SBGC207 chronograph GMT.
@@canonyeo4286 A nice healthy collection you have! Thank you for sharing.
@@michaelmckay u r welcomed. I also have the Rolex batman. It's a nice watch, but, the finishing is crude when compared the handcrafted GS.
@@canonyeo4286 I like the batman, but I agree with you on the finish and the wait is BS hype made by Rolex so I am over it. I have a date just and a snow flake. I am a date and time guy I guess hahaha, trying to branch out to one more complication.
I have the Snowflake and the GMT. Just beautiful watches.
I own 7 GS. Three 9f Quartz.
Love them all.
Also have Rolex and Omega, but always fall back in GS
Thanks for this. Grand Seiko Snowflake is one of my favorite watches and next on the list for me.
Its beautiful! I agreed
Nailed it Christian. Fantastic video. GS was not on my radar until I saw the SBGK005. That is majorly in contention for my next dress watch. I completely agree with you on the GMT (SBGM221). Amazing watch. Amazing value. I wish it were a tad thinner too. Those are two of the best lookin watches on the market right there. I still have reservations about spending so much for a GS. I am glad they took the Seiko badging off their high end watches though.
I would absolutely adore it if you'd do an episode on Credor and their high horology pieces.
Nice to see some GS featured on this channel!
Next to Rolex, GS and Omega are the two other brands that offer comparable quality with brand history for the "average" wrist.
Tht sweeeeping seconds hand is just something to behold
I’m on my second grand seiko . Tremendous craftsmanship .
Seiko doesn't make cheap watches. They're inexpensive, yes, but not cheap.
Agree, felt a cringe when he said that. For the price, Seiko is as good as you can get.
yes they make a tonne of shit watches mate
They literally do lol the vast majority of their stuff is sub 1k with movements based on the aging 7s series
Not to mention all the quartz they peddle
Love the snowflake. But the Spring “pink” dial GS still has to be my favorite dial. One day. After the vintage DJ.. and the Reverso I want.. and the Oris Pointer Date.. ugh.. I need more money😂
Stunning watches. I’m mildly obsessed with the Mt. Iwate.
the sbgm221 is literally a perfect watch in terms of aesthetics
I too had a little bit of "brand" concern. Back when I first heard of Grand Seiko. Back when I knew nothing about it. Then a little research uncovers the history, of beating the Swiss at their own game, and so decisively they banned them rather than try and compete. Then I learned about the technology, so deep and pervasive it extends into every single part of a Grand Seiko being made in-house. Even the Spron alloy used in the Spring Drive, the fricken alloy, was developed in-house. The Spring Drive chip, developed and made in-house. Even the silicon crystals, grown in-house. On and on and on it goes. Until one day I'm interested enough to track down a dealer and have a look.
Which now we are at the point where your snooty posing ignorance really shows itself. Because no way anybody with no pretentious axe to grind looks at and holds a Grand Seiko and makes comments like yours. Just no way. Not when the quality and detail and craftsmanship of the Grand Seiko makes everything else in the case costume jewelry by comparison.
Its not Grand Seiko that has the brand problem dude, its you.
Thank God 6 years ago there was no pretentious snob influencing me, or I might not have tracked down the Diver's 200M Spring Drive it has been such a pleasure to own. For those who don't know, no video or picture comes anywhere near doing justice to a Grand Seiko. You just have to find one to know.
Charles Miller it’s funny, but I actually followed the same course as you to learn all about watches before buying. This is truly one of the great benefits of technology - you can now learn for yourseld. I just peeled under the hood and the journey of discovery was amazing. Like yourself I was open minded but the more I researched, i has to arrive at the same assertions and conclusions exactly. I had to go with the actual watch maker experts and the consistent message was that the GS is the quiet achiever. Actually, in my book the Swiss should be comparing themselves against GS, rather than the other way round.
They're nice watches but their legacy is that they almost destroyed the mechanical watch industry. We almost lost great movements like the one in the zenith el primero, due to Seiko's introduction of quartz.
And yes, Seiko can do what they want but I think it's a fair reason to not want to support them. Just like I don't like to associate with Rolex for many reasons (needing to jump through hoops to get models you want, the snobbery, it being a cliche, etc)
The reason to buy GS is a Spring Drive watch, and they are just to big for some of us. I have a 6.5" wrist, and I've tried on the snowflate...it was amazing watch, I would have 100% bought it, but it was too big for me. They really, really need to make a Spring Drive movement for a 37mm watch case.
Well get the new Spring Drive handwound model that is 38.5mm. I have the same size wrist as you.
What is wrong with the mechanic watches?
Hoping to get the Sbgm221 next year. Gorgeous watch. Thanks for the reviews!
I am a owner of a sbgm 235 and i love it.
wow....just wow. each one is staggeringly beautiful.
I have a Snowflake and it rarely leaves my wrist.
Lucky u.........
Go to Bradford and I'm sure it will
Beautiful watch. I recently fell in love with seiko!
I hope to own a Spring Drive GS at some point. I don't know which though. The larger GMT with the 24 hour bezel is one I really like (I have wrists big enough to easily wear one. The problem I have with a lot of the GS models isn't the level of finish or the quality of movement, those are always impeccable, but they all have a certain sameness about them. The best way I've found to describe it is "You can always tell a Grand Seiko, but you might not be able to tell it apart from another Grand Seiko without a close look."
But specially that larger Spring Drive GMT with the 24 hour sapphire bezel sets itself apart very much. I have it. It's an incredible value with many USP's.
@@otobotrecords Very much. I definitely want one with a lumed bezel. That just looks so neat when the lights go down.
@@CrimFerret It does! Get it☺
Grand Seiko is in its own league at the moment
I love my SBGJ013!
The GMT looks awesome! Too bad it is only "splash resistant" per the GS website. So, it is a pure dress watch.
I wish they'll come up with a stainless steel version of the snowflake.
Fantastic pieces! I could not agree more 😀⌚️👍🏼
Great watch selection! To be honest, I’m ok with where GS sits in the eye of the average consumer.
I've lived in Asia many years, Thailand actually, and I've visited Japan a number of times; I love the orient. Having visited Japan and many of her cities and townships, I've come to learn much about her culture and day to day society. As a result of seeing Japan's masterful preservation of art, cultural aesthetics and history, I see the Japanese have successfully created an intertwining and balance of preservation of past societal building blocks and the creation of futuristic modernisation, the old and new; this can be seen everywhere from buildings to bullet trains, electronics to Kabuki. So much of what I adore about Japan I've discovered in Grand Seiko. I'm going to buy the SBGM221 and wear it very proudly. Japan really is worth falling in love with by the way.
@@yeahwafflesgo Delete this comment you coward.
@@ihopetowin u know japan only recently outlawed child porn possession right?
Love the SBGA211. Just an amazing watch. In my opinion Seiko does not have a branding problem. I would rather name them Seiko (without the Grand). Because Seiko is a prestigious brand on its own.
GS have been making desirable watches for ages. They should probably have names the brand differently at its inception, like Toyota did with Lexus.
Just came across this video recently, noted it was originally posted 2 years ago - do you still think that the brand is still lacking the brand image today in early 2022 ?
What's the price in £? Exactly 50 years back Seiko had introduced automatic watch in India .I as a school student craved for my first watch ,a black dial Seiko .But it was 500 rs and couldn't afford ,so bought a swiss made favour leuba for 200rs .Even now I can't afford a Seiko at about 20,000rs !ha ha .And the Favour leuba is working fine after 50years .Great Swiss .
Lol anyone saying Seiko is a cheap brand knows nothing about watches.
No see the seiko presage , credor , 5 , propex and you will be fucked yourself
Cheap is a word anyone can use, but it doesn't mean "bad" in any way. The guy with a Seiko looks at the watch of someone wearing a quartz Timex and thinks it's cheap. The dude with an Omega looks at the Seiko and thinks it's cheap and the guy with a Jacob and Co watch looks at the Omega and thinks it's cheap.
Great Vid...GS such a great brand!!!
Thx Christian, great review....that snowflake though....and somehow for however great the 005 is (the face), for that price I cannot justify that price point considering the company it keeps on secondary market...nonetheless thx for sharing...
Btw GS is a separate brand now since 2016 .. its a shame the zaratsu didn't find a mention here.
Tbf it's done on Seiko prospex watches at $600 (SBDC053, 061, etc) so it's not unique to GS nor is GS the only company to have nice finishing. Anyway I think the germans did it first but call it something else
@@hersheysquirt6526 Uh don’t think so
@@glenbuyer8738 don't think too hard, just good "zaratsu germany..." literally the first link.
that is an awesome 3 piece meal deal... spring drive is fantastic, if you've never worn one, just do, it makes any normal mechanical seem stone age.
Great review, you nailed it.... GS makes great watches! Its the "brand" that needs some work. They will get there!
that blue dial is to die for
Wow those reference numbers just roll off the tongue... classic Seiko 🤣
They’ve been producing watches like this for awhile. People tend to be ignorant because the name Grand Seiko doesn’t have much of a statement attached to it and most of high(er) end watch buyers only care for the status symbol that their watch brings. This is a great example of Japanese culture. Understated clever engineering. It’s perfect.
Understated? This is as gaudy and high polish as it gets. People who want understated will get something like a master control, calatrava, things that look like that...
@@hersheysquirt6526 Also true, I just think it's a very Japanese form of understatedness. Not so much in the individual watch itself, but also in the manufacturing, marketing, and design "ethos" that comes with it. I get your point, but I think you missed mine. It's an interesting perspective.
Understated is totally fine. But when you charge thousands to tens of thousands of dollars for your product, it's not on the consumer to simply "know" about your brand. You need to market and educate them. Otherwise its going to continue to be a hard sell for Grand Seiko.
Just my opinion here but for a brand that wants to not seem cheap, titanium was a strange choice. When I checked them out in person I just couldn't get on board with their bracelet. It feels so light and almost hollow. I know that is a personal preference but to me some heft makes me feel like there is more substance to what I would argue is a rather substantial purchase.
The SBBGK005 dial is beautiful. But the strap looks (and feels) cheap and tacky. That’s easily fixed (see the Hodinkee review). But the logo on the display back case...what were they thinking??
Is it cheaper to buy in Japan?? How much is the snowflake. I might just have to get one when i visit. I like the Panda Rolex but that aint happening at retail.
Have you tried on the sbgw235? :)
Im surprised this channel doesnt have 300k-350k followers
Did you chat about TGV with the sales person who happens to also have a UA-cam channel and described the Urban Gentry as his favourite channel 😉😬
Quality, originality, and workmanship that’s the branding. Their not interested in being main stream they already have that in Seiko.
I have a mate called Theo Harris
That last watch is super sweet
Grand Seiko! Thanks for doing a video on GS.
But be honest: if Grand Seiko was a Swiss brand, the mainstream watch world would be falling all over themselves about what value and innovation they bring.
If Rolex had invented the spring drive, Baselworld would never shut up about it.
Sublime watches
That gmt is fucking spectacular
GMT for me🔍💪
Great episode 👍
That Mt Iwate dial, mmmm mmmmm!
Hi, which is your wrist's measure in circunference in cms or inches ? i want to give me an idea if I can wear a 41 mm of GS
Not that I can afford a 5000-6500usd watch today. I do believe my my personal grail watch is no longer a SS submainer, it is now a Grand Seiko guy.
Nice video, but you need a better mic. It was frustratingly hard to hear you.
…and what if you had to pick one of these 3?
"lets do it!"
*walks into bush
Also, Fantastic video Christian! ! !
Look at those finishes...
If you're a true watch enthusiast, the brand wouldn't concern you but the quality and design of the watch should.
GS 4 life!
3:14 Arm of death - power reserve indicator looks like.
The GMT is near perfect.
But splash resistance on a $4600 watch? They couldn't do 50m? A Sekio 5 has better water resistance.
Great presentation on an interesting brand.
I do own an SBGR261 won't leave my wrist for nothing...
Best-looking watches with blue dials:
1. F P Journe Chronometre Bleu
2. Any Lange with blue dial
3. AP Royal Oak Jumbo
4. JLC Reverso Tribute Duo
5. Omega Seamaster
And,
6. The GS in the thumbnail
Agree on all but the Seamaster. I’d replace with the IWC Portugese.
is the gmt also a spring drive?
No, it is automatica Mechanical
Long gone are the days that you said you can't justify spending money on a 'seiko?
'
So the brushed finish makes the watch more digestible? That’s what you’re going with? Ok.
Hey Christian, what’s your wrist size?
5.5
GS!!!
Not enough wrist shot for SBGM221 :(
"associated with Seiko, cheap watches". expensive doesn't automatically mean better watches. plenty of great seiko watches out there. maybe the problem is not so much the brand itself but the average consumer...
Classy brooks bros shirt, i have the same one lol
Let the general consume waste their money on Rolex and other every day stuff. I‘m proud to have a GS that still reads only „Seiko“ on the dial.
To be honest, at first glance the two white-dialed watches look really appalling to me. I still love SBGK005, but the other two have kind of nothing to differentiate themselves
Background music makes it difficult to hear you, just too load.
Hate = before hired. Love = after hired.
Eventually, I will have a spring drive watch.
How are the factory GS leather straps?
GS leather straps are buttery smooth. I have no idea how they do it but compared to my Hirsch alligator and my Camille Fournet alligator, i find the GS strap softer and more comfortable.
Can't speak for all their straps, but the Grand Seiko strap that came with my sbgk005 is the most comfortable leather strap I've had on a watch.