*Grand Seiko has surpassed VC, PP & APs prices for roughly equivalent watches, yes. Design is subjective, what & who is surpassed cannot be measured. In movements and finish, you are right.*
GS like Omega and their coaxial movements just needs to shrink their movements to make them fit thinner and more elegant cases. Also make better clasps and bracelets. Hard to see this not happening in the future. When they do maybe it will be a mini quartz crisis all over again.
@@horaciofrancomisa7088 *: GS sells every watch it makes. There is no incentive to make skinny cases. If you want a thin one, look at Credor. Big bucks but thin. Bear in mind, the thicker a quality watch, the more robust.*
@Joe Skeptical I'm not sure they sell everything they make but regardless making thinner watches with better bracelets will only be an improvement for me. The clasp however really needs improvement when compared to leading swiss brands.
Omg this is sooo true. It's just so dang beautiful! And the more I'm watching videos on GS and researching them, I just have so much respect for how much work, detail and love they put into creating beautiful watches
By the way, that increase in precision and finally beating the Swiss at the time trials was a result of an in house contest between the two Seiko factories -Suwa and Daini- which meant Grand Seiko against King Seiko. And all of us are enjoying the fruits of that productive rivalry 😊
Yes this is very true!! I nearly added this detail in! But I thought enough have said it that I didn’t need to! 🙈 but it’s probably sometjing I should have added!
Competition drives huge innovation and better products and services. That’s why there so little innovation in government monopolies like social medicine.
Must have in every collection. It's on my list to add one. Deciding on which one is another story.... the spring drive movement does not get the recognition it deserves, it's an engineering marvel.
GS is what got me into watch collecting. I own both the Snowflake and Shun-bun and I get lost looking at the dials instead of remembering the time. Honestly you can not go wrong and that Spring - Drive just leaves you in awe 100% a member of the cult and would recommend 👍
Oh man, I keep thinking I neeeed to get a Snowflake in for review! What a WATCH! And I so agree, you can't go wrong with that spring drive, or just GS watches on the hole!
I have a 1964 GS with that iconic angular case and gold medallion and I also have a 'baby grand seiko' - a Prospex LX 'Skyline' (SBDB041) with a spring drive, the clearest sapphire with AR coating I've ever seen, and the full titanium treatment. I cannot say enough good things about the Spring Drive moment. It's simply mesmerizing and the GMT functions on the SBDB041 are exactly what you'd expect from a watch of this caliber. I've been a Seiko owner for 30 years and starting with a Winward Kinetic, it still gets on my wrist each month. Seiko has the heritage and value that others can only dream of. Their dials are simply amazing and they put heart, soul, and honor into their timepieces.
I own one and really love it. The craftsmanship that you see in the dial, hands, indexes, case is astonishing. Everything done by hand, not an industrial production like Rolex for example. They have that work of art, artisanal feeling that made me fell in love with watches in the first place. Not to mention the quality of their movements. The Hi beat 36000 is one of the best in-house mechanical movements in the industry. The only weak spot is the bracelet. It’s well done, nicely finished, but not at the same level as the rest of the watch. Almost looks like it has been outsourced from a different manufacture. Highly recommend adding a GS to your collection, it’s something different and special for sure. I also had a few reservations in the beginning but now I am a big fan!
i've got a lovely habring2, 200 watches made per year all by a master watch maker in Richard Habring and that makes special but when all is said and done , it does matter if they made a million a year. i'd only have one that was mine. I have a GS and A rolex explorer and for me the overall package of the explorer means if I could choose one it would be the explorer. It's still superblh finished, and one of the best brackets and clasps in the business. If grand seiko had an explorer/sub quality bracelet then maybe. But they are miles off
The morning I bought the GS GMT the way the sunlight was glinting off the hands and indices looked like a fireworks display going on inside the case.....the finish has no equal, what a great piece.
How can you not love Grand Seiko they have some of the best dials and the finishes on there cases it is out of this world and you always get your bang for your buck it really is hard to beat. Hail watch Fam. Happy Early Birthday Brittany.
I’ve had the SBGA413 for a couple of years now and it is still my favorite piece. I’ll have it on and the dial will catch my eye and it’s like discovering it all over again, it just puts a smile on my face! My AD recently got in the SBGW273 Gembi Valley out of nowhere and immediately reached out to me, I wasn’t planning on buying a new watch right now, but there was no way I was going to let it get by me. Hope you enjoy reading those brochures, as much as I enjoy watching your videos!
I wasn't a fan boy until I saw them in person, unbelievable movements and not to mention the finish.. nothing like it. I have the LE High Beat SBGH281. The morning wood dial is a stunner!!
I'm a Grand Seiko and Omega fanboy. I'm glad you're so open minded. I love innovation and that why I like them. They also have stunning watches. I think it is interesting how watch enthusiasts phase Seiko history. It just an innovation that improved everybody's life. Even quartz right now is being out innovated by Smart watches. It is like vinyl records getting overtaken by the tape player with music which overtaken by Mp3 players or our phones. It is just a step in innovation. Theyre also vinyl record collectors now and vinyl records are coming back. It is just a fun hobby and life is short.
You know! This whole thing is perfectly said… it’s just FUN! And life is short. Collect what you love. You have this one life, and if these weird little trinkets (watches) spark joy… GO ON THEN! 😜
I have to be careful here. No matter what I say I will be on the wrong side lol. I own Rolex, Grand Seiko and other brands, I like to get around. Brit, you rocked that SBGH269. I’m a fan, a big fan of GS.
I have multiple Seikos including a couple of Presage models and the Ginza Alpinist. I would like to add a Grand Seiko one day. And I even know which one. The Green Birch SLGH011. Looks so good.
Just bought the SBGA293. It took a LOOOOOONG time to finally decide the right GS for me. This is the one. Taking delivery in a week. One word: Squeeeeeeeee 😎👍🏼
I bought two Grand Seikos in the past two months! I have the SBGH295 kirazuri and the SBGE275 GMT! The dial is amazing especially on the SBGH295! Man it has so many looks depending on the angle of the light. You get some fibrous look at one angle and a meterotite effect in another angle. This dial is mesmerizing!
I have 3. Including titanium chronograph with gold hands spring drive and I love it. Also 36000 hi beat blue dial. I also want to buy winter grey dial also titanium. Love grand seiko.
Once you get bit by the GS bug, you become part of an exclusive, yet growing club. Suddenly every watch you look at is measured against GS. The stories, the fit-n-finish, the comparatively low point of entry, etc…. For me it’s all about GS & Nomos. Those two lines present a collector with enough options to create a perfect, versatile collection. Great vid! 😎👍🏼
I do wish that their mechanical and hybrid (Spring Drive) models were smaller and thinner, but I can't knock their quartz offerings. I have their SBGX261 (37mm wide, 10mm thick) and it's an exceptional watch.
I know I'm late to the party on this but yeah...when I was looking for a serious watch I tried on every brand I could get my hands on and the siren song call of GS got me. Love mine and looking to get a second. Thanks for the fun vid Cheers!
I bought one last year the SBGH-271 "Rikka" and I like it a lot. It also gets compliments from people in the know and even from reps at the AP, Rolex, Patek boutiques who know the history of the brand.
truly an amazing watch and the finish is way above Rolex standards. don't usually appreciate a date complication but some how grand Seiko make it look so good. hats of to our Asian friends for producing such lovely watches at an affordable price
I recently purchased a vintage hand wound 1967 King Seiko. After a close inspection I can confirm it was never dissembled for servicing but keeps good time with almost no wear. Amazing Swiss killer watch.
The addition to that story of the Seiko Observatory wins was that you could walk into a jewellers and actually buy the watch. Girard Perregaux were the only other Swiss player in the trials with their own high beat movements and again you could buy one in the shops. Both were allowed to print Official Observatory Chronometre on the dials. Oddly, Longines who had won the most chronometer prizes of any brand in the history of the trials(Omega and Zenith were 2nd and 3rd. Brands like VC, Rolex , Patek and AP were nowhere to be seen) and who had a high beat movement didn't do any of that. Though at that stage they had developed their own in house quartz cybernetic movement(UltraQuartz) and were also part of the Beta21 group so it seems they had pinned their future on quartz. Girard Perregaux did similar and developed the first Swiss stepping motor(the UltraQuartz and Beta21 used a tuning fork to drive the hands) quartz and set the quartz frequency that 99% of quartz watches use down to today. At the time quartz looked like a good bet and was for a few years and Swiss sales were good. Until the digital watch first developed in America, taken up by the Japanese and made better and cheaper became the trend in watches. The Swiss completely missed the boat on that. The digital promised The Future, the analogue looked like your grandad's watch. Though after the dust had settled what gave a large chunk of the Swiss industry a leg up and a big warchest of cash was the development and massive sales of a cheap fashion driven plastic near disposable analogue quartz. SWATCH.
Thank you for sharing that bit of watch history. As someone who has only been a watch nerd for a couple of years, this is a great summarization of how the industry was shaped over the past 50 or so years.
This made me read a lot about watch history. I can understand why Seiko want to move Seiko up market instead of Orient due to Seiko's history. Seiko is really old. It was created by a clock maker who was apprenticed since 13 in 1881. Seiko won the Gevena Observatory taking the 4th to 10th place with Mechanical Movements. It was actually the Swiss companies who took 1st, 2nd, 3rd places with their quartz movements which is crazy because I thought Japan was all about quartz and the Swiss was all about mechanical. The Swiss watch companies didnt think quartz was needed according to wiki. Seiko was the first production quartz "the astron" which as much as a car at the time. I learned something about Hamilton too. It was the first battery powered watch and it also made the first digital watch which surprised me since Hamilton is known for their field watches. Orient was made in 1950s and made a lot of luxury mechanical watches before merging with Seiko. Orient stopped due to the fact it will conflict with Grand Seiko.
@@alexlilano1931 Pretty much Alex. The Wiki must have been written by the Swiss marketing board if it says that. The "Swiss was all about mechanical" is _very_ much Swiss marketing from the 90's on, but really pushed in their marketing in the last twenty years, along with slowly upping their prices to increase their margins even further. You can simply charge more for a mechanical movement watch. A lot more. It's got "soul" y'know... Now that's OK with an actually hand finished Patek movement for example, but for movements and watches produced on an industrial scale in their _millions_ per year like Omega and Rolex? Not so much. Adjusted for inflation/wages/house prices an Omega Speedmaster is five times the price it was when men were walking on the moon wearing them. Rolex prices are similar. In the 1970's a Rolex Submariner cost a good bit less than the average months wages. If you want to get an idea what a "good watch" used to cost back in the day, brands like Tissot and Longines and Seiko would be close. The truth is the Swiss invested heavily in quartz. The Seiko Astron was first to market, but only just and in tiny numbers. Within months after the Astron you could walk into a shop and buy a Swiss Beta21(or Longines UltraQuartz) from many Swiss brands. All top of the range. Omega invested massively in the new tech, throwing millions at it. They developed a "high beat" quartz movement with a frequency of 2.4Mhz and released the most accurate wristwatch up to that time(12 seconds a year) and certified them as "Marine Chronometers". The main players in the Swiss industry were doing very well from quartz, though very few acknowledge it today in their advertising. However the Swiss pretty much ignored digitals until it was too late. And when they got on board with that trend their offerings were too expensive and out of date by at least a year. It's long been my opinion that it wasn't a "Quartz crisis" it was a "Digital crisis".
The GS club is a great one to join. I have the sbga415 and love it. Spring drive accuracy is so much better than anything out there. In the first 100 days of owning the 415 it only gained 3 seconds 🤯
I own the SBGE001 - it’s got the SEIKO / GRAND SEIKO dial and honestly like it’s this pool of *not a rolex* on my wrist but the light will strike this watch once and a while and it’s a glimpse into a world rolex just can’t touch and so this watch works on me every damn day 😂 and I don’t know what or who I’d be w/o this daily driver - awesome take on the great GS Ms. Watch Gringa
After that YourTerrific video of the SBGM221 I literally bought that exact watch. It was great in the video, but blew me away in person how their finishing plays with light and shadow. I’m hooked on GS.
Picked up my Grail one, the SBGE253, last week so yeah, I know the feeling. Ive been fascinated by the Spring Drive movement ever since I heard about it. Throw in the hand made finishing, the low key approach to luxury, and the fact that they seem to really embrace the GMT complication..it wasnt a choice, it was a call.
GS was actually the reason I started watch collecting. Picked up the SBGH269, and been drinking the cool aid ever since. In all seriousness though, it's been my pride and joy, there's nothing like it under a loupe. Hope you find your perfect piece as well!
I have two Grand Seiko’s, the SBGA 283 which is a Spring Drive, 39mm case (the perfect do-everything size) and Champagne dial. Keeping it for life. The other is a stunning quartz 36mm with an 18kt gold bezel with Gold applied indices that dance in the light, on a black leather strap. Its the quintessential dress watch! The first is just a Grand Seiko, the smaller watch is a more vintage piece which shares the face with Seiko at the 12 o’clock, and GS Grand Seiko at the 6 o’clock. I have scarcely looked at my Speedy or Datejust since acquiring these two Grand Seiko’s in the last month. It might just be the honeymoon phase. But I am smitten. I did wear my Oris Aquis last nite to an outdoor rock show on a rainy nite, not realizing they built a cover over the Amphitheater. If you do acquire a Grand Seiko I recommend a Spring Drive model. It checks all the boxes. In-house movement, quartz accuracy with automatic movement, and also hand-winding!
Once again a Vigorous edit and content ! - I maybe a Cartier man but a few months ago I bought the Grand Seiko sbgx261g (Quartz) with the black dial. I thought it would be a good introduction to GS and also a go anywhere, out-the-front-door and gone watch. I admit I felt slightly queasy about it....but the more I learn about Grand Seiko and their philosophy the happier I feel. I absolutely love the watch; it is classy enough for spontaneous occasions and very comfortable. It shimmers and glisters way above it's £2,000 retail price. The mechanicals I tried at the dealer were a little chunky on my wrist. However, the ingenious, and innovative 'Spring Drive' is such a thing of wonder that it may well find a home here in the future. The quartz model is slightly thinner and it has a seamless flat sapphire to bezel fit which I like. It is by no means lightweight....the in-house home grown Crystal and the Quartz drive mechanism are hermetically sealed into an internal compartment separate to the battery...which itself can be replaced by any reputable dealer. GS mechanical movements are currently (I believe) serviced only in Japan (?) which would be a negative point for some. The bracelet is great and chamfered on all exposed flanks for comfort. The polishing is exquisite, the hour marker batons flicker and flash like a dark and stormy night .... however the failure of the bracelet to extend a few mm in hot weather is a small gripe. For me the fit happens to be nigh on perfect....and just allows a little wiggle room. It's an individual thing.
I spent about 15 years with a Seiko but craving for a Rolex and a Duoface. Eventually I've got both, and doing the way back to Seiko is impossible even thought, technologicaly, Spring drive is a paramount, the model SLGA009 is the perfection and my close relationship with Japan. Moreover, regarding the price, it's a mechancial perfection but an hazardous investment. This last point is not very glamourous but at 9500 € the watch, you think twice...
Great vid. I’m exactly the same, love GS dials and let’s face it, there are some incredible ones out there. The polishing is superb and accuracy is what we all want. I will buy one eventually
Great video, Gringa. I'm about Case Material/Finishing; Movement; Dial; Hands!! GS has it all. I am in Awe by "Spring Drive". (I think) The greatest technological advancement in Horology. Bulova's Electrostatic, Accutron and Precisionist are close second. Love your passion and your take on things.
Great commentary. A GS is definitely in the future of my collection..which one I don’t know, I’m thinking a trip to Tokyo to buy it would be super cool.
I own the shunbun and it truly is a beautiful timepiece! I love the brand's vision and where they're going with their design; however, I hope they shrink their divers quite a bit. Within the watch community, it gains the respect it very much deserves. In the general public, it flies under the radar with the occasional compliment and curiosity of "what brand is that watch?", which I respond 'it's just a Seiko' 😅
I get a bit frustrated with Grand Seiko, Seiko, and other watch brands. Their new watches each year are usually bigger, around 40mm, with only a few (if there are) between 35-38mm. They don't cater to smaller wrists and/or feminine aesthetics as much. Some of the Seiko Presage does it nicely for a more feminine aesthetic, but it's limited. I'd like to buy a GMT or diver, but I don't want 40mm. 35-38mm is better for me.
@@eleanorchan872 You can definitely find a GS with colorful and lighter tone dials. But yea I feel you on finding timepieces that will fit smaller wrists. If you’re into divers, Oris makes a 36.5mm Aquis “upcycle”. It also wears smaller due to the lug to lug
@@davidcoronado5512 I don’t have a webcam and my best camera (latest GoPro) is being borrowed by my brother haha. But I will say that the pinkish hue shows much less in person than you typically see on videos and photos; I think when it’s being shot on camera/film, people are intentionally getting that right angle and light to bring the 🌸 out of the dial.
@@rich2579 thank you for the suggestion. I'll check it out. I am not against divers but I don't know if I'll buy a diver as I'll rarely use it for the intended purpose. I know that is not why one has to buy a watch but I can use it the money for other watches. That being said, ooh this is a very pretty watch. I'll go find a dealer that has it in stock to see if I like it in person. The Hamilton Ventura has captured my attention lately too.
GS is the king. Since I’ve got my quartz GMT I’ve realised it is the only brand I’d be ready to buy blindly. Absolutely flawless no matter what you look at. I mean yes, the bracelet could be better. But the rest is just perfect. I know exactly how many Rolexes I will get before stopping and closing this chapter of my life. With GS I know I’ll always be back for more.
GS is the shit! I currently own a GS White Birch Spring Drive , Rolex GMT Pre-Ceramic Coke, and a old MontBlanc Chronograph which my father gave me. The subtle beauty of my GS makes it my daily piece in my office, without being too much like a “showoff” by wearing the Rolex 😆
I'm new to your channel I love it, I been wanting a Grand Seiko for a long time,I haven't got there yet, but yeah you right Grand Seiko is in incredible Brand so much history behind...I love your accent...Congrats on your channel great content accomplishment..until next time from St George Utah 👋 .....keep up the good looking forward on more reviews....
lovely, I've been contemplating whether or not to purchase an Omega or a GS. I feel GS will look amazing next to my Rolexs Date just. I love the rich history the watch brings and is something I'd like to pass down to future children.
Have you seen the LE Sakura recently announced? Spring and Snow in a 36.5 mm case. SBGW289 Embracing the pink yet again. Would love it to be a spring drive, but other than the manual wind they are still starting at 40mm
Yes,,,,, I want one too,, For the perfect 3 watch collection, (to go with my SMP300M, and G shock,), I'd love a "snowflake",,, then my life would be complete,, 😊😊❄️❄️
For me, buying into Grand Seiko was somewhat of a mistake. Before my first GS, my mindset in buying a watch was straightforward. "Oooh, that looks nice! I'm getting it." Today, it's "oooh, that looks nice! But how does it compare to a Grand Seiko?" Analysis paralysis. So much so that I've been sitting on purchasing a Santos for the last several years, because right up to the very moment I'm about to pull the trigger, I always seem to end up purchasing a GS instead. On the other hand, I am annoyed at Seiko's marketing. Seiko has been releasing so many LEs that use the same or similar design elements from other watches in their catalogue (albeit with different "inspired by" back stories). In that sense then, "limited" has lost its meaning.
Got 2 spring drive chronographs. An SBGC003 and a SBGC201. The most accurate mechanical spring based watches out there in the watch world, with a 50 jewel and a 416 parts calibre movement, with a column wheel and vertical clutch chronograph operation.
As someone whose brain sometimes moves a mile a minute in a million different directions, there's something calming about looking at a Spring Drive seconds hand elegantly and patiently sweep across a watch face. It's never ahead of time. It's never behind time. It's always exactly where it needs to be. I think every serious watch collector should have at least one Spring Drive in their collection.
Britt the spring drive in now found in Seiko Presage. Go ahead and purchase your GS but keep in mind you will have lost half of your $$$$$$$ as soon as you leave the store, sort of like purchasing the Hemi Charger. Vroom vroom gasp. You may want to wait until this recession hits very hard and drives the price down.
I've had a Grand Seiko before many UA-camrs even talked about Grand Seiko. Rolex pales in comparison. It's a mass produced fashion watch in comparison to Grand Seiko. Rolex is the Daniel Wellington of expensive watch brands. Made by robots, for brand zombies.
Love this ! So I am a Rolex fan boy. I’ve had about 13 throughout my life and I currently only have one my 42 mm explore to Polar dial I’ve been looking at Grand Seiko and I will be honest it’s having seiko in the name but once I put one in my hand, and I looked at the polish attention to detail in the dial it started to blow my hair back. I absolutely love the spring drive it’s mesmerizing, I have found one that I like unfortunately it doesn’t have a spring drive. But the SBGJ259 bamboo dial is absolutely beautiful. I am having a hard time throwing down five to $6000 for this watch I know immediately it’s going to lose value but because I love watches, I really don’t care, maybe you can help me out I really don’t care but I guess I do because the question is if someone asks me that’s a beautiful watch what is it and I see it’s a Grand Seiko and they say oh yeah, I have a seiko at home, no, this is a Grand Seiko. That’s where the snobbery comes in and unfortunately I am trying to get over it and I’m working on it if there’s anyone out there that maybe you can relate to this. I would love to hear your comments, but I am so blown away by the bamboo dial I only wish it was Spring Drive.
I own a shunbun, I do think that if you could ever get your hands on a SBGA435 (Kyoto skybridge) it would match you perfectly. same color as your eyes.
First video of yours I've watched and I loved it. I have a pretty decent collection, I started out with Casio and Seiko, now my daily drivers are my Explorer, OP36 and Santos. Despite coming from Seiko (which sparked my interest in mechanical watches), I think I fell ill to 'brand snobbery'. I just couldn't justify 4K for a Seiko, when I can get a pre owned Aqua Terra for less than half of that. I'm very pleased and excited to say that I'm joining the club, I'm going for a 37mm Hibeat. The finishing just blew me away in person and it made my more expensive pieces simply pale in comparison. Subscribing for more 😁
The sbgv245 made my speedmaster take a back seat when I bought it. Grand seiko, no matter which movement, are just gorgeous to stare at and the story behind it is fascinating
Had an SBGA373. Sold it to get a cheaply listed SLGA007 only to find out it was a fake listing. Now currently waiting for my birthday to responsibly purchase a different one! Also. REALLY recommend looking at one of their champagne dials in person. They pop in all types of weather and are by far some of the best at reflecting light in the GS family.
As someone who transitioned from autos to Quartz-only watches, GS is at the top of the food chain. The 9F movements with a jumping hour hand, +- 5 or 10 seconds per YEAR, and their 50-year service intervals are fantastic. They’re only really rivaled by Citizen’s Chronomaster with their solar capabilities and dial variety. GS tends to put less interesting dials in their Quartz lineup, except for some special/limited editions.
Gringa, you are exactly right about wearing them. I bought my first after never handling one. Totally irresistible once on the wrist. My advice is to go for a SBGA373. Champagne dial with the 44GS case. It’s subtle, simple, and a perfect everyday watch. I’m up to three now! I’ve become a fan, but I think I’m not a fan-boy, and I really don’t why. Their bracelets don’t fit me well, and I think I have the only non-perfect GS in the world: the date doesn’t function correctly; but at least they don’t hold their value. Yet, I keep buying them and wearing them and still plan to buy a hi-beat.
Your first Grand Seiko should be a GMT. The case is not too big for you wrist. I would suggest any of the bamboo dial versions. The one in red looks amazing.
I have an "entry level" Grand Seiko SBGA 283 and it's such an amazing watch. I sold an Aquaterra to purchase it and have no regrets. I feel almost spoiled by the price to quality ratio as you get so much more with GS than any other brand. Definitely no hype when there's the goods to back it up.
Also got entry SBGA465 it is so understated that nobody around me noticed spending that much yet its like 4k watch while all watches around are only 1080p.
@@WatchUnwind I've compared to Rolex. The GS is better. In fact after more research into other brands I'd like to have a Monta instead of Rolex as well due to finishing being on par and getting more for your money like with GS.
@@A_Dude_And_His_Watch78 yeah I do hear good things about Monta as well. Hopefully I can get a lot of these brands on my channel soon I just met a connection who supposed to be hooking me up with some mega watches to shoot with VC, Patek, Breguet, and others. In the past I have had hands on with Ulysse Nardin, GP, and frank muller as well as the omega and Rolex I own but a lot of this stuff I have never seen in person
I tried on a Series 9 White Birch Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours and was intrigued by the movement and second hand sweep. The dial was amazing quite the work of art. But the hour hand was coffin shaped, the bracelet wasn’t all that and the price was getting up there to ten grand at £8,500. They need to up their bracelet game for that kind of money. Still, a refreshing departure from the done to death tedium of Rolex, plus their watches are all immediately available without the bull.
I just bought a Grand Seiko in memory of my father. He loved Japan when he visited 52 years ago and bought a Seiko watch. I miss you Dad!
In my opinion, GS surpassed the Swiss makers in the past decade, in movements, design and finishing 👌🏻
I mean! I don’t disagree! 🙈🙈
*Grand Seiko has surpassed VC, PP & APs prices for roughly equivalent watches, yes. Design is subjective, what & who is surpassed cannot be measured. In movements and finish, you are right.*
GS like Omega and their coaxial movements just needs to shrink their movements to make them fit thinner and more elegant cases. Also make better clasps and bracelets. Hard to see this not happening in the future. When they do maybe it will be a mini quartz crisis all over again.
@@horaciofrancomisa7088 *: GS sells every watch it makes. There is no incentive to make skinny cases. If you want a thin one, look at Credor. Big bucks but thin. Bear in mind, the thicker a quality watch, the more robust.*
@Joe Skeptical I'm not sure they sell everything they make but regardless making thinner watches with better bracelets will only be an improvement for me. The clasp however really needs improvement when compared to leading swiss brands.
*No Kool-Aid is involved. All a watch enthusiast need do is hold a GS in the hand. The dial picture is amazing.*
Omg this is sooo true. It's just so dang beautiful! And the more I'm watching videos on GS and researching them, I just have so much respect for how much work, detail and love they put into creating beautiful watches
I own the sbgw231, it’s amazing! I can’t stop staring at it.
By the way, that increase in precision and finally beating the Swiss at the time trials was a result of an in house contest between the two Seiko factories -Suwa and Daini- which meant Grand Seiko against King Seiko. And all of us are enjoying the fruits of that productive rivalry 😊
Yes this is very true!! I nearly added this detail in! But I thought enough have said it that I didn’t need to! 🙈 but it’s probably sometjing I should have added!
Competition drives huge innovation and better products and services. That’s why there so little innovation in government monopolies like social medicine.
Must have in every collection. It's on my list to add one. Deciding on which one is another story.... the spring drive movement does not get the recognition it deserves, it's an engineering marvel.
White Birch SLGA009
SLGH011 or the Shōsho imo are absolute killers
Spring drive is cool but if I got a GS I would probably want one of their automatic high beats or manual wind watches
9F85 FTW
Love mine…the spring drive movement is unbelievably relaxing to watch.
I recently purchased an SBGA415 Taisetsu. Wow, these are amazing watches, the more I wear it the more i love it.
Just bought my first Grand Seiko. An SBGE255 Sport Model GMT Spring Drive Absolutely gorgeous.
GS is what got me into watch collecting. I own both the Snowflake and Shun-bun and I get lost looking at the dials instead of remembering the time. Honestly you can not go wrong and that Spring - Drive just leaves you in awe 100% a member of the cult and would recommend 👍
Oh man, I keep thinking I neeeed to get a Snowflake in for review! What a WATCH! And I so agree, you can't go wrong with that spring drive, or just GS watches on the hole!
I have a 1964 GS with that iconic angular case and gold medallion and I also have a 'baby grand seiko' - a Prospex LX 'Skyline' (SBDB041) with a spring drive, the clearest sapphire with AR coating I've ever seen, and the full titanium treatment. I cannot say enough good things about the Spring Drive moment. It's simply mesmerizing and the GMT functions on the SBDB041 are exactly what you'd expect from a watch of this caliber. I've been a Seiko owner for 30 years and starting with a Winward Kinetic, it still gets on my wrist each month. Seiko has the heritage and value that others can only dream of. Their dials are simply amazing and they put heart, soul, and honor into their timepieces.
I own one and really love it. The craftsmanship that you see in the dial, hands, indexes, case is astonishing. Everything done by hand, not an industrial production like Rolex for example. They have that work of art, artisanal feeling that made me fell in love with watches in the first place. Not to mention the quality of their movements. The Hi beat 36000 is one of the best in-house mechanical movements in the industry. The only weak spot is the bracelet. It’s well done, nicely finished, but not at the same level as the rest of the watch. Almost looks like it has been outsourced from a different manufacture. Highly recommend adding a GS to your collection, it’s something different and special for sure. I also had a few reservations in the beginning but now I am a big fan!
You know! You are tipping me over the edge now. I BLOODY NEED A GS!
@@BrittPearceWatches Go for the SLGA009!
i've got a lovely habring2, 200 watches made per year all by a master watch maker in Richard Habring and that makes special but when all is said and done , it does matter if they made a million a year. i'd only have one that was mine. I have a GS and A rolex explorer and for me the overall package of the explorer means if I could choose one it would be the explorer. It's still superblh finished, and one of the best brackets and clasps in the business. If grand seiko had an explorer/sub quality bracelet then maybe. But they are miles off
The morning I bought the GS GMT the way the sunlight was glinting off the hands and indices looked like a fireworks display going on inside the case.....the finish has no equal, what a great piece.
How can you not love Grand Seiko they have some of the best dials and the finishes on there cases it is out of this world and you always get your bang for your buck it really is hard to beat. Hail watch Fam. Happy Early Birthday Brittany.
Once you hold one on your hand it’s hard to resist the urge to want one. They’re near perfect. 👍
Great video!
Superb video! Just purchased my first GS (The Skyflake) and I'm using your content to psychologically quell any regret over parting with $6,000 ;)
This channel is one of the most entertaining wristwatch channel’s on UA-cam
I really do have a Grand Seiko on my list - the SBGJ275 is just gorgeous. I will get it. It will be mine.
I’ve had the SBGA413 for a couple of years now and it is still my favorite piece. I’ll have it on and the dial will catch my eye and it’s like discovering it all over again, it just puts a smile on my face! My AD recently got in the SBGW273 Gembi Valley out of nowhere and immediately reached out to me, I wasn’t planning on buying a new watch right now, but there was no way I was going to let it get by me.
Hope you enjoy reading those brochures, as much as I enjoy watching your videos!
I just bought my second grand seiko. Their movements and craftsmanship are just incredible.
What do I win ?
I am so much a fan of yours. Jennie Elle talked about you on her channel and I had to pop over. Thanks.
I wasn't a fan boy until I saw them in person, unbelievable movements and not to mention the finish.. nothing like it. I have the LE High Beat SBGH281. The morning wood dial is a stunner!!
My first luxury watch was an SLGA009 and I couldn't be happier!
I'm a Grand Seiko and Omega fanboy. I'm glad you're so open minded. I love innovation and that why I like them. They also have stunning watches. I think it is interesting how watch enthusiasts phase Seiko history. It just an innovation that improved everybody's life. Even quartz right now is being out innovated by Smart watches. It is like vinyl records getting overtaken by the tape player with music which overtaken by Mp3 players or our phones. It is just a step in innovation. Theyre also vinyl record collectors now and vinyl records are coming back. It is just a fun hobby and life is short.
You know! This whole thing is perfectly said… it’s just FUN! And life is short. Collect what you love. You have this one life, and if these weird little trinkets (watches) spark joy… GO ON THEN! 😜
Beautiful artistic watches. Less snobs and no waitlists. Sign me up!
I have to be careful here. No matter what I say I will be on the wrong side lol.
I own Rolex, Grand Seiko and other brands, I like to get around.
Brit, you rocked that SBGH269. I’m a fan, a big fan of GS.
I have a couple of Rolexes and I really like them. I wear a GS Snowflake every day.
I have multiple Seikos including a couple of Presage models and the Ginza Alpinist. I would like to add a Grand Seiko one day. And I even know which one. The Green Birch SLGH011. Looks so good.
Just bought the SBGA293. It took a LOOOOOONG time to finally decide the right GS for me. This is the one. Taking delivery in a week. One word: Squeeeeeeeee 😎👍🏼
I bought two Grand Seikos in the past two months! I have the SBGH295 kirazuri and the SBGE275 GMT! The dial is amazing especially on the SBGH295! Man it has so many looks depending on the angle of the light. You get some fibrous look at one angle and a meterotite effect in another angle. This dial is mesmerizing!
I have 3. Including titanium chronograph with gold hands spring drive and I love it. Also 36000 hi beat blue dial. I also want to buy winter grey dial also titanium. Love grand seiko.
Once you get bit by the GS bug, you become part of an exclusive, yet growing club. Suddenly every watch you look at is measured against GS. The stories, the fit-n-finish, the comparatively low point of entry, etc…. For me it’s all about GS & Nomos. Those two lines present a collector with enough options to create a perfect, versatile collection. Great vid! 😎👍🏼
You know, I couldn't agree more on your Nomos & GS thoughts! I think they are both brands that bring in the true enthusiast!
Oooooh Nomos I like. But those long lugs ...
@@kelechinobi3085 you’re brain gets used to the lugs quickly, and then you love the look & fit. I felt the same way before I bought mine
I do wish that their mechanical and hybrid (Spring Drive) models were smaller and thinner, but I can't knock their quartz offerings. I have their SBGX261 (37mm wide, 10mm thick) and it's an exceptional watch.
GS make amazing watches. I’m holding out for the one that whispers my name, before I pull the trigger.
I know I'm late to the party on this but yeah...when I was looking for a serious watch I tried on every brand I could get my hands on and the siren song call of GS got me. Love mine and looking to get a second. Thanks for the fun vid Cheers!
I’m wearing that same watch right now the blossom would an awesome time piece
Fab video Brit. You’ve become one of the best watch channels now!
The new Longines Ultra-Chron will kick the ass of Grand Seiko.
Cracking video...
The honest and impromptu history lesson was class.
Absolutely love the Grand Seiko line. One day a spring drive will adorn my wrist.
I bought one last year the SBGH-271 "Rikka" and I like it a lot. It also gets compliments from people in the know and even from reps at the AP, Rolex, Patek boutiques who know the history of the brand.
Love the GS season flavors... they're beautiful. Great video and enjoy your channel. Cheers
truly an amazing watch and the finish is way above Rolex standards. don't usually appreciate a date complication but some how grand Seiko make it look so good. hats of to our Asian friends for producing such lovely watches at an affordable price
love your vid, Grand Seiko are stunning in every way, hi from Ireland!
I recently purchased a vintage hand wound 1967 King Seiko. After a close inspection I can confirm it was never dissembled for servicing but keeps good time with almost no wear. Amazing Swiss killer watch.
The addition to that story of the Seiko Observatory wins was that you could walk into a jewellers and actually buy the watch. Girard Perregaux were the only other Swiss player in the trials with their own high beat movements and again you could buy one in the shops. Both were allowed to print Official Observatory Chronometre on the dials. Oddly, Longines who had won the most chronometer prizes of any brand in the history of the trials(Omega and Zenith were 2nd and 3rd. Brands like VC, Rolex , Patek and AP were nowhere to be seen) and who had a high beat movement didn't do any of that. Though at that stage they had developed their own in house quartz cybernetic movement(UltraQuartz) and were also part of the Beta21 group so it seems they had pinned their future on quartz. Girard Perregaux did similar and developed the first Swiss stepping motor(the UltraQuartz and Beta21 used a tuning fork to drive the hands) quartz and set the quartz frequency that 99% of quartz watches use down to today.
At the time quartz looked like a good bet and was for a few years and Swiss sales were good. Until the digital watch first developed in America, taken up by the Japanese and made better and cheaper became the trend in watches. The Swiss completely missed the boat on that. The digital promised The Future, the analogue looked like your grandad's watch.
Though after the dust had settled what gave a large chunk of the Swiss industry a leg up and a big warchest of cash was the development and massive sales of a cheap fashion driven plastic near disposable analogue quartz. SWATCH.
Thank you for sharing that bit of watch history. As someone who has only been a watch nerd for a couple of years, this is a great summarization of how the industry was shaped over the past 50 or so years.
This made me read a lot about watch history. I can understand why Seiko want to move Seiko up market instead of Orient due to Seiko's history. Seiko is really old. It was created by a clock maker who was apprenticed since 13 in 1881. Seiko won the Gevena Observatory taking the 4th to 10th place with Mechanical Movements. It was actually the Swiss companies who took 1st, 2nd, 3rd places with their quartz movements which is crazy because I thought Japan was all about quartz and the Swiss was all about mechanical. The Swiss watch companies didnt think quartz was needed according to wiki. Seiko was the first production quartz "the astron" which as much as a car at the time. I learned something about Hamilton too. It was the first battery powered watch and it also made the first digital watch which surprised me since Hamilton is known for their field watches. Orient was made in 1950s and made a lot of luxury mechanical watches before merging with Seiko. Orient stopped due to the fact it will conflict with Grand Seiko.
@@alexlilano1931 Pretty much Alex. The Wiki must have been written by the Swiss marketing board if it says that. The "Swiss was all about mechanical" is _very_ much Swiss marketing from the 90's on, but really pushed in their marketing in the last twenty years, along with slowly upping their prices to increase their margins even further. You can simply charge more for a mechanical movement watch. A lot more. It's got "soul" y'know... Now that's OK with an actually hand finished Patek movement for example, but for movements and watches produced on an industrial scale in their _millions_ per year like Omega and Rolex? Not so much. Adjusted for inflation/wages/house prices an Omega Speedmaster is five times the price it was when men were walking on the moon wearing them. Rolex prices are similar. In the 1970's a Rolex Submariner cost a good bit less than the average months wages. If you want to get an idea what a "good watch" used to cost back in the day, brands like Tissot and Longines and Seiko would be close.
The truth is the Swiss invested heavily in quartz. The Seiko Astron was first to market, but only just and in tiny numbers. Within months after the Astron you could walk into a shop and buy a Swiss Beta21(or Longines UltraQuartz) from many Swiss brands. All top of the range. Omega invested massively in the new tech, throwing millions at it. They developed a "high beat" quartz movement with a frequency of 2.4Mhz and released the most accurate wristwatch up to that time(12 seconds a year) and certified them as "Marine Chronometers". The main players in the Swiss industry were doing very well from quartz, though very few acknowledge it today in their advertising.
However the Swiss pretty much ignored digitals until it was too late. And when they got on board with that trend their offerings were too expensive and out of date by at least a year. It's long been my opinion that it wasn't a "Quartz crisis" it was a "Digital crisis".
@@MrGrentch I read America and Japan went fully into digital with Timex, Casio, and many others.
Longines has brand new HiBeat movements too, the "Ultrachron". And are cheaper than GS, around 3800EUR RRP.
I'm willing to read the pamphlet to join the cult of watch gringa. New subscriber from Mexico 👏
I believe you were wearing a SBGR253 a few months ago in one of your videos. That watch looked just perfect. Get on board!
The GS club is a great one to join. I have the sbga415 and love it. Spring drive accuracy is so much better than anything out there. In the first 100 days of owning the 415 it only gained 3 seconds 🤯
I own the SBGE001 - it’s got the SEIKO / GRAND SEIKO dial and honestly like it’s this pool of *not a rolex* on my wrist but the light will strike this watch once and a while and it’s a glimpse into a world rolex just can’t touch and so this watch works on me every damn day 😂 and I don’t know what or who I’d be w/o this daily driver - awesome take on the great GS Ms. Watch Gringa
Wow. That red dial number is so sweet. The depth in colour, I’m flawed.
I cannot wait to get a Seiko! I'm going to have to save for a Grand Seiko for years! 😅😅
After that YourTerrific video of the SBGM221 I literally bought that exact watch. It was great in the video, but blew me away in person how their finishing plays with light and shadow. I’m hooked on GS.
Picked up my Grail one, the SBGE253, last week so yeah, I know the feeling. Ive been fascinated by the Spring Drive movement ever since I heard about it. Throw in the hand made finishing, the low key approach to luxury, and the fact that they seem to really embrace the GMT complication..it wasnt a choice, it was a call.
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GS was actually the reason I started watch collecting. Picked up the SBGH269, and been drinking the cool aid ever since. In all seriousness though, it's been my pride and joy, there's nothing like it under a loupe. Hope you find your perfect piece as well!
Whaaaat! No way. What a story! I’m just about ready to drink the kool aid!
Love the 269! I aspire to add this watch to my collection one day!
I have two Grand Seiko’s, the SBGA 283 which is a Spring Drive, 39mm case (the perfect do-everything size) and Champagne dial. Keeping it for life. The other is a stunning quartz 36mm with an 18kt gold bezel with Gold applied indices that dance in the light, on a black leather strap. Its the quintessential dress watch! The first is just a Grand Seiko, the smaller watch is a more vintage piece which shares the face with Seiko at the 12 o’clock, and GS Grand Seiko at the 6 o’clock. I have scarcely looked at my Speedy or Datejust since acquiring these two Grand Seiko’s in the last month. It might just be the honeymoon phase. But I am smitten. I did wear my Oris Aquis last nite to an outdoor rock show on a rainy nite, not realizing they built a cover over the Amphitheater. If you do acquire a Grand Seiko I recommend a Spring Drive model. It checks all the boxes. In-house movement, quartz accuracy with automatic movement, and also hand-winding!
Once again a Vigorous edit and content ! - I maybe a Cartier man but a few months ago I bought the Grand Seiko sbgx261g (Quartz) with the black dial. I thought it would be a good introduction to GS and also a go anywhere, out-the-front-door and gone watch.
I admit I felt slightly queasy about it....but the more I learn about Grand Seiko and their philosophy the happier I feel.
I absolutely love the watch; it is classy enough for spontaneous occasions and very comfortable. It shimmers and glisters way above it's £2,000 retail price. The mechanicals I tried at the dealer were a little chunky on my wrist. However, the ingenious, and innovative 'Spring Drive' is such a thing of wonder that it may well find a home here in the future.
The quartz model is slightly thinner and it has a seamless flat sapphire to bezel fit which I like. It is by no means lightweight....the in-house home grown Crystal and the Quartz drive mechanism are hermetically sealed into an internal compartment separate to the battery...which itself can be replaced by any reputable dealer. GS mechanical movements are currently (I believe) serviced only in Japan (?) which would be a negative point for some. The bracelet is great and chamfered on all exposed flanks for comfort.
The polishing is exquisite, the hour marker batons flicker and flash like a dark and stormy night .... however the failure of the bracelet to extend a few mm in hot weather is a small gripe. For me the fit happens to be nigh on perfect....and just allows a little wiggle room. It's an individual thing.
Glad to hear you are on board! Gotta love their dials and history. Now if only they would put a date-less spring drive in a 36 mm case!
Fell in love and bought the SBGJ239. Love it more every day!
Pure love - I have a few, the Lake Suwa is my favorite. Nothing beats their excecution and precission. Rolex and GS are all you need!
I spent about 15 years with a Seiko but craving for a Rolex and a Duoface. Eventually I've got both, and doing the way back to Seiko is impossible even thought, technologicaly, Spring drive is a paramount, the model SLGA009 is the perfection and my close relationship with Japan. Moreover, regarding the price, it's a mechancial perfection but an hazardous investment. This last point is not very glamourous but at 9500 € the watch, you think twice...
Just bought my Shunbun 3 days ago and I’m still fiddling with it around the house and trying on different straps 😂
Great vid. I’m exactly the same, love GS dials and let’s face it, there are some incredible ones out there. The polishing is superb and accuracy is what we all want. I will buy one eventually
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Nice video ---- Pope Tier Rules !!! --- I am BINGE WATCHING all your videos this weekend (AND ALL THE ADDS) !!!!!
I have an sbga283. I love it. The sweeping second is so mesmerizing as well as the creamy golden dial when the light catches it
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Been a Seiko fan for decades. Grand Seiko is WOW
Bought the blue dial GMT last year, it’s by far my fav piece and I love it more as time goes on.
Great video, Gringa. I'm about Case Material/Finishing; Movement; Dial; Hands!! GS has it all. I am in Awe by "Spring Drive". (I think) The greatest technological advancement in Horology. Bulova's Electrostatic, Accutron and Precisionist are close second. Love your passion and your take on things.
Great commentary. A GS is definitely in the future of my collection..which one I don’t know, I’m thinking a trip to Tokyo to buy it would be super cool.
7:38 wait is it really called the "morning wood"? Think I've found my next watch
LOLLLL NOOOO but I was hoping someone would notice that joke!! ;) I always try to hide little joke nuggets!
@@BrittPearceWatches 🤣😂🤣 lmao thanks for saving me the embarrassment of texting my AD how much morning wood was!
@@BrittPearceWatches I immediately thought of Grieg, I do not get the joke ... :-I.
Excellent video as always! Pink dial with pink alligator strap is my .02
Oh YASSS! Pure class on the wrist!
Love my Grand Seiko... it is my "go to" dress watch.
I own the shunbun and it truly is a beautiful timepiece! I love the brand's vision and where they're going with their design; however, I hope they shrink their divers quite a bit. Within the watch community, it gains the respect it very much deserves. In the general public, it flies under the radar with the occasional compliment and curiosity of "what brand is that watch?", which I respond 'it's just a Seiko' 😅
I get a bit frustrated with Grand Seiko, Seiko, and other watch brands. Their new watches each year are usually bigger, around 40mm, with only a few (if there are) between 35-38mm. They don't cater to smaller wrists and/or feminine aesthetics as much. Some of the Seiko Presage does it nicely for a more feminine aesthetic, but it's limited.
I'd like to buy a GMT or diver, but I don't want 40mm. 35-38mm is better for me.
hello. could you possibly post a video of a couple wrist turns of your shun bun. just to see how the light hits it. Ive been heavily considering one
@@eleanorchan872 You can definitely find a GS with colorful and lighter tone dials. But yea I feel you on finding timepieces that will fit smaller wrists. If you’re into divers, Oris makes a 36.5mm Aquis “upcycle”. It also wears smaller due to the lug to lug
@@davidcoronado5512 I don’t have a webcam and my best camera (latest GoPro) is being borrowed by my brother haha. But I will say that the pinkish hue shows much less in person than you typically see on videos and photos; I think when it’s being shot on camera/film, people are intentionally getting that right angle and light to bring the 🌸 out of the dial.
@@rich2579 thank you for the suggestion. I'll check it out. I am not against divers but I don't know if I'll buy a diver as I'll rarely use it for the intended purpose. I know that is not why one has to buy a watch but I can use it the money for other watches. That being said, ooh this is a very pretty watch. I'll go find a dealer that has it in stock to see if I like it in person.
The Hamilton Ventura has captured my attention lately too.
GS is the king. Since I’ve got my quartz GMT I’ve realised it is the only brand I’d be ready to buy blindly. Absolutely flawless no matter what you look at. I mean yes, the bracelet could be better. But the rest is just perfect. I know exactly how many Rolexes I will get before stopping and closing this chapter of my life. With GS I know I’ll always be back for more.
GS is the shit!
I currently own a GS White Birch Spring Drive , Rolex GMT Pre-Ceramic Coke, and a old MontBlanc Chronograph which my father gave me.
The subtle beauty of my GS makes it my daily piece in my office, without being too much like a “showoff” by wearing the Rolex 😆
I'm new to your channel I love it, I been wanting a Grand Seiko for a long time,I haven't got there yet, but yeah you right Grand Seiko is in incredible Brand so much history behind...I love your accent...Congrats on your channel great content accomplishment..until next time from St George Utah 👋 .....keep up the good looking forward on more reviews....
Idol. Got the Sbga 413 after your outstanding review! Informative and entertaining! Your fan from Singapore
Hahaha. u can keep the prize ;)
Happy Birthday, Britt! 🥂🍾
Gringa Darling....simply fabulous to see you again my dear. Yes Yes...I love a good Grand Seiko...Tootles...give my best to Papi
lovely, I've been contemplating whether or not to purchase an Omega or a GS. I feel GS will look amazing next to my Rolexs Date just. I love the rich history the watch brings and is something I'd like to pass down to future children.
Welcome to the family. For me GS is unbeatable at the price point. Buying used gives opportunities to really splurge
Have you seen the LE Sakura recently announced? Spring and Snow in a 36.5 mm case. SBGW289 Embracing the pink yet again. Would love it to be a spring drive, but other than the manual wind they are still starting at 40mm
Yes,,,,, I want one too,,
For the perfect 3 watch collection, (to go with my SMP300M, and G shock,), I'd love a "snowflake",,, then my life would be complete,, 😊😊❄️❄️
Oh GET INNNN! That would be a perfect 3 watch collection! 😱💪🏼
For me, buying into Grand Seiko was somewhat of a mistake. Before my first GS, my mindset in buying a watch was straightforward. "Oooh, that looks nice! I'm getting it." Today, it's "oooh, that looks nice! But how does it compare to a Grand Seiko?" Analysis paralysis. So much so that I've been sitting on purchasing a Santos for the last several years, because right up to the very moment I'm about to pull the trigger, I always seem to end up purchasing a GS instead.
On the other hand, I am annoyed at Seiko's marketing. Seiko has been releasing so many LEs that use the same or similar design elements from other watches in their catalogue (albeit with different "inspired by" back stories). In that sense then, "limited" has lost its meaning.
_”...I always seem to end up purchasing a GS instead.”_ *A good problem to have!*
Sometimes less is more, isn’t it. I’ve felt too daunted to enter the GS world kr talk about them… because there’s soooo many freaking waaaatches!
True, which makes me wana stick with my snowflake, despite a gizillion different variations being released for the past couple of years.
Got 2 spring drive chronographs. An SBGC003 and a SBGC201. The most accurate mechanical spring based watches out there in the watch world, with a 50 jewel and a 416 parts calibre movement, with a column wheel and vertical clutch chronograph operation.
There are several GS on my grail list. Love your channel and the enthusiasm you put into your videos! 👌🏼👌🏼
GS will probably be my next serious watch purchase I bought two “expensive watches” so far but the next one probably won’t come for awhile
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SBGA413 is my holy grail
As someone whose brain sometimes moves a mile a minute in a million different directions, there's something calming about looking at a Spring Drive seconds hand elegantly and patiently sweep across a watch face. It's never ahead of time. It's never behind time. It's always exactly where it needs to be. I think every serious watch collector should have at least one Spring Drive in their collection.
Britt the spring drive in now found in Seiko Presage. Go ahead and purchase your GS but keep in mind you will have lost half of your $$$$$$$ as soon as you leave the store, sort of like purchasing the Hemi Charger. Vroom vroom gasp. You may want to wait until this recession hits very hard and drives the price down.
That awesome jacket again!
I've had a Grand Seiko before many UA-camrs even talked about Grand Seiko. Rolex pales in comparison. It's a mass produced fashion watch in comparison to Grand Seiko. Rolex is the Daniel Wellington of expensive watch brands. Made by robots, for brand zombies.
Love this ! So I am a Rolex fan boy. I’ve had about 13 throughout my life and I currently only have one my 42 mm explore to Polar dial I’ve been looking at Grand Seiko and I will be honest it’s having seiko in the name but once I put one in my hand, and I looked at the polish attention to detail in the dial it started to blow my hair back. I absolutely love the spring drive it’s mesmerizing, I have found one that I like unfortunately it doesn’t have a spring drive. But the SBGJ259 bamboo dial is absolutely beautiful. I am having a hard time throwing down five to $6000 for this watch I know immediately it’s going to lose value but because I love watches, I really don’t care, maybe you can help me out I really don’t care but I guess I do because the question is if someone asks me that’s a beautiful watch what is it and I see it’s a Grand Seiko and they say oh yeah, I have a seiko at home, no, this is a Grand Seiko. That’s where the snobbery comes in and unfortunately I am trying to get over it and I’m working on it if there’s anyone out there that maybe you can relate to this. I would love to hear your comments, but I am so blown away by the bamboo dial I only wish it was Spring Drive.
I own a shunbun, I do think that if you could ever get your hands on a SBGA435 (Kyoto skybridge) it would match you perfectly. same color as your eyes.
First video of yours I've watched and I loved it. I have a pretty decent collection, I started out with Casio and Seiko, now my daily drivers are my Explorer, OP36 and Santos. Despite coming from Seiko (which sparked my interest in mechanical watches), I think I fell ill to 'brand snobbery'. I just couldn't justify 4K for a Seiko, when I can get a pre owned Aqua Terra for less than half of that. I'm very pleased and excited to say that I'm joining the club, I'm going for a 37mm Hibeat. The finishing just blew me away in person and it made my more expensive pieces simply pale in comparison. Subscribing for more 😁
The sbgv245 made my speedmaster take a back seat when I bought it. Grand seiko, no matter which movement, are just gorgeous to stare at and the story behind it is fascinating
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Had an SBGA373. Sold it to get a cheaply listed SLGA007 only to find out it was a fake listing. Now currently waiting for my birthday to responsibly purchase a different one!
Also. REALLY recommend looking at one of their champagne dials in person. They pop in all types of weather and are by far some of the best at reflecting light in the GS family.
As someone who transitioned from autos to Quartz-only watches, GS is at the top of the food chain. The 9F movements with a jumping hour hand, +- 5 or 10 seconds per YEAR, and their 50-year service intervals are fantastic.
They’re only really rivaled by Citizen’s Chronomaster with their solar capabilities and dial variety. GS tends to put less interesting dials in their Quartz lineup, except for some special/limited editions.
Gringa, you are exactly right about wearing them. I bought my first after never handling one. Totally irresistible once on the wrist. My advice is to go for a SBGA373. Champagne dial with the 44GS case. It’s subtle, simple, and a perfect everyday watch.
I’m up to three now! I’ve become a fan, but I think I’m not a fan-boy, and I really don’t why. Their bracelets don’t fit me well, and I think I have the only non-perfect GS in the world: the date doesn’t function correctly; but at least they don’t hold their value. Yet, I keep buying them and wearing them and still plan to buy a hi-beat.
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Your first Grand Seiko should be a GMT. The case is not too big for you wrist. I would suggest any of the bamboo dial versions. The one in red looks amazing.
I have an "entry level" Grand Seiko SBGA 283 and it's such an amazing watch. I sold an Aquaterra to purchase it and have no regrets. I feel almost spoiled by the price to quality ratio as you get so much more with GS than any other brand. Definitely no hype when there's the goods to back it up.
Also got entry SBGA465 it is so understated that nobody around me noticed spending that much yet its like 4k watch while all watches around are only 1080p.
That’s why everyone says it like high definition compared to 1080p. Need to get one in hand soon to compare to my omega and Rolex
@@WatchUnwind I've compared to Rolex. The GS is better. In fact after more research into other brands I'd like to have a Monta instead of Rolex as well due to finishing being on par and getting more for your money like with GS.
@@A_Dude_And_His_Watch78 yeah I do hear good things about Monta as well. Hopefully I can get a lot of these brands on my channel soon I just met a connection who supposed to be hooking me up with some mega watches to shoot with VC, Patek, Breguet, and others. In the past I have had hands on with Ulysse Nardin, GP, and frank muller as well as the omega and Rolex I own but a lot of this stuff I have never seen in person
I tried on a Series 9 White Birch Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours and was intrigued by the movement and second hand sweep. The dial was amazing quite the work of art. But the hour hand was coffin shaped, the bracelet wasn’t all that and the price was getting up there to ten grand at £8,500. They need to up their bracelet game for that kind of money. Still, a refreshing departure from the done to death tedium of Rolex, plus their watches are all immediately available without the bull.
Congrats and welcome to the club!