Ofcourse, the Grand Seiko…

I’m from Europe and a Rolex fan all the way. I must admit though that I’m facinated by the Grand Seiko. It does look Japanese, that’s right, but IT IS Japanese. I like the quality look of it and the mix of very low profile design and high quality, kind of more like Lexus than Honda.

I have been experiencing difficulty in viewing the current Grand Seiko range either on a website or here in Bangkok and should like assistance in locating a website in English. I am the owner of a Seiko Spring Drive & impressed by the quitely understated quality of the Seiko Grand Seiko. I own the latest Rolex Datejust Diamond in pink gold and am embarrassed by its garish appearance compared to the Grand Seiko.
Regards
Martin Carter

I’ve owned my Grand Seiko for over three years and I love it. Although my watch will never have the resale of a Swiss watch, which is not a reason I’d buy a watch, I enjoy having a timepiece that is truly rare, well made and low profile. Although not everyone has the level of appreciation I have for Grand Seikos, when I meet a WIS that has knowledge of higher-end seikos, because they have identified my watch, I feel like I’ve met a true timepiece Connoisseur.
Swiss watches are great and I own several nice examples- But to down play Japanese achievements because they are not Swiss is a loss for the true WIS.
From my experience the Grand Seiko is everthing that Seiko claims it to be-

The price to value comparison of an Acura NSX compared to Porsche Carrera is a fair example. Another would be the Honda S2000 compared with a Porsche Boxster or a BMW Z4.

A wristwatch to a watch enthusiast is a very personal thing. I find no problems with those who choose Swiss. How can I counter that argument? However, I for one would love to own Grand Seiko. It’s my personal appreciation of the ‘little Japanese company’s best efforts to make an awesome piece.

The same could be said of the Honda’s. I would be appreciative that the NSX was developed by Honda’s top engineers with Ayrton Senna personally involved; or the S2000 with its engine developed by Honda’s World Championship-winning Mclaren-Honda F1 engine team members.

Casey is 1000% right. I own the SBGR023 pictured and it is MILES ahead of the Rolexes and Omegas that I have owned. Some years ago I unloaded my Explorer II and Datejust because I had grown so disillusioned with their mediocre quality. (E.g., the case finish – ever notice how darn sharp the Rolex lugs are and how embarassingly flimsy the Rolex bracelet clasp is? The latter would be a joke on a watch costing $500, let alone $5k.) I know we are all supposed to believe mindlessly the Rolex marketing machine — and I am the first to admit that I too did for a time — but facts are stubborn things and the fact is that Rolex makes just okay watches. Sure they will be noticed by people who know nothing about fine watches, but that doesn’t make it a great watch. And don’t get me started about Omega; I’ve had two and each one spent more time in the shop than on the wirst. By contrast, my Grand Seiko and Marinemaster 300M exude quality, finesse and reliability (each runs about +/- 2 secs/day, well within COSC specs). I’ve kept my Jaeger Master Control (really great watch) and an Omega (not because it’s a keeper, but because it was my first “high-end” watch and I am a litle sentimental about it), but I have decided to collect high-end Seiko’s going forward on account of their exceptional fit, finish, value for money and understatedness. (And to you Georges, please examine a few Grand Seikos in person before making such bald assertions. I am sure you’ll see the light if/when you do, unless you’d rather believe what others want you to think.)

Grand Seikos. I can’t wait to own one. Regardless of what everybody else says, I want it. If I want a watch is not so I can be recognized by every person I meet, but because it is what “I” want. Unfortunately many of the people that have shared their comments above, simply want to own a watch that will give them status (regardless of the marketing you receive, I am sorry to inform you that this wont do the trick). I have done this in the past with a swiss piece, and I could have not been more dissappointed. If a Rolex or an Omega makes you happy, please buy it. But don’t put down the Grand Seiko simply because it is Japanese. Don’t be ignorant..

I have recently purchased my first Grand Seiko and I concur completely with some of the other contributors,simply the best quality wrist watch I have owned and compared to my nearly double the cost Rolex 50th An. SM the GS is superior in every respect, the only good thing to be said about the Rolex is that it has a decent resale value so I am able to off load it without loosing to much, I have owned many Rolex watches, the best was one of their earlier Daytona models when Zenith used to make their movements, the modern version with their so called in house ( ETA ) movement is crap, pure and simple, but even the Zenith movement Daytona model was barely within COSC standards whereas my GS exceeds that standard.
I am now looking for a GS GMT no daubt it will also be far superior to the Rolex and other Swiss GMT’s.

For those who feel that a name around their wrist is important, why not buy a replica, the cases and bracelets are every bit as good or bad as the original and in two recent China replicas I saw where the rolex movement is copied exactly, they are just as accurate as the real thing which should make some out there think, if you can produce a replica for $ 350.00 (ex factory china)which competes favourably with the real thing how can you justify $ 10,000.00 for the real thing??? I have yet to see a replica GS.

I would like to own a Grand Seiko. It looks great! However, I do not plan to buy one as it is too expensive! I have Omega and Rolex. I love Omega speedmaster most. It is practical (with date), useful, easy to use the chronograph (unlike Rolex), the screw down is not important as I never saw anyone wearing a Rolex Daytona and swimming at sea or in an indoor pool. Omega Speedmaster is also water resistant and its price is highly reasonable unlike Roles. Grand Seiko has its attractiveness but it has to do more promotion. If not, all my friends will think I wear a cheap Seiko. They won’t believe I spend $5000 or more on it!!! This is too bad!

having worked on both swiss and japanese watches for over 30 years i can only conclude that the majority of swiss made watches are nothing more than “dial names” designed to lure the illinformed into spending $ to impress there equally illinformed friends foolsfoolsfools ! seiko is the only watch company on this planet that does everything in house from r&d to polishing of the hands (on the high end models)dont get me wrong rolex pateck vacheron piaget are all fine pieces but as for being a practical classic no one builds a more refined time piece than a grand seiko lookout watch snobs you are about to see just what japanese superiority means cheers

My Grand Seiko SBGX009 is in the shop – hour hand jammed two months after purchase new. I’ve owned the Oysterdate though and was just as dissappointed with that so I don’t know what I think now!

i’ve been collecting for 15 years and owned over 100 Omegas and about 400 watches in total. i now own several very high end watches and also own 7 grand and king seiko’s from 1964 to the present day.
a grand seiko can and does compare very favourably with Omega,Rolex and many other swiss brands for build quality and accuracy. they are better finished than any rolex i have ever seen and my 1964 King Seiko 44 calibre manual wind is accurate to less than 1 second a day which is better than any swiss watch i have ever owned.
the new grand seiko line make Rolex look a bit pathetic in comparison.
until you have owned a GS or KS you cant be in a position to comment so i’m afraid to say that georges has just shown himself to be ignorant beyond belief,
also anyone comparing japanese watches to japanese cars should do the same and own one before makeing a comment. my Honda accord 2.4 ivtec tourer is the most reliable car i have ever owned including a string of european cars from mercedes(whose build quality is diabolical), through bmw to citreon. the honda S2000 is regularly voted the best roadster in the world and makes a cayman look ridiculous and over priced.

i am a member of the puristspro watch forum where many members own watches worth a huge fortune, but none of them would write off a japanese watch without first looking at it, researching it and listening to other peoples opinions on it. thit, i think, is the difference between true collectors and people who just wear to impress.

i own a mercedes 600sl roadster and a lexus sl430.the lexus is the car to drive.the mercedes cost almost $140,000.the lexus about $58,000 but there is no comparison.
i also own a rolex in 18k gold , a day date model. the watch is an oyster quartz president.i own a seiko dolce which cost about $450. the dolce is accurate to +_10 seconds per year.it performs beautifully.the rolex ,which makes no claims for accuracy,loses about 8 seconds per month.
i am going to buy a grand seiko.when i have worn it for a while,i shall relate to you my thoughts.
thank you,
paul h. collier,esq.

Have any one see the Credor line of seiko they did away with seiko on the dial i had the privilege of looking at one close up. Iook out Swiss World. And I’m all about the Movement of the watch

I’m 53 now. Since 1997 I’ve owned everything from a Breitling Callistino (my first high end watch), Minerva Pythagore 1 Aviation dial, 4 different Rolex models, IWC Mark XV on UTC Bracelet, Omega AT , Eterna Super Kontiki, Sinn 656, and possibly a couple more different models that escapes me right now…

Bought my GS in the summer of 2004, and must say in all my life it’s the only watch I’ve owned that gives me as much joy to wear today when I first put it on as it did almost 5 years ago!

This speaks volumes since they’re all gone now. All but 4 watches remain in the watch box…3 high end Japanese quartz and 1 scratchproof ceramic Swiss.
My quartz driven Grand Seiko which contains the only quartz movement ever designed with a 50 year service interval (other than a battery change every 3 years), a Citizen Chronomaster (this watch contains the world’s most functional and accurate A660H contemporary quartz movement w/10 year factory warranty), a GMT Seiko (sold in Japan only) solid titanium SBQJ-015 (10 year batteryw/perpetual calendar/spec’d accurate to 20 seconds per year, sapphire crystal/$450 MSRP) and 1 quartz driven Rado True Ceramic.

Presently I’m in watch Nirvana…Immensely enjoying what I have now, with plans to chill out for a while!

Hope you enjoy the pics.

http://www.fototime.com/%7B7BFDA76A-6E0F-402F-A980-33AAF71487D4%7D/picture.JPG

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http://www.fototime.com/%7BB3FB1DEE-45F6-4EE3-A56F-9B5A2ACB7AEF%7D/picture.JPG

I guess this all has to do with marketing. seiko has less promotion, advertising, placement and availability of the GS outside japan.
On the bright side it gives some exclusivity for the GS( in effect becomes limited and is not mass produced)and for those who know their watches you are paying more for the value of the watch which exceeds most of the swiss or is at par on some.
The fact that it is all in house as well.
We payless for the seiko to get the same result where we pay more for the rest due to marketing. Resale and investment for some brands(brand positioning) but As to quality/craftmanship and performance seiko is there wthout a doubt. You get more than you pay for as a product.
Have owned several swiss but have now been purchsing seiko’s. The marinemaster beats the sub in it’s finish.More of a sea dweller in comparison. for diving history the sub/dweller, doxa, omega and seiko are there.

I have recently purchased the SBGC 007 GS SpringDrive Chronograph and I must say that it is an awesome watch. I did a fair bit of research before buying it which is fairly expensive. But considering the functionality, the finish, the built, movement and everything else, it is worth every cent. As a watch lover, I think the GS exceeds most of the Swiss watches in every way. It is very accurate, Seiko claims that the accuracy is 15/month but so far, I think my GS is even more accurate than the claim. For 1 week, not even 2s are out of phase. Pretty impressive. The Rolex chronograph will cost about 25k which is about 4 times the value of my GS. I tried it on once and did not like it very much due to the dull dials and the finish. I used to believe that Swiss watches are the best in the world, but not anymore. My advice is, go for the GS, don’t waste your money on Swiss watches, they are not as good as they claim. Cheers.

Naaaah, the font is the best thing about a Grand Seiko. It’s proper gangster.

This is all those who talk up the Swiss watches. I was fan of swiss watches until very recently (last month to be exact) when most of them started falling apart.
My Breitling has been for repair for the third time in last 18 months (bought new 18monts ago)
The start/stop button on my Omega Sea Master chronograph skipps i.e. you press it and nothing happens at times and you have missed the starting time…… (only 9 months old bought new)
The battery on my Tag Aqua Racer ran flat in less than 2 years (maybe I am a bit demanding on this one)
And my Rolex Datejust cannot keep winding for more than 6 hour when I take it off (3 years old bought new)
They are just highly priced pieces of junk where we pay for the badge.
I am selling all the swiss crap and buying a GS.
the same goes for european cars, its just the badge that keeps stopping and costing. Finally got an Accord Euro runs like a dream .

Poor copycat designs, a lack of consistency throughout the aesthetic design principles, too much change and terrible depreciation…. I think I would prefer just about any swiss luxury watch to Grand Seiko, especially Rolex

European snobbery and brand name slavery as usual. Do a little homework and you will understand why Grand Seikos stand up to and beat any Swiss watch out there.

i had tissot prc 150,what a garbage watch they are.now i have some cheap seiko automatic and they are very good watches witout problems.anyway soon i will get oris,good price.why i will pay like 3000$ fot TAg when i can have a beter watch just for 1000$.oris!!