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thesingularity7 · 20 July 2021, 04:29 AM

I got this one purely to review, because I've been itching to get my hands on a watch from the 9F collection, as well as one of Grand Seiko's sports watches. This watch checks both those boxes, and then some.

Thoughts:

I have narrow wrists (6.5") so I was very worried about what appears to be a pretty large sized case. But the 43mm diameter is reigned in well by the 49.75mm lug-to-lug width and the 13mm height is actually pretty reasonable. The weight (195g) is heavy, but you get used to it in a day or two.
I love the fact that the case sides are brushed and not polished, and I sometimes wish the Rolex Submariner and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms did this too. There is enough bedazzling with the Zaratsu polished lugs and bevels, so it doesn't look very utilitarian either.
The case-back is flat and sits almost flush with the mid-case/lugs, so it is well balanced and comfortable on the wrist.
Lume is brilliant, and I included a timelapse with the Rolex Submariner and Tudor Black Bay (ETA).
Dial design is primarily inspired by the Rolex Turn-o-Graph and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms (Tournek Rayville) layout - triangle at 12, rectangles for cardinals, circles for the rest, large multisegment hour hand, circle element seconds hand. But GS puts their own design elements into the hands, and does a a brilliant job on the finishing.
The yellow chapter ring makes the indices appear gold, which I think is incredible. I have to believe this was intentional.
There is a sense of worry-free operation that goes with wearing a HAQ and I enjoyed it. This watch hasn't gained or lost a second since it arrived 3-4 weeks ago.
This is one of the few Grand Seiko bracelet/clasps that I can appreciate. The clasp is MM300-esque, has a ratcheting extension as well as microadjustments. I was able to dial in a pretty good fit at all times. With a watch as heavy/bulky as this, I think a perfect fitting bracelet is absolutely critical, otherwise you'll notice wrist fatigue.

Review video - https://youtu.be/vfyvgKj3TvI

20 July 2021, 04:29 AM	#1
thesingularity7 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: USA Posts: 643	Grand Seiko SBGX339 LE Diver I got this one purely to review, because I've been itching to get my hands on a watch from the 9F collection, as well as one of Grand Seiko's sports watches. This watch checks both those boxes, and then some. Thoughts: I have narrow wrists (6.5") so I was very worried about what appears to be a pretty large sized case. But the 43mm diameter is reigned in well by the 49.75mm lug-to-lug width and the 13mm height is actually pretty reasonable. The weight (195g) is heavy, but you get used to it in a day or two. I love the fact that the case sides are brushed and not polished, and I sometimes wish the Rolex Submariner and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms did this too. There is enough bedazzling with the Zaratsu polished lugs and bevels, so it doesn't look very utilitarian either. The case-back is flat and sits almost flush with the mid-case/lugs, so it is well balanced and comfortable on the wrist. Lume is brilliant, and I included a timelapse with the Rolex Submariner and Tudor Black Bay (ETA). Dial design is primarily inspired by the Rolex Turn-o-Graph and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms (Tournek Rayville) layout - triangle at 12, rectangles for cardinals, circles for the rest, large multisegment hour hand, circle element seconds hand. But GS puts their own design elements into the hands, and does a a brilliant job on the finishing. The yellow chapter ring makes the indices appear gold, which I think is incredible. I have to believe this was intentional. There is a sense of worry-free operation that goes with wearing a HAQ and I enjoyed it. This watch hasn't gained or lost a second since it arrived 3-4 weeks ago. This is one of the few Grand Seiko bracelet/clasps that I can appreciate. The clasp is MM300-esque, has a ratcheting extension as well as microadjustments. I was able to dial in a pretty good fit at all times. With a watch as heavy/bulky as this, I think a perfect fitting bracelet is absolutely critical, otherwise you'll notice wrist fatigue. Review video - https://youtu.be/vfyvgKj3TvI