Rolex v Grand Seiko?

[Lightsped]

Realize this is a Rolex forum, and all of my watches are Rolex. Still with the craziness going on with Rolex, I find myself looking at other brands.

Does anyone have a Grand Seiko Heritage edition? How do they compare quality wise to a Rolex OP (or similar)? Are they as durable? What's the deal with Spring Drive? Does Grand Seiko have as cool of a history as Rolex?

[Seddyspaghetti]

Grabbing popcorn.

[Vipes]

Originally Posted by seddyspaghetti

grabbing popcorn.

+1.

[Lightsped]

If it is a problem thread, you guys can close it down. Just bored at working looking for input from those who may know more than me. Not a big deal....

[duquephart]

GS (Snowflake for example) is every bit as well built as Rolex, stunningly finished, keeps far better time, and has a history/heritage that rivals the best. And is available. The Rolex zombies will be here soon but will only have the usual drivel to contribute.

[PBJ1925]

IMHO GS case work / dial at least on par or arguably superior than Rolex.

Bracelet - all day every day Rolex.

[Rolexforthewin]

Originally Posted by poweredbyjae

IMHO GS case work / dial at least on par or arguably superior than Rolex.

Bracelet - all day every day Rolex.

100% this!

[Oyster Sauce]

Originally Posted by poweredbyjae

IMHO GS case work / dial at least on par or arguably superior than Rolex.

Bracelet - all day every day Rolex.

+1 Additionally, when it comes to movement, GS is more progressive in its technologies for keeping beat/time (hi-beat and spring drive movements), while Rolex focuses on keeping its already very steady, conservative movements as reliable as ever. Neither is better...just depends on what you're looking for. Best wishes -- GS is an outstanding complement to Rolex in one's collection.

[Tanalasta]

Originally Posted by poweredbyjae

IMHO GS case work / dial at least on par or arguably superior than Rolex.

Bracelet - all day every day Rolex.

This. And the spring drive movement is relatively unique.

Secondary market (generally) better for Rolex.

My reservation is that I’m undecided about quality of the service centres (especially in Australia. And as they also handle generic Seiko I suspect GS isn’t the norm for them). 9R spring drive movements get sent to Japan.

The finish and pricing of some of the masterpiece line are holy trinity territory.

GS release a lot of models. And limited editions. Unlike Rolex where you choose from select dial options from a small range, navigating watch reference numbers and the website can be overwhelming.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Tanalasta

This. And the spring drive movement is relatively unique.

Secondary market (generally) better for Rolex.

My reservation is that I’m undecided about quality of the service centres (especially in Australia. And as they also handle generic Seiko I suspect GS isn’t the norm for them). 9R spring drive movements get sent to Japan.

The finish and pricing of some of the masterpiece line are holy trinity territory.

GS release a lot of models. And limited editions. Unlike Rolex where you choose from select dial options from a small range, navigating watch reference numbers and the website can be overwhelming.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Omiwatari is stunning and rather versatile if one is into shaping straps
Service in OZ for GS is(i think) strictly a send it back to the mothership proposition.
Spring drive and Hi Beat won't be touched by them here and I'm extremely confident my sbgw253 with a 9s64 goes back to Japan and that's one of the reasons why I bought it. Imagine that?
If that applied to every Rolex sold going back to Switzerland to be serviced exclusively by the mothership

As you say, Seiko servicing here can be extremely hit or miss, with the last one done on a watch I gladly wore quite a lot for a number of years turning me right off
The watch eventually died anyway, leaving me to slum it with Rolex for many years. So every cloud has a silver lining

[pistebasher]

Originally Posted by poweredbyjae

IMHO GS case work / dial at least on par or arguably superior than Rolex.

Bracelet - all day every day Rolex.

This is exactly my experience. The polishing and finish on a GS rivals or surpasses a Patek or an AP, never mind a Rolex, but I actually thought the bracelet on my GS was an aftermarket copy before comparing it in the Seiko boutique in Knightsbridge. Nowhere near the quality of the watch head. If buying a GS again I would go for a strap.

[samson66]

I own a SBGA001 and love it. I also own Rolex, Tudor, Omega. They can totally coexist in a collection. IMO GS does a better dial, hands, indices, and case polishing than Rolex. Rolex makes a much better bracelet and more solid feeling case/bracelet and more timeless designs in general. Watch some videos on spring drive. It's a fascinating technology and will get you hooked. You can pick up a used heritage model in the $3500-$5000 range. Rolex doesn't come near GS on bang for the buck. But Rolex is the crown and people place value on Rolex that they do not on GS. To the outside world your "Grand" Seiko is simply a Seiko. If that bothers you don't get it. If you buy a watch for YOU Grand Seiko makes a really nice product.

Find me a Rolex that can touch this dial

[Lightsped]

That is beautiful dial. Reminds me of the Rolex Sundust colored dial on the RG watches.

How is scratch resistance on the GS?

[muskaroxs]

While in WOS in Vegas, I checked out the Grand Seiko SBGA413. The dial and the Spring Drive movement blew my OP36 away but the titanium bracelet felt cheap to me. I rather have a steel bracelet on with more weight but thats just me.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Lightsped

That is beautiful dial. Reminds me of the Rolex Sundust colored dial on the RG watches.

How is scratch resistance on the GS?

Not sure how to answer that? It's made out of stainless steel, and stainless steel will scratch.

I will say so far it has picked up way less scratches than my old smooth bezel Datejust. The bracelet design goes a long way with only small sections polished and the raised crystal seems to protect the bezel.

[Tbonewalk]

wow, you took a great picture of this watch, I think I owned it in a different dial, I think mine was champagne, it kind of changed colors... yes, great watch and certainly up there with and better than many Rolexs that I have owned...

trying to delete, this is in the wrong place, a lil out of practice...

[Tbonewalk]

Originally Posted by samson66

I own a SBGA001 and love it. I also own Rolex, Tudor, Omega. They can totally coexist in a collection. IMO GS does a better dial, hands, indices, and case polishing than Rolex. Rolex makes a much better bracelet and more solid feeling case/bracelet and more timeless designs in general. Watch some videos on spring drive. It's a fascinating technology and will get you hooked. You can pick up a used heritage model in the $3500-$5000 range. Rolex doesn't come near GS on bang for the buck. But Rolex is the crown and people place value on Rolex that they do not on GS. To the outside world your "Grand" Seiko is simply a Seiko. If that bothers you don't get it. If you buy a watch for YOU Grand Seiko makes a really nice product.

Find me a Rolex that can touch this dial

here is mine, champagne dial. You got a super picture here of yours! An impressive watch, that money doesn't go far in the Rolex world... this blows away many Rolex models...

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Tbonewalk

here is mine, champagne dial. You got a super picture here of yours! An impressive watch, that money doesn't go far in the Rolex world... this blows away many Rolex models...

That looks great on that strap. Can I ask which strap that is?

I picked up a Barton black leather for mine, but yours looks like a few steps up and I would love to have a deployant clasp like that.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by samson66

That looks great on that strap. Can I ask which strap that is?

I picked up a Barton black leather for mine, but yours looks like a few steps up and I would love to have a deployant clasp like that.

That looks great, and the GS champagne dials are so stunning, very different to their silver dials.

[Tikandtokalot]

Those that know what’s what choose TUDOR

[Rori]

it's not about quality.

[OrangeSport]

Originally Posted by Rori

it's not about quality.

Well that's lucky for Rolex

What is it about?

GS has a killer history and arguably a less "tacky" image than Rolex can have

[duquephart]

Those trying to be somebody wear a Rolex. Those who are somebody wear a Grand Seiko.

[franktehtank]

Originally Posted by duquephart

Those trying to be somebody wear a Rolex. Those who are somebody wear a Grand Seiko.

People need to stop saying this. It's toe-curling cheesy and makes me cringe every time.

[Tanuki]

Originally Posted by duquephart

Those trying to be somebody wear a Rolex. Those who are somebody wear a Grand Seiko.

You nailed it!!!

[rjd1]

Originally Posted by duquephart

Those trying to be somebody wear a Rolex. Those who are somebody wear a Grand Seiko.

I like that.

And with all due respect to followers of both, I’ve owned/own both so no leanings one way or the other.

[asiparks]

https://www.rolexforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=42
Grand Seiko produce a swathe of different models from 38mm classic dress watches, through to 44mm Godzilla, monster sized watches. I find them to be more interesting and unique than most Rolex.
People might not like their bracelets- (seems to be the main point of contention), but the quality is in no way inferior.

And people not used to titanium watches, ( of any brand ), seem perplexed at the lack of weight or "heft", somehow falsely equating that with lack of quality. Bless 'em. Fortunately, plenty of steel options too.....

Finishing, polishing, dials and off-the-beaten-trackedness all 11/10.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I own many Seikos but no Grand Seikos, I don’t like the sword hands and the redundancy of the GS over Grand Seiko on the dial makes me crazy on an otherwise outstanding watch. Seiko does indeed have a very cool history.

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

and the redundancy of the GS over Grand Seiko on the dial makes me crazy on an otherwise outstanding watch

Hadn't noticed that before, but now that you mention it...

And you must really love the ones like pictured above which say "SEIKO" "GS" and "GRAND SEIKO"... I guess they're just really making sure you don't miss it :)

OP, re: "what's the deal with spring drive"... it's a very ingenious addition to the field of watchmaking. Seems very cutting edge upon first look, though it's over 20 years old at this point. Some people get it, some do not. To me, if a person loves fine watches due in part to the marvel over what is happening inside them (as opposed to the brand clout, outward appearance, etc) then the spring drive movement is a must-have in a multi-watch collection. It can be upsetting to purists because there is an electrical component, but given that it does not use a battery or solar and gets its power from a traditional spring I can give it a pass in exchange for a mesmerizing seconds sweep and untouchable accuracy.

[franktehtank]

Grand Seiko designs don't appeal to me, whatsoever. I also find the fervent, cult-like obsession (mostly just online) to be a turn off. I know, ironic to say on a Rolex forum.

I also find that people exaggerate the level of finishing/quality you get on Grand Seiko watches. Owners will say they wipe the floor with Patek Philippe, AP, etc., which is just completely untrue.

How do you know somebody is a Grand Seiko owner? Don't worry, they'll tell you.