Under the radar watch

[pearson1995]

Hi everyone,

I don’t like drawing to much attention to my watch whilst at work. I currently have a Reverso and BB GMT which most people don’t have a clue what it is.
I bought the Tudor BB GMT which on paper was perfect, however I find it too uncomfortable on the wrist due to its weight and thickness. This made me search for a new under the radar watch. I had the following criteria: bracelet not strap, not a Rolex, some water resistance and a date function.

I have small wrists, so ideally wanted 40mm, but I have found what I think is the watch I want, the Grand Seiko SBGA211 (the snowflake). Even if it is 41mm


Anyway, my question, out of the two watches what do you believe is the better watch. And are there any other watches which should be on my radar?


Thanks guys

[Goose 104]

How about the Black Bay 58? It is a completely different fit and feel to GMT being much smaller at 39mm. I think it pretty much goes with anything. Being dark I would say it is under the radar and the gold markers on the dial are pretty subtle in person.IMG_20200107_191556__01.jpgIMG_20200104_234338.jpgIMG_20200104_193717.jpg

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[Goose 104]

The snowflake is amazing watch - that dial and the spring drive movement - but it is fairly large. The thing that put me off when I tried it on in person was just how light it was and the titanium feel and colour. Fantastic watch though.IMG_20191209_134933.jpg

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[pearson1995]

Originally Posted by Goose 104

How about the Black Bay 58? It is a completely different fit and feel to GMT being much smaller at 39mm. I think it pretty much goes with anything. Being dark I would say it is under the radar and the gold markers on the dial are pretty subtle in person.Attachment 1100349Attachment 1100350Attachment 1100351

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There is only one thing missing for me and that’s a date! Otherwise would 100% buy one. I think i will add one anyway to my collection at some point.

[pearson1995]

Originally Posted by Goose 104

The snowflake is amazing watch - that dial and the spring drive movement - but it is fairly large. The thing that put me off when I tried it on in person was just how light it was and the titanium feel and colour. Fantastic watch though.Attachment 1100352

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What size wrists do you have? If it was 39mm I would find it hard to fault. Kind of like the lightness too, but that’s just a personal preference.

[jpcwon]

I too am a fellow reverso owner! Believe it or not, I've gotten more random compliments on the JLC than any other watch I own lol. They are such amazing watches

I've owned 2 Grand Seikos. The diver, and a champagne dial spring drive somethingorother (can't remember references). GS as a brand are doing some amazing things, but I just don't have that connection with them like I do with, say a Rolex or a JLC....

The snowflake is super cool though. If they made it in SS I'd own one by now. Have you tried one on? They're super light...

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[Goose 104]

Originally Posted by pearson1995

There is only one thing missing for me and that’s a date! Otherwise would 100% buy one. I think i will add one anyway to my collection at some point.

Ah sorry I didn't read you post carefully enough. How about the Tudor date day? The 76200 is 36mm and can still be had new from HK or Japan. Or there is the newer Glamour version without the magnifier? There is the BB steel and gold with a date but again that is 41mm. I have the Heritage Advisor which is a lovely watch and has a date (plus alarm!) But gain that is is a fairly large watch here it is on my 7inch wrist.IMG_20191122_131905__01.jpg

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[Goose 104]

Originally Posted by pearson1995

What size wrists do you have? If it was 39mm I would find it hard to fault. Kind of like the lightness too, but that’s just a personal preference.

7inch wrist. Here are a couple of other shots (blue version too)IMG_20191209_134943.jpgIMG_20191209_134936.jpgIMG_20191209_135028.jpg

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[Patton250]

Absolutely nobody with the exception of WIS will know what either of those two watches are nor more importantly care. And the WIS will admire them and strike up a conversation with you about them. Both are awesome.

[Becweb]

Seiko for me!

[travisb]

Both are great in looks, build and quality . I prefer the look of the Tudor though.

[HogwldFLTR]

I believe the Seiko will be more eye catching than the Tudor. The Tudor isn't bright or shiny; the Seiko is both bright and shiny.

[brandrea]

I like both but if low key is what you’re going fir the Tudor has my vote

[1William]

I voted Seiko but either work.

[Claven2]

Originally Posted by pearson1995

Hi everyone,

I don’t like drawing to much attention to my watch whilst at work. I currently have a Reverso and BB GMT which most people don’t have a clue what it is.
I bought the Tudor BB GMT which on paper was perfect, however I find it too uncomfortable on the wrist due to its weight and thickness. This made me search for a new under the radar watch. I had the following criteria: bracelet not strap, not a Rolex, some water resistance and a date function.

I have small wrists, so ideally wanted 40mm, but I have found what I think is the watch I want, the Grand Seiko SBGA211 (the snowflake). Even if it is 41mm


Anyway, my question, out of the two watches what do you believe is the better watch. And are there any other watches which should be on my radar?


Thanks guys

Have you looked at the basic omega SMPc with the 2500D movement? It's comparable to the BB GMT, but better made (in my opinion), thinner, and shaped to ride under a cuff better. These are still at dealers in NOS condition.

The even newer models have been increased in size to fit the new 8900 metals movements. I'd look for previous gen.

[Claven2]

Ps: GS is a nice watch, but seiko has a history of only supporting their models for around 20yrs if that matters to you. Omega, rolex, etc. Still support models from the 1960's. FWIW.

[ink3027]

The Snowflake really needs to be 38 or 39mm. It's too large and there's too much dial at 41mm.

[Oldwoods]

This one for me.



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[JayHantz]

Although you have the BB on there, I think the GS fits more of your needs!

[pbubsy]

If you want something understated and ever tasteful, I recommend finding something from Glashutte Original. Maybe one of the senator watches: https://www.glashuette-original.com/...36-03-01-02-30

They're all in house. They take about 5 years to bring an entirely new model to production because they produce an entirely new set of tooling to produce each model, including the watchmakers tools, even down to things like screwdrivers. They really take the whole "in house" thing seriously and just the fact that they have everything from r&d teams to machinists/machine shops to watch makers is cool. No fluff in advertising so you get a better bang for your buck than most companies and their watches are fantastic. My senator pilot watch is as accurate as a quartz. I've had watches that might only have a couple seconds overall deviation in 30 days but over the course of that time run fast or slow. My Glashutte runs flat. Maybe one .5 seconds a week but the freakish thing is I'm not seeing any deviation.

Anyhow, check them out for yourself and see what you think. I like the small shop, high quality aspect. From an horology standpoint, they're up there in my opinion, you're just paying no premiums. I like that they're under the radar. Something different. Won't impress your non watch nerds, WILL impress your watchmaker. Though he might get jealous that he never gets to work on it. Mine is going strong at 13 years old. Never been opened. When I DO service it, I'm sending out to Germany. I'm so impressed with how they built it, I want them to work on it.

Fun fact is that they don't mount the movements to the case with mounts or screws, they've machined the cases to accept the movement by screwing the entire movement (as a whole) into the case. Cool stuff.

[Frendrick]

The 58 would suit you best if you would sacrifice date. If you think the bb gmt is too much, I think most 39mm would be great. I was attracted to the snowflake, but I changed my views 360 after I tried one on. It was too bulky but very light which feels cheap to me. I like the 407 more but again you have to sacrifice the bracelet. Another option would be the explorer 1, but again, it’s a rolex. Try the new Cartier Santos. I think it’s a very pretty watch. Very nice bracelet with quick change to strap, can even sized the bracelet without tools (very nice feature).

[KrismanX]

I’d second the BB 58 and the GS.. that snowflake dial is

[kieselguhr]

Apple Watch 5. Anything else draws attention.

[J to the Z]

I vote BB 58. I just picked mine up 3 days ago and I love it. My other watches have a date complication but I’ve found so far that it’s really not that bad going without one. The BB 58 will give you the under the radar look as well as robustness so I think you should definitely give it a chance.


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[djii03]

Originally Posted by Frendrick

The 58 would suit you best if you would sacrifice date. If you think the bb gmt is too much, I think most 39mm would be great. I was attracted to the snowflake, but I changed my views 360 after I tried one on. It was too bulky but very light which feels cheap to me. I like the 407 more but again you have to sacrifice the bracelet. Another option would be the explorer 1, but again, it’s a rolex. Try the new Cartier Santos. I think it’s a very pretty watch. Very nice bracelet with quick change to strap, can even sized the bracelet without tools (very nice feature).

Completely agree with you regarding the snowflake. I have a BB Chrono which I love, and I was certain that the GS would be my next watch. The second I tried it on my perception completely changed - it's strange to wear being so large but light.

To the OP, I recommend viewing one in person if you haven't already.

[djgallo]

Thats funny, $5K or or under watch ....is already under radar.....no mater what brand it is....

[pepsiretail]

Between these two there is no contest, the Grand Seiko Snowflake would be my choice.

Fantastic watch! The golden snowflake is also a winner.

The SBGA375 would likely win my vote over the snowflake, the blue dial on that watch is one of the best on the market and the steel 40mm case is very cool. It is, like the snowflake, spring drive and a 100m bracelet watch.

[BigBoy17]

Anything shiny or colorful draws attention no matter what brand. My black plain gshock draws zero attention

[Doc Savage]

Originally Posted by BigBoy17

Anything shiny or colorful draws attention no matter what brand. My black plain gshock draws zero attention

This.

The GS will not fly under the radar. People may not notice it for the brand, but they will notice it. The Tudor Black Bay 58 is a lot more reserved and should help avoid being noticed.

[Frendrick]

Originally Posted by djii03

Completely agree with you regarding the snowflake. I have a BB Chrono which I love, and I was certain that the GS would be my next watch. The second I tried it on my perception completely changed - it's strange to wear being so large but light.



To the OP, I recommend viewing one in person if you haven't already.

Yep, the dial is stunning, but the lightness is not nice at all. And I dislike the bulky lugs. The 407 has a sleeker lugs. If I’m buying a GS, the 407 will be the one.


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