Grand Seiko servicing

[rparoutaud]

Would like advice or your thoughts. I am considering purchasing a 10 year old preowned GS from a Japanese dealer (Chrono 24). There is nothing in the ad about a recent service. Should I factor in the cost of a regular cleaning/service in my budget? About what would that cost, and where would I send the watch?
Thanks!

[pandrew6l]

A model number will be very helpful

[Gebbeth]

FYI on Grand Seiko servicing......in two words.....THEY SUCK.

Nothing about it is smooth. Nothing about it is quick. Nothing about it screams "luxury service." No information, no updating. Ultimately, did not fix the problem.....TWICE.

Just FYI.

[pandrew6l]

Are you talking about New Jersey Service Center or Japan?

[rparoutaud]

Thanks for your responses. Gave me a few things to think about. I was going to post the model # GS I was interested in, but ultimately decided against making an offer on it due to its thickness (14.5mm). Didn't realize it was so thick until I started studying it more carefully. The other model I have been watching is a US only 2024 GS model- I think its called "Bamboo". I tried it on at a GS dealer in Denver and really liked it. But since it just came out, its still out of my price range. I keep looking, however, thinking an example will start showing up as preowned at a much lower price.

[pandrew6l]

Spring Drive models cost more for service ($800-1,000), and most likely you need to send it to Japan, that means high shipping cost ($100) and time (weeks).

[prateeko]

Originally Posted by pandrew6l

Spring Drive models cost more for service ($800-1,000), and most likely you need to send it to Japan, that means high shipping cost ($100) and time (weeks).

My AD indicated spring drive can be done in NJ, but based on what I have heard from people about the overall level of service, it may be better (although longer) to send it back to the motherland.

Plus side it seems like spring drives can go longer without service than traditional mechanical pieces (based on what I can tell). Regardless, communication will be scant and so it may be best to get all service done through the AD.

[douglasf13]

Look at 9F watches. More accurate, makes for thinner watches, and usually goes multiple decades without service, outside of battery changes that you can do yourself.

[pandrew6l]

Own a 9F and a Citizen Chronomaster. The Chronomaster, in my opinion is a better choice, titanium, solar battery, perpetual calendar, +- 5 seconds a year, Washi paper dial, polishing and details are up there with GS. You can find a very good used one for about $1,500-1,800.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by pandrew6l

Own a 9F and a Citizen Chronomaster. The Chronomaster, in my opinion is a better choice, titanium, solar battery, perpetual calendar, +- 5 seconds a year, Washi paper dial, polishing and details are up there with GS. You can find a very good used one for about $1,500-1,800.

Citizen also makes a very nice watch. Without getting into positives and negatives about each of the movements, there just hasn’t been a watch I like more from Citizen, yet.

[subtona]

My grand seiko was sent out recently when it stopped working.
Wind up movement about 10 years old.

Will give feedback once I get it back

[samson66]

Originally Posted by subtona

My grand seiko was sent out recently when it stopped working.
Wind up movement about 10 years old.

Will give feedback once I get it back

What was the process for sending it in? Did you let your AD handle it? Japan or US service?

[subtona]

Originally Posted by samson66

What was the process for sending it in? Did you let your AD handle it? Japan or US service?

Brought it to local AD and they took it from there.


Actually brought it to a GS only store (I thought it was boutique) turns out it is a satellite store part of WOS I believe.

Only reason I put the pieces together, I came across the actual GS boutique not too far away. the salesman educated me.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by subtona

Brought it to local AD and they took it from there.





Actually brought it to a GS only store (I thought it was boutique) turns out it is a satellite store part of WOS I believe.



Only reason I put the pieces together, I came across the actual GS boutique not too far away. the salesman educated me.

Thanks for the info

Did they charge you for any related shipping charges?

[subtona]

Originally Posted by samson66

Thanks for the info

Did they charge you for any related shipping charges?

Good question… so my lady has taken to the GS and has been wearing it as her daily.
I decided to have her bring it in for service and deal with it. I haven’t seen breakdown but will follow up when I do. I wanted to share the full experience of watch ownership with her

Ps coincidentally two of my Rolex needed service at just about the same time. They went to RSC.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by subtona

Good question… so my lady has taken to the GS and has been wearing it as her daily.

I decided to have her bring it in for service and deal with it. I haven’t seen breakdown but will follow up when I do. I wanted to share the full experience of watch ownership with her



Ps coincidentally two of my Rolex needed service at just about the same time. They went to RSC.

Looking forward to the after-action report

[subtona]

Originally Posted by samson66

Thanks for the info

Did they charge you for any related shipping charges?

No charge for shipping. $718 for service. No return time available yet.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by subtona

No charge for shipping. $718 for service. No return time available yet.

Thanks. And you said manual wind, no spring drive right?

[subtona]

Originally Posted by samson66

Thanks. And you said manual wind, no spring drive right?

Correct (non high beat)