Perception of Grand Seikos?

[ahandle]

I have always liked Grand Seiko then again, I've been a fan of seikos for a long time. Excellent engineering in a watch.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by mattsbeers

Amazing watches, but as long as they say Seiko on the dial there is going to be a stigma.

For some, a stigma. For others, a plus.

[Preacher]

Heirloom watches

[subtona]

Just picked up my 3rd. Sbgr305

Let one go and lost the other to my woman who decided she liked it. :)

One of my favorite details is it’s quality of build and the fact that it is so under the radar.

[outdoors_guy]

Grand Seiko is phenomenal - they have a lot of innovation and great finishing. While the springdrive movement is divisive in the WIS crowd, I think few will argue that it is a major innovation in watch movements. Also their 9F quartz movements are among the best quartz movements on the market. Not many quartz movements can move giant hands, but the 9F has the torque to do so, not to mention the high accuracy.

[subtona]

305

Under the radar, 100m WR and lugholes!

[Trog]

Still smitten:

[IndianRider]

Here’s my take. Grand Seiko has highly innovative and accurate movement. It’s finish is exquisite. It’s entirely watchmaker manufactured and watchmaker serviced. The finish is on par with what you would get out of a piece 3-4 times it’s price point. People are catching on, as the limited pieces, once seles have been depleted, are going for almost 150% MSRP. At least for its steel pieces, you cannot get any better at a sub 10,000 price.

However, one if the downsides I’ve seen with GS so far is that people mainly buy these for their finish, and many of their offerings aren’t daily wears. So wearing the GS every day and getting it scuffed, scratched, and adorned with a patina from constant use is not celebrated as much as it is for other brands. That being said, their watches are certainly capable of being worn as sports pieces, as is evident with the screw down crown.

[dchang81]

Originally Posted by Trog

Still smitten:

Liked this one more than I expected. I just don't get the 2k price increase over the Lions mane and without a bracelet but still a fantastic watch.

[pradeepraavi]

Absolutely love the brand.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ZiY_HnnK-/

[stockae92]

I don't know where else you can find GS level of quality and attention to detail at GS's price point.

[Jeelan]

Being where I am, I’ve never had the chance to inspect a GS in person so have always hesitated buying. I’m just wondering if their mechanical movements (spring drive excluded as it stands on its own from an innovation perspective) hv any innovative or uniquely Seiko engineering in them? What is their escapement? Are they a free sprung balance? Is the rotor ball bearing / bi-winding?

Just curious as there doesnt seem to be a lot of technical reviews on the GS mechanical movements - certainly none from watchmakers that I’m aware of.....

Cheers
Jeelan

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Jeelan

Being where I am, I’ve never had the chance to inspect a GS in person so have always hesitated buying. I’m just wondering if their mechanical movements (spring drive excluded as it stands on its own from an innovation perspective) hv any innovative or uniquely Seiko engineering in them? What is their escapement? Are they a free sprung balance? Is the rotor ball bearing / bi-winding?

Just curious as there doesnt seem to be a lot of technical reviews on the GS mechanical movements - certainly none from watchmakers that I’m aware of.....

Cheers
Jeelan

It's worth looking into the history of Seiko movements, especially Grand and King Seiko in the 1960s-70s. They were more advanced than Rolex even back then. For example, Seiko introduced quick-set dates about 15 years before Rolex, in 1963.

They basically blew the Swiss out of the water in Chronometer competition, and by the end of the 1960s the Swiss were putting up quartz movements against Seiko mechanicals.

This video explains that.

"Seiko at Astronomical Observatory Chronometer competitions - or - How the Swiss lost their honor"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayUT5WfkHrA&t=13s

[Gerry.GEG]

I've owed three and just acquired this keeper. Although I've always taken advantage of the steep depreciation in the used market I feel that they should hold their value better than they do. +- 10 sec/yr. Good enough for me and I've owned a 9F before and the battery change is the same as any other watch. Unlike a Breitling SQ which is very expensive to change the battery (by design, I believe).

maybe in the future, people will have a greater appreciation for the brand.

[HiDive]

I have owned GS watches for probably 15 years. I currently just own this one SBGA031 GS Spring Drive Diver. I have owned one other model Spring Drive GMT SBGE015, but sold it. I also own two high end Seiko Japanese Domestic Marinemaster models. They are all fantastic watches and pretty much hold their own with other swiss watches that I have including Rolex models. The only general area that I do not think is quite there yet is the bracelets. Most are using a pin and collar to join the links, which I don't care much for.

[TAKUYA]

Message from CEO

[037]

Originally Posted by TAKUYA

Message from CEO

Great message and vision. Thanks for sharing.

[Tbonewalk]

I'm enjoying my Snowflake more than the Explorer 214270 I owned, and it cost over a thousand dollars less. Likewise, I enjoy the Snowflake way more than the OP 39s I owned. I would say all are in a similar price range and to me, the Snowflake blows them away in every sense. I lost plenty of money on my Rolexs, but haven't lost a cent on my Snowflake... because out of the many many watches I have owned, this one has stayed.

[Mifune]

I love GS... and some parts of Seiko (mainly the higher end pieces).

The issue I see from my perspective as I consider a GS pieces is, that the pricings are inflated in valuation in comparison to other established makers at the same level. certainly very few can touch the hand finish qualities but you are going to pay for that at MSRP.

Also, they seem to loose significant value post MSRP which compounds that initial purchase.

the last thing is, there are TO MANY references... it dilutes the brand just as it has done with other manufacturers.

if you really want a piece, none of this should matter, but they are always a consideration.

[AzHadEnuf]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

It's worth looking into the history of Seiko movements, especially Grand and King Seiko in the 1960s-70s. They were more advanced than Rolex even back then. For example, Seiko introduced quick-set dates about 15 years before Rolex, in 1963.

They basically blew the Swiss out of the water in Chronometer competition, and by the end of the 1960s the Swiss were putting up quartz movements against Seiko mechanicals.

This video explains that.

"Seiko at Astronomical Observatory Chronometer competitions - or - How the Swiss lost their honor"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayUT5WfkHrA&t=13s

Great video Adam. I’m really enjoying learning more and more about the history.

[pickettt]

I only care how I perceive them.

[BrazenC5]

The spring drive is second hand sweep pr0n.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[chinaski]

The only thing putting me off about them is the lack of lume on the models I would be interested in purchasing. Otherwise, I have a very high opinion of them in general. Maybe someday.

[mongrelnomoad]

I love them, and love Seiko, but feel the current range lacks the perfect proportions and detailing of the vintage models.

That said, the recent releases have been steps in the right direction so I’m cautiously optimistic.

[Oneallen]

Love GS keeps doing its thing.

[HogwldFLTR]

The subliminal messaging occurring in the WRUW threads finally got to me. I now own two GSs. One a battery powered 9F and the second a spring drive powered 9R). I see many things about the brand I like but the difficulty I have is finding details about their capabilities. They are a bit mystical from that perspective. For example does anyone know a good place to search for things like shock resistance and service interval time? I also see varying information on accuracy depending on the source (at least for the spring drive).

At any rate this is a nice thread for getting a bit oriented on the brand. I thought it was worth reviving. Below are my forays into the brand.

[Rollieo]

GS has captured me for first their level of technological innovation with spring drive - you can’t get a clean sweep on the seconds like that in any other watch in the world. It’s also dead silent because there’s no escapement, which is weirdly fascinating. Secondly their level of finish, which is crazy good.

Lastly - they definitely feel like an “engineering first” company, and having worked a lot with Japanese customers, I know how much they labor over quality. So a company that is engineering and quality focused - it’s hard not to love given I’m a mechanical engineer myself.

I can’t say I’m one of those folks that love how “sleeper” it is. I do wish they did better marketing. But if i had to choose between focusing on the product vs. marketing, then product all day. But can’t they do both?

Last point - it’s only been 2 years since they separated out GS as it’s own entity. And the brand has been skyrocketing. I think if they do two things, GS will be on another level:

1. Get their spring drive movement in the 11-12 mm range. This includes complications beyond just date.
2. Improve their marketing.

[wrx04]

Originally Posted by pickettt

I only care how I perceive them.

I agree. That said, how do you perceive them?

[Golden Ellipse]

Originally Posted by blown5.0

I have to admit, I am a fan of many GS. How are they generally perceived by other members on this forum and watch collectors? They seem to be built like tanks but also very nice looking. I imagine there will be huge demand in the coming years once others get wind of the bang for the buck. Thoughts?

My perception of Grand Seikos is that Grand Seikos are for people who don’t care about perception of Grand Seikos :)

Honestly...they are spectacular pieces...and yes still a decent value even with the price increases. I admire the brand and have several. But if you’re looking for a watch that will impress the people around you? Wrong pick.

[wrxdev]

I love the fact that GS watches go under the radar from a brand perception among 99.9% of the population. GS watches are great examples of stealth wealth.