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Old 9 December 2020, 12:17 AM   #1
jw0n
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Unexpected incoming: SBGE201

Okay, I didn't expect this. Didn't expect it, because I really wasn't looking to buy a watch. Any watch. When I purchase my SLA019 about 8 weeks back, it was the most expensive Seiko I'd ever bought. I told myself it would remain that way, too. But with the Rolex craze taking on new heights every month, I started looking at alternatives. The new Rolex releases from 2020 are not interesting for me. In fact, when I went in to a local AD and requested to try the ones in the display window on for size, I was told they didn't have the key to the cabinet. Which was a lie, because I tried it a week later, with my regular SA. In any case, they won't sell me one regardless since I haven't made a purchase from them in awhile. My lackluster Rolex AD experiences of late are worthy of a whole new thread, but I won't bother (because eh, what's new!).

Anyway, whilst just browsing some videos on YouTube, I came across a beautiful video that pitched the 126710 BLNR against the SBGE001 and I was captivated by the sapphire bezel on the GS. And that smooth Spring Drive sweep. And the gorgeously finished details on the watch.

Well, I soon found out that SBGE001 was discontinued sometime in 2017, and Grand Seiko moved to rebrand all their watches to have just GS on the dials (formerly it had Seiko at 12, and GS Grand Seiko at 6). SBGE001 was replaced by SBGE201, and (sort of) succeeded by SBGJ237 (blue) and SBGJ239 (green). However, both were 36,000 hi-beat movements, and not Spring Drive which is what I was fascinated with. Oh, there was also a region LE; Thong Sia is a local distributor for Seiko and Grand Seiko for Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Brunei... SBGE267 produced as a 140 pieces limited edition. Mechanically similar to the SBGE201, but with a brown dial and gilted bits. Nice, but I decided to keep it safe and boring.



Of course, there are also SBGE253, SBGE255 and SBGE257 which are smaller, and have Spring Drive movements... but no sapphire bezel. I managed to track down two SBGE201s, and went with the AD which gave me the fairest price. And I am, finally, finally... a very happy man.

Took some quick pics; first time attempting macros so bear with me.





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Old 9 December 2020, 07:05 AM   #2
TimeRookie
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Congratulations! That’s a really nice watch. I had the SBGJ231 for while and found it difficult to read the time with a quick glance as all 3 hands were the same colour. I wished I had purchased the 201. I loved the watch but I sold it to purchase a Seiko SNR033. I’m a Spring drive convert. Enjoy your watch. It’s gorgeous.
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Old 9 December 2020, 09:29 PM   #3
1William
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Congratulations. Beautiful watch.
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Old 10 December 2020, 12:05 AM   #4
ap1
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Nice!
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Old 10 December 2020, 01:18 AM   #5
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Congrats!
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Old 5 January 2021, 03:22 PM   #6
bueller
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Very nice! I'm also about to pull the trigger on the same watch and I came to the same conclusion as you did. The Thong Sia special edition is nice but I prefer the classical look of the 201.
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Old 5 January 2021, 10:58 PM   #7
Danny83
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Old 9 January 2021, 12:29 PM   #8
Urosfan
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congrats
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Old 10 January 2021, 08:34 AM   #9
BNA/LION
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Congratulations!
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