Value of Grand Seiko

[RoscoPico]

My first and only GS, SBGE009, is possibly my favorite watch.
I love it's story and flawless sweep movement. Only problem is that it's a 39mm and looks tiny on my wrist.

So I thought maybe I should post this for sale since the watch box is swelling up. But sure enough, seems like this is worth less than what I paid for it. And that's the only watch I can say that about.

How can such an awesome engineering timepiece be depreciating ? Funny question on the Rolex forum I know

[JR16]

Nearly every watch brand loses value the moment it leaves the AD... why should GS be any different?


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[RoscoPico]

erm, doesn't exactly sound like the case for most Rollies at the moment. A lot of s/s sport watches these days actually appreciate instantly.
In fact, I believe it's the only watch out of 20 I own that has this scenario

[Jostack]

If you only have 1 watch out of a bursting watch box that did not appreciate, you are way ahead of the game. Consider yourself very lucky.

[RoscoPico]

Originally Posted by Jostack

If you only have 1 watch out of a bursting watch box that did not appreciate, you are way ahead of the game. Consider yourself very lucky.

agree fully. some wisdom to it but lucky for sure.
i got out of a few other money pit hobbies some years back and glad i found watches

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by RoscoPico

erm, doesn't exactly sound like the case for most Rollies at the moment. A lot of s/s sport watches these days actually appreciate instantly.
In fact, I believe it's the only watch out of 20 I own that has this scenario

I'd say that's a unique case for Rolex and maybe Patek steel watches, but if you think Seiko (or most many other brand) is going to appreciate in value, I think you are misguided, and I don't mean that as an offense to you.

[RoscoPico]

none taken, fair enough.
i've probably bought well i guess then.

[Hollie_Rollie]

I’ve lost a quite a bit of money in this hobby. But I’ve had so much fun collecting and chasing the next purchase it’s inconsequential. This hobby isn’t about making money. The SS Rolex market is an anomaly, and one that is correcting itself rather quickly.

My advice: sell the watch to a new owner who enjoys it and take a little lose and put those funds into another piece or an index fund

[RoscoPico]

great point, will follow that advice

[Fleetlord]

The issues with Grand Seiko that cause depreciation are:

1) Branding. It is very difficult, no matter how nice of a watch they make, to overcome the marketing of low end Seikos that are are showcase fodder in Macy's, Zales, Kohls...etc. Enthusiasts can understand the differences, but the overall market? Very difficult = less desirability and subsequent demand .

2) Too many models. GS has gained a bit of traction among a select group of enthusiasts, so in order to "capitalize" on this, GS thinks it's time to make MORE references and raise the pricing!! Huge mistake. People want less options and more value, not more and MORE..
Also, the references are too similar in appearance and are predominately a dressier design ethos, which is not the beach to boardroom versatility Rolex SS Sports watches throughly enjoy.

3) Too expensive. The WIS might think they are a great value, but the general market doesn't see past the Seiko logo, so they don't sell well on the secondary market at the dealer level, so dealers pay less to get them and have to sell them cheaply to move them quickly.

4) The value retention spiral. When people see the high GS retail and compare it to a considerably lower pre owned price, they don't want it because the loss of value is a turn off. Rolex is the opposite of this.

So, if you want a new GS, buy it preowned. They are not for the squeamish regarding value retention.

[1William]

Grand Seiko makes a great watch and has very interesting case work and dials. With that said they also have a lot of models on the market and the devil is in the details. SE/LE models once out of production and sold out at AD's will see a significant bump in price from msrp but standard models, none. It takes a significant discount at point of sale to get me to buy a new Grand Seiko/Seiko. The adage, buy right, is so true with these watches. If you are ready to move the watch then you will find a market for it but not where you think the price will be. OK, live and learn, sell, move on to the next watch and enjoy. That is the best I can do.

[ap1]

Would be hard to name 20 watches going above retail. This also seems to be quickly changing day by day

[Cru Jones]

My GS is priceless to me. Just pick the watch you love and the rest will take care of itself.

[SN13]

I try to buy all my watches used to absorb the depreciation.

That being said, I did buy my SBGA387 at just below retail because I fell in love with the platinum blue frost dial.






Buy what you love and don't worry about the "investment"

[sensui]

Originally Posted by SN13

I try to buy all my watches used to absorb the depreciation.

That being said, I did buy my SBGA387 at just below retail because I fell in love with the platinum blue frost dial.






Buy what you love and don't worry about the "investment"

One of the best ones they've made.

Yeah Grand Seiko isn't something you buy thinking there's appreciation (although it has that potential if they play their marketing cards right with the limited production and quality of watches they come out with). I do think it was too soon and super bad luck from COVID they decided to jump up in market this year with the pricing across their lines......we shall see as time unfolds.

To me bottom line, they are still the most watch you can buy for the money.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by sensui

One of the best ones they've made.

Yeah Grand Seiko isn't something you buy thinking there's appreciation (although it has that potential if they play their marketing cards right with the limited production and quality of watches they come out with). I do think it was too soon and super bad luck from COVID they decided to jump up in market this year with the pricing across their lines......we shall see as time unfolds.

To me bottom line, they are still the most watch you can buy for the money.

That’s it right there.

[jason042779]

Put it up for sale! Someone here will buy it lol

[RoscoPico]

the frosted blue is amaaaaazing.
i actually do love my SBGE009, i just wasn't as familiar with my own taste at the time and now feel like it's too small.
i do love the brand. will want another to replace mine.
thanks for replies

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by RoscoPico

My first and only GS, SBGE009, is possibly my favorite watch.
I love it's story and flawless sweep movement. Only problem is that it's a 39mm and looks tiny on my wrist.

So I thought maybe I should post this for sale since the watch box is swelling up. But sure enough, seems like this is worth less than what I paid for it. And that's the only watch I can say that about.

How can such an awesome engineering timepiece be depreciating ? Funny question on the Rolex forum I know

If it's possibly your favourite watch and only 1mm smaller than the average Rolex sports watch, why not keep it? It can't look that much smaller than the others.

[RoscoPico]

true enough, but I have even stopped wearing rolex a bit too honestly. have my eye on a skydweller but that will be a while.
maybe my perspective has just changed a bit, but i now feel more comfortable with a 47mm panerai than a 40mm rollie on.
i seem to remember a time when i wore 33mm vintage pieces. but as of a few years ago, trying them on made me feel like i was wearing a childs watch. i've sold most of my vintage stuff since.
and i kept a 39mm Omega for a while before selling, even though i didn't see myself wearing it any longer. the GS still has a spot in my box for now.
damn this hobby lol

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by SN13

I try to buy all my watches used to absorb the depreciation.

That being said, I did buy my SBGA387 at just below retail because I fell in love with the platinum blue frost dial.






Buy what you love and don't worry about the "investment"

Those macros are stunning. Nice work

[ADIGA]

Originally Posted by SN13

I try to buy all my watches used to absorb the depreciation.

That being said, I did buy my SBGA387 at just below retail because I fell in love with the platinum blue frost dial.






Buy what you love and don't worry about the "investment"

Great shots. Nothing.... Literally nothing will match the quality for it's price point not even if you double it for the dial details. Enjoy it in good health.

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[daveathall]

I have had a fair few Rolex watches and lots of other makes, never once have I sold a watch for more than I bought it for, not that I wouldn't, given the chance, none have kept or increased in value. I buy watches because I liked them. Because I know they wont make me any coin when I move them on, it doesn't worry me. If a watch was my favourite, 1mm wouldn't bother me.