Opinions: New to Grand Seiko

[nyc2la]

I’ve had the opportunity to see some incredible Grand Seiko timepieces recently. The details and craftsmanship are fabulous. I saw these four and am looking for thoughts and opinions on which would be a good addition as a “one and only” GS.

SBGH051, SBGA387, SBGH267, or SBGJ201

Appreciate your thoughts.



The SBGH051 is a Boutique LE, and only 35 were shipped to the US. It has the dual logo. It has a smooth dial, and my thought on the latter point was I felt that GS is known for their textured dials, but this one seems pretty special and quite unique. The case on this one has a smaller massing than the others. I feel the others are not big by any means, but more “Maxi” in nature - more broad shouldered, if you will. They all are beautifully designed.










The SBGA387 is the new US LE. The textured dial is spectacular, and I love blue. It is a very light blue. I’m still torn on the Spring Drive vs Hi Beat debate.







The SBGH267 deep, intricately designed blue dial is out of this world.




The SBGJ201 has a beautiful Mount Iwate dial. And the blue GMT hand is striking.

[Stevec14]

Depending on what else you have, I like the second and third ones. For sure, the light blue will be unlike much else and I love the patterned dark blue dial of the third. All lovely watches however.


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[imperio]

I like the SBGJ201 most out of the four!

[scarlet knight]

I think it’s a limited edition. Not a baby blue fan (sorry Rolex Day Date), but that is a pretty design.

[benlee]

They are all nice. I have 4 GS as of now, and my choice for "one and only" GS is the SBGH267

[Dsmith1974]

I would advise against the first with the SEIKO at 12. I like the HiBeats but they have a bit more heft to them and the GMT is also pretty thick.

If you’ll only ever get one I’d think very long about Spring Drive vs HiBeat.

In an ideal world, you’d want one of each (eventually)

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

I would advise against the first with the SEIKO at 12. I like the HiBeats but they have a bit more heft to them and the GMT is also pretty thick.

If you’ll only ever get one I’d think very long about Spring Drive vs HiBeat.

In an ideal world, you’d want one of each (eventually)

Thanks for the feedback. What is it about the SBGH051 (SEIKO at 12) that makes you say to stay away? Is it the Hi Beat / Weightiness? Or is it that it has the Dual Logo? Appreciate your thoughts.

[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

Thanks for the feedback. What is it about the SBGH051 (SEIKO at 12) that makes you say to stay away? Is it the Hi Beat / Weightiness? Or is it that it has the Dual Logo? Appreciate your thoughts.

Just the dual logo as it must pre date when GS became an independent company. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but I prefer it to be a GS and not a SEIKO/GS.

Not against heavy watches either and love the HiBeats.

If you have a preference for heavy or light then SD/HB is an easy choice.

I like a GMT so would probably go for that if you went the HB way.


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[Syroko]

Personally I would go with the SBGH267

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[incontrol]

It looks like the SBGH267 is a favorite.


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[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by incontrol

It looks like the SBGH267 is a favorite.


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Yes on second thoughts I’d go with the 267 too. Shame it doesn’t have the GMT but the dial is much nicer.

HiBeat GMT Peacock had the best of both worlds but was limited to 700 pieces. Probably all gone now?



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[GB-man]

High beat gmt for me. Nothing wrong with the rest but I prefer high beats and the 267 while awesome, I had one of the first in the US back in march, I did not like the way the seconds hand is a polished brass look against the brushed finish of the logo. This made no sense to me.

[Locust]

I traded my sbgh051 for my sbgh267. Both are great but I'd go sbgh267 out of those two. I'd be very tempted to get the spring drive though depending on how it looks IRL.

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by Locust

I traded my sbgh051 for my sbgh267. Both are great but I'd go sbgh267 out of those two. I'd be very tempted to get the spring drive though depending on how it looks IRL.

Why did you trade your sbgh051? Looking for feedback on this one. Thank you!

[rjd1]

My vote would be the new US Ltd Edition with Spring Drive - your 2nd watch pictured above.
I just picked one up and it is on my wrist now. Dial is just amazing, and to me after weighing SpringDrive vs. High Beat and boning up on GS - which hadn't been on my radar after years of owning PP, Rolex, AP, etc. - the Spring Drive seemed to be the perfect movement choice and somewhat emblematic of the brand for my first GS. Now, to confuse matters, I think my 2nd one (and there will be a 2nd one lol...) would be your 3rd one pictured - automatic, high beat, and that amazing dial.
Not a fan of the 1st one - dual logo and non-textured dial don't do it for me.
Good luck.

[Locust]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

Why did you trade your sbgh051? Looking for feedback on this one. Thank you!

"had to have" the sbgh267 and since it's basically the same watch I didn't want to have both and traded in to not have to pay much in cash. I like the grand seiko only branding on the new watches as well. totally a personal preference thing.

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by Locust

"had to have" the sbgh267 and since it's basically the same watch I didn't want to have both and traded in to not have to pay much in cash. I like the grand seiko only branding on the new watches as well. totally a personal preference thing.

Thanks. Did the smooth dial of the sbgh051 eventually get "boring"? That is one of my concerns. The color so unique, and it seems to change dramatically depending on the light, that maybe it doesn't get boring. (?) And, the "only 35" in the U.S. shouldn't be a factor, but it is enticing to have such a "rare" piece.

How do you feel about the sbgh267? Is it still a "had to have"?

Thanks again for your feedback.

[descartes]

267 for sure.
The GMT is the runner up in my book.

Great watches these Grand Seikos.

[Locust]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

Thanks. Did the smooth dial of the sbgh051 eventually get "boring"? That is one of my concerns. The color so unique, and it seems to change dramatically depending on the light, that maybe it doesn't get boring. (?) And, the "only 35" in the U.S. shouldn't be a factor, but it is enticing to have such a "rare" piece.

How do you feel about the sbgh267? Is it still a "had to have"?

Thanks again for your feedback.

no, the 051 didn't get boring. That purple-y blue is awesome. Still really happy with the 267 after about 6 months and yes, very glad I got it. The dial is amazing.
Another watch to consider is the gmt just announced that has the same pattern as the 267. You get a gmt function, the same pattern in white, and the way they did the 24 hour numbers is really cool. I think I like it the best out of the 9S 20th anniversary models.

[Locust]

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[City74]

Originally Posted by Locust

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That’s so gorgeous

[MP5]

Combine 2 and 4 sbgm235 limited 50th aniv.

[steeevvvooo]

SBGH267. I have one as well as a snowflake (pre logo change SBGA011) and in my current downsizing the snowflake will be going but the SBGH267 is staying. Limited/numbered edition too which is cool.

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by Locust

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That is beautiful, but I'm looking for a bracelet, not a strap.

[jaymyms]

The bottom two, IMO. Probably the blue dial though.

[Gharddog03]

awesome pieces. The last one.

[Old Expat Beast]

I'd probably go for #1. I like the old-style (1960s/1970s) dual-brand SEIKO/GS dial, which as pointed out is no longer available, plus there are only 35 in the US...that's quite special, and it's a great looking piece. Being old stock, I assume a discount is possible? Second choice would be #4.

[steeevvvooo]

Out of interest where is the info coming from that there are only 35 of the first piece in the US? Any idea of total production as it doesn’t seem to be a numbered edition like the SBGH267 so I’m curious. It looks good in photos.

I know you are not looking for a watch on a strap but the 267 looks awesome dressed down on a nato as well as dressed up on the strap (photo stolen from Instagram but I am looking at a similar strap for mine now!)

[SLRdude]

Here are mine, and I like both equally. Actually, at times I like the GMT more.

Pic from yesterday.



Pic from a while ago.



Together.




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[SLRdude]

Originally Posted by steeevvvooo

Out of interest where is the info coming from that there are only 35 of the first piece in the US? Any idea of total production as it doesn’t seem to be a numbered edition like the SBGH267 so I’m curious. It looks good in photos.



I know you are not looking for a watch on a strap but the 267 looks awesome dressed down on a nato as well as dressed up on the strap (photo stolen from Instagram but I am looking at a similar strap for mine now!)

Try the Bandrbands blue suede. I love it on mine.






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