The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 20 September 2019, 01:54 PM   #1
jag32
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: DC
Watch: PP/AP/BP/UN
Posts: 1,015
Trip to the GS boutique today... pics...

Went to my local GS boutique today and tried on 20+ GS watches. It was the first time I had seen or handled a GS in person and I am questioning why I even have Pateks and APs now. Anyways, I narrowed it down to two choices and I just can’t come to a decision fellas. It’s either the gorgeous SBGJ203 with the red GMT hand and he Mt. Iwate black dial (in the pictures you can’t see the beautifully textured black Mt. Iwate finishing on the dial but it is amazing in person) or the SBGA375 with an unbelievable blue dial that puts my AP Royal Oak blue dial to shame and the amazing mirror finishing in concert with the brilliant blue dial makes the watch look like pure blue ice. I am in love with both and I just can’t decide. The GMT function of the SBGJ203 is cool but by no means important to me in making a decision and cost difference is negligible. What do you guys think????? What would you buy and why????










Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
jag32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 September 2019, 01:58 PM   #2
Bearxj86
"TRF" Member
 
Bearxj86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Los Angeles
Watch: 3970
Posts: 3,793
2 pieces of advice:

1) Limited editions
2) Japanese domestic models

My personal fav: Snowflake
Bearxj86 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 September 2019, 02:58 PM   #3
Ichiran
2024 Pledge Member
 
Ichiran's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Real Name: Michael
Location: Dotonbori
Watch: Mostly blue dials
Posts: 7,512
I like blue so the 375!

But this is your watch, so listen to your own heart.
Ichiran is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 20 September 2019, 03:29 PM   #4
jag32
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: DC
Watch: PP/AP/BP/UN
Posts: 1,015
Quote:
Originally Posted by bearxj86 View Post
2 pieces of advice:

1) Limited editions
2) Japanese domestic models

My personal fav: Snowflake
They had a snowflake but I was honestly disappointed by the titanium. I like to feel the weight. Are either of the two I selected limited editions or JDM?
jag32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 September 2019, 03:42 PM   #5
kijoe
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 37
Both are beautiful.

Have you thought about movements? They are showcasing different engineering histories at Seiko and would play a big role in my decision. Hi-beat is a great ”traditional” movement while Spring drive is something unique. There are some great videos and articles about the differences found by googling.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
kijoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 September 2019, 05:36 PM   #6
redfoxer
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: London
Posts: 405
The GMT has an interesting dial which definitely adds to the "cool" factor when you look at your wrist and enjoy the watch.

Definitely think about if you want a spring drive vs high beat, both are good but one may tip you over the other if you are unaware of the movements.

I've got a high beat GS and I'm also looking to grab a spring drive at some point as I like both movements.

Personally, I would say if you don't find much value in the GMT hand, and rotate your watches to a degree, than the blue spring drive is the way to go. Less to think about when setting the watch which can get quite long winded with GMTs.

Sent from my SM-G9750 using Tapatalk
redfoxer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 September 2019, 06:07 PM   #7
Hipster Doofus
"TRF" Member
 
Hipster Doofus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Sydney
Posts: 59
Like the OP, buying a GS has made me question all the rest. That 44GS case is the quintessential GS case - you can't go wrong.

GMT ain't necessary for me and I found the spring drive to be more appealing (thinner and lighter plus the all-position reliability and technical novelty) so that helped me narrow it down. I went with the SBGA387 (LE of 558) which is a light blue textured "kirazuri" dial but the dark blue dial on the 375 makes it a helluva watch.

GMT is a feature and it looks cool with the splash of red but who uses it? I do my share of miles but can't really be bothered with all the fiddling.
Hipster Doofus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 September 2019, 07:57 PM   #8
locutus49
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2014
Real Name: John
Location: La Jolla, CA
Watch: Platona
Posts: 12,194
GMT looks smashing.
locutus49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 September 2019, 08:30 PM   #9
1William
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Watch: Rolex/Others
Posts: 44,314
The GMT. I like the addition of red.
1William is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2019, 12:13 AM   #10
Chute
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Real Name: Chris
Location: Austin
Watch: 6 digit Rolex+APRO
Posts: 1,526
I picked up an SBGA375 last year and adore it. The spring drive is a real marvel.
I own a black Rolex gmt 116710 and the new BLNR 126710 and prefer the 24 hour hand to blend in to the background. The red hand of that GS would annoy me as I would always see one too many hands when checking the time.
The blue on the SBGA375 is out of this world, so that would be my pick.
I also own the dual branded SBGA011 and SBGA003, so the 375 was my first watch with the new logo. I like how it leaves more room for that blue to shine.
Chute is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2019, 12:22 AM   #11
jag32
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: DC
Watch: PP/AP/BP/UN
Posts: 1,015
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chute View Post
The blue on the SBGA375 is out of this world, so that would be my pick.
I agree. The dial is spectacular. While I love the Mt. Iwate black dial on the SBGJ203, it’s really not possible to see the detail unless up close in direct sunlight otherwise it looks just matte black. The SBGA375 looks spectacular from any distance, by has a dressier appearance. Then again, I don’t want a GS for the purpose of being dressy as I’ve already got Patek dress watches for those situations so I’m leaning more towards the sportier SBGJ203 with red GMT hand for a bit of color and I’d wear it in situations where I’m afraid of banging up my AP RO.
jag32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2019, 01:13 AM   #12
Tom5518
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Tom
Location: Michigan
Watch: Air King
Posts: 1,111
That's a tough choice, they both are spectacular watches in very different ways. To be candid, I am nutty enough that I would likely compromise and walk out of the AD with both.

But, only one: As much as I am a goner when I see anything with a blue dial, I would get the GMT for two reasons. The first is that I love a GMT complication on any watch, be it Seiko, Rolex, etc. The second is I would have to go for that spectacular Hi-Beat movement. The one and only Grand Seiko I have ever seen was a LE with that movement and it is something special. The ticking noise alone is worth it.

Tom5518 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2019, 02:31 AM   #13
benlee
"TRF" Member
 
benlee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Real Name: Ben
Location: SIN & JKT
Watch: Rolex, AP, PP
Posts: 9,873
Between these two, the Springdrive will be my pick.
__________________
Follow me on Instagram : benlee789
benlee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2019, 04:01 AM   #14
Cru Jones
2024 Pledge Member
 
Cru Jones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 34,376
As long as you think the blue will get wrist time with an RO in the stable, that’s the one to get: the blue is stunning + Spring Drive.
Cru Jones is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2019, 04:19 AM   #15
Talbel
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Tom
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 387
My wife has the SBGJ203 and I steal it every chance I get. She has it on a black alligator strap and it is a fantastic watch.
Talbel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2019, 04:24 AM   #16
T3F
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 457
This isn't helpful for your decision but did they have any of the new "Seasons" models yet?
__________________
Instagram: @watchadmiral
T3F is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2019, 05:15 AM   #17
JR16
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 6,174
You will prob end up getting both, and they would make a good pair - spring drive and hi-beat.

Did you try them both on? GMT is 1.5mm thicker than the SD.

As far as which to get first... would lean toward spring drive as it is unlike anything else out there. For full disclosure I have one of each (but non-gmt)- 211 and 267. Got the snowflake first.

Let us know what you choose!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
JR16 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2019, 05:40 AM   #18
daveathall
"TRF" Member
 
daveathall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: Dave
Location: England.
Watch: Various
Posts: 7,305
I like the GMT.
__________________
KINDEST REGARDS

DAVE


daveathall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2019, 05:57 AM   #19
gnuyork
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Marietta, GA
Posts: 3,243
Of those two, the blue dial for me... Just because I like the look better. GMT is nice, but not over that blue! Plus spring drive, though I like Hi Beat too. But spring drive is just mesmerizing.
gnuyork is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2019, 06:06 AM   #20
sensui
2024 Pledge Member
 
sensui's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 12,344
Tough pick....I think I might slight toward the spring drive here.....only because that red GMT hand doesn't exactly speak to me on the high beat.
sensui is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2019, 07:41 AM   #21
dchang81
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 2,017
Quote:
Originally Posted by T3F View Post
This isn't helpful for your decision but did they have any of the new "Seasons" models yet?
They're available now, boutique emailed me.
dchang81 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2019, 08:31 AM   #22
cmhorner17
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 37
The blue dial - it looks cool in the pictures, I can only imagine how sweet it looks in person and under the right light. GS makes amazing pieces.
cmhorner17 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21 September 2019, 03:09 PM   #23
RolexBHR
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Real Name: Dr. Osama
Location: Jeddah
Watch: AP RO
Posts: 303
Between the two, I would take the Spring Drive as well.

However, I was in the same boat as you and I was planning to buy a GS early next year. Saw the GS "Silver Blizzard" GMT at Timelessluxury, limited to 250pcs and couldn't pass that opportunity up, absolutely gorgeous.
RolexBHR is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.