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9 March 2020, 02:43 AM | #61 |
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I have always liked Grand Seiko then again, I've been a fan of seikos for a long time. Excellent engineering in a watch.
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9 March 2020, 03:09 AM | #62 |
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9 March 2020, 07:05 AM | #63 |
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Heirloom watches
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9 March 2020, 07:26 AM | #64 |
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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.
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11 March 2020, 10:19 AM | #65 |
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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.
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11 March 2020, 03:07 PM | #66 |
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305
Under the radar, 100m WR and lugholes!
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11 March 2020, 07:45 PM | #67 |
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Still smitten:
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12 March 2020, 06:23 AM | #68 |
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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. |
12 March 2020, 09:02 AM | #69 |
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14 March 2020, 02:46 AM | #70 |
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Absolutely love the brand.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ZiY_HnnK-/ |
14 March 2020, 06:35 AM | #71 |
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I don't know where else you can find GS level of quality and attention to detail at GS's price point.
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15 March 2020, 02:26 PM | #72 |
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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 |
15 March 2020, 03:18 PM | #73 | |
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Quote:
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
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24 March 2020, 09:47 AM | #74 |
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Most GS are great watches for the money.
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. |
25 March 2020, 06:50 PM | #75 |
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GS Perception
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.
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3 April 2020, 03:51 AM | #76 |
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3 April 2020, 04:34 AM | #77 |
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7 May 2020, 02:26 AM | #78 |
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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.
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7 May 2020, 03:04 AM | #79 |
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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. |
7 May 2020, 01:25 PM | #80 | |
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7 May 2020, 01:51 PM | #81 |
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I only care how I perceive them.
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7 May 2020, 03:52 PM | #82 |
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The spring drive is second hand sweep pr0n.
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8 May 2020, 07:21 AM | #83 |
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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.
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8 May 2020, 07:51 AM | #84 |
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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. |
18 May 2020, 07:14 AM | #85 |
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Love GS keeps doing its thing.
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24 August 2020, 06:41 AM | #86 |
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Perception of Grand Seikos?
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. |
24 August 2020, 08:49 AM | #87 |
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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. |
24 August 2020, 12:01 PM | #88 |
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25 August 2020, 04:46 AM | #89 | |
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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. |
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25 August 2020, 07:00 AM | #90 |
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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.
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