Grand Seiko worth the money

[speedmaster73]

Originally Posted by Wingman244

I am struggling with the same question. I really love the Seiko Spring Drive and am considering between the GS and Brightz SDGM003. But the Spring Drive is really cool but in the end - can I justify speeding several thousand $'s on a watch with a big "Seiko" on the dial?

My wife is usually my sanity check. She has no problem with me shelling out big $ for a Rolex or Omega but she thinks I am crazy to spend over $600 for a Seiko.

(She also calls my Zenith "that watch from the TV maker..." LOL...)

Grand Seikos are NOT for people who want brand recognition. Grand Seiko is a WIS watch that is acknowledged and respected.

Your wife does not understand that GS ranks with Rolex/Omega and thats understandable.

Most don't even realize that PP, VC or AP are 'haute horology' and are the Big 3 in the swiss watch world.....dont get me started on ALS(german)......

buy your rolex/omega

[scarlet knight]

IMG_7312.jpg

[Star Ferry]

I wouldn't buy a GS in the $5000+ range. not because of the brand -- I just don't like their designs enough to pay that much

I have a Presage -- it's good value for money. I'm also interested buying a GS quartz.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by madmax21

I can respect that I know the movements are completely different merely asking the opinion of whether or not you would pay the extra money also they look similar

Similar in what way? Just design right? Invicta has same 'design' as Rolex but you can't see the difference in real life? If one is sharply dressed and then wears an Invicta or Rolex, you wouldn't know?

Similarly.. lot of Seiko watches share the same DNA but if you see Grand Seiko in real life on someone's wrist, it will pop-out and you will know its very expensive watch without even observing the brand name. The finishing and shine is of another level and much higher than even its price point.

See this pic and this watch retails for just $4K(and you can get easily for much lesser) and if I see this on someone's wrist, I wouldn't think its couple of hundred dollar watch. It looks damn expensive without even seeing the brand IMHO!!


*This pic is from one of TRF members from Grand Seiko lovers thread.

[Wingman244]

Originally Posted by Maxy

Similar in what way? Just design right? Invicta has same 'design' as Rolex but you can't see the difference in real life? If one is sharply dressed and then wears an Invicta or Rolex, you wouldn't know?

Similarly.. lot of Seiko watches share the same DNA but if you see Grand Seiko in real life on someone's wrist, it will pop-out and you will know its very expensive watch without even observing the brand name. The finishing and shine is of another level and much higher than even its price point.

See this pic and this watch retails for just $4K(and you can get easily for much lesser) and if I see this on someone's wrist, I wouldn't think its couple of hundred dollar watch. It looks damn expensive without even seeing the brand IMHO!!


*This pic is from one of TRF members from Grand Seiko lovers thread.

That is a beautiful watch. I would love to add that to my collection. There is something just so beautiful in the design language of the GS series of 3 handers.

[Gharddog03]

That's is my favorite GS.

[stockae92]

If you are not the "attention to detail" kind, Grand Seiko is not worth it. :)

[NorCalKid]

Me, I'm struggling with is a Seiko Prospex GMT with the spring drive worth the price(and can I find one used for a good price). If the SBGA029 style was made in a GMT yes I would consider it.

[madmax21]

Originally Posted by NorCalKid

Me, I'm struggling with is a Seiko Prospex GMT with the spring drive worth the price(and can I find one used for a good price). If the SBGA029 style was made in a GMT yes I would consider it.

Although this is a great point regarding used not sure how many there are out there though, people that buy them usually don't sell them from what I understand.

[andycoulson1.ac]

When getting in to watches I lusted after a Grand Seiko but deciddd the value proposition of a Seiko Presage was a good substitute. Buying the Presage didn't stope wanting the Grand Seiko, and so this week I gave in an made the leap. It is visually and mechanically better in every single way, and I wish I'd just got the real deal in there first place ☺ The Presage is still a lovely watch, but in my experience it is no substitute if you can have the real thing!

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[subtona]

If you are not a fan of a date window the choices are very limited.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by NorCalKid

Me, I'm struggling with is a Seiko Prospex GMT with the spring drive worth the price(and can I find one used for a good price). If the SBGA029 style was made in a GMT yes I would consider it.

You are talking about Landmaster(SBDB015), right? That's the only model with Spring drive(in Prospex line) and not from Grand Seiko range. I don't find it appealing coz of the crown position.



If you need GMT Spring Drive in Grand Seiko, the 2 good options are:

1) SBGE001

2) SBGE011

[vukotab]

Never owned a Grand Seiko, but instead own MANY Seikos and tried Grand Seiko watches numerous times...

To cut to the point - YES, it's more than worth the money!
Why? Because of the built quality, remarkable finish (better than of many higher-end Swiss watches), high-grade movements (fantastic hi-beat automatics, Spring Drive and HEQ quartz)...really, one have to at least try GS to fully appreciate it.
Even their designs, while at first glance similar to the ones of regular Seikos, are actually quite different, better balanced and much more refined.

[NorCalKid]

Originally Posted by Maxy

You are talking about Landmaster(SBDB015), right? That's the only model with Spring drive(in Prospex line) and not from Grand Seiko range. I don't find it appealing coz of the crown position.



If you need GMT Spring Drive in Grand Seiko, the 2 good options are:

1) SBGE001

2) SBGE011

Seiko SBDB011 Prospex Marine Master Professional Spring Drive

[osamu]

my newest acquisition. dipping my toes into the GS water.

Hard to say if it's "worth the money". I for certain have never spent that much on a quartz watch, but you can also argue, is an automatic that keeps poor time in comparison to this "worth the money"? This is also a very thin, small, light watch, which makes it feel very unsubstantial, but the build quality is impeccable, the markers are like tiny mirrors reflecting back all kinds of colors from the surrounding areas, everything just feels like it just works to the best ability something can work, and I really appreciate that.

All in all, i am very happy with my purchase

[AJMarcus]

yes but they don't hold their value well. If I were interested I'd buy Pre owned from a trusted TRF seller. They do come up for sale occasionally

[J_H]

GS is absolutely worth the money! No question about it. Only people who haven't handled them in person have negative opinions!

[Fleetlord]

The China Made bracelet hurts these watches...

Casework and movement are very nice. Bracelet is from the Shenzhen plant parts bin.

Especially that clasp...Ugh. Guess I'd get it on a strap.

I also don't like the "Grand" branding. Seems silly to me. Just brand it SEIKO but change the font or something to make it different...

[BlueIn2Red]

They're worth the money for what they actually are compared to other similar watches (better built yet cheaper than the equivalent Rolex for example), but as mentioned they don't hold their value well, so if you're likely to sell in the future then arguably not worth the money.

(Don't know where the idea that the bracelets are Chinese came from, this isn't true. The bracelets are fine, very similar to Rolex in terms of quality. They flex a bit more when new, but this is the Japanese preference for comfort.)

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

The China Made bracelet hurts these watches...

Casework and movement are very nice. Bracelet is from the Shenzhen plant parts bin.

Especially that clasp...Ugh. Guess I'd get it on a strap.

I also don't like the "Grand" branding. Seems silly to me. Just brand it SEIKO but change the font or something to make it different...

GS bracelets and clasps are made in Japan.

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

The China Made bracelet hurts these watches...

Casework and movement are very nice. Bracelet is from the Shenzhen plant parts bin.

Especially that clasp...Ugh. Guess I'd get it on a strap..

Congratulations on successfully naming a Chinese city.. but Grand Seikos are manufactured in-house by Seiko in Japan

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Psmith

GS bracelets and clasps are made in Japan.

If that is indeed true, then it's even worse as I find the quality of the
GS bracelet to be underwhelming and disappointing.

I'm not the only one to think this either...

Rest of the piece is very nice though.

[improviz]

Oh, you're just saying that to boor and offend people.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by improviz

Oh, you're just saying that to boor and offend people.

Thats absurd. Why would anyone be offended because I don't care for the GS bracelet.

Who cares what I think?

If you like it, enjoy it.

I had numerous opportunities to get a GS and just found the bracelet too meh for me.

EOD

[improviz]

Point is, why do you always troll GS threads?

[incontrol]

I have a GS and yes to me it is worth the money. The finishing of the case, dial, hands and bracelet are second to none. The technology is also on another level. Their hi beat and spring drive movements are proof of this.

Obviously this is my opinion and the reason I bought one.


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[Psmith]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

If that is indeed true, then it's even worse as I find the quality of the
GS bracelet to be underwhelming and disappointing.

I'm not the only one to think this either...

Rest of the piece is very nice though.

My GS (SBGE001) bracelet and clasp are excellent, as are those of other GS models I have handled.

Perhaps if you could specify which GS models you are referring to, that would help?

[lapince]

Originally Posted by madmax21

Both pictures were downloaded from Amazon.ca and can be purchased through Amazon

You can see that both pics are not actual pics

Originally Posted by Wingman244

Here is a better comparison from cheap to expensive.... SARB to Brightz SDGM to Grand Seiko Spring Drive...

The difference is clearly visible for me

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Congratulations on successfully naming a Chinese city.. but Grand Seikos are manufactured in-house by Seiko in Japan

At the same time Rolex had crappy bracelets and clasps until very late, that was basically what stopped me from getting one, got the sub c 2 years after they came out because they had fixed the problem

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Psmith

My GS (SBGE001) bracelet and clasp are excellent, as are those of other GS models I have handled.

Perhaps if you could specify which GS models you are referring to, that would help?

SBGH001

Other than screwed links, just felt like a mid tier bracelet for Rolex money.

At least the high beat uses screwed links. The TI Snowflake SD has Pins! Pins! Not only that, but Seiko pins and collars which are abysmal.

[incontrol]

Here is an example of quality, my SBGE021. It is 4 years old and has not had any issues. The bracelet quality is as good as any watch I own, short of the fabulous Rolex Submariner adjustable clasp.




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