Oyster Perpetual Vs The Snowflake

[msolace]

The Grand Seiko Snowflake has been getting a lot of buzz lately... but the big question is: Is the barrier to entry price of US$5500+ justified? .. Considering the fact that the Spring Drive movement has a quartz oscillator in it, making it (in my opinion) inferior to a full mechanical movement.
What benefit(s) does it offer a watch enthusiast in terms of collectibility, value retention, etc ?

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by msolace

What benefit(s) does it offer a watch enthusiast in terms of collectibility, value retention, etc ?

Those are all intangible, psychological attributes. It’s no secret that Grand Seiko has always missed those marks. However, when it comes down to the actual watch, there’s no comparison in my opinion....Grand Seiko. As to the specific models; the Snowflake is among the Grand Seikos to have, the Oyster Perpetual, albeit a very nice watch, is the least expensive watch that will put the name Rolex on your wrist (for reasons most people lie about).

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by msolace

What benefit(s) does it offer a watch enthusiast in terms of collectibility, value retention, etc ?

Exactly. I think a lot of people appreciate the difficulty of achieving a highly accurate movement that is purely mechanical. The collectibility and value retention of a watch with a computer may not be as desirable. For example, the Rolex Oysterquartz seems like a pretty niche collectible watch compared to Daytonas and Subs of the same era.

[puckbw11]

I’d go snowflake every time...


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[sensui]

I highly suggest the people using the "computer chip" example read up on how a Spring Drive works/came to be. It is an amazing feat in watchmaking....it's brands like Grand Seiko, A. Lange und Sohne, F.P Journe etc that are actually still advancing watchmaking....brands like Rolex haven't had real innovations/advancements in watchmaking for decades....just a lot of very clever marketing. For those that boo the GS brand for a Spring Drive....I also believe they make better finished full mechanical watches like the high beats with stricter accuracy testing standards.

I love Rolex as much as the next guy, but you cant' deny the great things certain other brands are bringing to the hobby. Just my 2 cents.

[Milibrk@]

Snow flake movement is superb but very light watch.

[jzhan026]

It's made of titanium and it's really amazing what GS did with that titanium.
The movement inside is a very different take on mechanical movement. It does not require a battery and it's ingenious what they did with the glide wheel powering itself. I have seen people reporting accuracy of 0.1spd regardless of position or temperature. Theoretically, it should also be more resistant to shock and can have a longer service interval because the escapement wheel is not in contact with anything. Piaget did a similar movement in 2015 that was a little less sophisticated than spring drive, but I don't think that was ever mass produced. I vaguely remember another Swiss manufacturer doing another similar movement but I might be wrong.
I think both are great watches and I would recommend either watch to anyone depending on either the person wants a little more brand recognition or more craftsmanship. Not trying to say that OP doesn't have great craftsmanship but GS is just finished that much better. At the end of the day, I chose the snowflake because it just has a little more character (and a story for those who care to listen).

[asiparks]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

Exactly. I think a lot of people appreciate the difficulty of achieving a highly accurate movement that is purely mechanical. The collectibility and value retention of a watch with a computer may not be as desirable. For example, the Rolex Oysterquartz seems like a pretty niche collectible watch compared to Daytonas and Subs of the same era.

If only GS could make super accurate, Hi Beat movements for about the same price...Oh, wait...

[Montremoi]

Originally Posted by pickettt

the Oyster Perpetual, albeit a very nice watch, is the least expensive watch that will put the name Rolex on your wrist (for reasons most people lie about).

Could you expand on these reasons ?

[marcopolo05]

GS by far imho. The OP does not do anything for me. Least special watch of the Rolex collection to me.

Whereas the snowflake dial is something apart and the spring drive movement with the power reserve is out of this world.

If it weren't for the still unknown future ease of serviceability, I would have gotten that jewel instead of my recent reverso.

Envoyé de mon ONEPLUS A6003 en utilisant Tapatalk

[rudestew]

Grand Seiko wins that contest for me and is level pegging against a 41 .

[myporsche]

Originally Posted by JMtimes5

+1

Originally Posted by pickettt

Please post pics of your last cave exploration, deep dive, and car race. I'd really love to see them.

Oh I will, but I think it deserves a separate thread.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by myporsche

Oh I will, but I think it deserves a separate thread.

We’ll be waiting. May as well throw in a few shots of your Porsche while you’re at it.

[msolace]

The aesthetics of the watch face doesn't do it for me.
The asymmetrical shapes of the 6, 9, 12 hour markers look terribly awful, destroys the whole look of the watch..
Also, not a fan of the overpowering and extremely visible beveling of the hour markers...
The pointy hour and minute hands look like you're going to use it to stab someone.
The frame on the date window looks bulging and "forced", totally unnatural. It's too thin and disproportionate to the hour markers...

But to be fair, I do like the snowflake texture and the power reserve display ...

For US$ 5800 at full retail (brand new), I'd say it's not worth my money.

I feel the Japs always miss a point or two in design aesthetics, be it in cars, watches, etc .. it's probably something that's got to do with their belief system; fengshui, zenism, shintoism. They also tend to overemphasize the use of cutting edge materials like Titanium, carbon fibre, and whatever new gimmicks they might have under their belt, to let customers dawn on the idea that they're the leading watchmaker, carmaker, etc, which doesn't necessarily mean so ..

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by msolace

I feel the Japs always miss a point or two in design aesthetics, be it in cars, watches, etc .. it's probably something that's got to do with their belief system; fengshui, zenism, shintoism.

Now I remember why we Americans are so popular around the world. SMH.

[msolace]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Now I remember why we Americans are so popular around the world. SMH.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by msolace

The aesthetics of the watch face doesn't do it for me.
The asymmetrical shapes of the 6, 9, 12 hour markers look terribly awful, destroys the whole look of the watch..
Also, not a fan of the overpowering and extremely visible beveling of the hour markers...
The pointy hour and minute hands look like you're going to use it to stab someone.
The frame on the date window looks bulging and "forced", totally unnatural. It's too thin and disproportionate to the hour markers...

But to be fair, I do like the snowflake texture and the power reserve display ...

For US$ 5800 at full retail (brand new), I'd say it's not worth my money.

I feel the Japs always miss a point or two in design aesthetics, be it in cars, watches, etc .. it's probably something that's got to do with their belief system; fengshui, zenism, shintoism. They also tend to overemphasize the use of cutting edge materials like Titanium, carbon fibre, and whatever new gimmicks they might have under their belt, to let customers dawn on the idea that they're the leading watchmaker, carmaker, etc, which doesn't necessarily mean so ..

You know feng shui is Chinese, right? Either way we don't need your kind around here. This is an international forum.

[Brew]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

You know feng shui is Chinese, right? Either way we don't need your kind around here. This is an international forum.

This is why I donated $$ to this forum, moderation like this. Thank you.

[penguinrolex]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Now I remember why we Americans are so popular around the world. SMH.

Oh i know this one! is it because we speak loudly and slowly when we go to other countries? Or is it because of mcdonalds? Or is it because we buy ALL the rolex sold by AD in the UK (while speaking loudly and slowly)?
EDIT to stay on topic: I really wish i could see the snowflake in person. It stands out to me as a 'second' watch after a first Rolex. Don't see too many people get the Rolex after a GS. If you can afford the Rolex, start with that and you'll find a way to afford the second watch ;)

[myporsche]

Originally Posted by pickettt

We’ll be waiting.

We? You have friends?

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by myporsche

We? You have friends?

Are you deflecting?

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by penguinrolex

Don't see too many people get the Rolex after a GS. If you can afford the Rolex, start with that and you'll find a way to afford the second watch ;)

Something to think about.

[lord91]

OP, the new one looks great!

[wyguy]

The Snowflake by a mile vs. this OP.

The dial, the faceting of the hands and hour markers, blued second hand, the power reserve indicator...and not least of all the Spring Drive movement. All done very tastefully (to me). Extremely high quality. Once you see one in the flesh, and in different lighting conditions you cannot help but be amazed.

Not sure what folks see in this particular Rolex, other than maybe history. It looks like something that would fall out of a box of corn flakes.... :)

[Seibei]

OP actually. I would take the Snowflake if it had no power reserve indicator on the dial and a non spring drive movement.

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by asiparks

If only GS could make super accurate, Hi Beat movements for about the same price...Oh, wait...

Haha. Nice try!

GS does indeed make super accurate mechanical watches. But this thread--and my comment--was talking about a GS spring drive watch.

[G M Francis]

I’m a big Rolex fan but the GS. The quality of the whole package is unbelievable and it’s not something you see everyday.

[Atlantic]

OP in a minute, the GS just doesn’t do it.

[asiparks]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

Haha. Nice try!

GS does indeed make super accurate mechanical watches. But this thread--and my comment--was talking about a GS spring drive watch.

[piratebenjamin]

Everyone says the snowflake is lightweight, I wonder how many have tried it on or just repeat what they have heard or read in reviews. I just weighed my Snowflake at 96.5 grams. My 14060 Sub on rubber strap is 89 grams.