Got the go ahead for a grand seiko quartz

[turboawd]

Hi all

As the subject says, I've been given permission from the "boss" to get a GS quartz model (or something of similar value). If I get this, that means no more major watch purchases (ie more than 3 figures) for at least a year. I've had my eye on this for a while (sbgv005):



What attracted me to this model: the very unique katana like case shape. Great sunburst champagne dial, very sharp hands and baton markers. Relatively thin case.

I am also kind of intrigued by the fact that it's quartz, and probably one of the best quartz movements you can get, from the company that pioneered quartz technology. Although, no doubt, if this case shape was available in plain automatic or high beat mechanical, I probably would like that better.

Brand new it costs roughly half the price of a new 36mm oyster perpetual in Canada. Do you guys think it's worth it?

Being in Canada it's very tough to find this model used, and buying used from the USA does not make sense due to the exchange rate being what it is now.

Let me know your opinions...

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[toxicavenger]

That is beautiful! Congrats on it. I have owned 3 GS's and I loved every one of them.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

That is beautiful! Congrats on it. I have owned 3 GS's and I loved every one of them.

Oh, I haven't bought it yet!! But thanks!! Were any of your gs's quartz?

I am currently debating whether or not I should. I'd love to hear people's opinions on whether or not it's worth the price of cad$2900 before tax (or about $20 USD hehe), which is roughly half of the price of a new 36 mm oyster perpetual, which is my other watch. Keep in mind this is a quartz watch (albeit a great quartz movement)... But to summarize my thoughts so far:

Things I like about this watch:
-case finishing and design
-dial , markers and hands are great
-super accurate

Things I don't like:
-non screw down crown
-crown position detents feel a little light

Things I'm not sure on:
-the price of this watch given that it's a quartz movement
-any major watch buy I make now, I like to keep it to pass down to my kids, and hopefully they will keep it to do the same... Is a quartz watch going to last through the generations like a mechanical watch will if maintained? Is a quartz watch "heirloom grade" so to speak?

Also I do like that this is a GS with the Seiko logo at 12, since I think it means I would be avoiding the price increase that is coming with the new gs-only branded watches.

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[toxicavenger]

Oh okay, my bad. Well it is a 50 year movement in it, so it won't need any servicing for a long time. But the batteries are 3 year batteries.

Honestly the finish on these are better than most in this category and higher. But resale isn't to good. So if you are buying it to keep it then go for it.

Oh and this watch is rated to 10 BAR, so you can swim with it at the most in a pool. So no worries there.

[Maxy]

Why not the updated newer version of the same watch? SBGV205

If you still want the older version, SBGV005, go for used and it'll be under $1500.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

That is beautiful! Congrats on it. I have owned 3 GS's and I loved every one of them.

Wow I just realized you are the owner of toxicnatos!! I listen to the grey NATO podcast regularly and they mention your straps quite frequently on their show...

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[Maxy]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Also I do like that this is a GS with the Seiko logo at 12, since I think it means I would be avoiding the price increase that is coming with the new gs-only branded watches.

Man, I think this price increase talk is getting ridiculous beyond a point. The increase is just $200 across board and $100 for lower models.

SBGV005 = $2900 USD
SBGV205 = $3100 USD.

Is it that of a big deal that I keep hearing of the so called price increase?

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by Maxy

Why not the updated newer version of the same watch? SBGV205

If you still want the older version, SBGV005, go for used and it'll be under $1500.

Well, to be honest I'm indifferent as to which version I prefer. They both look good to me. However, the old one I think will have a lower MSRP, so that makes it an easy choice.

As for used, being in Canada I prefer to buy within Canada. However I haven't seen this watch for sale used anywhere up here. As for buying from the us I'm just not sure about shipping across the border etc. I also haven't seen many for sale in general, even in the US. It seems to be a relatively rare model. Also the Canadian dollar is very weak now, which makes buying in USD less attractive...

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[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Wow I just realized you are the owner of toxicnatos!! I listen to the grey NATO podcast regularly and they mention your straps quite frequently on their show...

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Thanks bro. They are good guys and they know what they like. We have a very strong relationship together also.

Another good podcast is Two Broke Watch Snobs. I did a appearance on their cast one time and I had a blast. So check it out.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

Thanks bro. They are good guys and they know what they like. We have a very strong relationship together also.

Another good podcast is Two Broke Watch Snobs. I did a appearance on their cast one time and I had a blast. So check it out.

Thanks for the tip... I'm always looking for watch related podcasts to listen to on my commute. I'll be sure to subscribe to that one. Another one I recently started listening to is the time4apint podcast...

So far these are the watch related podcasts I listen to:
-hour time podcast (not so great recently)
-the grey NATO
-worn and wound podcast
-ontime podcast
-time 4a pint

Almost enough to fill my commute!



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[Gharddog03]

Awesome watch! Congrats.

[Psmith]

Congrats

[osamu]

I bought an older GS Quartz earlier this year. SBGT003. I had my eye out for a 9F Grand Seiko for a little while, but couldn't get myself to spend too much on a quartz watch.

I loved it as I was looking for a light dial, but wanted it to be something unique with some texture. The kanji day is also something I really love about the JDM Seikos.



I think due to the size of mine, at first it felt very unsubstantial, which took a little getting used to. Being only 37mm, it is one of my smaller watches, and at 9mm thin, is my lightest watch. But the light weight makes it very comfortable.

The finishing is pretty much as good as any watch at much higher price tags. And it's kinda nice in my 3 months of ownership, its gained less than a second.

[joli160]

Love the GS quality but not fond of quartz, I would save up and go for a spring drive

[brandrea]

Very nice, I love that dial and unique handset
Congratulations

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by osamu

I bought an older GS Quartz earlier this year. SBGT003. I had my eye out for a 9F Grand Seiko for a little while, but couldn't get myself to spend too much on a quartz watch.

I loved it as I was looking for a light dial, but wanted it to be something unique with some texture. The kanji day is also something I really love about the JDM Seikos.



I think due to the size of mine, at first it felt very unsubstantial, which took a little getting used to. Being only 37mm, it is one of my smaller watches, and at 9mm thin, is my lightest watch. But the light weight makes it very comfortable.

The finishing is pretty much as good as any watch at much higher price tags. And it's kinda nice in my 3 months of ownership, its gained less than a second.

That's really nice!

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[lapince]

Originally Posted by joli160

Love the GS quality but not fond of quartz, I would save up and go for a spring drive

Yeah nice watch but no way I would put 3k into a quartz watch, whatever the brand and quality, when for 4500-5000 you can get the same kind of watch but mechanical, would go for a spring drive from Seiko, find them interesting, IMHO you should wait, save up and get one, or a high beat GMT...

[sea-dweller]

Beautiful!

[toxicavenger]

I would pay this much for a 50 year maintenance free quartz in a heart beat.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

I would pay this much for a 50 year maintenance free quartz in a heart beat.

I have Quartz watches from the 80's, but it's just nice watches, don't really have a soul if that makes sense...

[daveathall]

I have a Seiko Quartz, love it. I set all my others by it. Cost me two thousand quid, imho? Worth every penny.

It came on a bracelet.





I changed it to a nice strap.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I have a Seiko Quartz, love it. I set all my others by it. Cost me two thousand quid, imho? Worth every penny.

It came on a bracelet.





I changed it to a nice strap.

Nice!! I like the brushed top surfaces of the hands...

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[turboawd]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

I would pay this much for a 50 year maintenance free quartz in a heart beat.

50 years with no maintenance is quite a selling point

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[turboawd]

Originally Posted by lapince

Yeah nice watch but no way I would put 3k into a quartz watch, whatever the brand and quality, when for 4500-5000 you can get the same kind of watch but mechanical, would go for a spring drive from Seiko, find them interesting, IMHO you should wait, save up and get one, or a high beat GMT...

I do see your point of view. However in Canada for some reason GS pricing is a little different, not sure why. In Canada the mechanical grand​ Seikos are more like cad $6-7k, and at that price level tbh I'm looking more at Rolex... So at cad$2900 the gs quartz is less than half of gs mechanical, which is not bad...

Also $2900 Canadian translates into around usd$2100, so it's actually not that bad. That's close to some of the used prices I've seen this watch posted for on forum for sale sections

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[slorollin]

You know, if you're wearing a quartz they can track you from the Mother ship, right?

[lapince]

Originally Posted by turboawd

I do see your point of view. However in Canada for some reason GS pricing is a little different, not sure why. In Canada the mechanical grand​ Seikos are more like cad $6-7k, and at that price level tbh I'm looking more at Rolex... So at cad$2900 the gs quartz is less than half of gs mechanical, which is not bad...

Also $2900 Canadian translates into around usd$2100, so it's actually not that bad. That's close to some of the used prices I've seen this watch posted for on forum for sale sections

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Of course there are positive aspects, but for me having a good mechanical watch is like having a miniature factory or marvel on your wrist, so it is as interesting on the inside as on the outside, while a quartz is just interesting on the outside, when I got mine, a Cartier and a Breitling, I was 16 and 18, they were gifts, I didn't know better back then and just chose models I liked visually, now at 45 I regret not having chosen mechanical watches as I never wear them. If you say 2900 CAD is 2100 USD, that means that a mechanical GS at 6000 is about 4400 USD, that is far from Rolex prices, I would really take that or wait and save up for a Rolex, but I do get the desire for a nice watch quickly, Inwould wait and get a mechanical one but you are buying not me...

Originally Posted by slorollin

You know, if you're wearing a quartz they can track you from the Mother ship, right?

no need for a watch for that, they can basically do it with any kind of smartphone

[statsman]

Can I ask a question? On a traditional mechanical watch, the second hand moves a few times per second, based on frequency. Newer high end watches have the frequency high enough that the second almost appears to "glide" uniformly. On a traditional Quartz watch, the second hand moves in hitches, one second's motion every second.

I know the Seiko Spring Drive uses a Quartz element on a mechanical movement to provide a true "gliding" second hand movement. What is the second hand motion like on a GS Quartz? Thanks, and I'll hang up and listen.

[osamu]

They tick like a normal quartz. Technically a little different because it has a twin pulse motor so moves in 2 pulses per second, but in such a way completely impreciveable to the naked eye. It also has an anti-backlash maechanism so you don't get any vibration on the second hand.

I was worried if I could get used to the ticking again, but something about the way the 9F movement works, the ticks just look so much more precise and the hands move with, as I would describe, moving with a purpose from one second to the next, there is a certain pleasure from watching the second hand of this quartz over others.

I might be dramatizing it a bit, but it's definitely not something that bothers me.

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by osamu

They tick like a normal quartz. Technically a little different because it has a twin pulse motor so moves in 2 pulses per second, but in such a way completely impreciveable to the naked eye. It also has an anti-backlash maechanism so you don't get any vibration on the second hand.

I was worried if I could get used to the ticking again, but something about the way the 9F movement works, the ticks just look so much more precise and the hands move with, as I would describe, moving with a purpose from one second to the next, there is a certain pleasure from watching the second hand of this quartz over others.

I might be dramatizing it a bit, but it's definitely not something that bothers me.

Excellent description. I must admit, I was worried about the "ticking" but.like you, find it the movement exact and quite satisfying.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by lapince

Of course there are positive aspects, but for me having a good mechanical watch is like having a miniature factory or marvel on your wrist, so it is as interesting on the inside as on the outside, while a quartz is just interesting on the outside, when I got mine, a Cartier and a Breitling, I was 16 and 18, they were gifts, I didn't know better back then and just chose models I liked visually, now at 45 I regret not having chosen mechanical watches as I never wear them. If you say 2900 CAD is 2100 USD, that means that a mechanical GS at 6000 is about 4400 USD, that is far from Rolex prices, I would really take that or wait and save up for a Rolex, but I do get the desire for a nice watch quickly, Inwould wait and get a mechanical one but you are buying not me...



no need for a watch for that, they can basically do it with any kind of smartphone

Yes, for sure the desire for a nice watch now is playing a factor... In my situation got to strike while the iron is hot...

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