Which Grand Seiko would you buy first?

[scarlet knight]

I have a ton of Seiko watches, but no GS.

Where would you start? Snowflake?

I like classic watches, not flamboyant in design or color, most 38 to 40mm in dial diameter.

[Bearxj86]

The snowflake is 41mm...

If you want something a bit more limited and a bit smaller, try the SBGA 413/415 or the 387

[steeevvvooo]

Depends if you want dress, sports etc. I have a SBGA011 snowflake and although it is 41mm it is incredibly comfortable due to the bracelet and titanium construction. If you want a dressier watch though it's irrelevant.

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[JR16]

Another vote for snowflake- my first and still my favorite


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[DoctorA]

I didn’t like the weight of the titanium snowflake and got the SS SBGA387 and couldn't be happier!
Love the dial, case and details!

[Txkill]

If you like a little heftier watch that is in the same case as a snowflake and with a dial that’s killer...the timeless LE 249 is really great.


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[mongrelnomoad]

SBGA285.

Proper tool watch. Spring Drive, date, 72 hour reserve, black matt dial, brushed bracelet.

It's also 39mm.

Slam dunk for me. (Not my photo, btw, though I will buy one in the near future.)

[Bearxj86]

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[Trog]

Go BIG...go 'Zilla

[Old Expat Beast]

I have a few vintage Grand Seikos, but only one modern one, the SBGT235 Day-Date. All the amazing case, dial and hands finishing of the more expensive pieces, with the incredible 9F quartz movement. Always ready to go, and looks good with a wide range of attire, formal to casual.

[benlee]

Originally Posted by scarlet knight

I have a ton of Seiko watches, but no GS.

Where would you start? Snowflake?

I like classic watches, not flamboyant in design or color, most 38 to 40mm in dial diameter.

Snowflake is the iconic GS watch and the ref which makes them famous. But here are many others. If you prefer more dressy ones, I also recommend the SBGA407 (blue snowflake) or SBGA293 ( cream dial ). Both are also springdrive movements.

[NicoD]

Hi,

New on this forum, but I went through the phase of wanting a GS after some Seikos.

I would advise you to go to a Seiko Center to try on the watches before buying one.

In my case, I was dead-set on wanting a Snowflake. And I left with a deposit put down for a wonderful SBGJ203 (i.e. a Hi-Beat GMT Iwate dial model). I do not regret my choice since then :)

[DVR]

Why not go for GS DNA through and through?
The 44GS case is what defines Grand Seiko the most.
It's a watch case, yes, but at the same time it feels like a beautiful jewel.

It gives the impression you have a diamant on your wrist, it plays with light like no other watch can. And there are so many hidden details to admire. The way the bezel is conceived is just utter beauty, not just from the top but especially from the side.

But beside that incredible case you have a 100m watch so it can function as a sports/swim watch too.

The 44GS simply has it all. And last but not least, you can get them with Spring Drive. What's not to like ?

You can look for a limited edition but with the SBGA373/375 you get tremendous value for money. And both dials are gorgeous in their simplicity.
I have 5 Grand Seiko's and really like them all but if I could keep only one it would be the 375. It's what GS is all about imo.

[Pongster]

The first GS i bought was the Hi beat choco dial limited edition. I saw it at the Ginza boutique in 2016 and it sung to me. It was my first seiko and it got me hooked.

Having read more about GS, i targeted the snowflake (which i understand is the iconic modern GS on spring drive) next in 2017. Then the blue iwate in 2018 (as i am a sucker for blue dials). And this year i got my first vintage GS. Now thinking of getting a GS diver and a GS dress watch.

If i had to re-do it all over again, i might have started with the snowflake. Would still get a hi beat. Probably would get a manual wind iwate for variety (instead of the GMT i bought).

[MSchu]

Sbga387 or the sbgm231

[JParm]

I think the SBGW253 epitomizes what Grand Seiko is all about. Clean and classic design, beautiful lines and a simplicity that doesn't scream "look at me!". Absolutely stunning in person...pictures do not do this watch justice.

Only problem is that you'll probably pay above MSRP if you can find one on the pre-owned circuit, but my biased opinion is that it is the quintessential watch from GS.

[Bearxj86]

Agreed! One thing though just to be transparent is that I think GS does really well with dressy sports watches. While their dress watches are nice, they do however get a ton of competition with dress watches. I do agree that in the $4k to $6k segment they have very good dress watches with fine finishing; I think the only real competitor is JLC and maybe IwC there. However if you have the budget to go up to $10k to $20k range, there is a ton of competition especially preowned from Lange, Patek etc and these are in precious metals. I personally have enjoyed the dress watches but I find the straps, deployant buckles and even the case design a bit lackluster. I prefer putting the sports pieces like the SBGA413 on a strap.

Originally Posted by jpeezy14@hotmail.com

I think the SBGW253 epitomizes what Grand Seiko is all about. Clean and classic design, beautiful lines and a simplicity that doesn't scream "look at me!". Absolutely stunning in person...pictures do not do this watch justice.

Only problem is that you'll probably pay above MSRP if you can find one on the pre-owned circuit, but my biased opinion is that it is the quintessential watch from GS.

[WS9D]

If you like GMTs, the SBGJ201 is amazing.

There’s no right answer here. GS has so many beautiful offerings. You really have to see them in person and see what jumps out at you. I went into my AD thinking one thing, and left with something else.


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[RolexBHR]

If your gonna have one GS only go Snowflake. If you plan to have a few GS's overtime then just pick the one you like and go from there, bunch of good options in this thread already.

[Rrpdc]

Snowflake for sure.

[white__light]

Originally Posted by dvr

why not go for gs dna through and through?
The 44gs case is what defines grand seiko the most.
It's a watch case, yes, but at the same time it feels like a beautiful jewel.

It gives the impression you have a diamant on your wrist, it plays with light like no other watch can. And there are so many hidden details to admire. The way the bezel is conceived is just utter beauty, not just from the top but especially from the side.

But beside that incredible case you have a 100m watch so it can function as a sports/swim watch too.

The 44gs simply has it all. And last but not least, you can get them with spring drive. What's not to like ?

You can look for a limited edition but with the sbga373/375 you get tremendous value for money. And both dials are gorgeous in their simplicity.
I have 5 grand seiko's and really like them all but if i could keep only one it would be the 375. It's what gs is all about imo.

+1

[ap1]

Timeless gmt

[Helmi]

Wait until March then buy this



SBGJ235

[scarlet knight]

Keep’em coming!

[YMII]

For me, the SBGA387 combines the three main attributes that distinguish Grand Seiko:
- 44GS case
- Spring Drive movement
- special, extraordinary dial

[subtona]

Originally Posted by jpeezy14@hotmail.com

I think the SBGW253 epitomizes what Grand Seiko is all about. Clean and classic design, beautiful lines and a simplicity that doesn't scream "look at me!". Absolutely stunning in person...pictures do not do this watch justice.

Only problem is that you'll probably pay above MSRP if you can find one on the pre-owned circuit, but my biased opinion is that it is the quintessential watch from GS.

This is my choice!

Ps. Strap works well

[DoctorA]

Originally Posted by YMII

For me, the SBGA387 combines the three main attributes that distinguish Grand Seiko:
- 44GS case
- Spring Drive movement
- special, extraordinary dial

Very well said!!

[scarlet knight]

But that is an attractive watch face!

[toucan]

Originally Posted by bearxj86

The snowflake is 41mm...

If you want something a bit more limited and a bit smaller, try the SBGA 413/415 or the 387

This

[Locust]

Originally Posted by Helmi

Wait until March then buy this



SBGJ235

I second that.