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Old 30 December 2018, 07:22 AM   #1
mfm22
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Icon5 Grand Seiko ?

I'm not familiar with this division seems to be way up in Quality

Can anyone Briefly explain the appeal / design features
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Old 30 December 2018, 07:30 AM   #2
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A lot more can be said by people more knowledgeable than me but the quality of Grand Seiko is very high while the price is not. I own Rolex and AP and the GS’s bring me the most joy because
1. I am not afraid to wear them (who would rob you for a Seiko)
2. The price is much lower than entry level Rolex.
3. The quality and beauty are off the chart.

GS offers more bang for the buck than any other luxury watch brand.
You really feel like you own a truly handmade timepiece when you wear one.

And don’t think that the nice JDM Seiko’s compare to GS.
I convinced myself that sub $1k SARX055 and SARX035 were comparable to GS’s SBGA003 and SBGA011.
Once I bought the SBGA’s, the SARX’s began collecting dust
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Old 30 December 2018, 09:02 AM   #3
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Unique Japanese design. Extremely high level finishing of the case, dial, hands and indices. Above average movement finishing. Priced similar to an omega with the dial side finishing that rivals the likes of Lange and Sohne and Patek.
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Old 30 December 2018, 09:31 AM   #4
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try one on, you'll know
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Old 30 December 2018, 09:49 AM   #5
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If you are looking for value for money in the $4-6k range; very little can beat a grand seiko.

Snowflake is a classic, the 387 is a good US only limited edition.

Spring drive, 36000 bps hi-beats, zaratsu polishing are all part of the package.
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Old 30 December 2018, 11:31 AM   #6
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Priced similar to an omega with the dial side finishing that rivals the likes of Lange and Sohne and Patek.
Agreed. Incredible handsets and dials.
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Old 30 December 2018, 11:48 AM   #7
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Can not deal with pin &collars. Would only be interested in the screw link options
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Old 30 December 2018, 11:49 AM   #8
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I'm not familiar with this division seems to be way up in Quality

Can anyone Briefly explain the appeal / design features
Incredible value for the watch u get! Finishing is amazing. The dials they produce are so unique. Really makes Rolex look boring in a way. If GS has the brand recognition of some of the more we’ll known brands, they would easily be selling for $$$$$ more. There was a good thread posted not to long ago with a video about the GS history. A must watch. I am slowly converting from Rolex and now have a couple GS as well as some amazing regular Seiko divers. Even at $300 the value those offer is amazing.

Most non-wis people won’t know what a GS is in the wild. I’m okay with that and over wearing things people recognize.
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Old 30 December 2018, 01:42 PM   #9
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Priced similar to an omega with the dial side finishing that rivals the likes of Lange and Sohne and Patek.
I do not know whether I would go that far (I have a GS, Patek, and Lange), but the dial finishing on GS is amazing, especially for the price point. My only issue with GS is I wish they made thinner watches.
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Old 30 December 2018, 01:55 PM   #10
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Can not deal with pin &collars. Would only be interested in the screw link options
Well better scratch a Nautilus from your list of watches you could wear.
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Old 31 December 2018, 01:23 AM   #11
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I do not know whether I would go that far (I have a GS, Patek, and Lange), but the dial finishing on GS is amazing ...
I would.



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Old 31 December 2018, 02:05 AM   #12
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Can not deal with pin &collars. Would only be interested in the screw link options


Both of my GS have screws with pins very similar to my Omega Speedy bracelet. Very easy to size as long as u don’t drop any of the screws.

I forgot to mention in my previous post, I’m not one to inspect my watches with a loupe prior to walking out of the store. If I can’t see it with the naked eye, no problem. When I bought my GS Gmt, I decided to use the loupe in the store, not to find flaws, but to admire the finishing that was there. I was blown away by the level of detail I saw on the dial, indices, and hands.

On my other GS, there is no lume. Initially I thought this may be a problem but quickly learned I was wrong. The finishing and polishing of the hands are so amazing, they will reflect just the tiniest light available so I can see the time in the darkest off settings (not pitch black though).

I have such admiration and respect for the quality and craftsmanship that goes into these. I used to think one day in retirement I’ll finally get a PP. that thought has come and gone because of my own personal discovery of GS.




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Old 31 December 2018, 02:06 AM   #13
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I have a Seiko Sumo that I always felt was a great value for what it is
Grand Seiko does look like they took it to a high level May be worth a look
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Old 31 December 2018, 04:14 AM   #14
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I do not know whether I would go that far (I have a GS, Patek, and Lange), but the dial finishing on GS is amazing, especially for the price point. My only issue with GS is I wish they made thinner watches.


I currently have a GS and PP but have owned several PP and one Lange. I would but it’s a matter of opinion I suppose.
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Old 31 December 2018, 08:21 AM   #15
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Can not deal with pin &collars. Would only be interested in the screw link options
life's hardships huh ?
My SBGE201 has (tiny) screws and pins. It took my a moment to realize i only need unscrew the screw, turn over the bracelet and give it a soft tap to pop out the pin from the other side. Piece of cake and because the pin isn't physically to the links by a threaded screw, it wont be backed out as the links move... smart engineering, no loctite nonsense.

If you like the aesthetics, ( and I don't like all of them), they are untouchable at their pricepoint.
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Old 31 December 2018, 12:43 PM   #16
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There's a boutique in NYC, not sure where exactly you might be (NYC or NYS) but if you can get there and see the lineup that'd be a good start. The Boutique also carries other Seiko lines and so you can compare GS side by side with those.
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Old 31 December 2018, 12:58 PM   #17
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I just picked up an SBGA387 today. My first GS and color me impressed.
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Old 31 December 2018, 02:42 PM   #18
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I currently have a GS and PP but have owned several PP and one Lange. I would but it’s a matter of opinion I suppose.
I don't know if there's any truth to it, but the salesman at the Grand Seiko boutique in Beverly Hills says the bulk of his clientele are existing Patek owners.
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Old 31 December 2018, 02:58 PM   #19
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This "ten things about GS" video is worth watching for newcomers to the brand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfhhxC1VHDA
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Old 31 December 2018, 05:59 PM   #20
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I don't know if there's any truth to it, but the salesman at the Grand Seiko boutique in Beverly Hills says the bulk of his clientele are existing Patek owners.
Certainly true in my case, and a few Patek owners in this forum also owns GS.
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Old 31 December 2018, 07:42 PM   #21
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I don't know if there's any truth to it, but the salesman at the Grand Seiko boutique in Beverly Hills says the bulk of his clientele are existing Patek owners.
Makes sense to me. I would think about it this way. The "average" Rolex buyer the name, the prestige, the showoff factor is definitely a selling point and now you are gong to also add a Seiko, grand or otherwise? no
Certainly that isnt true of every Rolex owner or a WIS, but generally i see it that way with most people i know IRL who own one and its very important other people know what it is.

A patek owner already wears watches no one on the street has any idea about to begin with. A Grand Seiko is a stealth watch in much the same way.
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Old 1 January 2019, 11:49 PM   #22
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Thanks for the feedback & the video link. Saw a few at local AD , most seemed dressy and as was mentioned they are a bit thick off wrist .

Any models more sporty
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Old 2 January 2019, 02:10 AM   #23
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Thanks for the feedback & the video link. Saw a few at local AD , most seemed dressy and as was mentioned they are a bit thick off wrist .

Any models more sporty
Did you look at any of their GMT or Dive watches? I gave up my GMT Master for this and couldn’t be happier. Unbelievable quality.
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Old 2 January 2019, 03:50 AM   #24
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Did you look at any of their GMT or Dive watches? I gave up my GMT Master for this and couldn’t be happier. Unbelievable quality.
That’s a beautiful watch! I saw it in the metal the other day. Wow!
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Old 2 January 2019, 04:00 AM   #25
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Did you look at any of their GMT or Dive watches? I gave up my GMT Master for this and couldn’t be happier. Unbelievable quality.


I flipped my EXii towards mine and also couldn’t be happier


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Old 3 January 2019, 11:24 AM   #26
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It is stealth.

Really though, it takes a certain level of appreciation of watches to want to shell out a few grand on a Seiko. You just have to love horology and appreciate the craft to a certain degree to buy one.

They are just tremendous value for what they are.
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Old 19 January 2019, 10:14 AM   #27
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Patek vs. Grand Seiko

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I don't know if there's any truth to it, but the salesman at the Grand Seiko boutique in Beverly Hills says the bulk of his clientele are existing Patek owners.
Just like a Patek owner I know, I wear a GS understanding that few will ever recognize, or even mildly appreciate what I have. Like my friend, Impressing others, or an Impressive cost is NOT what drove my purchase. Owning and personally enjoying something of uncompromised quality and exquisite craftsmanship that I could proudly pass down one day was my shared goal. GS lives in this territory, and just happens, at least for now, to be an absolute steal. Now that's doubly impressive !! I chose to purchase one of the few remaining, still on-the-shelf "Seiko Grand Seikos", an SBGE001, in Feb of 2018. Why? I simply wanted to secure the Legacy of having appreciated the Brand's value early on - and for this Legacy to pass down with the watch itself.
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Old 19 January 2019, 01:58 PM   #28
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It is stealth.

Really though, it takes a certain level of appreciation of watches to want to shell out a few grand on a Seiko. You just have to love horology and appreciate the craft to a certain degree to buy one.

They are just tremendous value for what they are.
8A24C067-FB4A-4E2C-9D61-DC629A748238.jpeg
“A deal at twice the price.”
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Old 22 January 2019, 04:48 AM   #29
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Attachment 1013919

“A deal at twice the price.”

True words and I love that shot!
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Old 22 January 2019, 10:40 AM   #30
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Did you look at any of their GMT or Dive watches? I gave up my GMT Master for this and couldn’t be happier. Unbelievable quality.
Wow what is this model?
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