Is the build quality of grand seiko greater than rolex?

[Nodelicious]

I don't own a gs. I have a gv gauss.

Anyone with both - what's the deal?

[SUBversive]

Originally Posted by Nodelicious

I don't own a gs. I have a gv gauss.

Anyone with both - what's the deal?

Don't own a grand seiko but I will go out on a limb (think a short one) and say no

[financeman]

Originally Posted by SUBversive

Don't own a grand seiko but I will go out on a limb (think a short one) and say no

I would have to agree with this. The GS is a nice watch but I don't think the build quality will ever be superior to a Rolex

[Ardalan]

Originally Posted by financeman

i would have to agree with this. The gs is a nice watch but i don't think the build quality will ever be superior to a rolex

+1

[NAVY]

If you haven't seen or held an actual GS watch, then you have no idea what you're talking about.

[J. Alan]

Originally Posted by NAVY

If you haven't seen or held an actual GS watch, then you have no idea what you're talking about.

Rather harsh, but I tend to agree. You have to handle, try on, and examine the actual GS in the flesh to appreciate the quality. I have personally done this many times and I have based all my positive comments because of multiple visits to the GS Seiko AD. I have the GS HiBeat in my sights for 2013.

Brian, thanks for all the great pictures you have posted of the GS line.

J. Alan

[RanHong]

Originally Posted by financeman

I would have to agree with this. The GS is a nice watch but I don't think the build quality will ever be superior to a Rolex

you clearly have never held a GS.

I own both multiple rolex and GS, trust me, GS is perfection even under a loupe.

[jacksprat]

Originally Posted by SUBversive

Don't own a grand seiko but I will go out on a limb (think a short one) and say no

retract the limb before it gets cutoff

The Grand Seiko is on par with Rolex as far as build quality. I have seen one under a loupe in person. Name recognition though, not so much.

[J. Alan]

Do not close this post because of the occasional idiot or troll. Padi, a Seiko GS lover because he knows quality, is closely monitoring this post and is quickly dropping the hammer on these goofs.

There is some great dialog with wonderful pictures being posted.

As a multiple Rolex, JLC, Breitling, Omega, and Hublot owner, my 2013 purchase will be a Grand Seiko HiBeat. I have seen this watch in person, held it in my hand, and had it on my wrist. It is a stunning piece that belongs in the top ranks of the watch making industry. SEIKO!!!

J. Alan

[padi56]

Originally Posted by J. Alan

Do not close this post because of the occasional idiot or troll. Padi, a Seiko GS lover because he knows quality, is closely monitoring this post and is quickly dropping the hammer on these goofs.

There is some great dialog with wonderful pictures being posted.

As a multiple Rolex, JLC, Breitling, Omega, and Hublot owner, my 2013 purchase will be a Grand Seiko HiBeat. I have seen this watch in person, held it in my hand, and had it on my wrist. It is a stunning piece that belongs in the top ranks of the watch making industry. SEIKO!!!

J. Alan

Well perhaps the word idiot is a bit strong I would say they have little real knowledge in the watch world in general, and most are stereo typed and blinkered by the word Seiko.I hope now that the many that were,now have open there eyes to the watch it self, and not to a name on the dial.But even in the Rolex world today many just wear the Rolex name and no sod all about the watch,only the fact that they are expensive. But over the many years of being around mechanical watches,and the fascination even with my first mechanical watch a Swiss Lucerne more than 50 years ago.I have grown to respect all brands of mechanical watches no matter the brand.Although my love for Rolex in general today is more now for the history of the brand especially the vintage.

[jlc123]

I often consider getting a grand seiko, then I realize that I could use the same amount of money to buy a JLC, Rolex, or Omega 8500.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by financeman

I would have to agree with this. The GS is a nice watch but I don't think the build quality will ever be superior to a Rolex

Will in many ways the Seiko Grand or any of the high end Seiko range can equal or better even Rolex except in brand name.

Originally Posted by jlc123

I often consider getting a grand seiko, then I realize that I could use the same amount of money to buy a JLC, Rolex, or Omega 8500.

Thats the main problem most people stereo type Seiko the brand as a producer of high street low end cost watches.Its much like many say about Tudor its not a Rolex but Tudor and Seiko Grand make excellent products.

[gslaskin]

Absolutely the GS is better. Don't believe me? Get one of both and look at them under a loupe. No comparison.

[avusblue]

Originally Posted by gslaskin

Absolutely the GS is better. Don't believe me? Get one of both and look at them under a loupe. No comparison.

This is 100% correct. I have owned multiples of both brands (Rolex and GS), and I currently own one of each. Both brands produce enduring, classic watches of integrity and refined design. Both are to be respected for their in-house manufacture capability. But guys, remember: the original question was not "which brand is more prestigious to the general public?" It was "which brand has greater build quality?". And having owned and handled both, I have consistently observed that the quality and artistry of GS finishing and workmanship is simply superior to Rolex's factory-built machining. To the scoffers amongst us, I suggest you take a look at each under a loupe and become a believer. The hand-made dial, hands, and markers of the GS are just incredibly miraculous works of art. Anyone who says otherwise has not given a GS a close inspection. And the Spring Drive movement has simply reinvented how to execute a mechanical timepiece . . . no one else in the world has come anywhere close to this innovation. It is a work of art that reflects the best of classic mechanical horology -- while delivering superlative accuracy performance that's unequalled by any old-fashioned "pure" mechanical.

What GS does not have is a brand that's widely acknowledged by the masses as "prestigious." Rolex obviously does have that. Nothing wrong with Rolex -- they obviously sell a lot of watches and over the decades they have developed the most widely recognized prestige brand in the world. And Rolex has a deeper AD network and after-sale service network that is also an advantage.

If you want your friends and neighbors to know you are a man of deep means, show them your Rolex. But once again, the original question was whether the GS has build quality greater than Rolex. I believe the answer to that question is a definite "yes". And to the educated, mature, WIS -- a collector who has been around the block and really knows his stuff -- I believe the Grand Seiko watches are deserving of higher respect, for that very reason.

My $.02 as a man who owns both. Respectfully,

Dave

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by avusblue

....to the educated, mature, WIS -- a collector who has been around the block and really knows his stuff -- I believe the Grand Seiko watches are deserving of higher respect, for that very reason.

I concur. Excellence deserves respect, regardless of the name that's tattoo'd on it.

[kilyung]

I've had both and IMO they're both of comparable quality.

[gregvisser]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I've had both and IMO they're both of comparable quality.

From what I have seen I must agree. But as far as the man in the street goes, it is just a Seiko and you paid Rolex money for it.

Greg

[Dweller of the Sea]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I've had both and IMO they're both of comparable quality.

I agree.

The GS quality is on the same level as Omega and Rolex, as is the case and bracelet.

[Nodelicious]

Originally Posted by gslaskin

Absolutely the GS is better. Don't believe me? Get one of both and look at them under a loupe. No comparison.

Is Rolex product overpriced then? Or is GS the best deal in town?

[ecsub44]

Originally Posted by Nodelicious

Is Rolex product overpriced then? Or is GS the best deal in town?

Prices are pretty comparable in a lot of ways.

[Venusfly]

Originally Posted by Nodelicious

Is Rolex product overpriced then? Or is GS the best deal in town?

Either way, I'd still take the Rolex.

[dsio]

Considerably better, have a look at an SBGA003 under a loupe and you can see the level of detail in the alternating brushed and polished facets of the hour markers and hands, the detail is astonishing. By contrast Rolex managed to sell a pile of white Milgauss' into the market with defectively printed dial text... I don't think GS would let that slip by QA.

[Flyjet601]

Originally Posted by dsio

Considerably better, have a look at an SBGA003 under a loupe and you can see the level of detail in the alternating brushed and polished facets of the hour markers and hands, the detail is astonishing. By contrast Rolex managed to sell a pile of white Milgauss' into the market with defectively printed dial text... I don't think GS would let that slip by QA.

What's defective?

[TimeOnMyHands]

Originally Posted by dsio

By contrast Rolex managed to sell a pile of white Milgauss' into the market with defectively printed dial text... /IMG_2412.jpg[/IMG]

That is a brutal 'oversight' in production.

[Furbo]

The text (milgauss) is not centered.

[Mickey®]

Originally Posted by Furbo

The text (milgauss) is not centered.

Ouch.
That might drive me crazy

[Greg G]

Milgauss is on the centerline of the dial (as far as my eyes can tell).

It is the Rolex and Oyster Perpetual that are off center to the left.

Shoddy work. If I saw that watch on someone's wrist, not knowing better, I might think it a fake.

I was about to post something in favor of Rolex in this thread, but I think dsio made a point.

[dsio]

Originally Posted by Greg G

Milgauss is on the centerline of the dial (as far as my eyes can tell).

It is the Rolex and Oyster Perpetual that are off center to the left.

Shoddy work. If I saw that watch on someone's wrist, not knowing better, I might think it a fake.

I was about to post something in favor of Rolex in this thread, but I think dsio made a point.

Its actually even more than that, the dial is printed with two colours, orange and black, each is stamped separately rather than all at once. The orange is lined up perfectly, from the chapter ring to the word Milgauss.

The black however is completely wrong, not only is the wording Rolex Oyster Perpetual wrong, but the words "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" are also offset the same amount, and even the "SWISS MADE" at the bottom of the dial is shifted to the left.

[Flyjet601]

Originally Posted by Greg G

Milgauss is on the centerline of the dial (as far as my eyes can tell).

It is the Rolex and Oyster Perpetual that are off center to the left.

Shoddy work. If I saw that watch on someone's wrist, not knowing better, I might think it a fake.

I was about to post something in favor of Rolex in this thread, but I think dsio made a point.

Never noticed but you can certainly see it from that angle......

You may have a new collectors rare, off center, Milgauss....lol

[PMiddy]

Originally Posted by Greg G

Milgauss is on the centerline of the dial (as far as my eyes can tell).

It is the Rolex and Oyster Perpetual that are off center to the left.

Shoddy work. If I saw that watch on someone's wrist, not knowing better, I might think it a fake.

I was about to post something in favor of Rolex in this thread, but I think dsio made a point.

That's what I see as well....that's a problem...c'mon Rolex really??