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12 August 2019, 11:03 AM | #1 |
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Perception of Grand Seikos?
I have to admit, I am a fan of many GS. How are they generally perceived by other members on this forum and watch collectors? They seem to be built like tanks but also very nice looking. I imagine there will be huge demand in the coming years once others get wind of the bang for the buck. Thoughts?
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12 August 2019, 11:09 AM | #2 |
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They make fantastic watches for travel and for shady areas.
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12 August 2019, 11:11 AM | #3 |
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The guy over at Watchfinder & Co just recently said "Grand Seiko's time is soon..I can feel it," and although that might be a sales pitch for his GS stock, I think a lot of people feel like GS is due a broader fan base. Interest in the brand is way up over what it was two years ago, though, that's for sure. And rightly so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKRnMus0V74
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12 August 2019, 11:12 AM | #4 |
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Can't go wrong with a GS. Most of the recent dial configurations are off the charts. Even the "vintage" stuff is can't-miss.
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12 August 2019, 11:18 AM | #5 |
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Grand Seiko are absolutely amazing -
I bit hard on the hook, and it enamored me to Seiko as well.. the "value for dollar" value proposition is something I interpret as respect for the customer, and very Japanese in its modesty and honorable effort to please. My only fear is that in an effort to be respected as a 'Veblen" item, they may raise the rices too quickly, and risk losing the value proposition - one of their greatest strengths.. I can appreciate the R&D, and the new design, and the dial, and the titanium with the "tokyo lion".. but the price really shocked me... I hope that it blows me away in person, because I had it as a "must buy" expecting a more modest price... of course, price wise, one could argue it is finally asking its worth... but the "more for less" was a big part of its draw as a brand.
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12 August 2019, 11:23 AM | #6 |
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They need more respect imo in the WIS world. Amazing value and incredible watches.
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16 August 2019, 11:10 AM | #7 |
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Not sure if this makes sense but here goes...I've never handled a GS but they sure seem like they can handle their own against anything Swiss. When the Japanese started producing Acuras, Infinities, and Lexus, people said that we wouldn't spend that kind of money on a Japanese car when you could buy a MB, Audi, or BMW for the same amount of money. After a few years people started buying the high end Japanese cars and never looked back. Not quite sure why this same logic never translated to watches.
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16 August 2019, 11:51 AM | #8 | |
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Quote:
Houston fairly recently got an AD... but its in a mall AD and displayed horribly. So i dont know what they are doing as thats just reinforcing the stereotype I absolutely would rather have a GS diver than a sub
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16 August 2019, 12:59 PM | #9 |
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16 August 2019, 01:39 PM | #10 |
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Best dials and hands in watchmaking.
The polishing on the hands and the angles they achieve are unbelievable even under magnification.
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16 August 2019, 01:41 PM | #11 | |
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16 August 2019, 01:55 PM | #12 |
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I think the brand is pretty soft right now, to be honest. Swiss enthusiasts think it's a joke, geeks think its too closely juxtaposed to the cheaper Seiko branding, and Joe on the street will just ask why didn't you buy a Rolex instead?
That said, I think it will one day be recognized for the quality in design and construction that it deserves, as well as its significance to horology. And 2019 has been a really great year, with its nature-inspired designs and stunning dials. I think eventually GS will be known as that brand with the great dials, if nothing else. Right now GS is in the right spot by being extremely limited in its production -- 35k a year, according to reports. I think it could improve it's marketing, tho, with better social media engagement and branding of specific pieces (everything is just reference numbers right now, which is cool for us geeks, but not the larger public). |
16 August 2019, 02:27 PM | #13 | |
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For whatever reason, the Japanese market kept this marvel largely to themselves in decades past. Whether due to a need to reach other markets, there has been a vigorous push lately. Whatever it is, GS truly makes wonderful watches. I think theyre priced just right. |
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16 August 2019, 02:32 PM | #14 |
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Even in the non watch geek circles i find myself in, when they see me wearing a nice seiko watch, the common next question is - is that a grand seiko? And this happens even if am not wearing a GS.
So i guess there is awareness that there is a nicer seiko brand out there. |
16 August 2019, 07:48 PM | #15 |
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5 years ago I had not seen a GS, I went to Leeds to buy a Rolex Sub, as I walked to the Rolex dealer I looked in a window of the only GS dealer in the UK (At that time), I was curious and went in to have a look, I bought a Hi Beat and a quartz there and then. I didn't have enough money for a sub so had to save up again for a year or two until I could afford and buy a new Rolex sub, but that's what I did.
After 5 years, I still have both GS but sold the Sub, it just wasn't getting the wrist time. I dont miss the Sub but would either of my GS. I have been in the Rolex AD in Leeds a couple of times, the man there said, "we like to see people who come in wearing Grand Seiko's, it shows they know about watches." Which is a nice compliment but not strictly true in my case.
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16 August 2019, 08:48 PM | #16 |
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My perception of grand seiko owners is theyre sensible buyers who value quality above all
My guess is more gs owners are WIS than rolex owners - percentage wise |
16 August 2019, 11:11 PM | #17 |
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Grand Seiko... hand made/hand finished... complete vertical integration... diehard fan base... small production numbers... reasonable pricing.
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16 August 2019, 11:15 PM | #18 | |
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Compared to huge Swiss brands, sure GS as a brand is relatively soft. You can't compare brands from the Swiss industry that have been marketing themselves to death for fifty years to GS which has been sold internationally for a decade. GS as a brand has never been stronger. Geeks as you call them do not think it's anywhere near standard Seiko branded watches. We are the ones who are buying them. They are getting attention from places like Hodinkee and other watch sites in a way they never have before. Joe on the street doesn't know what Grand Seiko.
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16 August 2019, 11:17 PM | #19 | |
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Lol, terrible comment for someone to make, regarding what they wear relative to what they know.....what a presumptuous act. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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16 August 2019, 11:36 PM | #20 |
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I would agree with this.
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17 August 2019, 02:09 AM | #21 | |
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GS, ALS, Moser, FPJ to name a few are far more likely to be high information buyers its the pitfall of mass market vs a more niche brand
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17 August 2019, 02:53 AM | #22 |
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17 August 2019, 05:15 AM | #23 |
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I’ve familiarizing myself with GS lately by reading and watching reviews, but I must say they impressed me even more when I got myself to see them in person. The details, finish and dials are absolutely stunning for the price.
The very small gripes I have is that most of the models are quite thick (for me) and the bracelets in design are not up to par with the dials. I do not yet own a GS, but I definitely planning to. |
17 August 2019, 06:50 AM | #24 |
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All this talk and it seems to center around aesthetics... and not movement. The Seiko Hi-Beat is awesome... and even the 4Hz movement is insanely accurate. Dont get me started on Spring Drive, it is on another level of accuracy.
GS needs to work on the bracelet a little bit as their straps are already there in terms of quality. |
17 August 2019, 07:01 AM | #25 |
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17 August 2019, 04:27 PM | #26 | |
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17 August 2019, 04:57 PM | #27 |
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I've had two Grand Seiko watches one automatic and one quartz. Both very well made albeit I wish the automatic was as thin as the quartz.
The automatic was a basic sbgr001 that I picked up in the mid 2000s, I had it serviced a year or two ago and to my surprise it had to go back to Japan for 3 or 4 months and the service cost as much as my VC overseas... for some reason I thought it would be cheaper! When it returned it kept horrible time. They offered for it to go back to japan again but I ended up just selling it. I liked the quartz model much better to be honest. I want to say it was an sbgx259?? Sorry bad memory, white dial 37mm with date. The white dial has a wonderful porcelain/enamel sort of look with the indices and text embossed and raised over the surface. Stunningly accurate. However, it would be nice if they updated the movement with some of the nice features of the citizen chronomaster, in particular perpetual calendar, and independent hour hand setting. Right now I've had my fill of the gs. Great watches, but they don't get the blood going any more. I think the little quartz is my favorite of what they do. |
17 August 2019, 05:12 PM | #28 |
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Just for fun, some pics of my two gs. Plus another under rated watch from Japan, the citizen chronomaster - quite impressive with paper dial, ti case, 5 second a year accuracy, with perpetual calendar function - maybe they should market it as grand citizen...
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17 August 2019, 06:00 PM | #29 |
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I had Grand Seiko on my short list for the longest time. It's hard 'experimenting' with a $6K watch. Well, I recently pulled the trigger on a hi beat and absolutely love the watch. It's at par with any Rolex DJ SS if not actually better. It's a masterpiece and a hugely underrated watch. Its details and presence, experience on the wrist is phenomenal. Photos do not due justice at all - it's a in-person watch.
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17 August 2019, 07:47 PM | #30 |
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I adore Seiko and my first ever watch I purchased for myself was a £120 Seiko, more money than I had ever spent on a watch when I was 21!
Now I've experimented with a few watches, I still admit the Grand Seiko line does little for me with their current line up. However, I class the Grand Seiko Snowflake as one of the most beautiful watches I've ever seen with the most beautiful dial. When someone says Grand Seiko, I immediatly think of the Snowflake and count down the days till I can own one! :) |
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