GS SBGY007 Omiwatari

[mjolnir2thor]

Bought my first GS today and it is a beauty!

I do have a question... I have a 6 3/4" wrist and wear my watch on my left hand. When I put on the Omiwatari, I noticed that excess length from the strap was pointed inwards towards me versus away. Seems the buckle portion of the strap needed to be moved to the top of the watch head. When I made this modification, everything seem right in the world.

Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon?

[TimeAZ]

The Japanese convention is reverse to that which we are accustomed to in the western world. I believe part of that is the idea that the excess strap tucked towards you is less apparent to others and therefore the neater and 'more perfect' way to wear it. Personally, I like the buckle at the 12 o clock side and would flip it, as you did

[Cru Jones]

Having the strap end pointing towards you is the classic/traditional/formal way (Japanese or Western). But rules are made to be broken. ;-)

[mjolnir2thor]

Originally Posted by TimeAZ

The Japanese convention is reverse to that which we are accustomed to in the western world. I believe part of that is the idea that the excess strap tucked towards you is less apparent to others and therefore the neater and 'more perfect' way to wear it. Personally, I like the buckle at the 12 o clock side and would flip it, as you did

That makes sense... at first I thought that perhaps it was oriented for wear on the right wrist because of the buckle position. Thanks for the response... good to know it wasn't just me!

[mjolnir2thor]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Having the strap end pointing towards you is the classic/traditional/formal way (Japanese or Western). But rules are made to be broken. ;-)

Didn't know that... it just felt so strange that I changed it.

[pmac1010]

I was speaking with a GS AD last week and we talked about this. He said it's done this way so that when a sales rep presents the watch to a customer, the dial is facing the customer. The pointed end of the strap is on the 12 o'clock side so that it doesn't point towards the customer, which is considered rude in Japanese culture.
I can't verify this is true, but he says this is what GS reps told him when he asked about it.

[Old Expat Beast]

As long as I have been collecting, I think that I've only seen vintage (1960s-1970s) Grand Seiko and King Seiko (and Seiko in general) Japanese print ads showing leather straps fitted the "regular" way.

[Jack T]

Heard this same explanation from my AD. The SBGY007 is a beauty, the dial is a model of simplicity, no power reserve gauge to disrupt the serenity; and the case is sleek.

It is high on my list, along with one or two other GS models, will pull the trigger this week.

Hope you enjoy

[mjolnir2thor]

Originally Posted by pmac1010

I was speaking with a GS AD last week and we talked about this. He said it's done this way so that when a sales rep presents the watch to a customer, the dial is facing the customer. The pointed end of the strap is on the 12 o'clock side so that it doesn't point towards the customer, which is considered rude in Japanese culture.
I can't verify this is true, but he says this is what GS reps told him when he asked about it.

Interesting… given the Japanese culture it makes a lot of sense. This fact adds to the uniqueness of the watch for me but it was just so odd to wear it that way so I switched it around.

Thank you for responding to the post.

[mjolnir2thor]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

As long as I have been collecting, I think that I've only seen vintage (1960s-1970s) Grand Seiko and King Seiko (and Seiko in general) Japanese print ads showing leather straps fitted the "regular" way.

I wonder if they were thinking about targeting the US market at that one point?

[mjolnir2thor]

Originally Posted by Jack T

Heard this same explanation from my AD. The SBGY007 is a beauty, the dial is a model of simplicity, no power reserve gauge to disrupt the serenity; and the case is sleek.

It is high on my list, along with one or two other GS models, will pull the trigger this week.

Hope you enjoy

I have a formal event coming up and was looking for a more formal non-sports watch to wear with a suit. I pretty much settled on a GS but had a heck of a time choosing between the SBGY007, SBGY013, and SBGK017 but in the end was captivated by the Omiwatari, on a leather strap, and the hint of blue on the dial.

Haven’t worn the watch yet but the event is coming up. Keeo us posted with a NWA

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by mjolnir2thor

I wonder if they were thinking about targeting the US market at that one point?

No, Grand Seiko and King Seiko were only available for sale in Japan back then (with a couple of rare exceptions). Grand Seiko only went international in 2010.

[mjolnir2thor]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

No, Grand Seiko and King Seiko were only available for sale in Japan back then (with a couple of rare exceptions). Grand Seiko only went international in 2010.

Then that Ad is quiet a rarity!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by mjolnir2thor

Then that Ad is quiet a rarity!

If you do a Google image search for the term Vintage Grand Seiko advert you can find several with straps arranged the normal way like that one I posted earlier. In fact I've never seen a picture of a reverse strap arrangement, like you describe, in old print ads or vintage GS catalogs.

PS: If it's a deployant clasp, though, then it's normal for it to be the way you describe yours, and many Swiss watch brands have that setup, with the buckle on the six side.