$55,000 Grand Seiko?

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Chrislec

True in a way. But from a brand with lower luxury perception than other brands regularly selling in that price range, it should offer something more substantial in terms of design, something more unique.

Someone mentioned above it's a 'Toyota'.... That is right, they should've made it look like a supercar's watch. Not a sedan.

It's full of impressive stuff under the hood, but I'm forced to say from 1 meter distance it looks like a similar designed watch 55 times cheaper.....

I’m not sure GS has lower luxury perception. Perhaps amongst the Swiss lovers, GS is lower, but in Asia it is top of the line.

FWIW, a platona doesn’t look like more than a garish Daytona. One has to know it is special for it to feel special. Held closely, it looks the same as its cheaper SS brother. There isn’t anything special about it that makes it a $55k watch other than the Pt. Whereas, the GS is amazing up close. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are far better than a comparably priced Rolex.

If you buy a watch for status, or flip regularly, this one is not for you. A PP is probably a safer bet. But if you love exquisite craftsmanship and engineering, and intend to keep it, this one is worth the money.

[incontrol]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I’m not sure GS has lower luxury perception. Perhaps amongst the Swiss lovers, GS is lower, but in Asia it is top of the line.



FWIW, a platona doesn’t look like more than a garish Daytona. One has to know it is special for it to feel special. Held closely, it looks the same as its cheaper SS brother. There isn’t anything special about it that makes it a $55k watch other than the Pt. Whereas, the GS is amazing up close. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are far better than a comparably priced Rolex.



If you buy a watch for status, or flip regularly, this one is not for you. A PP is probably a safer bet. But if you love exquisite craftsmanship and engineering, and intend to keep it, this one is worth the money.

I could not have said this any better!


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[Chrislec]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I’m not sure GS has lower luxury perception. Perhaps amongst the Swiss lovers, GS is lower, but in Asia it is top of the line.

FWIW, a platona doesn’t look like more than a garish Daytona. One has to know it is special for it to feel special. Held closely, it looks the same as its cheaper SS brother. There isn’t anything special about it that makes it a $55k watch other than the Pt. Whereas, the GS is amazing up close. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are far better than a comparably priced Rolex.

If you buy a watch for status, or flip regularly, this one is not for you. A PP is probably a safer bet. But if you love exquisite craftsmanship and engineering, and intend to keep it, this one is worth the money.

Absolutely. And you got me on the Platona/Daytona remark.

However I'm not sure I would agree with you on the perception of GS in Asia. At least not in the part of Asia I live in (China/HK/TW). In China I must admit GS has a pretty low status. Maybe it is by ignorance of the brand, as most people I know think GS=Seiko. Period.
Here, where face and status are extremely important, a 55k watch must look like a 55k watch. The sophistication and culture of horology hasn't yet reached its peak here.

In HK where people have a much longer history of appreciation of horology, I had a few talks with friends about GS which shown it is somehow agreed GS is doing nice and special pieces. But in the end it always finishes with the same comment "...but it's still a Seiko".
I can't say it's really negative - because although being a Rolex guy I like GS and Seiko designs / craftsmanship, having a few vintage and modern and wearing one right now. It was just not the same impression.

I can't say it's good or bad. It's just a fact.
GS is a bit like Kavalan, the Taiwanese whisky. My EU family unanimously says "meh... Scotch are the best". But that's ignoring it's a Kavalan Solist which was elected best whisky in the world last year.
Perception vs reality.


I'd like to hear the opinion of other Asians about GS.
In Japan I don't know but I can easily imagine GS is an institution, probably a national pride stealing the first place to Rolex/AP/PP/JLC and others.

[michaelodonnell123]

With that level of build quality & craftsmanship, it is indeed worth the asking price. Is there another watch on the market, at that level of quality for less?

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by michaelodonnell123

With that level of build quality & craftsmanship, it is indeed worth the asking price. Is there another watch on the market, at that level of quality for less?

i agree. Ive yet to "get it" when it comes to GS... but the quality is undeniable.

[benlee]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I’m not sure GS has lower luxury perception. Perhaps amongst the Swiss lovers, GS is lower, but in Asia it is top of the line.

FWIW, a platona doesn’t look like more than a garish Daytona. One has to know it is special for it to feel special. Held closely, it looks the same as its cheaper SS brother. There isn’t anything special about it that makes it a $55k watch other than the Pt. Whereas, the GS is amazing up close. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are far better than a comparably priced Rolex.

If you buy a watch for status, or flip regularly, this one is not for you. A PP is probably a safer bet. But if you love exquisite craftsmanship and engineering, and intend to keep it, this one is worth the money.

Well said.

[benlee]

Originally Posted by Chrislec

In HK where people have a much longer history of appreciation of horology, I had a few talks with friends about GS which shown it is somehow agreed GS is doing nice and special pieces. But in the end it always finishes with the same comment "...but it's still a Seiko".

Actually, from my experience, the opposite is probably true. I have yet to encounter any true "WIS" watch collectors with a true appreciation of horology and really know their stuff would think lightly of Grand Seiko as "it's still a Seiko". Yes, and that include many of us in Asia.

[yannis]

I like SEIKOs and Grand SEIKO but if i ever had that much money to spend on a watch, that would only be a Patek.

[maahno]

wow

[MinMay]

I just can't see myself buying it :) . Sorry...

[returntorolex]

Originally Posted by locutus49

How does GS differ from Credor, which I thought was Seiko's high-end watch?

Originally Posted by PJ S

GS is the regular everyday watch, Credor is the line which gets specialised treatment like diamonds and manually wound Spring Drive movements.
Made in smaller numbers, so more exclusive.

Is there a good source to see Credor collection?

[PJ S]

^
Seiko Boutiques in NY, Miami, and possibly Timeless Lux in Frisco.

[rolexbrand]

This is amazing, expensive and lovely, i wish to get it on my Birthday,as a birthday gift for myself

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by michaelodonnell123

With that level of build quality & craftsmanship, it is indeed worth the asking price. Is there another watch on the market, at that level of quality for less?

Agree, totally worth it if one is after and appreciates the highest levels of quality, engineering, and hand craftsmanship.

20 examples of these GSs per year built/hand-finished by the 10 or so grandmaster watchmakers in the Credor studio who are bona fide fanatics about perfection at every stage and what they produce as a finished product. You aren't going to find anything Swiss comparable for the price.

There's always lots of talk about how Seiko doesn't understand how to market their GS products etc., but the lack of understanding why they do what they do and who's doing it is the reverse.

These are Pride pieces, and the entire point of the exercise is to showcase the highest levels of Seiko engineering and attention to detail of the most-capable Seiko craftsmen. Pride at the personal level, for Seiko, and Japanese watchmaking. They're all aware of this. Although they're branching out to the world now, GS by and large was/is for domestic consumption in a culture that scrutinizes closely and rates the output and quality of work of everything whether it's cars, farm produce, or sweeping a factory floor. They decide to produce beef for eating, they come up with wagyu and all that production entails, including an award for the best. Whiskey, they wind up producing excellent examples. Cameras, we all know that story. Go to the bathroom?...hey, why not design and engineer the most advanced toilets in the world even though nobody else was out there beating a drum for them.

The common denominator in all these things is that they let the end result of their efforts do the talking and the quality of product speak for itself.

Based on quality, engineering, and hand-craftsmanship that achieves as close to perfection as possible inside and out, the real question that becomes obvious is why one earth would anyone spend the same kind of money on something like a Platinum Rolex Daytona?

[EdwardC]

Look very clean. But for that amount of money... there's at least a dozen models from other brands I would consider.

[ppoonndddd]

It’s worth.

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by ppoonndddd

It’s worth...

congrats!
More wristshots please!!!

[ppoonndddd]

�

[pickettt]

Superior quality to $55,000 worth of anything else.

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by ppoonndddd

...

Thx - love it!!!

[sales1]

Very lovely watch but expensive not for everyone.

[dr35mm]

Originally Posted by 77T

Technically impressive but not worth the price IMHO.
For that level of money I'd go with a PP.

Or ALS datograph Platinum as well.


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[daveathall]

In my opinion, most people who have 50K to lay down on a watch will have a high end collection any way, this piece will enhance any collection.

[Kinnakeet]

Originally Posted by daveathall

In my opinion, most people who have 50K to lay down on a watch will have a high end collection any way, this piece will enhance any collection.

Good point!

[Art 1]

I find that watch very very nice and clean, so nice looking. If I had the money to buy a watch in that price range I surely would. To me, it's so much nicer looking than the dress watches by PP, VC, Lange and the others. From what I'm learning about GS I'm sure it's much more reliable than those brands.

[daveathall]

I thought that the last part of the article was very interesting.

QUOTE;

"An anecdote might be interesting. We saw one of the watchmakers finishing a tiny screw. He was manually polishing the screw, one at a time. As we approached, we asked him how long he would take to complete one single screw. Through a translator, he said, “about 45 minutes.” We raised our eyebrows, as that is quite a long time to work on just one screw…but his next words caused our jaws to drop. “30 minutes on this side (indicating the slot and the side visible when the screw is attached to the plate), and 15 minutes on the other side.” As we recovered from our surprise, we protested, “But, but, nobody sees the other side…and when its screwed in, it gets scratched anyway.”. He peered through his loupe, and said, “But I do. And I cannot put the screw in until it perfect in every way.”

This expresses the attitude of the grandmasters at the Micro Artisan Studios. And it is reflected in the resultant works produced from them. The Grand Seiko SBGD001 Spring Drive 8 Day Power Reserve is no exception. One may discuss the aesthetic language, but the final conclusion is always the same. The design is conservative. And the finishing is immaculate and the attention to detail exceptional. As near perfect as humanly possible."