Rolex v Grand Seiko?

[Lightsped]

Realize this is a Rolex forum, and all of my watches are Rolex. Still with the craziness going on with Rolex, I find myself looking at other brands.

Does anyone have a Grand Seiko Heritage edition? How do they compare quality wise to a Rolex OP (or similar)? Are they as durable? What's the deal with Spring Drive? Does Grand Seiko have as cool of a history as Rolex?

[Seddyspaghetti]

Grabbing popcorn.

[Vipes]

Originally Posted by seddyspaghetti

grabbing popcorn.

+1.

[Lightsped]

If it is a problem thread, you guys can close it down. Just bored at working looking for input from those who may know more than me. Not a big deal....

[duquephart]

GS (Snowflake for example) is every bit as well built as Rolex, stunningly finished, keeps far better time, and has a history/heritage that rivals the best. And is available. The Rolex zombies will be here soon but will only have the usual drivel to contribute.

[PBJ1925]

IMHO GS case work / dial at least on par or arguably superior than Rolex.

Bracelet - all day every day Rolex.

[samson66]

I own a SBGA001 and love it. I also own Rolex, Tudor, Omega. They can totally coexist in a collection. IMO GS does a better dial, hands, indices, and case polishing than Rolex. Rolex makes a much better bracelet and more solid feeling case/bracelet and more timeless designs in general. Watch some videos on spring drive. It's a fascinating technology and will get you hooked. You can pick up a used heritage model in the $3500-$5000 range. Rolex doesn't come near GS on bang for the buck. But Rolex is the crown and people place value on Rolex that they do not on GS. To the outside world your "Grand" Seiko is simply a Seiko. If that bothers you don't get it. If you buy a watch for YOU Grand Seiko makes a really nice product.

Find me a Rolex that can touch this dial

[Lightsped]

That is beautiful dial. Reminds me of the Rolex Sundust colored dial on the RG watches.

How is scratch resistance on the GS?

[muskaroxs]

While in WOS in Vegas, I checked out the Grand Seiko SBGA413. The dial and the Spring Drive movement blew my OP36 away but the titanium bracelet felt cheap to me. I rather have a steel bracelet on with more weight but thats just me.

[Tikandtokalot]

Those that know what’s what choose TUDOR

[Rori]

it's not about quality.

[duquephart]

Those trying to be somebody wear a Rolex. Those who are somebody wear a Grand Seiko.

[asiparks]

https://www.rolexforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=42
Grand Seiko produce a swathe of different models from 38mm classic dress watches, through to 44mm Godzilla, monster sized watches. I find them to be more interesting and unique than most Rolex.
People might not like their bracelets- (seems to be the main point of contention), but the quality is in no way inferior.

And people not used to titanium watches, ( of any brand ), seem perplexed at the lack of weight or "heft", somehow falsely equating that with lack of quality. Bless 'em. Fortunately, plenty of steel options too.....

Finishing, polishing, dials and off-the-beaten-trackedness all 11/10.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I own many Seikos but no Grand Seikos, I don’t like the sword hands and the redundancy of the GS over Grand Seiko on the dial makes me crazy on an otherwise outstanding watch. Seiko does indeed have a very cool history.

[franktehtank]

Grand Seiko designs don't appeal to me, whatsoever. I also find the fervent, cult-like obsession (mostly just online) to be a turn off. I know, ironic to say on a Rolex forum.

I also find that people exaggerate the level of finishing/quality you get on Grand Seiko watches. Owners will say they wipe the floor with Patek Philippe, AP, etc., which is just completely untrue.

How do you know somebody is a Grand Seiko owner? Don't worry, they'll tell you.

[Rolexforthewin]

Originally Posted by poweredbyjae

IMHO GS case work / dial at least on par or arguably superior than Rolex.

Bracelet - all day every day Rolex.

100% this!

[franktehtank]

Originally Posted by duquephart

Those trying to be somebody wear a Rolex. Those who are somebody wear a Grand Seiko.

People need to stop saying this. It's toe-curling cheesy and makes me cringe every time.

[Kinnakeet]

I have owned several of each brand. Just sold my Spring Edition GS. At this point I have a snowflake and a WG snowflake. Very rare. One of my favorite watches. As mentioned the bracelets are the weak point. The finishing and movements however are superior, if GS had PP on them they would sell for 3 times the current price.

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

and the redundancy of the GS over Grand Seiko on the dial makes me crazy on an otherwise outstanding watch

Hadn't noticed that before, but now that you mention it...

And you must really love the ones like pictured above which say "SEIKO" "GS" and "GRAND SEIKO"... I guess they're just really making sure you don't miss it :)

OP, re: "what's the deal with spring drive"... it's a very ingenious addition to the field of watchmaking. Seems very cutting edge upon first look, though it's over 20 years old at this point. Some people get it, some do not. To me, if a person loves fine watches due in part to the marvel over what is happening inside them (as opposed to the brand clout, outward appearance, etc) then the spring drive movement is a must-have in a multi-watch collection. It can be upsetting to purists because there is an electrical component, but given that it does not use a battery or solar and gets its power from a traditional spring I can give it a pass in exchange for a mesmerizing seconds sweep and untouchable accuracy.

[duquephart]

Originally Posted by franktehtank

Grand Seiko designs don't appeal to me, whatsoever. I also find the fervent, cult-like obsession (mostly just online) to be a turn off. I know, ironic to say on a Rolex forum.

I also find that people exaggerate the level of finishing/quality you get on Grand Seiko watches. Owners will say they wipe the floor with Patek Philippe, AP, etc., which is just completely untrue.

How do you know somebody is a Grand Seiko owner? Don't worry, they'll tell you.

As opposed to the Rolex zombies who carefully hike up their sleeve so everyone has a chance to notice?

[Oyster Sauce]

Originally Posted by poweredbyjae

IMHO GS case work / dial at least on par or arguably superior than Rolex.

Bracelet - all day every day Rolex.

+1 Additionally, when it comes to movement, GS is more progressive in its technologies for keeping beat/time (hi-beat and spring drive movements), while Rolex focuses on keeping its already very steady, conservative movements as reliable as ever. Neither is better...just depends on what you're looking for. Best wishes -- GS is an outstanding complement to Rolex in one's collection.

[asiparks]

Originally Posted by franktehtank

Grand Seiko designs don't appeal to me, whatsoever. I also find the fervent, cult-like obsession (mostly just online) to be a turn off. I know, ironic to say on a Rolex forum.

I also find that people exaggerate the level of finishing/quality you get on Grand Seiko watches. Owners will say they wipe the floor with Patek Philippe, AP, etc., which is just completely untrue.

How do you know somebody is a Grand Seiko owner? Don't worry, they'll tell you.

The attention to detail, finish and hand polishing is way above that of watches anywhere close to the price. Certainly Rolex.
Having owned AP's, at least in the ROO realm, I'd argue GS are better.
If you want to talk PP, then you'd be looking at Seiko Credor.

I'm glad you at least recognize the irony of your "cult" reference.

[Kinnakeet]

Originally Posted by franktehtank

Grand Seiko designs don't appeal to me, whatsoever. I also find the fervent, cult-like obsession (mostly just online) to be a turn off. I know, ironic to say on a Rolex forum.

I also find that people exaggerate the level of finishing/quality you get on Grand Seiko watches. Owners will say they wipe the floor with Patek Philippe, AP, etc., which is just completely untrue.

How do you know somebody is a Grand Seiko owner? Don't worry, they'll tell you.

It’s been my experience after attending my share of events that the average GS wearer has much more knowledge of watches and is more secure in their purchases than the average Rolex wearer.

[Mifune]

that SLA033 is a Seiko badged GS... built in the Grand Seiko factory.
As great as the sla033 is, it cant really hold a candle to the 114060

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Kinnakeet

It’s been my experience after attending my share of events that the average GS wearer has much more knowledge of watches and is more secure in their purchases than the average Rolex wearer.

Touché Michelle touché

[franktehtank]

Originally Posted by duquephart

As opposed to the Rolex zombies who carefully hike up their sleeve so everyone has a chance to notice?

Never said anything about Rolex or Rolex owners (unless you include the reference to "Rolex Forum").

[OrangeSport]

Originally Posted by Rori

it's not about quality.

Well that's lucky for Rolex

What is it about?

GS has a killer history and arguably a less "tacky" image than Rolex can have

[franktehtank]

Originally Posted by Kinnakeet

It’s been my experience after attending my share of events that the average GS wearer has much more knowledge of watches and is more secure in their purchases than the average Rolex wearer.

This doesn't surprise me at all, given how niche GS is. For someone to go out and spend that kind of money on a GS, they're going to have to dig deep and do the reading/research, whereas 90% of Rolex owners just want a good watch and are amazed how long the battery lasts.

[drrd]

Things that put me off GS:

The bracelet. It must be really difficult to make a clasp and bracelet to Rolex standards because nobody else seems to be able to manage it. GS are miles away.

Styling. There's always something (sometimes numerous things) that will bug me on every GS I've seen. The whole is never quite the sum of the individual parts; the opposite of Rolex really.

Seiko quality control. I know they have all sorts of levels of watch making, from their Credor three-a-year stuff all the way down, I just like the way Rolex does things to a standard whatever the price. You never know where you stand with Seiko and these days their pricing isn't really much of indicator of what to expect QC-wise.

Yeah, looked at them often over the years and then more recently got bored of finding fault and switched off.

Actually SBGD201 https://www.fratellowatches.com/gran...-sbgd201/#gref looks very nice. 43mm too. But it's 60,000 euro on a leather strap.

[OrangeSport]

Originally Posted by franktehtank

whereas 90% of Rolex owners just want a good watch and are amazed how long the battery lasts.

Or how it can go flat after a couple of days

BTW, why don't they come with a fresh battery installed?