GS Maintenance & General Questions

[dsldsl]

I just bought a GS sbga387 as my first luxury watch and have a couple of questions:

Is spring drive less magnetic resistant and can it be demagnetized like a mechanical watch?

How durable as a daily wear is spring drive?

Can I go 5+ years on the maintenance vs 3 years?

Thanks

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by dsldsl

I just bought a GS sbga387 as my first luxury watch and have a couple of questions:

Is spring drive less magnetic resistant and can it be demagnetized like a mechanical watch.

How durable as a daily wear is spring drive?

Can I go 5+ years on the maintenance vs 3 years?

Thanks

For the purposes of your first two questions, I would say Spring Drive is the same as a mechanical watch. First service is at 5 years.......which is included with your purchase (voucher is in the paperwork).

[sarjoo]

Originally Posted by pickettt

For the purposes of your first two questions, I would say Spring Drive is the same as a mechanical watch. First service is at 5 years.......which is included with your purchase (voucher is in the paperwork).

First service inclusive voucher, is this a "bought international" thing or just in the states? Hopefully its regardless of where bought?

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by sarjoo

First service inclusive voucher, is this a "bought international" thing or just in the states? Hopefully its regardless of where bought?

I got my GS in Japan, but I assume (I guess I shouldn’t) that the same voucher would be in the back of of all of their manuals. The salesman at the Beverly Hills boutique mentioned the first service being included when I was shopping there, however, he didn’t happen to mention the voucher. My guess would be....anywhere.

[sarjoo]

Originally Posted by pickettt

I got my GS in Japan, but I assume (I guess I shouldn’t) that the same voucher would be in the back of of all of their manuals. The salesman at the Beverly Hills boutique mentioned the first service being included when I was shopping there, however, he didn’t happen to mention the voucher. My guess would be....anywhere.

I'll have to have a look at the back of my manual then, don't know if there's a voucher lurking in there though. Fingers crossed!

Did your voucher also give an extra year of warranty as a google search seemed to find a thread suggesting that might also be in part of the boutique experience.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by sarjoo

I'll have to have a look at the back of my manual then, don't know if there's a voucher lurking in there though. Fingers crossed!

Did your voucher also give an extra year of warranty as a google search seemed to find a thread suggesting that might also be in part of the boutique experience.

Sorry, it’s not in the manual, but rather the little booklet called “Certificate of Guarantee “. There are two copies in the back called “guarantee repair coupon”

[Rrpdc]

Wow. Never knew about first service free.

[sarjoo]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Sorry, it’s not in the manual, but rather the little booklet called “Certificate of Guarantee “. There are two copies in the back called “guarantee repair coupon”

Pretty sure I saw some dealer stamped guarantee type paper inside a booklet inside the box. Not sure what that was, need to check again. Will report back.

[enjoythemusic]

Wow, interesting. Just received the Alpinist direct from Seiko USA and the back warranty card was not filled out.... and nothing saying free first service. It does say 1st year worldwide service, 2nd and 3rd year USA only.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Wow, interesting. Just received the Alpinist direct from Seiko USA and the back warranty card was not filled out.... and nothing saying free first service. It does say 1st year worldwide service, 2nd and 3rd year USA only.

We’re talking Grand Seiko

[sarjoo]

I emailed the UK Servicing division for GS regarding the 1st free service, and they've replied with:

"This offer only applies to Grand Seiko and Credor watches that have been purchased from the Seiko Boutique in London."

[pickettt]

This is what it looks like. No indication as to which countries it applies to.

[Old Expat Beast]

That just looks like a warranty slip for repair, not a free service voucher.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

That just looks like a warranty slip for repair, not a free service voucher.

The front page of the Certificate of Guarantee tells what the coupon covers.....which describes the service. And I never say free, but rather included.

[Rrpdc]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

That just looks like a warranty slip for repair, not a free service voucher.

+1. Ad tore the carbon copy out of book to keep. That is for warranty service.


My AD would have def told me if free service. That voucher is clearly for repair during the warranty period.

[dsldsl]

Is it safe to demagnetize a spring drive GS? They use a magnet as part of the braking mechanism.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by dsldsl

Is it safe to demagnetize a spring drive GS? They use a magnet as part of the braking mechanism.

Call them and ask.

[sarjoo]

Originally Posted by Rrpdc

+1. Ad tore the carbon copy out of book to keep. That is for warranty service.


My AD would have def told me if free service. That voucher is clearly for repair during the warranty period.

Mine still contains both copies of the coupon thing that has been shown further up on this thread, but looks to me just to prove the watch is under warranty and eligible for a warranty job versus a free service. The AD didn't take out the "manufacturer copy out" sheet so maybe that's only taken by the factory if the watch goes in for a warranty job.

Mine also has NOT been pre-filled by the AD to show my name or the selling dealer name, though receipts obviously will cover both those things off.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by sarjoo

Mine still contains both copies of the coupon thing that has been shown further up on this thread, but looks to me just to prove the watch is under warranty and eligible for a warranty job versus a free service. The AD didn't take out the "manufacturer copy out" sheet so maybe that's only taken by the factory if the watch goes in for a warranty job.

Mine also has NOT been pre-filled by the AD to show my name or the selling dealer name, though receipts obviously will cover both those things off.

I wonder what would happen if you had 2 separate warranty issues during the warranty period...but you used your one coupon?

[sarjoo]

Originally Posted by pickettt

I wonder what would happen if you had 2 separate warranty issues during the warranty period...but you used your one coupon?

A good question indeed however am hoping for ZERO issues so lets hope we never ever have to even use the first one :)

How long is the warranty on these, only 1 year I gather from what the AD told me, but I always thought it'd be two years but not sure where I got that idea from.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by sarjoo

A good question indeed however am hoping for ZERO issues so lets hope we never ever have to even use the first one :)

How long is the warranty on these, only 1 year I gather from what the AD told me, but I always thought it'd be two years but not sure where I got that idea from.

It’s clear that ADs are not giving everyone the same information. The gentleman at the Beverly Hills boutique told me in no uncertain terms that the first service was included at 5 years. I had a length discussion with him as to whether I could wait until later or if it had to be at 5 years. He insisted 5 years. Now, I couldn’t imagine that an independent AD could be offering a Grand Seiko service at no charge (or on their own dime) if it wasn’t sanctioned by Seiko. But at the end of the day, I guess none of us know until the time comes.

[sarjoo]

Originally Posted by pickettt

It’s clear that ADs are not giving everyone the same information. The gentleman at the Beverly Hills boutique told me in no uncertain terms that the first service was included at 5 years. I had a length discussion with him as to whether I could wait until later or if it had to be at 5 years. He insisted 5 years. Now, I couldn’t imagine that an independent AD could be offering a Grand Seiko service at no charge (or on their own dime) if it wasn’t sanctioned by Seiko. But at the end of the day, I guess none of us know until the time comes.

As before, I've emailed the UK servicing wing for Seiko again, this time to ask them how long the international warranty is. Lets see what they come back with! Findings will be reported in due course.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by sarjoo

As before, I've emailed the UK servicing wing for Seiko again, this time to ask them how long the international warranty is. Lets see what they come back with! Findings will be reported in due course.

Thanks, I’d like to hear it. BTW, some other sheet has been detached from my Certificate if Guarantee booklet. I don’t recall what it was or when it was removed.

[sarjoo]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Thanks, I’d like to hear it. BTW, some other sheet has been detached from my Certificate if Guarantee booklet. I don’t recall what it was or when it was removed.

Response: “The guarantee period is 3 years.”

[Alex_TA]

Originally Posted by dsldsl

Is it safe to demagnetize a spring drive GS? They use a magnet as part of the braking mechanism.

Of course not You will kill the system instantly.

I never hear about magnetized SD but if it would be, the accuracy of the watch will be all over the place.

[Rrpdc]

Originally Posted by pickettt

It’s clear that ADs are not giving everyone the same information. The gentleman at the Beverly Hills boutique told me in no uncertain terms that the first service was included at 5 years. I had a length discussion with him as to whether I could wait until later or if it had to be at 5 years. He insisted 5 years. Now, I couldn’t imagine that an independent AD could be offering a Grand Seiko service at no charge (or on their own dime) if it wasn’t sanctioned by Seiko. But at the end of the day, I guess none of us know until the time comes.

Salesman make up all kind of crap. What matters is what the paperwork says which reads for warranty repair rather than preventative service.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Rrpdc

Salesman make up all kind of crap. What matters is what the paperwork says which reads for warranty repair rather than preventative service.

Understood. Again, what if I have two warranty repairs during the warranty period and have just the one coupon? Would they repair it a second time so long as it was still under warranty, in lieu of a coupon ? If yes, then what is the point if the coupon in the first place?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Understood. Again, what if I have two warranty repairs during the warranty period and have just the one coupon? Would they repair it a second time so long as it was still under warranty, in lieu of a coupon ? If yes, then what is the point if the coupon in the first place?

Presumably you get a replacement coupon when the watch is returned from repair.

[dsldsl]

Originally Posted by Alex_TA

Of course not You will kill the system instantly.

I never hear about magnetized SD but if it would be, the accuracy of the watch will be all over the place.

I called GS to fimd out and they said I had to send it in if it was magnetized. Anyway, mine is running great.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

[Triple Crown]

Just picked up one of the stainless US limited editions today. Love the watch. However, I note that the date change started at about 11:00 PM. Is that typical of Seiko Spring Drives?