One Of The Best Values In Luxury Watches Under $5,000 - Grand Seiko SBGW231
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
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In this video, I'll shine a light on Grand Seiko's dress watch collection with the SBGW231, a class-leading option from the brand that often doesn't get the attention it rightfully deserves. What do you guys think of Grand Seiko's dressier watches?
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I'm so happy I just bought this watch... It just might be a forever watch in my humble collection.
I bought it last year and I am very happy with it. The polish is much more striking in reality that the video was able to show. It is mirrorlike. Also in the sapphire at the back you can see the Grand Seiko brand mark within the glass. But it is barely visible. A great watch!
Thank you for the comment. I was looking into this and good to hear from a user.
They need to stop doing limited editions. Their heritage products with incredible dials are more than good enough to sell without that marketing and their standard offerings are not very exciting IMO. They can be the entry level luxury company with incredible dials backed up by world class in house movements. That niche is wide open for them to own if they could resist the urge to make everything limited.
Totally agree!
Honestly, I wish Seiko would restructure it's company. I think Grand Seiko should focus on making beautiful and elegant dress watches like this one. And they can use the King Seiko brand to produce more casual dress watches or sports watches. Right now, Seiko is releasing to many different watch models. It's hard to even keep up with all the new models and limited editions. If you look at another watch company like Omega or Tudor, you see that they have maybe half a dozen models, with recognizable names, and slightly different dials for each model. Maybe Seiko can keep 6 main models. The Grand Seiko(elegant rounded dress watches), The King Seiko (Larger dress watches with more angular cases), The Marine Master (Elegant dive watches), Presage Series (more modern take on dress watches), The Heritage line (Reissues of classic Seiko watches).
The good thing is you will hardly see 2 people wearing the same model like the submariner.
Teddy, please tell your buddy at Grand Seiko's to also make a spring drive version of this watch. Its class is in its 'low-key-ness'. Most beautiful case and dial, should exist in spring drive and even auto
I'm such a big fan of grand Seiko. You really just know that these models are going to be pure perfection, they have to be to go up against their Swiss rivals that are also producing wonderful time pieces. One day I will have these Japanese beauties.
Don't rule out the second hand market. I bought a black-dialed from Chrono24. The outstanding feature, not mentioned by Teddy, is the polishing. The hands, facets, and also the case feature Zaratsu polishing. This is not only classy looking but makes the dial easily legible even in low light.
Your quite right there. Sounds like you have a terrific Grand Seiko that you are very fond off. Sounds terrific 👍💯. Thanks so very much for your great advice. I will keep this in mind.
Pure class and unbelievable value for that price point. Able to pick mine up in Japan at 3k, couldn't pass it up. Pictures don't do it justice with the fine detailing that Teddy mentioned. Can see this being a future calatrava like classic
Simply my fav. watch.
Pure Watch.
One of my favorite watches! I own one myself and it wear perfect! The way the light reflect off the Zaratsu polish is insane. Simple but beautiful. I have held both side by side to the calatrava. I would say calatrava has a better overall finish and history. vintage to the core but the sgw231 wears neo-vintage but with a modern fit. It simply fits perfect for my wrist. It’s a watch that is a bit hard to dress down with the strap it comes with. So a second strap. Leather but casual would fit great but I have yet to change the strap. It’s perfect as is imo. I have a few dress pieces in my collection and this is the watch I would wear to a wedding or something formal but at the same time it looks great with just a dress shirt and jeans. T shirt and jeans is a bit harder to pull off.
thank you for your experience with it and sharing it with us. it helps a lot for my decision to get it or not! 😊
One of my favourite watches. I ended up getting the SBGR261 because it came on the brown leather with deployant (and the blue second hand), but there is something to be said for the extra clean 231, without the date. beautiful.
i am debating between the two and I can’t quite decide.
I have the sbgx119 (same as sbgx319) and the dial has the same design. Love this watch
I own this watch and I love it. You really need to see a Grand Seiko in person to understand it. Haters will say it’s boring, bland or just an overpriced Seiko. But once you hold it, you’ll realize why it’s so special. This is my favorite dress watch under $5k, maybe even $10k.
It's refreshing to see such a clean dial. Nothing beyond the logo and name script. Most other dials look like they were designed to sell the watch from within the display case -- "HEY! 100 METERS! AUTOMATIC!!! *****"
Picked one of these up for £2600 in the UK now that’s value
Can you please tell me the source? I was looking for a similar one. Thanks
The essence of purity, quality and decency.
love my SBGM221, same cream dial. it has an unique shine under the sunlight
I purchased the SBGW281, known as the Banto. It is absolutly beautiful. On a 6 and a half inch wrist, it's perfect. The marketing pictures that came out for the Banto makes the dial seem green. I would say it's more light beige. Can't go wrong with any of these sbgw models.
I have a Grand Seiko SBGM221G GMT watch. Absolutely stunning. Beautiful finishing. Excellent value for the price ($4,600).
We have the same wrist size at 6.5". I love my SBGW253. I am glad more and more companies are making smaller watches.
Great video Teddy - this GS calatrava was my wedding watch!
Word of warning to potential buyers - I recommend seeing it in person and bringing a loupe. This model is plagued with a "bubble issue" on the perimeter of the sapphire crystal. Some have sent it back to GS and it's an issue that cannot be consistently fixed. I'm not entirely sure if I can identify it in this video, but at 3:53 there is some irregularity near where the crystal meets the case. It's something that cannot be unseen, and can be quite obvious if viewed at different angles. There are definitely worse examples that can be seen in other YT video reviews.
I’ve seen the same thing in person. Wonder if it’s a craftsmanship issue.
It's to do with how the glue dries over time
Now the reissue ref sbgw301 has addressed the 'bubble'/ 'glue' issue
Somehow Grand Seiko overlooks the glue issue for the SBGW231. If you look closely at the close up shots, the part where the crystal meets the case, there are strings of glue marks. Not acceptable for GS standards!
I just had to go find the watchfinder video to check their macro shots and didn’t see it. This one must have slipped thru 😮
Fixed in the re-released SBGW301.
8:41 had this for a year,wasn’t sure on my 8 inch wrist but it works as bezel is kinda narrow, just a joy to look at and get at right angle to the sun.
The perfect dress watch is simple but beautiful. Every detail needs to be spot on. Case, dial, hands, crown, proportions, etc. finishing is really important.
I think this is about as good a dress watch as you can get for this price range.
Only gripe is that it’s a little thick for its small diameter
But a great watch that epitomises grand seiko’s elegance collection
Man... if this watch was under 10mm... this would have been the dress watch market killer... Or even just a movement upgrade. I mean seriously, can you imagine this watch with the new 9SA5 Machanical Movement with 10mm thickness? 🥵 I guess the price will go up but yeah....
I have this watch, in addition I bought the GS beads of rice bracelet to pair it up, what a beauty that is!
Good add to your watch. What is the tapper on the GS BOR?
I have the GS SBGW283G (better known as "Kishun") and in my opinion it is the best dresswatch I could have desired. The dial's details are amazing and that textured light shade of blue gives to the watch a new grade of beauty everyday
Once again, spot on Teddy! This was my first step in my watch collection and I find this watch to be "understated class" all the way. Excellent quality finishing and a movement worth so much more than one expects for this price range. Glad to see you're giving it the recognition it deserves Teddy.
A friend of mine has the red dial and it’s just gorgeous! The blue one is definitely on my list!
Can’t wait to get the GMT likely in October but was deff considering this model. ❤
The watches from this series are easily my favorite of all Grand Seiko. Simply magnificent. Pictures and videos don’t do them justice. They glow, the faceted indices shimmer. Understated and elegant. Winding the watch is an absolute pleasure.
I have a European version, a 269, so fine I’d consider buying another one such as a 231 or 267 for sure.
I agree, very hard to compete against theses.
Not seeing the complete video title before clicking, I thought you were going to review an Orient Bambino given the slight resemblance to the GS. Always appreciate your knowledge, Teddy.
If gs can just reduce the thickness of this watch
I purchased the SBGW235 several years ago and absolutely love it! The 235 (vs the 231) comes with the "beads of rice" bracelet which gives it more flexibility as I also have a half dozen leather straps. A great deal for under $4k!
The 235 Also has the beautiful blue second hand.
@@riazjuma and also a slightly more creamy dial
An understated beauty! I like the size, the lack of a calendar, the dial color, and the movement features.
Beautifully simple dress watch and great value for the specs.
Looks like the old Omega Seamaster automatic (no date) that my father had back in the 60s, was given to him as graduation gift
I love my SBGW231. I have a 7 and a half inch wrist I find the proportions perfect.
It’s the Grand Seiko Bambino 😊
Teddy I absolutely love the Grand Seiko Tentagraph and the Longines Zulu... These two watch's get me excited.
the SBGW231 looks so unreal as recorded. what a work of art.
I would love to see them embrace the dress watch aspect and give this small seconds
Great presentation on Grand Sieko
Is that glue residue at the edge of the sapphire crystal ona 4k watch?
A friend of mine has this watch and it‘s incredible!
The one comment I’ll add is that this model is the successor to the SBGW005 and SBGW035, both of which are on a beads of rice bracelet. The bracelet takes the watch in a “sportier” direction, and thus I think it can do double-duty as both dress watch (on a strap) and also as a daily wear (on the bracelet). Also, the 005 is dual-brand SGS, and I think those early models have inherent collectibility for Grand Seiko enthusiasts.
I've been thinking about getting a watch in this line. Maybe the Blue or Green. BUT I would prefer them to have THINNER watches.
Classy, elegant, understated. The definition of if you know….you know!
Beautifully simple and elegant
I own this watch and it is a favorite in my collection. I also wear it casually on a tan strap, it pairs well with a polo shirt and khakis. And yet it can be dressed up quite nicely. It's also just stunning to look at...
Almost perfect ....but then either add the normal blued or perhaps a different range of bright coloured second hand options....and that would be the personal icing on the cake
SBGW235 adds the heat blued seconds hand, and a creamier/yellower dial.
Thank you Teddy, great insight to the watch, now on my radar.
SBGW231 is my first GS watch and it’s my favorite dress watch , other than the Calatrava. I think the SBGW231 is kind of cheaper PP Calatrava without doubt. High C/P level ! Recommend to the people who want a good looking and accuracy and well known brand watch under 5000 USD
I picked one up as my Christmas gift to myself.
37mm case + 19mm lug width. True purist dimensions.
19 mm lug width is the true purist dimension? 🤣🤣🤣 Wow, denial is strong with the Seiko fanboy club.
19mm lug? No thanks. 🤪
Under macro you can see the glue holding the crystal in. Is it visible to the naked eye??
Love this Reference. On my Wish List!
Its a manual winding watch. Not automatic. The key benefit is relatively low height. Suitable for small wrist.
"The key benefit is relatively low height" -- Should be, yeah, but this is Seiko.
Great video Teddy. This reminds me of old King Seikos, I hope they make one with a cushion case. And speaking of hi-beat watches, do you plan to review the Longines Ultra-chron?
The watch in my collection that will get handed down to my nephew. Simple, elegant, manual wind…the essence of watch.
Seriously considering this. GS have their flavourful dials available in this design also with some delightful leather straps.
At 3:55 in this video you can see clearly the glue around the edge of the crystal that people had been complaining about. Teddy, what is your opinion about this?
Fixed in the re-released SBGW301.
I'm on the fence for purchasing a 5k watch. That's a lot of money for me and for 5k I'm leaning for a Tudor Pelagos 39. Although I absolutely admire Grand Seiko spring drive technology.
This watch retails for $4,300 but you can easily find it for $3k-$3.5k. At that price it’s definitely worth it
The number one feature I look for is Manual Wind.
Hallo Teddy, it was quite interesting in this way to learn more of what this brand thus. Interesting that they have in house movements. And obviously really good quality, and good craftsmanship. But for me at the moment not a brand I would buy. Thanks and as always love from Switzerland 🇨🇭
4:08 Please continue detailing the style of hands. (Dauphine, in this case.) Much appreciated! 😁
it's about time teddy incorporate wise brand watches here spec the ad8,ad9,ad15
What a nice colour and shape. I Merchant this products
For dial, I just can't help but keep seeing the SARB035. Beautiful movement though.
I completely disagree with Teddy here. Yes the watch looks like it has spectacular finishing for what few features it has, but is it really enough to say it's a better value than nearly all other watches under 5 grand? Yes it has an in house movement but a -1 +10 seconds a day rating is so average for an above average price. Not to mention you can find true in house movements in cheaper watches like the Oris Aquis Date Caliber 400. Secondly the watch doesn't have the functionality of so many other watches you can get under 5 grand having no complications is a design choice but to me a more functional watch, is a better value and I think most would agree. Thirdly, he says it is hard to finding watches that have a pure dress watch approach and smaller dial which may be true, but does that actually add that much value to the watch? Maybe he weights that rarity with a lot of value but personally I don't value it that much.
It is a timeless stunner, but if Im going to own 1 Grand Seiko it has to be something with a spring drive sadly.
Spot on! Same) although I like the look of this watch, i would get the Omiwatari instead
Classy looking watch. Thanks
My dream watch is the 5196g
But out of my reach
That one is close it sounds way way thicker but I haven’t seen it in person ! I’m considering it since I believe there is probably no other option
Im currently visiting Japan from Korea and thought maybe it would be neat to find a JDM as my first seiko right from the source. If you were looking for a JDM that is new enough to be widely available - what would you recommend? I plan on hitting up some locals malls etc (I'm in Okinawa btw).
Looking at basically the automatic version of this watch. Seen some reports and even on most of the ones I have looked at issues with the crystal and how they seem to glue them in and then have that glue creating a cracking type look around the base of the crystal and the glue under it. Have you seen or heard anything about this? Nice watches and affordable so I am interested in one.
Finalmente una misura decente 🎉
I’d love to see you do a review on the SBGA407 Skyflake with it’s elegance case and 100m of water resistance with a push/pull crown.
Eastern elegance at its finest.. GS is doing great things. Would love to see some of Longines more elegant dress watches from their flagship line. They also just released a new Conquest that looks very nice
looks like an upscale watch to me although it's very basic in a good way. It's classy and yet basic. The strap is actually matching it so well and i'm sure anyone can swap it out of their tasting.
Hello Teddy, I love your videos! I also appreciate your unbiased and sensible opinions on all watches.
This is a totally unrelated question to this video but I am interested to know your thoughts on Gucci making an in house movement for its watches. I could be wrong but I know they did something like that and they are charging an astronomical price for these watches. Didn’t know if you had some insight on the movement or anything. They are charging $9k and beyond which seems absolutely crass for a fashion watch, even if they did produce their own movement.
Keep up the great work!
Teddy, could you make a video about Tag Heuer Skipper? Seems a great release from Tag Heuer.
I'm surprised to see at 0:31 timestamp, there are dents / flaws on the minute hand.
Love the look, but on wrist I found it to be underwhelming.
Also, and I know it’s dumb, the minute hand moved a little bit when I wound it …..
A beautiful watch
Need spring drive in these sizes
Can/ will you do a video on watch's for left handed people?
Murazik Squares
Will you ever do a video on service a Seiko watch? It seems all Seikos have to be service in 1 year and service them cost the value of a new watch
Beautiful
Reminds me of my cocktail time Presage….
The best Grand Seiko of all time
In the charming town of Watchville, where time seemed to move at its own pace, a group of watch enthusiasts gathered at the local cafe, sipping on espressos and discussing their beloved timepieces. Among them was Ethan, a jovial watch collector with a penchant for playful banter.
As the conversation veered towards Seiko's move to create a luxury range called "Grand Seiko," Ethan couldn't help but wear a mischievous grin. "Grand Seiko, huh? Is it just me, or does it sound like they're trying a bit too hard?" he chuckled.
His fellow enthusiasts raised their eyebrows, intrigued by Ethan's misgivings. "Come on now, Ethan. Grand Seiko watches are known for their craftsmanship and precision," said Tom, a devoted Grand Seiko fan.
"Oh, I don't doubt their quality," Ethan replied, "but let's be honest here. Slapping 'Grand' in front of 'Seiko' isn't exactly the pinnacle of creativity, is it? It's like calling a basic burger joint 'Grand Burger' and expecting it to become a five-star restaurant."
The table erupted in laughter, but Tom wasn't going to let this slide. "Well, it does convey the idea of elevated elegance and luxury," he retorted.
Ethan leaned back, raising an eyebrow. "Elevated, you say? I'd rather put my money into timepieces with names that sound like they belong in a fairy tale! Patek Philippe, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, H. Moser & Cie, A. Lange & Söhne, Vacheron Constantin... now those are names that scream luxury and class!"
The group nodded, acknowledging the allure of the names Ethan mentioned. "Exactly! There's something captivating about those names that evoke dreams of timeless elegance and sophistication," said Grace, a collector of vintage watches.
Ethan continued with a grin, "But 'Grand Seiko'? It's like they ran out of ideas and just went, 'Let's throw in a fancy adjective and call it a day.' I mean, couldn't they have come up with something more enchanting?"
As the discussion playfully unfolded, they all agreed that while Grand Seiko watches were exceptional timepieces, the name left something to be desired in terms of evoking a sense of luxury and allure.
"So, when you see a Patek Philippe or a Vacheron Constantin, it's like stepping into a world of sophistication and heritage," Ethan said. "But 'Grand Seiko'? It's more like a well-dressed cousin who's trying a bit too hard to fit in at the fancy gala."
The conversation continued, filled with light-hearted teasing and shared laughter. In the end, they all cherished their love for watches, recognizing that while the name might raise an eyebrow, what truly mattered was the passion and appreciation they had for the artistry and craftsmanship that adorned their wrists. As they bid farewell to the cafe, their timepieces faithfully ticking, they knew that regardless of the name, the magic of horology would forever enchant their hearts.
This watch is on my short list.
I'm really close to a purchase but concerned with the thickness and the many reviews I'm reading about quality issues with glue remnants found on the outer circle of the sapphire (watch is not locally here for me). I'm also comparing it with another option---- the Glashutte senator sixties original silver dial. Would love to hear anyone's thoughts.
This was my first GS. Still love wearing it. Simply a modern classic.
Hi Teddy, what do you think of the sbgw235? The metal bracelet and the blue second hand are very nice looking
Not yet handled - but will soon!
I’ve found my next watch 😅
I am looking at my seamaster 165.002 and it feels like this GS is an hommage… it is a great looking dress watch but a little bit sad that there is no originality in it. And please tell me what’s the big fuss with the spring drive? For me it’s just a fancy and luxury Quartz movement. Nicely done and engineered, precise but it’s not a real mechanical watch, there are ugly looking electronic parts in it
very solid finishing? it looks perfect under a microscope and you're calling it solid? how about excellent? The Best of the best?
Had this watch for a few months but couldn't get over the bubbles around the crystal.
SBG231 vs SBGA293?