Because GS brings innovation and haute horology quality to most products they produce. As opposed to BORING Rowlecks that only brings color changes year to year.
What really annoys me about Rolex is that the AD’s sell off most of what they get to the Grey Market. All the Grey Market guys had all the new releases the day they were released. My AD said he had nothing. He’s a licensed Rolex dealer, of course he got watches. If a customer of 30 years can’t get a watch, there is something wrong with Rolex.
The reality is that spring drive is cool - that is all. Innovative? In what field spring drive is innovating? horology refers to the science of measuring the pass of time... we have other technologies that have surpassed spring drive in horology - we dont need to discuss that. Spring drive has no purpose nor real functionality in todays world - like any other "stand alone watch technology" in an interconnected world. The prove is that none of us are living our lives without mobile phones in our hands anymore and what do you use to access atomic clocks imformation and set your watches in time? And dont get me wrong, I find them really appealing, well made and extremely well priced in comparison with the other luxury watch brands...
@@naturalLin what do you use to set up your watches in time? I bet you have plenty of access to portable gadgets providing that - some of them compact and lightweight enough to enable you carrying them with you most of the time... In that sense, the wristwatch is just a complement for your attire... a jewelry item if you wish - with a secondary function, this being providing the time. I like watches and accept what they are, I also think that looking down to quartz watches is a snob attitude.
@@scottfree6479 there you go: "mechanical" You said it all - I dont need to explain you that the 1st indrustrial revolution was about mechanics... but you can read about it in wikipedia
@@educarmar it's a great engineering achievement and I often thought of getting one, it comes at a price tho, no one other seiko Japan will be able to service it and for obvious reasons
GS is not for everyone. It is for the connoisseur watch lovers and collectors. Go buy a Rolex and be part of that 1.2M people that buy Rolex every year. GS only makes about 40K a year among all their models that means most of their watches are under 1000 pcs a year. By far the best value for money
Have Rolex, Omega,Tudor. Just got a GS Heritage spring drive last week and I must say I am impressed. Impeccable finish and the accuracy is fantastic, +1 second per week. It also feels more substantial on wrist than I expected.
The question,”Is GS as a brand worthy of the attention it’s getting?” is like the question “Are Rolexes worthy of the prices they command?” The fact is people are willingly giving GS the attention just as they are willingly paying Rolex prices. People are voting with their time and money in answering both questions. So yes. QED, GS is obviously worth the attention or it wouldn’t be getting the attention!!
I mentioned this before and i will do so again, as soon as Grand Seiko adds a high quality micro adjustment on the clasp on a improved bracelet, and as soon as they release a 40 mm diver, the brand will explode.
GS destroyed the industry with mechanical engines first. Then, they obliterated all competition with the Astron. My early ('66) 6246 chronometer, is still running within 5 seconds a day, serviced once in 54 yrs :)
I believe they'll eventually decimate the industry again with the spring drive. Swiss luxury brands stagnated in terms of innovation while GS developed a new escapement. If they ramp up production and up their marketing, I think the Geneve giants will start sweating.
I love Grand Seiko, so I'm not exactly a convert, but you layed out a really clear as to why everyone should. The sbga413 is 100% in my future, it doesn't look as pink in person and that dial is stunnnninnnggg
GS have the most accurate and innovative movements, have the best polishing and great quality in construction, some of the most beautiful dials available and at a very reasonable price. What more can you ask of a watch?!?!
a nice presentation box and papers, fit for a several thousand dollars luxury watch. not the cheap little box and paper booklet you would find in a 100$ seiko watch.
team zissou They’re getting a LOT of attention from us watch-community members. It’s only a matter of time before that becomes true for the “ community “ at large.
Grand Seiko make beautiful watches, l personally been to the Holy trinity watch stores, tried them on and a Rolex store , l went to Seiko tried on a few Grand Seiko watches . Being as honest l can with maximum integrity. Some of the Grand Seiko models, even some of there GPS watches, look clearly better than some of them holy trinity watches along with Rolex. Holy trinity watches, there Hype.
When I can afford it I will get a Grand Seiko with snowflake dial and spring drive, absolutely beautiful. The main thing I like about GS is the attitude that even when it is good enough to release to the market it still is not good enough, they always look for ways to improve perfection. I like that thinking.
I admire my limited edition GS “Lion” GMT Sport. It’s innovative, beautiful, practical, precise and inspiring. Most of all, in my opinion, it’s the greatest example of watch craftsmanship in a SPORT WATCH and the most beautiful SPORT WATCH ever made. So, I bought one.
I love the. Brand I have 6 of them 1 is number 1/50 The others are limited versions What i love about them is the design The finishing and the fact that it keeps accurate time Which i believe should be an important feature fir an instrument designed to tell time I don’t understand why majority of watch collectors seem to think that 10 sec or more per day better than 1 sec per day
I am totally with you on your thought process JP; I have been watching the GS market for the past 2 years. I finally pulled the trigger a few months ago and obtained the blue snowflake for below retail (in your thumbnail😉). This watch gets more wrist time than my 3 Rolex- I absolutely love it!
I've heard that Federico is a HUUUUGE fan of Grand Seiko. But seriously, those watches are amazing. Seiko is putting so much effort into inovations and finishing so IMHO they realy deserve all the attention.
For sure, they deserve the attention - they are great watches, of the highest mechanical quality. My Snowflake runs to +1sec a month and it's finish is better than my Rolexes, Omegas or Panerai. In fact, the dial and case finish is equal to any high end Swiss manufacturer. Personally, I think only Breguet or AL&S offer anything significantly more interesting (and are 4x the price). I do agree with others that the bracelets could improve (not as good as Omega or Rolex) and I think the sports watch lines could be expanded (and they make too many meh business watches). And yes, a 40mm diver! But, their formal and dress watches... wow, out of the park! Just a shame (in Europe at least), there is still a snobbish element who look down their noses at any Japanese product (and this goes for cars, motorbikes, guns, bike components, cameras etc too). Fools, their loss!
I would say that the snobbery in Europe is more than in the US. The American car market is DOMINATED by Japanese cars. The same goes for the camera industry here (Nikon, Canon, Sony), bikes (Honda, Suzuki) and so on.
I have a Japanese-made Orient and I love it. I’ve also had two Honda dirt bikes and they were absolutely bulletproof. I’m pretty sure everything I’ve ever had made in Japan was and is very good quality. On the subject of guns my dad has a Japanese-made Browning BPS and I believe it is second to none when it comes to quality of pump shotguns.
If you haven't tried on a Grand Seiko, you really should take a look. I got my Grand Seiko (sbgh269) a month ago and I absolutely love it. The dial is stunning, the polishing is mind blowing, and the 39.5mm size is perfect for me. The one thing that I think that Grand Seiko could improve is adding a micro adjust to the bracelet. Otherwise, it is a home run!
Grand Seiko is very underappreciated, as is the Spring Drive movement. People like to refer to it as another quartz watch. What a load of bull droppings!
I have an SBGA251. It looks very plain on everything on the web, but in person it has a beautiful elegance. I sent my boss pics and he thought it looked nice. When he saw it in person, his response was 'this is a different watch in person.' I fell for Grand Seiko while visiting Japan and they might be the best value for dollar in the watch world.
Very well said John, as eloquent and straight to each point as you could be. Yes they do in fact deserve all the free media coverage they're getting. Regardless of how one feels about Spring Drive not being pure mechanical movement, one can not deny the level of work that has gone into the production of these watches. The mirror finish on the titanium alone is worth giving the brand your fair share of attention. Have you seen customer pictures and videos online of the finish? Retail pictures online don't compare to what customers are showing. And last but not least, the price is simply too competitive to brush off.
I bought a sbgn009 limited edition a few months back. Even though it's a quartz watch, it had as much soul to me as a mechanical watch. I am in love with it. Great video!
Honestly this topic/video has been one of your more interesting to date. IMHO, GS movement and finish are great, but they need to refine bracelet quality and reduce case thickness.
I have a snowflake SBGA211 and a GMT SBGJ237 . these watches smoke the swiss on every level. I can’t stop looking at them. The finishing and COMFORT is top notch especially the snowflake! Accuracy, quality and craftsmanship is what GS offers also recreating a watch is one of my favorite moves by both seiko and GS! The captain willard was recreated and reinterpreted .... which no brand does
I bought a SBGJ237 recently and I agree with you that I can’t stop looking at it. The posted size scares away a lot of people but it actually wears smaller and thinner in real life. Videos nor pictures do GS justice for they are much better in real life. Looking forward to getting a GS with the new 9SA5 movement.
Love Seiko. I have an early gmt GS. Awesome watch. Seems like Seiko is pulling it's best stuff down to less expensive items such as quartz and yet they will take some of their more average lines and upgrade to spring drive. To me my GS is as significant as Rolex for example
Grand seiko is what rolex used to be. I just love the quality and the workmanship. Its true real watch enthusiasts want grand seiko brand lovers like rolex.
I really like grand Seiko and everything they are doing. They have some incredible movements and craftsmanship and to be honest, for the price, especially second hand, they are hard to beat. Now you won’t impress or spark curiosity with anyone who is not a watch enthusiast with your grand seiko, but if you are buying a watch to impress the general public, they you probably need to look elsewhere. Will be adding one in the future for sure.
I’ve come to the point where I feel a GS snobbery, like “Oh, you DON’T own a GS? Why?”. How one can look at their Spring Drive and not be impressed is beyond me. To say nothing of their continual achievements etc. Don’t get me wrong. I still want that Patek, and I’ll get it. Right after that A. Lange & Söhne. Yes, in that order.
The Japanese have been bringing high performance and quality with a very reasonable price point since I can remember. For me it started with cars in the 90s like the skyline, impreza and evo. I trust japanese engineering and manufacturing. Rival's Germanys engineering expertise for close to half the price. Grand seiko is the continuation of that in my mind.
I have two modern GS and 2 vintage and I got to say I love both of them immensely. I agree that GS have in the past and are doing some fantastic things. They have amazing innovation in their movements and are setting a new standard for the industry. The Dials and cases are just unreal and that's what really gets them the most attention. That being said there are two factors that are a major issues with GS and IMO will hold them back. Firstly, their bracelets are seriously bad for a watch at this price level. They need to put the same innovation they put into their movements to come up with a bracelet clasp that is easily adjustable. Rolex has the best bracelet on the market, Take a cue from them. Secondly, They need to come out with some sports watches that are reasonable looking and a decent size. They easily have some of the best dress watches and casual business watches on the market in the price point. However, their sports watches are ridiculously huge and in a lot of cases kinda ugly. They need to come out with a decent sized diver under 42mm and 14 mm thick and a chrono that has normal sized pushers. If they really want to go after the likes of Rolex they need to develop their sports models.
Very interesting and thoughtful analysis. It's telling that, in terms of design and innovation, GS stopped competing with the Swiss brands years ago. Each new release from GS competes with and improves upon other GS models.
I love Grand Seiko's (GS) movements. I especially love spring drive which gives, what I think is the biggest benefit to watches with second hands, a perfectly smooth sweep. I love GS finishing, way above its price point. For the most part, I do not like their designs. To date, I have yet to find a GS watch that speaks to me or I am in love with. I hate their limited release strategy, especially their country/region specific releases. As a new watch enthusiast, I am learning about myself and what I like in watches. My tastes have changed dramatically over the past few years as I see more watches and learn about brands, movements, etc. I have spent time building my personal watch philosophy that frames my collecting strategy. I am finally getting close to the point where I will start purchasing real watches, not the affordable watches that I used to learn my likes and dislikes. I have learned NOT to buy a watch that I do not love. GS does not have a watch I love at this point. I hope they come out with one at some point.
Yep Seiko is setting the standard these days in affordable high-end watches. Rolex has not innovated in quite a long time. Rolex seems to only be interested in making bribe watches but part of that particular market in China has dried up. I don't currently have a Seiko but I am beginning to study their offerings.
I have been saving up for an Omega Speedmaster, my grail watch. However a good deal popped up on a Grand Seiko and I jumped on it. I should have it in a few days. I really hope I did not make a mistake.
The finest time pieces money can buy🤗 In my extremely humble, opinion. I’ll never own one, unfortunately; though I’ve been a huge fan of their exquisite craftsmanship, for some years😌❤️
I bought my first GS about a year ago. The Grand Seiko SBGJ201. This is the most beautiful white dial i have ever laid my eyes upon. I went in going to buy the Snowflake, but totally forgot about it when i saw this one.
G-Shock is the best outdoor watch you can get. You can drive a tank over it and it still works. And even a cheap A168W has so much value and reliability that it still works after 20 years.
B labrada the other issue I can foresee is lack of bracelet adjustability on models like the snow flake. No easy link, half link or proper micro adjustment available. This is also an issue with suitor BB watches.
@@wheelsandwatches i had this issue with my snowflake. I have since sold it. Eyeing the sbga415 as a replacement. Always found it easier to wear it on leather or suede because of it.
I am one of those "freaks" that prefer Quartz to mechanical lol... I do have 3 mechanical watches, GS 6145-8000 (serviced running at +3s/day), a Zodiac Sea Dragon (STP 1-11 running at +4)and a Seiko Presage SSA347J1 (running at +7)... But the other 9 watches are all Quartz haha. From Gshock 5600 BB to GS SBGX261... Longines Conquest VHP... And so on. So yeah lol
I have had a rolex , Omega and a few other brands and I now own a spring drive . It is in another league . I can't see myself owning anything other than a Grand Seiko from now on .
Got 2 GS in my little collection, both are driven by quartz technology. One is 9F and another one is SD. They are very accurate if accuracy is your need, fantastic finishes and fit. Some GS fitted with the 9S auto and SD are quite thick, do go try it out before purchase since the bracelet might also make you go crazy.
tbh... my sinn u2 and the newly acquired snowflake (gawd I m chuffed to bits) are constantly on my wrists these days... not saying gs is perfect, but they are definitely very close to that. speaking of improvement, I dont care too much about bracelets as I wear anything but bracelets and leather, I do prefer gs adding a bit of their seiko lumibrite onto the watch to make it even more versatile. all my rolexs are resting in da drawer....
Well done, I own 2 GS watches, one of them being the quartz movement and the other mechanical. The quartz is a gmt and is my daily wearer. Having owned the GS brand, as well as Rolex Datejust and Rolex Submariner, I can say that GS makes outstanding watches. I’d say that if anything, they have too many models to choose from. I think they need to slim down their selection a bit as well as to start making their sport watches smaller. The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on a new SBGJ 237 is the fact that it’s 44.2 mm. I’d like to see it in 40mm and I’d like to see the GMT hand in a different color than the rest of the hands, blue would be perfect. The extreme price increases of Rolex is pushing the buyer right into the GS line. Some of the most desirable watches from Rolex can only be bought in the gray market at huge premiums such as the stainless Daytona and the stainless Sky Dweller. All the while, most GS watches can be had quite quickly even if you have to import them from reputable sellers in Japan in the event they’re not available in the US. This makes the GS actually attainable which is what we all want. Great review and explanation of the current situation.
I admire Grand Seiko. I have only one in my collection but am thinking of a second piece. The Seiko company is also producing some very unique watches. As, for example, their Prospex LX series of watches. Marvelous creations that I'd love to own.
@@bighands69 Yes, bighand69, I agree with you. I have been taking notice of Presage these last few days. Very nice, indeed. The Astron watches are also of great interest to me. Lovely, lovely timepieces.
I have loved G.S for the longest time, however, I did feel that they were lacking mechanically when compared to brands like Rolex and Omega. Rolex and Omega DID have better specs mechanically, for example, they utilize free sprung balances, Silicon balances in the case of Omega, Silicon Hair spring for Omega and Zirconium based hair spring for Rolex. Then G.S just announced upgrades to the Spring drive and Automatic Movement. In my opinion, they have now surpassed Rolex and Omega mechanically with their new upgrades. A little bit of adjustments with their hardware such as bracelets and it should be Game Over even for brands at a higher price range. I think G.S is close to being more Technical than JLC and even Patek when it comes to entry level products and they are achieving it with a much lower price point. G.S may cause an industry disruption or upset very soon, maybe it has already happened and we just don't know it
GS is one other best watch makers to ever exist,they also make Credor,there top of the line watch that does stand up against the best and beats alot of them
Great content as always John. I adore Grand Seiko. My first luxury watch purchase is almost upon me - either the Grand Seiko SBGN003G GMT or the SBGX259G Spring Drive. They’re almost top of my list because the quality is just stunning. A brand that loves watch lovers. Thanks again John - stay safe!
Their quality is stunning for the price but they are not at the likes of Pateks level nor are they a sports watch like Rolex. Grand Seiko are in competition really with JLC and both those brands are the leaders in that price point in the market.
Boss, I just purchased my FIRST GRAIL after months of studying what would give me more value for my money 💰. In the process I discovered the CRAFTSMANSHIP involved in making GS Watch along with the DETAIL OF Their DIALS, THE POLISH of every edge on their watches that led me to buy THE SNOWFLAKE ❄. It feels like MAGIC on my wrist. I wont pursuit any usual suspects( AP, JLC, RLX) until I collect ALL THE SEASONS along with that bad ass GODZILLA GS. SPRING DRIVE RULES until proven otherwise.
...love my SBGR 261...seems like perfect timeing, the watches are beautiful and beautifully made, there is something for pretty much everyone in design,tech and price points and the community is very receptive...as if everyone who grew-up or started with Seikos etc knows and trusts and likes the company and is ready to move-up...
I am obsessed with watches and fortunate to own the sbgk005 and the sbga413, both amazing watches (amazing dials and overall attention to detail). HOWEVER, I sometimes wonder what Grand Seiko is thinking producing the majority of their watches in sizes that don't appeal to the watch enthusiasts, at least the enthusiasts that I know. Hate on Rolex all you want, but they build solid watches, and sized right (this may shock some of you, but it's ok to love both brands, you don't have to pick between them). So my advice to Grand Seiko, bring down your avg size, listen to your audience and improve your bracelets, and finally focus more on the mechanical vs quartz movements, and you'll only grow your fan club.
Why GS? Because they’re awesome, they’re not the same Rolex and Omega we have been inundated with, their craftsmanship and innovation is insane along with fairly low prices, they look good, and they are related to the everyman affordable Seikos that we all love to wear and own
Not going to lie, I discovered grand seiko after trying for months of being unable to buy the Rolexes I wanted. Then I discovered grand seiko and am completely done with Rolex and their complete lack of interest to let me be a consumer of their brand.
Great review! I love GS especially their sping drive movement, it's just fascinating the decades of work they putted into it. I rather own a GS sping drive than a Rolex......
GS has something, that not a single other brand has - spring drive, the smoothest movement in the world. And watches are made by best of the best Japanese watchmakers. Unless it's Credor. Then it's better than the best. Most of their dials are made in such a unique way, that no other company dares to replicate the process. Not to mention every GS under magnification is pure perfection.
@japanwatchconnection I couldn't find any flaws front to back in any Watchfinder videos so far other than wear and tear since they sell actual second hand watches. Jenni Elle close ups stay sharp, they also picked 'em from an actual store. Swiss watch gang found few flaws, but they zoomed in like crazy, other watches already failed at half that magnification. There's a limit on how much you can zoom on anything before it stops being perfect and GS has the deepest range. Also keep in mind that Hafid's copy was sent all over the world for a review, just to be disposed afterwards. If he did actually buy it in such condition, that'd be a shame. Btw, the power reserve meant to be seen with a naked eye, it's a visual design, not a 'lack of attention'.
I like GS and bought one tonight (sbgw235) but I do find that Gs is an inverted snobs brand a lot of the time. How do you know when someone has a grand Seiko? They’ll tell you. And they’ll tell you it cost the same as an Omega or Rolex or is better quality than them “without anyone knowing”. Except everyone does know because they tell everyone which takes the “stealth flex out of it”. I rarely hear Rolex owners talking about Gs or Omega negatively, they just don’t care. But Omega and Gs owners (I own both) seemingly can’t get through an hour without badmouthing Rolex and omega. I like all 3 brands and don’t think it’s like game of thrones or US politics where I have to pick a side and stick with it no matter what- but Rolex are generally more wearable in terms of proportion and size and they have better bracelets and clasps. I don’t care about metas or zaratsu polishing if the watch is too thick or has a shit bracelet and clasp.
Great video as always. Would you rather have two grand seiko watches from the seasons collection (pink and green) or one rolex daytona? 4 grand seiko watches or one AP royal oak? What set do you think has better appreciation value and timelessness and potential
Would say it's more down to price and value. To me it's crazy that a previous generation Rolex used will cost damn near what a brand new one from an AD will which is crazy to me. Conversely you can pick up a used GS for a fraction of what it was new (for the most part). I like a lot of GS models only thing I'm not crazy about is their use of 19mm lug spacing and although they have a few watches under 40mm they don't have many.
Watch enthusiast like GS because they are the best mechanical watches on the market right now. Best movements, best finish, best dials. They just outrun the competition. Easy as that.
Unfortunately, as much as I like GS, they HAVE to focus on their movement, as they really don't have an iconic model or a few models that they can truly focus on. There is no Speedmaster, Submariner or Royal Oak equivalent in their entire lineup, a very popular and representative model that they can leverage on. And them throwing out countless limited editions and different variations only serve to dilute their brand and their catalogue. What they should instead be doing is to focus on a few models and tweak them as time goes by. The snowflake is one of their most popular models, and yet they totally failed to leverage on it. I really cannot understand their business model.
Buying a watch in Japan is different. It's like buying a pair of shoes. Depending on your budget, lifestyle , style. There will be a seiko or grand seiko for you. The watch you wear why should it be the same as the other 5 million people wearing a submariner
@@hammalamiri12 that may be how you feel, but it doesn't make for a good business plan. And the Japanese market is but a small percentage of the world market, so again its not applicable. Every single brand that expanded its catalogue immensely has suffered as a result. Rolex is such a powerhouse because it didn't do that and instead focused on a much smaller core line.
Oh yah, and when your models are mostly nameless pieces known instead by a reference number that only hardcore fans can remember, it's doesn't make gaining new customers any easier.
I think they just focus on innovation over anything else, which was the reason why they were created in the 1st place, they are an extension of Seiko despite being a luxury brand so they still more in line with the normal Seiko's business model as well. Their business model doesn't rely on branding like Rolex which is why they don't focus on having lineup of one type of watches. They also can only make a limited amount of these watches at a time which is probably why they are not trying to expand their business and just focus on the more niche side.
Because GS brings innovation and haute horology quality to most products they produce. As opposed to BORING Rowlecks that only brings color changes year to year.
This comment ages well 😂
so true, Rolex is totally marketing scam , not a watchmaking anymore
@bani niba And a millimeter here and there.
What really annoys me about Rolex is that the AD’s sell off most of what they get to the Grey Market. All the Grey Market guys had all the new releases the day they were released. My AD said he had nothing. He’s a licensed Rolex dealer, of course he got watches. If a customer of 30 years can’t get a watch, there is something wrong with Rolex.
Btw I'm just curious, why some people type in 'rowlecks' instead of rolex?
GS hits the perfect sweet spot between luxury, innovation, accessibility through their finishing and movements. Happy to own their watches!
Spring drive is way under appreciated. That's the most innovative technology in horology for many years now.
The reality is that spring drive is cool - that is all. Innovative? In what field spring drive is innovating? horology refers to the science of measuring the pass of time... we have other technologies that have surpassed spring drive in horology - we dont need to discuss that.
Spring drive has no purpose nor real functionality in todays world - like any other "stand alone watch technology" in an interconnected world.
The prove is that none of us are living our lives without mobile phones in our hands anymore and what do you use to access atomic clocks imformation and set your watches in time?
And dont get me wrong, I find them really appealing, well made and extremely well priced in comparison with the other luxury watch brands...
@@educarmar quartz more than enough then?
@@naturalLin what do you use to set up your watches in time?
I bet you have plenty of access to portable gadgets providing that - some of them compact and lightweight enough to enable you carrying them with you most of the time...
In that sense, the wristwatch is just a complement for your attire... a jewelry item if you wish - with a secondary function, this being providing the time.
I like watches and accept what they are, I also think that looking down to quartz watches is a snob attitude.
@@scottfree6479 there you go: "mechanical"
You said it all - I dont need to explain you that the 1st indrustrial revolution was about mechanics... but you can read about it in wikipedia
@@educarmar it's a great engineering achievement and I often thought of getting one, it comes at a price tho, no one other seiko Japan will be able to service it and for obvious reasons
GS is not for everyone. It is for the connoisseur watch lovers and collectors. Go buy a Rolex and be part of that 1.2M people that buy Rolex every year. GS only makes about 40K a year among all their models that means most of their watches are under 1000 pcs a year. By far the best value for money
I am waiting for the day, when watch youtubers start going nuts over Credor. It is inevitable.
Have Rolex, Omega,Tudor. Just got a GS Heritage spring drive last week and I must say I am impressed. Impeccable finish and the accuracy is fantastic, +1 second per week. It also feels more substantial on wrist than I expected.
The question,”Is GS as a brand worthy of the attention it’s getting?” is like the question “Are Rolexes worthy of the prices they command?” The fact is people are willingly giving GS the attention just as they are willingly paying Rolex prices. People are voting with their time and money in answering both questions. So yes. QED, GS is obviously worth the attention or it wouldn’t be getting the attention!!
I mentioned this before and i will do so again, as soon as Grand Seiko adds a high quality micro adjustment on the clasp on a improved bracelet, and as soon as they release a 40 mm diver, the brand will explode.
Completely agree.
Makes me think Seiko have been paid off by Rolex, to NOT come out with a decent bracelet and micro adjust clasp.
As soon as they make clean Lay-out dials without the power reserve indicators they will be appealing
@@purplefabian That's called a Credor.
I kinda like the power indicator, at least I do on the snowflake with extra details and depth to it.
Grand Seiko shows total commitment to perfection. Other luxury manufacturers show total commitment to profit.
GS destroyed the industry
with mechanical engines first.
Then, they obliterated all competition
with the Astron.
My early ('66) 6246 chronometer,
is still running within 5 seconds a day,
serviced once in 54 yrs :)
Awesome!
I have a GS 6145-8000 1969! Serviced it's running at +3s a day. Also have a modern SBGX261! Love GS
I believe they'll eventually decimate the industry again with the spring drive. Swiss luxury brands stagnated in terms of innovation while GS developed a new escapement. If they ramp up production and up their marketing, I think the Geneve giants will start sweating.
Wow this is amazing!
Grand Seiko's are amazing watches, I own Rolex and Patek, but my fav to wear is my GS. Gorgeous watches
I love Grand Seiko, so I'm not exactly a convert, but you layed out a really clear as to why everyone should. The sbga413 is
100% in my future, it doesn't look as pink in person and that dial is stunnnninnnggg
GS have the most accurate and innovative movements, have the best polishing and great quality in construction, some of the most beautiful dials available and at a very reasonable price. What more can you ask of a watch?!?!
Micro adjustment on the clasp
I haven’t got a problem with the bracelet other than a few micro adjustments as mentioned (I forgot about that)!
a nice presentation box and papers, fit for a several thousand dollars luxury watch. not the cheap little box and paper booklet you would find in a 100$ seiko watch.
The most accurate is the Bulova Accutron II movement
team zissou They’re getting a LOT of attention from us watch-community members. It’s only a matter of time before that becomes true for the “ community “ at large.
Grand Seiko make beautiful watches, l personally been to the Holy trinity watch stores, tried them on and a Rolex store , l went to Seiko tried on a few Grand Seiko watches . Being as honest l can with maximum integrity. Some of the Grand Seiko models, even some of there GPS watches, look clearly better than some of them holy trinity watches along with Rolex. Holy trinity watches, there Hype.
When I can afford it I will get a Grand Seiko with snowflake dial and spring drive, absolutely beautiful. The main thing I like about GS is the attitude that even when it is good enough to release to the market it still is not good enough, they always look for ways to improve perfection. I like that thinking.
I admire my limited edition GS “Lion” GMT Sport. It’s innovative, beautiful, practical, precise and inspiring. Most of all, in my opinion, it’s the greatest example of watch craftsmanship in a SPORT WATCH and the most beautiful SPORT WATCH ever made. So, I bought one.
I love the. Brand
I have 6 of them
1 is number 1/50
The others are limited versions
What i love about them is the design
The finishing and the fact that it keeps accurate time
Which i believe should be an important feature fir an instrument designed to tell time
I don’t understand why majority of watch collectors seem to think that 10 sec or more per day better than
1 sec per day
I am totally with you on your thought process JP; I have been watching the GS market for the past 2 years. I finally pulled the trigger a few months ago and obtained the blue snowflake for below retail (in your thumbnail😉). This watch gets more wrist time than my 3 Rolex- I absolutely love it!
I own two Rolex and a Grand Seiko GMT and love it. The dial is cream, and it's my fav watch to just stare at.
Cream !
@@JohnPWatches Not to mention yogurt watches, esp. with the spring drive.
Ivory
I've heard that Federico is a HUUUUGE fan of Grand Seiko. But seriously, those watches are amazing. Seiko is putting so much effort into inovations and finishing so IMHO they realy deserve all the attention.
Because they're awesome. That's why.
For sure, they deserve the attention - they are great watches, of the highest mechanical quality. My Snowflake runs to +1sec a month and it's finish is better than my Rolexes, Omegas or Panerai. In fact, the dial and case finish is equal to any high end Swiss manufacturer. Personally, I think only Breguet or AL&S offer anything significantly more interesting (and are 4x the price). I do agree with others that the bracelets could improve (not as good as Omega or Rolex) and I think the sports watch lines could be expanded (and they make too many meh business watches). And yes, a 40mm diver! But, their formal and dress watches... wow, out of the park! Just a shame (in Europe at least), there is still a snobbish element who look down their noses at any Japanese product (and this goes for cars, motorbikes, guns, bike components, cameras etc too). Fools, their loss!
I would say that the snobbery in Europe is more than in the US. The American car market is DOMINATED by Japanese cars. The same goes for the camera industry here (Nikon, Canon, Sony), bikes (Honda, Suzuki) and so on.
@@abiromu Europeans tend to have more of an attitude of buying local. Doesn't necessarily have to do with snobbery, more environmental consciousness.
I have a Japanese-made Orient and I love it. I’ve also had two Honda dirt bikes and they were absolutely bulletproof. I’m pretty sure everything I’ve ever had made in Japan was and is very good quality. On the subject of guns my dad has a Japanese-made Browning BPS and I believe it is second to none when it comes to quality of pump shotguns.
Well stated Mr. Howard
I only buy Japanese bikes.
With watches, my heart says Swiss, but my head says Japanese.
Just purchased my 5th GS … love them all… better than my Rolex’s and Omega’s.
If you haven't tried on a Grand Seiko, you really should take a look. I got my Grand Seiko (sbgh269) a month ago and I absolutely love it. The dial is stunning, the polishing is mind blowing, and the 39.5mm size is perfect for me. The one thing that I think that Grand Seiko could improve is adding a micro adjust to the bracelet. Otherwise, it is a home run!
How do you find the fit with the half links?
Grand Seiko is very underappreciated, as is the Spring Drive movement. People like to refer to it as another quartz watch. What a load of bull droppings!
I have an SBGA251. It looks very plain on everything on the web, but in person it has a beautiful elegance. I sent my boss pics and he thought it looked nice. When he saw it in person, his response was 'this is a different watch in person.' I fell for Grand Seiko while visiting Japan and they might be the best value for dollar in the watch world.
Very well said John, as eloquent and straight to each point as you could be.
Yes they do in fact deserve all the free media coverage they're getting. Regardless of how one feels about Spring Drive not being pure mechanical movement, one can not deny the level of work that has gone into the production of these watches. The mirror finish on the titanium alone is worth giving the brand your fair share of attention. Have you seen customer pictures and videos online of the finish? Retail pictures online don't compare to what customers are showing. And last but not least, the price is simply too competitive to brush off.
I bought a sbgn009 limited edition a few months back. Even though it's a quartz watch, it had as much soul to me as a mechanical watch. I am in love with it. Great video!
GS and H.Moser dials are the best in the market. They are the only ones I keep looking at all the time. Mesmerizing.
Great dials, agreed.
Give me an 1815 chronograph
Emad Attia GS and H.Moser in the same sentence?! GS is in the best company indeed!!
@@gregsolovieff6711 XD Put down the pipe bro
Honestly this topic/video has been one of your more interesting to date. IMHO, GS movement and finish are great, but they need to refine bracelet quality and reduce case thickness.
I have a snowflake SBGA211 and a GMT SBGJ237 . these watches smoke the swiss on every level. I can’t stop looking at them. The finishing and COMFORT is top notch especially the snowflake! Accuracy, quality and craftsmanship is what GS offers
also recreating a watch is one of my favorite moves by both seiko and GS! The captain willard was recreated and reinterpreted .... which no brand does
I bought a SBGJ237 recently and I agree with you that I can’t stop looking at it. The posted size scares away a lot of people but it actually wears smaller and thinner in real life. Videos nor pictures do GS justice for they are much better in real life. Looking forward to getting a GS with the new 9SA5 movement.
I daily wear an sbgx162 that I absolutely adore. Yes it’s quartz but it’s the skill behind it that sold me
Love Seiko.
I have an early gmt GS.
Awesome watch.
Seems like Seiko is pulling it's best stuff down to less expensive items such as quartz and yet they will take some of their more average lines and upgrade to spring drive.
To me my GS is as significant as Rolex for example
Grand seiko is what rolex used to be. I just love the quality and the workmanship. Its true real watch enthusiasts want grand seiko brand lovers like rolex.
Super analysis of GS business strategy. Well done John!
Eh, 9F is a temperature compensated movement. Regulation feature is added to enable correction for tiny flaws in production of the quartz crystal.
JDM Seiko GS (pre 2010) or GS, I see some differences in craftsmanship. Their earlier JDM models were superbly well made.
I really like grand Seiko and everything they are doing. They have some incredible movements and craftsmanship and to be honest, for the price, especially second hand, they are hard to beat. Now you won’t impress or spark curiosity with anyone who is not a watch enthusiast with your grand seiko, but if you are buying a watch to impress the general public, they you probably need to look elsewhere.
Will be adding one in the future for sure.
I’ve come to the point where I feel a GS snobbery, like “Oh, you DON’T own a GS? Why?”. How one can look at their Spring Drive and not be impressed is beyond me. To say nothing of their continual achievements etc. Don’t get me wrong. I still want that Patek, and I’ll get it. Right after that A. Lange & Söhne. Yes, in that order.
Yes A Lange & Sohne just screams class more than the rest.
Your videos are getting better all the time.
Killing it John, one of your best video's! Grand Seiko is a smart company. And you are a smart guy.
Thank you :)
The Japanese have been bringing high performance and quality with a very reasonable price point since I can remember. For me it started with cars in the 90s like the skyline, impreza and evo. I trust japanese engineering and manufacturing. Rival's Germanys engineering expertise for close to half the price. Grand seiko is the continuation of that in my mind.
Great coverage of the GS brand. You make such a good point about their focus on movements not cosmetics.
I love the focus on movements. I'm particularly excited about their new escapement.
I have two modern GS and 2 vintage and I got to say I love both of them immensely. I agree that GS have in the past and are doing some fantastic things. They have amazing innovation in their movements and are setting a new standard for the industry. The Dials and cases are just unreal and that's what really gets them the most attention.
That being said there are two factors that are a major issues with GS and IMO will hold them back. Firstly, their bracelets are seriously bad for a watch at this price level. They need to put the same innovation they put into their movements to come up with a bracelet clasp that is easily adjustable. Rolex has the best bracelet on the market, Take a cue from them.
Secondly, They need to come out with some sports watches that are reasonable looking and a decent size. They easily have some of the best dress watches and casual business watches on the market in the price point. However, their sports watches are ridiculously huge and in a lot of cases kinda ugly. They need to come out with a decent sized diver under 42mm and 14 mm thick and a chrono that has normal sized pushers. If they really want to go after the likes of Rolex they need to develop their sports models.
Well said!! Grand Seiko offer so much, to so many. I own the SBGA283 and what a watch for the money 😁
True watch aficionados and ppl who know about watch mechanics buy Grand Seiko
I have two grand Seiko ( sbga229 - sbga211 ) and I love to wear them more than my rolex collection and other luxury watch's.
Very nice !
Very interesting and thoughtful analysis. It's telling that, in terms of design and innovation, GS stopped competing with the Swiss brands years ago. Each new release from GS competes with and improves upon other GS models.
I own 2 Grand Seiko (Hi-Beat &SD) and i like it...
Awesome video and point of view. Grand Seiko is like the Lexus, they both take the risk to improve.
Great analogy with Lexus 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Shit. I drive a Lexus and am looking at a snowflake. Marketing. It’s real!
@@conkerman01 I have a 2020 Lexus GX460 and i bought last week the SBGA407G and it is a nice combo!
Even Archie luxury loves Grand Seiko ! Lol
I hate that guy, hate him 😄
Seriously?
@@larsstougaard7097 he hates himself too
@@benbenjan811 so sadly true
I love Grand Seiko's (GS) movements. I especially love spring drive which gives, what I think is the biggest benefit to watches with second hands, a perfectly smooth sweep. I love GS finishing, way above its price point. For the most part, I do not like their designs. To date, I have yet to find a GS watch that speaks to me or I am in love with. I hate their limited release strategy, especially their country/region specific releases.
As a new watch enthusiast, I am learning about myself and what I like in watches. My tastes have changed dramatically over the past few years as I see more watches and learn about brands, movements, etc. I have spent time building my personal watch philosophy that frames my collecting strategy. I am finally getting close to the point where I will start purchasing real watches, not the affordable watches that I used to learn my likes and dislikes. I have learned NOT to buy a watch that I do not love. GS does not have a watch I love at this point. I hope they come out with one at some point.
Yep Seiko is setting the standard these days in affordable high-end watches. Rolex has not innovated in quite a long time. Rolex seems to only be interested in making bribe watches but part of that particular market in China has dried up. I don't currently have a Seiko but I am beginning to study their offerings.
I have been saving up for an Omega Speedmaster, my grail watch. However a good deal popped up on a Grand Seiko and I jumped on it. I should have it in a few days. I really hope I did not make a mistake.
Which Grand Seiko model did you go for?
@@ArcticAirIncSummerville SBGA211
Wrong Time Watch ... Very nice choice! That is a gorgeous watch and pictures don’t do it justice!
Wrong Time Watch Congrats !
@@gregsolovieff6711 Thanks, it was kind of a spontaneous purchase.
I bought my first watch in 1966 (Timex)! and have been obsessive ever since GS are fantastic watches and Bang for Bucks unbeatable! Great Vid JP
Dials and movements. It's how I choose my watches, albeit I'm at a lower price point. I think GS are still going to be around in 50 years time!
I love the 9F movements.
The finest time pieces money can buy🤗 In my extremely humble, opinion. I’ll never own one, unfortunately; though I’ve been a huge fan of their exquisite craftsmanship, for some years😌❤️
I bought my first GS about a year ago. The Grand Seiko SBGJ201. This is the most beautiful white dial i have ever laid my eyes upon. I went in going to buy the Snowflake, but totally forgot about it when i saw this one.
Casio G-Shock does the exact same thing with new releases every couple of weeks. Big difference between Japanese and Swiss made watches.
G-Shock is the best outdoor watch you can get. You can drive a tank over it and it still works. And even a cheap A168W has so much value and reliability that it still works after 20 years.
I love them but they need to shrink them a bit. The sports models are all massive. Especially thickness.
I agree on the large sports watches. I'd like to see them more in line with Rolex size.
Totally agree! Sports are too big and the gmts and even some 3 handers are too thick
B labrada the other issue I can foresee is lack of bracelet adjustability on models like the snow flake. No easy link, half link or proper micro adjustment available. This is also an issue with suitor BB watches.
@@wheelsandwatches i had this issue with my snowflake. I have since sold it. Eyeing the sbga415 as a replacement. Always found it easier to wear it on leather or suede because of it.
I am one of those "freaks" that prefer Quartz to mechanical lol... I do have 3 mechanical watches, GS 6145-8000 (serviced running at +3s/day), a Zodiac Sea Dragon (STP 1-11 running at +4)and a Seiko Presage SSA347J1 (running at +7)... But the other 9 watches are all Quartz haha. From Gshock 5600 BB to GS SBGX261... Longines Conquest VHP... And so on. So yeah lol
Hi John, Grand Seiko, and their higher contemporary Credor. You could do a review on the Credor watches.
I have had a rolex , Omega and a few other brands and I now own a spring drive . It is in another league . I can't see myself owning anything other than a Grand Seiko from now on .
I love the dials especially the ones related to the environment or seasons! Nobody making dials like grand seiko!
Got 2 GS in my little collection, both are driven by quartz technology. One is 9F and another one is SD. They are very accurate if accuracy is your need, fantastic finishes and fit. Some GS fitted with the 9S auto and SD are quite thick, do go try it out before purchase since the bracelet might also make you go crazy.
I’m absolutely blown away by the 9F quartz
I don't think there is anything else on the market like Grand Seiko. They're Japanese, what can they NOT do? Cheers!
tbh... my sinn u2 and the newly acquired snowflake (gawd I m chuffed to bits) are constantly on my wrists these days... not saying gs is perfect, but they are definitely very close to that. speaking of improvement, I dont care too much about bracelets as I wear anything but bracelets and leather, I do prefer gs adding a bit of their seiko lumibrite onto the watch to make it even more versatile.
all my rolexs are resting in da drawer....
Great video. Been considering adding a GS to my collection. 👍
Cool, it will be Grand 😋⌚
Well done, I own 2 GS watches, one of them being the quartz movement and the other mechanical. The quartz is a gmt and is my daily wearer. Having owned the GS brand, as well as Rolex Datejust and Rolex Submariner, I can say that GS makes outstanding watches.
I’d say that if anything, they have too many models to choose from. I think they need to slim down their selection a bit as well as to start making their sport watches smaller. The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on a new SBGJ 237 is the fact that it’s 44.2 mm. I’d like to see it in 40mm and I’d like to see the GMT hand in a different color than the rest of the hands, blue would be perfect.
The extreme price increases of Rolex is pushing the buyer right into the GS line. Some of the most desirable watches from Rolex can only be bought in the gray market at huge premiums such as the stainless Daytona and the stainless Sky Dweller. All the while, most GS watches can be had quite quickly even if you have to import them from reputable sellers in Japan in the event they’re not available in the US. This makes the GS actually attainable which is what we all want.
Great review and explanation of the current situation.
I admire Grand Seiko. I have only one in my collection but am thinking of a second piece. The Seiko company is also producing some very unique watches. As, for example, their Prospex LX series of watches. Marvelous creations that I'd love to own.
Seiko Presage watches are very well made as well and just a level below Grand. And they are more affordable.
@@bighands69 Yes, bighand69, I agree with you. I have been taking notice of Presage these last few days. Very nice, indeed. The Astron watches are also of great interest to me. Lovely, lovely timepieces.
Companies like Breitling would do well to take a look at GS
I have loved G.S for the longest time, however, I did feel that they were lacking mechanically when compared to brands like Rolex and Omega. Rolex and Omega DID have better specs mechanically, for example, they utilize free sprung balances, Silicon balances in the case of Omega, Silicon Hair spring for Omega and Zirconium based hair spring for Rolex. Then G.S just announced upgrades to the Spring drive and Automatic Movement. In my opinion, they have now surpassed Rolex and Omega mechanically with their new upgrades. A little bit of adjustments with their hardware such as bracelets and it should be Game Over even for brands at a higher price range. I think G.S is close to being more Technical than JLC and even Patek when it comes to entry level products and they are achieving it with a much lower price point. G.S may cause an industry disruption or upset very soon, maybe it has already happened and we just don't know it
GS is one other best watch makers to ever exist,they also make Credor,there top of the line watch that does stand up against the best and beats alot of them
Great video. Excellent analysis. Perfect energy level.
Great content as always John. I adore Grand Seiko. My first luxury watch purchase is almost upon me - either the Grand Seiko SBGN003G GMT or the SBGX259G Spring Drive. They’re almost top of my list because the quality is just stunning. A brand that loves watch lovers. Thanks again John - stay safe!
Their quality is stunning for the price but they are not at the likes of Pateks level nor are they a sports watch like Rolex.
Grand Seiko are in competition really with JLC and both those brands are the leaders in that price point in the market.
There is a precision and elegance to GS that you just don't see in the other luxury brands.
Because the quility of finish is beyond anything else. Even regular Seiko stand up to watches beyond their price bracket.
I only recently found out that Seiko also owns EPSON......its a far larger company than I realised.
Boss, I just purchased my FIRST GRAIL after months of studying what would give me more value for my money 💰. In the process I discovered the CRAFTSMANSHIP involved in making GS Watch along with the DETAIL OF Their DIALS, THE POLISH of every edge on their watches that led me to buy THE SNOWFLAKE ❄. It feels like MAGIC on my wrist. I wont pursuit any usual suspects( AP, JLC, RLX) until I collect ALL THE SEASONS along with that bad ass GODZILLA GS. SPRING DRIVE RULES until proven otherwise.
Is Thier 4 season collection limited or mass produced?
...love my SBGR 261...seems like perfect timeing, the watches are beautiful and beautifully made, there is something for pretty much everyone in design,tech and price points and the community is very receptive...as if everyone who grew-up or started with Seikos etc knows and trusts and likes the company and is ready to move-up...
SEIKO will take on these euro watch maker, JAPAN have the resources, thecnology, precision skills including sales and marketting ability,
I am obsessed with watches and fortunate to own the sbgk005 and the sbga413, both amazing watches (amazing dials and overall attention to detail). HOWEVER, I sometimes wonder what Grand Seiko is thinking producing the majority of their watches in sizes that don't appeal to the watch enthusiasts, at least the enthusiasts that I know. Hate on Rolex all you want, but they build solid watches, and sized right (this may shock some of you, but it's ok to love both brands, you don't have to pick between them). So my advice to Grand Seiko, bring down your avg size, listen to your audience and improve your bracelets, and finally focus more on the mechanical vs quartz movements, and you'll only grow your fan club.
GS makes some amazing watches. It is one of the most interesting brands on the market. Prices are going up, but it is still a real value proposition.
This is your best video to date...
You just nailed why I won't buy a GS. They focus too much on the movement and not enough on the watch, which is likely why they all look the same
Why GS? Because they’re awesome, they’re not the same Rolex and Omega we have been inundated with, their craftsmanship and innovation is insane along with fairly low prices, they look good, and they are related to the everyman affordable Seikos that we all love to wear and own
Not going to lie, I discovered grand seiko after trying for months of being unable to buy the Rolexes I wanted. Then I discovered grand seiko and am completely done with Rolex and their complete lack of interest to let me be a consumer of their brand.
Great review!
I love GS especially their sping drive movement, it's just fascinating the decades of work they putted into it. I rather own a GS sping drive than a Rolex......
GS has something, that not a single other brand has - spring drive, the smoothest movement in the world. And watches are made by best of the best Japanese watchmakers. Unless it's Credor. Then it's better than the best. Most of their dials are made in such a unique way, that no other company dares to replicate the process. Not to mention every GS under magnification is pure perfection.
@japanwatchconnection I couldn't find any flaws front to back in any Watchfinder videos so far other than wear and tear since they sell actual second hand watches. Jenni Elle close ups stay sharp, they also picked 'em from an actual store. Swiss watch gang found few flaws, but they zoomed in like crazy, other watches already failed at half that magnification. There's a limit on how much you can zoom on anything before it stops being perfect and GS has the deepest range.
Also keep in mind that Hafid's copy was sent all over the world for a review, just to be disposed afterwards. If he did actually buy it in such condition, that'd be a shame.
Btw, the power reserve meant to be seen with a naked eye, it's a visual design, not a 'lack of attention'.
I like GS and bought one tonight (sbgw235) but I do find that Gs is an inverted snobs brand a lot of the time. How do you know when someone has a grand Seiko? They’ll tell you. And they’ll tell you it cost the same as an Omega or Rolex or is better quality than them “without anyone knowing”. Except everyone does know because they tell everyone which takes the “stealth flex out of it”.
I rarely hear Rolex owners talking about Gs or Omega negatively, they just don’t care. But Omega and Gs owners (I own both) seemingly can’t get through an hour without badmouthing Rolex and omega. I like all 3 brands and don’t think it’s like game of thrones or US politics where I have to pick a side and stick with it no matter what- but Rolex are generally more wearable in terms of proportion and size and they have better bracelets and clasps. I don’t care about metas or zaratsu polishing if the watch is too thick or has a shit bracelet and clasp.
Great video as always. Would you rather have two grand seiko watches from the seasons collection (pink and green) or one rolex daytona? 4 grand seiko watches or one AP royal oak? What set do you think has better appreciation value and timelessness and potential
Would say it's more down to price and value. To me it's crazy that a previous generation Rolex used will cost damn near what a brand new one from an AD will which is crazy to me. Conversely you can pick up a used GS for a fraction of what it was new (for the most part).
I like a lot of GS models only thing I'm not crazy about is their use of 19mm lug spacing and although they have a few watches under 40mm they don't have many.
Watch enthusiast like GS because they are the best mechanical watches on the market right now. Best movements, best finish, best dials. They just outrun the competition. Easy as that.
I own the Grand Seiko Ref. SBGH267G. It is a beautiful watch. I'd love to own another of their watches.
Unfortunately, as much as I like GS, they HAVE to focus on their movement, as they really don't have an iconic model or a few models that they can truly focus on. There is no Speedmaster, Submariner or Royal Oak equivalent in their entire lineup, a very popular and representative model that they can leverage on. And them throwing out countless limited editions and different variations only serve to dilute their brand and their catalogue. What they should instead be doing is to focus on a few models and tweak them as time goes by. The snowflake is one of their most popular models, and yet they totally failed to leverage on it. I really cannot understand their business model.
Nice analysis
Buying a watch in Japan is different. It's like buying a pair of shoes. Depending on your budget, lifestyle , style. There will be a seiko or grand seiko for you. The watch you wear why should it be the same as the other 5 million people wearing a submariner
@@hammalamiri12 that may be how you feel, but it doesn't make for a good business plan. And the Japanese market is but a small percentage of the world market, so again its not applicable. Every single brand that expanded its catalogue immensely has suffered as a result. Rolex is such a powerhouse because it didn't do that and instead focused on a much smaller core line.
Oh yah, and when your models are mostly nameless pieces known instead by a reference number that only hardcore fans can remember, it's doesn't make gaining new customers any easier.
I think they just focus on innovation over anything else, which was the reason why they were created in the 1st place, they are an extension of Seiko despite being a luxury brand so they still more in line with the normal Seiko's business model as well. Their business model doesn't rely on branding like Rolex which is why they don't focus on having lineup of one type of watches. They also can only make a limited amount of these watches at a time which is probably why they are not trying to expand their business and just focus on the more niche side.
They deserve the coverage...not just because I own a few.
That Spring Drive tho... GS is probably the best value in the watch industry.