Fantastic. You appear to have first review of actual watch up on RUclips. I have one on reserve. Do you mind me asking where you purchased yours? I have an SBGA001 that I traded for several years ago. Love the spring drive technology and my only slight niggle with it is the thickness. As it does for you, this watch checks all my boxes. I’m not a huge fan of GS bracelets so I’m actually happy it comes on the strap. I find the crocodile a little too formal though so I look forward to trying out different straps. Congratulations on your first GS!
Thank you so much. I ordered direct from Grand Seiko online boutique - they sell a limited supply direct before they ship to stores. I ordered mine 10 minutes after it was released… That must have put me first in line. 😁 That also gave me RUclips FIRST HANDS-ON VIDEO credit - 🎉🥳🎊 I agree - crocodile is too formal. I ordered a bracelet from GS but will try a few less formal straps too.
Congratulations, I love this watch. Spring drive, nice blue color, very well build quality, proper size, no date clean dial with power reserve on the back, limited, i mean what more could you ask for?! This is great Patrick, I hope you enjoy wearing this watch every time.
Thank you. You said it perfectly - it’s got all the stuff you want in a Grand Seiko. When I get the bracelet this week it’ll be a suitable daily wearer (I’ll update everyone on the bracelet upgrade on stream too).
@@PocketWatchTime Thank you. Loved your narration, you happiness in having this gem on your wrist is infectious. Happy for you bro, may Allah bless you with more happiness.
I purchased an SBGX347 for my wife for our 30th wedding anniversary for the very reasons you mentioned. Old retro design with small indices and a timeless dial. The KitKat indices is only at the 12 o'clock position. We are 'accuracy snobs' so quartz for us.
@@PocketWatchTime Sorry to hear that. My wife has been a watch person since birth. She bugged me to purchase my watches. I can't tear her GS off her wrist.
Great Review. Congrats on your purchase. I've been eyeing the same watch for a couple of months. It is an amazing timepiece. The dial is crazy good and I love how the second-hand sweeps - it's hypnotic.
@@PocketWatchTime I'll be waiting! It appears from the photos/videos i've seen that indices/hour markers are more recessed than other GS... It may be just illusion but if you're able to add some close ups, that'd be really appreciated!! my SBGH205 has nicely raised hour markers and add nice dimension to the dial
Congrats. I pulled the trigger on my first GS a few months back, and it was the best horology decision I've made to date. It's my daily work piece, subtle, beautiful, and the spring drive is always a nice break in the day.
stunning watch. congrats! Beautiful angular lines, coupled with that polish is a killer. And i've not even looked at the dial yet. I am very certain this video, beautiful as it is, cannot capture the actual beautiful of it in real life.
Amazing piece. A heirloom item to last decades. +2 seconds per month real world accuracy. It has that dial that plays with light in an amazing way. “je ne sais quoi” on the wrist. No words can describe the beauty of this watch. Yet now first time a manual wound beauty like this from GS is 100m water resistant and I’d say this is the ultimate one watch collection!
19mm does make it tough. I’m waiting for ALLWRISTS.com (a new company) to release their fitted leather straps (coming soon…I’ll have a review when available).
Just picked this up yesterday, the Tsuki Tenshin, or "High Moon." I already had a 1st gen Snowflake - the one with the double branding - in the collection, so I wasn't in the market for another GS, but this one was so compelling. It's really what spring drive should've been from the get-go. Clean presentation; no ugly PR indicator @7:30; and sub-11mm. Plus more than just splash-resistant, although this clearly isn't meant for sports. (BTW, mine is a sibling at #717.)
I couldn’t agree more. I love the new dive watch… But the sizeis a little too big and the dive extension bracelet is just cheap and ugly. A couple small tweaks and that watch would be perfect.
Can you speak to the bezel, particularly how well it blends to the case above the lugs? I can't tell from the video but it LOOKs like a similar fitment as the bezel on my snowflake. The Snowflake has a rather sharp edge on the bezel and also an "overhang" on the lug ends that ends up trapping random crud (and is really hard to clean out).Thanks for any information!
The bezel is slightly elevated above the lugs and case form. The elevation tapers as it blends into the main case making a small curve in the design. I’ll take a closeup picture and post it on my IG (pocket.watch.time) today.
Great review and beautiful watch 👍 Besides the 009 I also have the SBGY011, same case & movement but with a different dial. It has to be seen in real life because most of the pictures I have seen of it do not reflect the very particular texture, which is completely different from snowflake or white birch.
Thank you. That’s such a tough choice… I chose the 009 over the 007 because of the increased size and water resistance. I love the 295 - that dial is amazing! Hi Beat is great, but I like the tech of Spring Drive. Once again -- Grand Seiko sprinkles amazing features over a range of watches.
@@PocketWatchTime Yes and I just love the mechanical hand wind aspect of the spring drive movement in the 009. Also a big fan of how they have started to tone down the dimensions on some of their watches. Hopefully they can get the whole line slimmed down, including the divers.
Did you ever get the chance to enquire about bracelet options? The 44GS case seems pretty similar to the SLGH013, which comes on a bracelet, so I'm hopeful.
I did. I made a video about it. I bought the bracelet and it fits - but my install has a bit of a wobble (I think I bent the spring bars). It’s a tight fit. I did see somebody else on Instagram get it installed and it fits perfectly. I’ll eventually take it to the AD and have them install it properly. But it should work.
If they make that in a green dial, I’ll be first in line! I have the Seiko Presage Manhattan (SRPB46J) and Mockingbird (SRPD47J) because I love that dial so much.
Félicitations !. Je reçois la mienne mercredi prochain !. C'est ma deuxième Grand Seiko après la SBGA407 "Skyflake". Par contre, tout comme my Skyflake, j'aime pas trop leurs bracelets.
Hi Patrick thanks for the video, seems a awesome GS that doesn’t get much attention/love by the videos about this stunning SBGY009 piece. So has love for this watch grow since the day you got it? Wondering if you ever get bored with the sun ray dial? My local AD has one sitting and I’m on the edge of pulling the trigger but needs a LOT more convincing from an owners perspective 😂
You’re in luck… This upcoming weeks video is about this very watch. I got a new strap for it. As for an owners experience… I am still greatly in love with the watch. I think the dial is amazing even if it is a bit subtle. I wish you could see the sun ray a little easier… It’s hidden deeply in the lacquer and shows up mostly in bright light. However, a positive for that is the subtlety… This dial will never become cliché or out of style. The biggest gripe for me is not being able to find a strap suitable for every day wear. The alligator strap that’s included is absolutely amazing… I just saw one in the AD window the other day and forgot how beautiful the original strap is. But, I prefer a waterproof option - whether it be a strap or a bracelet. Keep an eye out for the video this Saturday and maybe it’ll help push you toward the purchase. 😄
Hey thanks for this review, entertaining and individual, very good. How about some more feedback on the ownership experience as you must have had the piece for around 6 months now? Just some more comments/advice here would be great. Thank you, Marco
I am an enthusiast of the Grand Seiko Spring drive - it is a startling and fascinating innovation. I have the battery driven GS Quartz SBGX261G with a black dial and I love it as my daily wearer. I am not at all convinced by the leather strap (in your case). I find the deployment clasp ugly and bulky on the wrist. The metal bracelet on my GS is excellent but I cannot give it the full 5 stars because the strap does not have a simple extension in hot weather. Given the fantastic attention to detail in all other areas of the watch it is an extraordinary oversight. I will not buy another, or the wonderful 'Spring drive' until this issue is fixed. IWC can manage it seamlessly with one click of their logo....Rolex can do it too, (presuming you can actually buy one).
You are so right. The bracelet is a tragic oversight of Grand Seiko. What a simple fix that they seem to just not care about fixing. Very odd. I completely agree with you about this particular watch and the buckle… The buckle is hideous. I bought an Artem sailcloth strap with an Omega style deployant buckle. That’s how I wear it currently.
Here’s a link to a nice video from minute mon and includes how he found and ordered a metal bracelet to fit his SBGM235 that came on a leather strap , different case shape to yours , but may give you some ideas! ruclips.net/video/Bq7IU4CC5Js/видео.html
@@PocketWatchTime The problem is since Covid hit, I'm working exclusively from home, dont travel for work anymore and nobody is getting married or dying that I know so I havent worn a suit in years. Dressy is just not my style anymore, lol.
@@danzodamanzo8192 Ditto. If I can’t rock it in shorts and flip-flops I’m not interested. I’m thinking about getting a canvas strap for this watch and see if it tones down the dressy. Until then - it’ll live on the bracelet.
I can’t argue with you - watch prices for premium brands are all massively overpriced. 10k for a watch that cost at most $500 to make. Only a few premium brands price watches accordingly with a 400% markup (like diamonds)… others like Rolex and GS go higher… and the true luxury brands like Patek, AP, & VC are in their own stratosphere. Watch collecting can be an expensive hobby. I buy what I like if it’s in my budget. I’ve wanted a GS for a long time… this particular model had the case shape, movement, and color scheme I was waiting for.
Fantastic. You appear to have first review of actual watch up on RUclips. I have one on reserve. Do you mind me asking where you purchased yours? I have an SBGA001 that I traded for several years ago. Love the spring drive technology and my only slight niggle with it is the thickness. As it does for you, this watch checks all my boxes. I’m not a huge fan of GS bracelets so I’m actually happy it comes on the strap. I find the crocodile a little too formal though so I look forward to trying out different straps. Congratulations on your first GS!
Thank you so much. I ordered direct from Grand Seiko online boutique - they sell a limited supply direct before they ship to stores. I ordered mine 10 minutes after it was released… That must have put me first in line. 😁
That also gave me RUclips FIRST HANDS-ON VIDEO credit - 🎉🥳🎊
I agree - crocodile is too formal. I ordered a bracelet from GS but will try a few less formal straps too.
@@PocketWatchTime Look forward to hearing and seeing how the bracelet you ordered looks. Please update when you get it. I see you are on WUS too.
Congratulations, I love this watch. Spring drive, nice blue color, very well build quality, proper size, no date clean dial with power reserve on the back, limited, i mean what more could you ask for?! This is great Patrick, I hope you enjoy wearing this watch every time.
Thank you. You said it perfectly - it’s got all the stuff you want in a Grand Seiko. When I get the bracelet this week it’ll be a suitable daily wearer (I’ll update everyone on the bracelet upgrade on stream too).
OMG!!!! I need few minutes to catch my breath, this is a stunner. I need to get this asap!!! Thanks for the video buddy. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for the great comment. 🤩
@@PocketWatchTime Thank you. Loved your narration, you happiness in having this gem on your wrist is infectious. Happy for you bro, may Allah bless you with more happiness.
@@subaltern1306 Thank you so much. 😁
I purchased an SBGX347 for my wife for our 30th wedding anniversary for the very reasons you mentioned. Old retro design with small indices and a timeless dial. The KitKat indices is only at the 12 o'clock position. We are 'accuracy snobs' so quartz for us.
Congrats 🎉 I wish I could get my wife to appreciate watches.
@@PocketWatchTime Sorry to hear that. My wife has been a watch person since birth. She bugged me to purchase my watches. I can't tear her GS off her wrist.
@pittss2c601 That’s awesome.
Make this with Lake suwa @night dial and we're there.
The fact that a presage has the same dial is a let down for a limited watch with this movement.
I completely agree that Seiko and Grand Seiko are recycling their dials way too much.
Great Review. Congrats on your purchase. I've been eyeing the same watch for a couple of months. It is an amazing timepiece. The dial is crazy good and I love how the second-hand sweeps - it's hypnotic.
Thank you. Very hypnotic - Love the GS sweep. ❤️
"I hope you enjoy the review" - damn sure we did enjoy this lovely review video! congratulations on an awesome addition!
Thanks so much. New video coming tomorrow showing the watch on factory bracelet.
@@PocketWatchTime I'll be waiting! It appears from the photos/videos i've seen that indices/hour markers are more recessed than other GS... It may be just illusion but if you're able to add some close ups, that'd be really appreciated!! my SBGH205 has nicely raised hour markers and add nice dimension to the dial
@@expertreviews1112 I’ll look into that. Video already done… but I did use the macro for most shots so I hope you get a better view of the dial.
@@PocketWatchTime many thnx!!!
Congrats. I pulled the trigger on my first GS a few months back, and it was the best horology decision I've made to date. It's my daily work piece, subtle, beautiful, and the spring drive is always a nice break in the day.
Congrats. Which piece did you buy?
Woohooo Congrats Patrick!!! 😍🥳
Thank you 🙏
Awesome unboxing. Thanks for sharing :)
Thank you.
stunning watch. congrats!
Beautiful angular lines, coupled with that polish is a killer.
And i've not even looked at the dial yet.
I am very certain this video, beautiful as it is, cannot capture the actual beautiful of it in real life.
Thank you. It is a stunner.
Congratulations!!! The perfect watch.
Thank you.
Awesome watch and review Patrick! Thanks!
Thank you 🙏
I’m glad you got it in safe and sound. The grammar of design definitely pulls from my 1972 GS.
The case design is a real classic
the blue dial is stunning and its just as cool looking at the case back .fab watch with amazing tec built inside .enjoy
Thank you. I get the bracelet today…so I hope it sets it off even better.
@@PocketWatchTime that will change the look of the watch massively
Wowza!!! 😍😍😍 congrats!!!!!!!!
I knew you’d approve 👍🏼😁
Very nice. Grand Seiko dials really are among the best in the business.
Thank you. I agree - the dial is gorgeous.
Great review and fantastic video! Congrats on your new acquisition.
Thank you 🙏
Amazing piece. A heirloom item to last decades. +2 seconds per month real world accuracy. It has that dial that plays with light in an amazing way. “je ne sais quoi” on the wrist. No words can describe the beauty of this watch.
Yet now first time a manual wound beauty like this from GS is 100m water resistant and I’d say this is the ultimate one watch collection!
Thank you. That’s what turned the tide for me… The 100 m of water resistance.
Wow, that’s a stunner! Congrats 🎉
Thank you 😊
Félicitations !. Je l'ai acheté vendredi dernier. C'est ma 3eme Grand Seiko. Et sans doute l'une des plus belles montres de ma collection.
Thank you 😊
The only bad thing is the 19mm strap width.
19mm does make it tough. I’m waiting for ALLWRISTS.com (a new company) to release their fitted leather straps (coming soon…I’ll have a review when available).
brill watch i love it cheers
Thanks so much. 🙌🏼
Just picked this up yesterday, the Tsuki Tenshin, or "High Moon." I already had a 1st gen Snowflake - the one with the double branding - in the collection, so I wasn't in the market for another GS, but this one was so compelling. It's really what spring drive should've been from the get-go. Clean presentation; no ugly PR indicator @7:30; and sub-11mm. Plus more than just splash-resistant, although this clearly isn't meant for sports. (BTW, mine is a sibling at #717.)
Congrats 🎉
Nice.. I do not own a GS right now but I'm wearing my Sarb033, the baby GS they say..& I'm happy with it. 😊
Nothing wrong with Seiko. I have several on my wishlist too.
I am a big fan of GS, including the new Series 9. I also have a 44gs and it is just a great case - combined with this dial you have an awesome watch.
Grand Seiko makes the best dials and cases
Congrats!!
Thank you 😊
congrats! i myself am still waiting to get my first ideal GS. some of their specs are so close and yet so far
I couldn’t agree more. I love the new dive watch… But the sizeis a little too big and the dive extension bracelet is just cheap and ugly. A couple small tweaks and that watch would be perfect.
Can you speak to the bezel, particularly how well it blends to the case above the lugs? I can't tell from the video but it LOOKs like a similar fitment as the bezel on my snowflake.
The Snowflake has a rather sharp edge on the bezel and also an "overhang" on the lug ends that ends up trapping random crud (and is really hard to clean out).Thanks for any information!
The bezel is slightly elevated above the lugs and case form. The elevation tapers as it blends into the main case making a small curve in the design. I’ll take a closeup picture and post it on my IG (pocket.watch.time) today.
What a first GS to start with! Where does one go from here?
Thank you. I love the new 45GS release. That movement is incredible.
cool, I just my sbgp007 yesterday. 👍
Congratulations 🎉
Great review and beautiful watch 👍
Besides the 009 I also have the SBGY011, same case & movement but with a different dial. It has to be seen in real life because most of the pictures I have seen of it do not reflect the very particular texture, which is completely different from snowflake or white birch.
Great choice. 🙌🏼
Beautiful watch! Still waiting on mine, spring drive, titanium, lume, no numbered bezel, 10bWR, >11.5mm thick,
Grand seiko makes a great watch. Be patient - they’ll make your perfect model. 😁
Amazing piece!! If I were to get a GS I'd be between this, the omiwatari (SBGY007), or the Hi Beat Soko Frost (SBGH295)
Thank you. That’s such a tough choice… I chose the 009 over the 007 because of the increased size and water resistance. I love the 295 - that dial is amazing! Hi Beat is great, but I like the tech of Spring Drive. Once again -- Grand Seiko sprinkles amazing features over a range of watches.
@@PocketWatchTime Yes and I just love the mechanical hand wind aspect of the spring drive movement in the 009. Also a big fan of how they have started to tone down the dimensions on some of their watches. Hopefully they can get the whole line slimmed down, including the divers.
Did you ever get the chance to enquire about bracelet options? The 44GS case seems pretty similar to the SLGH013, which comes on a bracelet, so I'm hopeful.
I did. I made a video about it. I bought the bracelet and it fits - but my install has a bit of a wobble (I think I bent the spring bars). It’s a tight fit. I did see somebody else on Instagram get it installed and it fits perfectly. I’ll eventually take it to the AD and have them install it properly. But it should work.
@@PocketWatchTime Thank you!
Youre right. I want to like it. But some doesnt tick all boxes.
Patience is required in this hobby 😁 - otherwise you buy a lot of mistakes and those mistakes can cost a lot of money.
If they make that in a green dial, I’ll be first in line! I have the Seiko Presage Manhattan (SRPB46J) and Mockingbird (SRPD47J) because I love that dial so much.
Green would be a stunner 🤩
Félicitations !. Je reçois la mienne mercredi prochain !. C'est ma deuxième Grand Seiko après la SBGA407 "Skyflake". Par contre, tout comme my Skyflake, j'aime pas trop leurs bracelets.
Thank you.
Love your Rolex comment!!
I’ll have to rewatch it - I forgot what I said. 😂
Hi Patrick thanks for the video, seems a awesome GS that doesn’t get much attention/love by the videos about this stunning SBGY009 piece. So has love for this watch grow since the day you got it? Wondering if you ever get bored with the sun ray dial? My local AD has one sitting and I’m on the edge of pulling the trigger but needs a LOT more convincing from an owners perspective 😂
You’re in luck… This upcoming weeks video is about this very watch. I got a new strap for it. As for an owners experience… I am still greatly in love with the watch. I think the dial is amazing even if it is a bit subtle. I wish you could see the sun ray a little easier… It’s hidden deeply in the lacquer and shows up mostly in bright light. However, a positive for that is the subtlety… This dial will never become cliché or out of style. The biggest gripe for me is not being able to find a strap suitable for every day wear. The alligator strap that’s included is absolutely amazing… I just saw one in the AD window the other day and forgot how beautiful the original strap is. But, I prefer a waterproof option - whether it be a strap or a bracelet. Keep an eye out for the video this Saturday and maybe it’ll help push you toward the purchase. 😄
Hey thanks for this review, entertaining and individual, very good. How about some more feedback on the ownership experience as you must have had the piece for around 6 months now? Just some more comments/advice here would be great. Thank you, Marco
I’m going to try making RUclips “shorts“ starting in February for exactly that reason… Just quick little updates on watches.
I am an enthusiast of the Grand Seiko Spring drive - it is a startling and fascinating innovation. I have the battery driven GS Quartz SBGX261G with a black dial and I love it as my daily wearer.
I am not at all convinced by the leather strap (in your case). I find the deployment clasp ugly and bulky on the wrist. The metal bracelet on my GS is excellent but I cannot give it the full 5 stars because the strap does not have a simple extension in hot weather. Given the fantastic attention to detail in all other areas of the watch it is an extraordinary oversight. I will not buy another, or the wonderful 'Spring drive' until this issue is fixed. IWC can manage it seamlessly with one click of their logo....Rolex can do it too, (presuming you can actually buy one).
You are so right. The bracelet is a tragic oversight of Grand Seiko. What a simple fix that they seem to just not care about fixing. Very odd. I completely agree with you about this particular watch and the buckle… The buckle is hideous. I bought an Artem sailcloth strap with an Omega style deployant buckle. That’s how I wear it currently.
i love it🤗
Thank you 😊
Legend
Check out the newly released SBGP017 metal strap , 44 GS case, thin as is quartz, looks like may be very similar dimensions as yours
I called up GS boutique and asked if that model bracelet would fit and they said “it should” - so, I ordered it. 😁 I’ll post the results.
Wrist size?
Good point - I’m a small average wrist… 6.5 inches.
@@PocketWatchTime Lovely unboxing! Congratulations on your gorgeous piece... Enjoyed the video!!!
Magnifique
Thank you
Here’s a link to a nice video from minute mon and includes how he found and ordered a metal bracelet to fit his SBGM235 that came on a leather strap , different case shape to yours , but may give you some ideas!
ruclips.net/video/Bq7IU4CC5Js/видео.html
Thanks. I’ll check it out.
They are nice but just not my style. Definitely a lot of watch for the price wish I could enjoy it.
It’s my first dive into a somewhat dressy watch. The dial sucked me in.
@@PocketWatchTime The problem is since Covid hit, I'm working exclusively from home, dont travel for work anymore and nobody is getting married or dying that I know so I havent worn a suit in years. Dressy is just not my style anymore, lol.
@@danzodamanzo8192 Ditto. If I can’t rock it in shorts and flip-flops I’m not interested. I’m thinking about getting a canvas strap for this watch and see if it tones down the dressy. Until then - it’ll live on the bracelet.
8k GS inspired by a 300 dollar seiko. Good buy!
I can’t argue with you - watch prices for premium brands are all massively overpriced. 10k for a watch that cost at most $500 to make. Only a few premium brands price watches accordingly with a 400% markup (like diamonds)… others like Rolex and GS go higher… and the true luxury brands like Patek, AP, & VC are in their own stratosphere. Watch collecting can be an expensive hobby. I buy what I like if it’s in my budget. I’ve wanted a GS for a long time… this particular model had the case shape, movement, and color scheme I was waiting for.