The 9F family of quartz movements is top-shelf tech. A jeweled, serviceable movement with killer accuracy. Grand Seiko still somehow manages to fly under many enthusiasts' radars but they're really fantastic options. 😊
I’ve owned the SBGN005 for two year, it’s lost 1 second each year 🤯 There’s 3 link sizes (full, half & third), by combining these you can get a perfect fit
I picked one up in near new condition a few months back for $2100. It really is an amazing watch. I personally like the clasp. While no micro adjust, the clasp is unobtrusive and incredibly comfortable on wrist. I would say it wears a little larger than most 39mm watches on wrist. It looks and feels automatic with enough heft and quality that it doesn’t feel or look like a flimsy Quartz watch. It hasn’t lost a single second in three months.
With GS, the half links are actually not half. Full link is 10mm, half link 6.5mm, so, whilst it takes a bit of effort a good fit can be dialled in. e.g. replacing a full link with two halves only increases the circumference by 3mm.
Yeah, I’m usually remove 2.5 links to get a perfect fit. I went 1 full link and 2 half links and that adjusted it 5-6mm something like that making for a perfect fit.
Nice to see the 9F GMT on your channel! My 005 is close to 3 years of ownership, and has still only deviated 2 seconds since setting it. Absolutely insane accuracy.
Imho, and after visiting one of the few ADs in Sweden that carries the brand looking at SD, Hi-beat and Quarts models I am convinced they are technical wonders. However GS did not elicit the compulsion I was expecting from a watch at these price points, I own Tudors, Omegas and Zeniths. It might be due the smaller size and weight for me at this point of my collecting journey and a 17.5 cm wrist size, but I also felt as most bracelets were subpar for the watches. I do think Seiko/GS offer probably the best dials, however less visible due the smaller size of the dial and presbyopia, we all get older! That wonderful polishing/finish is also going to be a nightmare when wear and tear sets in. In Sweden they can only change batteries and seal (waterproofing) for all else it needs to be send to Holland or Japan.
I have the exact same watch and it really is incredible. It’s one of my most comfortable watches and the accuracy is ridiculous. In two years, it’s only gained one second!
Well I see where Christopher Ward got inspiration for their light catcher case design. I thought their C63 GMT was a Explorer homage until seeing this piece
Take a look at the second hand movement. It moves two times every second. I guess it is to limit it's momentum so their is less weight to cause overtravel and wobble. Whatever the reason it is a beautiful sight to behold.
Great watch, had the sbgn005 (great on strap). Enjoyed it, excellent and reliable watch, though not keen on odd-numbered lug widths. I prefer the other 9Fs with 40mm case, 20mm lug width and 200m WR. Thanks Rob. 👍⌚🇯🇵🦁
My understanding is the SBGN027 (black/silver hands) and SBGN029 (blue/red GMT hand) are replacing the SBGN003 and SBGN005. They see a $100 (~3%) price increase, which isn't too bad. The lack of a colored GMT hand may be a positive for some (cleaner look), but I would miss the personality of the orange hand. The 027 is along the lines of the SBGM245 automatic version, and both have that same style of case, which has the plus of going to 200m WR, and at least on the SBGM245 a better clasp with several micro adjusts. I haven't seen the clasp on the new quartz models yet. The crown move to 4 o'clock is fine, but my one gripe is they only lumed the 3/6/9/12 markers and the hands. I'd rather have it be all or nothing.
A real nice watch for sure, I love an inky black dial. For some reason the handset reminds me of my 10 year old Tag F1 lol. I would have preferred a slightly larger dial size for my ageing eyes. I have a Casio MRG (MRG-B1000) and it's a real pity they are not using solar tech like the MRG line after spending all that attention to the finishing of the dial and case.
Always like this ref but couldn't get over the lack of on the fly adjustments or at the very least just some micro ajustments like on the green dial automatic version. You mention that the new 9f versions will have a better bracelet. Do you know if the new sbgn027 will have a new micro ajustment bracelet like the green dial automatic or something different? Veery little about them still and the only videos of them look exactly like the sbgn003 bracelet
I had a credor 8J81-6a30 dress watch and they represented great value for money. A grand Seiko quartz movement that was super accurate.. all for $100 or so from a Japanese auction website.. many different styles still available for great prices.. so I will probably be going back for more..
These are great watches and should be considered alongside the BB58 as the best daily driver sports watch. Im seriously considering one of these or the newer SBGN029 models which just fine tunes a few details.
I have a Seiko SKX009J A SARB017 Alpinist And today I just purchased an Orange Gen 2 Monster SRP309 I have completely completed the ‘Trilogy of Seiko’ section of my collection. Anyways, thought Rob might like that.
Its a good movement definitely better than the majority of stuff out there. But the 9f is a beast all its own, the quartz movment is finished better than most mechanical movements. Just insane quality.
Always great to see Grand Seiko reviews pop in my feed. This one also one of the good looking ones. I like it WAY more than the Rolex Explorer 2.
👍👍
100 %
The 9F family of quartz movements is top-shelf tech. A jeweled, serviceable movement with killer accuracy. Grand Seiko still somehow manages to fly under many enthusiasts' radars but they're really fantastic options. 😊
And they can take an absolute beating.
Completely agree. I’ve just got the SBGN027 and, when I compare it against Omegas, Tudors, etc. they just feel unfinished versus the Grand Seiko.
I’ve owned the SBGN005 for two year, it’s lost 1 second each year 🤯 There’s 3 link sizes (full, half & third), by combining these you can get a perfect fit
Proudly watching this while wearing my SBGN003 😎
I love my SBGN003. I’ve had it for over two years and plan on keeping it.
I picked one up in near new condition a few months back for $2100. It really is an amazing watch. I personally like the clasp. While no micro adjust, the clasp is unobtrusive and incredibly comfortable on wrist. I would say it wears a little larger than most 39mm watches on wrist. It looks and feels automatic with enough heft and quality that it doesn’t feel or look like a flimsy Quartz watch. It hasn’t lost a single second in three months.
With GS, the half links are actually not half. Full link is 10mm, half link 6.5mm, so, whilst it takes a bit of effort a good fit can be dialled in. e.g. replacing a full link with two halves only increases the circumference by 3mm.
Yeah, I’m usually remove 2.5 links to get a perfect fit. I went 1 full link and 2 half links and that adjusted it 5-6mm something like that making for a perfect fit.
Nice to see the 9F GMT on your channel!
My 005 is close to 3 years of ownership, and has still only deviated 2 seconds since setting it. Absolutely insane accuracy.
is 9F worth its price?
Imho, and after visiting one of the few ADs in Sweden that carries the brand looking at SD, Hi-beat and Quarts models I am convinced they are technical wonders. However GS did not elicit the compulsion I was expecting from a watch at these price points, I own Tudors, Omegas and Zeniths. It might be due the smaller size and weight for me at this point of my collecting journey and a 17.5 cm wrist size, but I also felt as most bracelets were subpar for the watches. I do think Seiko/GS offer probably the best dials, however less visible due the smaller size of the dial and presbyopia, we all get older! That wonderful polishing/finish is also going to be a nightmare when wear and tear sets in. In Sweden they can only change batteries and seal (waterproofing) for all else it needs to be send to Holland or Japan.
I have the exact same watch and it really is incredible. It’s one of my most comfortable watches and the accuracy is ridiculous. In two years, it’s only gained one second!
My next GS for sure. Love my SGBP005 and want a more casual variant
Update: just snagged one lightly used from Topper’s ! Woohoo! My second GS! And something to wear and keep the scratches off of my SBGP005!
Well I see where Christopher Ward got inspiration for their light catcher case design. I thought their C63 GMT was a Explorer homage until seeing this piece
Take a look at the second hand movement. It moves two times every second. I guess it is to limit it's momentum so their is less weight to cause overtravel and wobble. Whatever the reason it is a beautiful sight to behold.
It doesn’t move twice!
Great watch, had the sbgn005 (great on strap). Enjoyed it, excellent and reliable watch, though not keen on odd-numbered lug widths. I prefer the other 9Fs with 40mm case, 20mm lug width and 200m WR. Thanks Rob. 👍⌚🇯🇵🦁
My understanding is the SBGN027 (black/silver hands) and SBGN029 (blue/red GMT hand) are replacing the SBGN003 and SBGN005. They see a $100 (~3%) price increase, which isn't too bad. The lack of a colored GMT hand may be a positive for some (cleaner look), but I would miss the personality of the orange hand. The 027 is along the lines of the SBGM245 automatic version, and both have that same style of case, which has the plus of going to 200m WR, and at least on the SBGM245 a better clasp with several micro adjusts. I haven't seen the clasp on the new quartz models yet. The crown move to 4 o'clock is fine, but my one gripe is they only lumed the 3/6/9/12 markers and the hands. I'd rather have it be all or nothing.
The polished sides on the newer version spoil it for me. The lugs are nicer on the older one too IMO
Gorgeous Watch
very nice watch ... sporty and affordable
I have this watch!!! I love it very much.
SEIKO IS KING !!!
Just got my first HAQ movement a few months back and the accuracy just blows me away. Quality for days.
Love the pops of orange!
A real nice watch for sure, I love an inky black dial. For some reason the handset reminds me of my 10 year old Tag F1 lol. I would have preferred a slightly larger dial size for my ageing eyes. I have a Casio MRG (MRG-B1000) and it's a real pity they are not using solar tech like the MRG line after spending all that attention to the finishing of the dial and case.
Beautiful grand seiko quartz watch , imo if you have the money for it better save for automatic
Nice video and watch!❤
It’s a shame they stopped selling this one. The new one doesn’t look as nice with it’s polished sides
Always like this ref but couldn't get over the lack of on the fly adjustments or at the very least just some micro ajustments like on the green dial automatic version.
You mention that the new 9f versions will have a better bracelet. Do you know if the new sbgn027 will have a new micro ajustment bracelet like the green dial automatic or something different? Veery little about them still and the only videos of them look exactly like the sbgn003 bracelet
Very nice!👍🏼😎
I had a credor 8J81-6a30 dress watch and they represented great value for money. A grand Seiko quartz movement that was super accurate.. all for $100 or so from a Japanese auction website.. many different styles still available for great prices.. so I will probably be going back for more..
Yeah, I lost a screw while sizing the bracelet on my SBGP013. The screws are VERY tiny.
Beautiful!
These are great watches and should be considered alongside the BB58 as the best daily driver sports watch. Im seriously considering one of these or the newer SBGN029 models which just fine tunes a few details.
I have a Seiko SKX009J
A SARB017 Alpinist
And today I just purchased an Orange Gen 2 Monster SRP309
I have completely completed the ‘Trilogy of Seiko’ section of my collection.
Anyways, thought Rob might like that.
👍👍 i love this one too. id buy it over sn explorer 2 any day.
Wish this came in the same design but at 40 mm bezel and 20 mm lugs
Wish it had micro adjustment clasp
I love me some Grand Seiko!
Rest in the good news 💐🌑👍 Okay bye
What does the movement look like in this watch?
Does anyone see ripple type imperfections around each indices?
God dammit I love this watch
This still for sale? Really interested in buying this. Any places you recommend on a good deal?
Is a solar cell possible with GS?
I am not aware of any solar quartz options with Grand Seiko models. I'm sure they could if they wanted to.
🌹👌
Please wipe the dial and case before the reviews. Thanks in advance!
Buy yhis watch from Keith if he's selling
Nope...you don't "get" Grand Seiko....said so yourself...so I'm sticking with that...
My Bulova moon watch has the same accuracy at $400 with micro adjust
Its a good movement definitely better than the majority of stuff out there. But the 9f is a beast all its own, the quartz movment is finished better than most mechanical movements. Just insane quality.
The only downside for me is that it copys the explorer 2 styling so much :(
I love the looks, but i dont like hommage watches.
Tom, I had the explorer 2 in white. This grand Seiko is sweet
too.