Grand Seiko vs Rolex | Watchfinder & Co.
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- It may surprise you to learn that, in the 1920s, 95% of the cars actually produced in Japan were done so not by Japanese manufacturers, but by Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. Today, by contrast, Japan is the second largest passenger car-producing nation in the world, following only China, with the United States slipping down to fourth. Japan has spanned a century by moving from the production of poor quality domestic-only commercial vehicles to giving the world class-leading gems like the Nissan GT-R and the Lexus LFA. The question is, can the Japanese do the same with watches?
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I have many Swiss watches... Rolex, Omega and Breitling. And I wore them with great pleasure. However, once I discovered Grand Seiko and Seiko Prospex, I never looked back. Where Swiss watches rely on "Brand" recognition, Grand Seiko relies solely on quality and beauty. To all who are on the fence of buying a Seiko GS: go for it. You won't regret it. Every time you see a guy with a Rolex, you know he's wearing it for Brand recognition. Nobody will notice your Grand Seiko. Only you will know you posses a watch of exquisite taste and craftsmanship.
Thank you Watchfinder & Co. for this wonderful video and opening the eyes of the horological world to this marvelous brand.
benoit debrock All Rolex owners wear them because of the brand? Dumbest thing I've read today...
No need to be rude Christian
In all fairness, mine was a gross generalization. But I do believe many purchase a Rolex as a sign of success. Because of its instant brand recognition people will tend to assume that you have 'made it'. At least in certain circles.
This will never happen with a grand seiko. I bought the GS for the workmanship and it's fantastic calibre.
As I said before, I actually own a Rolex. But it's a quartz. One of the truley great movements by Rolex!
benoit debrock Well put, well done.
Christian Andersen When toxic youtubers like ricegum touting his rolex as a sign of wealth and respect toward his tween followers, yeah, most rolex owners are like him.
Seiko give their customers as much as they can.
Rolex take from their customers as much as they can.
LOL I agree!:))
Best comment ever
Japanese sincerity, that's why the world respect them so much. I realized that japanese watches are far superior than rolex, using micro mechanical to achieve 10 tics /sec so smooth, precious metal titanium bracelet.
What a load of bollocks. You just bash Rolex because they’re popular
well said
Buy a Rolex to impress other people, buy a Grand Seiko to impress yourself.
I I Great quote!
To say I bought a GS is to say, I am above brand, I know watches, I know what I want and most likely already has PP and AD alike in my collection.
Great watch lover's vid! Thanks
I think so
Seiko is crap watch...you are stupid if you are impressed by such a simple ugly design...
Buy both
I'm an engineer. For me, Seiko wins, hands down! There is also something about the understated elegance of the Grand Seiko that I like much more than what Rolex has to offer. And that dial on the GS! Simply stunning. Also the different facets of the GS case, with different angles and different finishings. That GS is simply stunning, for me. It speaks to both the engineer and watch lover in me. And that's something Rilex fails to do. Maybe I have to dig a little bit deeper and find out more about the brand. But right now, Seiko would be my brand of choice , no matter the budget at hand.
If you like movements have a look at the grand seiko spring drive, that's the one I'm getting next for my collection.
Clearly, Grand Seiko is far superior than Rolex.
*Btw nice Pentax ME Super from 1970's as accessories on the table ;) I used the lens for my old white Pentax K-r just plug&play (threw the camera away, who use film roll these days?!?!) as all Pentax camera from the time up to date haven't changed so the vintage lenses are great for Pentax modern DSLR. Great photos the lens can produce.
@franklin bianco He's from Romania, he has no money.
I’m okay with your post until you hit the “no matter the budget” button. Respectfully, there are many very expensive time pieces which out preform and look better than a GS. Check out a Patek Navigator for example.
@@Aramis_Production He has no money ? how do you know ? and what does it matter ? money or no money ?. A good man without money is better than a criminal with alot of money
The ultimate office watch for the man that needs to impress no one but wants the best in quality for himself.
Well said. Impress no one else but himself. What an understated confident impression.
Very well said! Only a real man feels the need to impressed himself!
GS is absolutely on par with Rolex in my eyes. I went to a shop with an open mind, but skeptical of the internet hype around GS -- but holy crap, I was almost ready to risk a divorce by buying one right then and there.
Llp
@@keithlapeyrouse8987 The major difference is Rolex have 2nd hand market, GS not much!
I agree, the Rolex looks like a kids toy and seiko's look so mature
@@eh1333 You buy a watch just to sell it again? What kind of a low class shit is that
"On a par with!", " the hype surrounding gs!" Man have you got your lines crossed.
Hard to beat anything from japan. Those guys are perfection freaks.
Lol have you seen their prospex line? QC issues from hundreds of people
@@Riggzilla Afaik, most of the QC issues are either besel or crown misalignments and that's mainly from the first releases. I bought a Seiko samurai save the ocean series and I have no mechanical, cosmetic or misalignment issues. Omega, Rolex and many others also have QC and misalignment issues from time to time, but they also cost a lot more.
@James Franko u right u right. GS makes amazing watches
Not really, they have a lot of QC problem actually!
@James Franko Me and my colleagues have seen many in the past few years!!!!
“...by using advanced photolithographic technology from Seiko’s semiconductor division, usually used in the manufacture of microprocessors, the parts in the escapement are printed from light to 1/1000th of a millimeter.”
Me: are we still talking about watch-making??
I own several watches Swiss Indian Chinese and Japanese of them all the Seiko GS is simply the most accurate and amazing quality of manufacture.
I lost interest in Rolex as a brand because of their economic approach and trying to control the market with artificial shortages. 2 year waiting list? No, thank you.
There’s better watches out there for less money. GS one of them, Omega another.
If you are worried about selling it and possibly losing money, it sounds like you shouldn’t have purchased one in the first place.
Moreover, If you want to have an allergy you need to buy something from Rolex. 904L has a lot of nickel, therefore, it may cause the strongest allergic reaction on skin.
@@dmitrii.repenek Never heard of anybody having an allergic reaction to 904L. Sour grapes I suppose.
@Fire Heart yeah but rolex is going up in price faster than inflation so it won't be that way for long
@@Aramis_Production Not 904L specifically, but skin allergies towards specific metal contact is very real lol.
It’s not artificial shortages. It’s exclusivity. They don’t need to make enough watches so everyone can own one
Grand Seiko every day of the week, baby!
Snazzy Labs Agree. That watch is legit.
fancy seeing you here Quinn! Didn't know you were an enthusiast :D
Snazzy Labs ok stop trying to be edgy 😂 jk
As someone who sold luxury watches for a very long time, I feel like I'm qualified to give my little opinion on this subject. There are a few different types of buyers. The first and most frequent one being someone who is looking for their first really nice watch. And they want people to know they have a really nice watch so they always go with a Rolex. And really, you can't blame them seeing as how they are excellent quality. This type of person also likes the fact that Rolex has the highest resale value among the mid-range watches so if they decide to get another one but can't afford to have two expensive watches in their collection, they can sell or trade it and get a fair amount of their money back toward the new one.
Then you have people that are willing to see other options because they know that this is probably a one time deal and want the best their money can buy. And in this case, they will usually look at the other big brands like Omega, Tag, Cartier, IWC to name a few as well as Rolex.
The Grand Seiko is for someone who doesn't need the approval of others and appreciates a top of the line watch. Personally, if I could only own one nice watch it would have to be the Rolex simply because of the resale value. That being said, if I didn't have to worry about money I'd own the Grand Seiko over a lot of the big Swiss brands.
TJ Thanks for your input🍭 you gave a good synopsis.
Seiko wins hands down. That polished titanium on the watch almost looks like white gold.
Thank you! Surprised to scroll this far down to see some one point that out. Never liked titanium coz its dark and dull. So when it was mentioned that it was titanium, it blew me away. Such amazing work.
@@jargonong7378 Me too , never been a big fan of titanium.
Titanium is less heavy. Rolex are heavy.
As a current Titanium GS owner having previously owned steel Rolex; at first I didn't like the lightweight case + bracelet of the GS because it "felt cheap." Then I used it for a while, and have grown to appreciate how strong it is standing up to bumps, dings, and all around daily use. Titanium is a superior metal to steel, and far more difficult to work with, which is why I'm impressed GS uses it and still comes in at a price-point below Rolex. At the end of the day, Rolex has a phenomenal reputation, but GS is making a compelling argument to retail luxury watch buyers with Japan's own timekeeping innovation and a different design approach. I like it.
@@t0odamnfast There's so much snobbery with regards to the GS watches, but from what I can tell they are unique in their combined dedication to innovation, tradition and masterful finishing work. The finishing alone puts Rolex and even some of the higher end Swiss makers to shame, but they combine that with extreme accuracy using cutting edge technology as well.
Rolex is for pretentious nuevo riche, GS is for the engineer or similar who has earned their luxury watch through hard work and is in love with the incredible technical achievement that is a GS, and has zero interest in impressing others. Rich people buy Patek ect.
Well, to be honest, there's no contest. This Grand Seiko is better, finer, more refined and to my eyes, a more elegant watch. I wouldn't want a Rolex just for it's name when I could have a higher quality alternative. I just love the japanese dedication and attention to detail. Seiko deserves the throne, it really does.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
NeoAndersonn you have apparently never held a Grand Seiko in your life, to appreciate this gentleman's opinion. Grand Seiko are timeless timepieces. And I say this as a Rolex owner.
Because you are a typical racist who loves mediocre japan stuff when its just from japan...
polychronio you are a sore ass dumbass. are you swiss? you evidently have no clue about what you are bragging about
GS rly is superb to Rolex for same price, not because it is so good but because Rolex is so overpriced, it's on par with Omega and Breitling which cost less and just can't compete with GS and IWC of same price
Im a car guy who just recently got into watches. Your video spoke to me.
Hell yeah! Japan cars are the best!
Same! And I own R34 GTR. So, Grand Seiko all the way.
@@your_average_cultured_dude best? I doubt it, good? Yes
Same! Car guy, just got into watches. I prefer Dodge SRT8 for my car, but Japan for my watches. Silly, you say? Sure. But let me tell you why: Dodge gives the middle finger to the Italian exotics and does it cheaper and arguably sexier, more or less in the same way Seiko (Japan) gives the middle finger to the Swiss exotics.
The camera close-ups on the GS are absolutely mind bending how they can achieve that level of fit and finish. I would not be surprised if Grand Seikos started to appreciate more in price as people start to realize these watches are made to tolerances more comparable to a Vacheron or an A Lange than Rolex and Omega.
My VC was not nearly s well finished as any of the three GS's I've had....not even close.
@@WharfedaleUSA If there is one thing I have learned from watching this channel is the macro shots always show a glaring difference in quality between the Swiss watches and Seiko. Much of the finishing falls apart pretty fast on the dials on the swiss watches under the macro lens but the Seiko looks amazing no matter how far you zoom in.
I do hope it will appreciate in price over time as well.
Since I own a GS and after a few years with it, I prefer it over the Rolex counterpart by far. As this video points out, GS began to be available for the world in 2010, so it has to do some catch-up in marketing and fan base. It looks like the fan base is forming, albeit gradually.
However, I doubt the marketing will have any breakthrough, unless GS starts to sponsor Wimbledon, yacht races, etc.
I go for GS...let’s re-educate the world on this superb product
The prices will rise significantly! No!
Lewd Lolipop that’s true! When the news is wide-spread it will, Japanese cars used to be an affordable alternative to American cars, but now as far as price all they can really say is that they are competitive, and usually financing incentives aren’t as good for Japanese-brand cars.
Your videos are so well made. I almost thought I was watching a TV documentary (which it is). Impressive work. Thank you!
Thanks very much!
What is your filming setup?
Excellent thanks
This comment is typical of what is wrong with watchfinder videos. Ignoring the nonsensical content because the videos look good
Rolex is that "we'll just continue to gouge, they'll pay."
Seiko is "we'll continue to make this better, you don't have to pay more for it."
This is Grand Seiko, not just Seiko.
So Rolex is essentially the Apple of watches ⌚
@@Sabundy Perfect!
But does your Seiko get people looking at you at envy like a Rolex does regardless of the quality, you buy a Swiss watch especially a Rolex for the name and status symbol not just for the watch bc let’s face it Rolex doesn’t really even look good, but if money wasn’t an issue I’ll pick the cheapest Rolex over a more expensive Seiko.
@@nathanchang7713 i mean if you are just looking to flex... you might as well flash your cash around to everyone who walk past you...
Seiko deserves every bit of respect they get. An amazing company, focusing on the satisfaction of the user and on the quality of the timepiece.
The dials of the GS have always super impressed me, the detail is amazing. I have seen several Rolex that I like the dials too but the GS is the only watch that actually gets a physical reaction from me, an awe feeling. The hand craftsmanship of every facet of the GS wins me over in spades. Thank you for the very professional videos.
The video we've been all waiting for. Keep up the quality work
Thanks very much!
I don’t know why I torture myself with your channel when skx is more my league but love the reviews and love that Grand Seiko.
great class of you mentioning the lexus LFA
the gtr has more history to it doe.
Donut Media- Up to speed Gtr, if you wanna know more
slow
so true, the guy knows what he is talking about, there has not been an engine like the LFA ever so much character.
i dunno, can't judge. haven't driven it
i'd legt buy the ls500 over any high end car if i had the money
In the little more than 2 1/2 years since this video was uploaded, Grand Seiko has already made enormous strides in the marketplace!
Make it five years now. Still going up
I just bought a 1968 Seiko Bellmatic to wear as my principal watch. Even though it's in wonderful condition, given the very low price I paid, I just can't imagine that it's been serviced recently. Nonetheless, the watch keeps perfect time, and everything on it works as expected. That's right, I'm wearing a 52 year old Seiko and it runs... well... it runs like a clock... performs like a well oiled machine. That's craftsmanship for you.
it's hard to go past the Grand Seiko after watching this if you like the pursuit of mechanical perfection in its mainy forms.
@Whiteboy14 please explain
The GS is a gem
This video was a long time coming. I think Grand Seiko deserves more admiration. Much more. In the future I want to see a GS rubbing shoulders with Patek,Vacheron and Lange. It may take time but it will happen. Also, Grand Seiko has been broken off from Seiko and made a completely independent company. There will be no "SEIKO" branding on the newer watches, it will only say "Grand Seiko". Also, the Spring Drive technology is a marvel in itself. Now, since you have succumbed to multiple requests by all of us (your viewers) and finally did a GS review, i would like to request a video dedicated just to the "Spring Drive" mechanism. Also, please let us know why GS is not invited for chronometer certification by the Swiss. Even though the accuracy on GS watches are better than Rolex and many high end Swiss brands. I read somewhere that they bested the Swiss. Can u plz do a comprehensive video on this issue as well. Always appreciate your exceptional videos. They are a cut above the rest and we learn a lot from ur channel. Keep it up and thank you,
Thank you for watching. If we ever get a Spring Drive in stock we'll be sure to feature it!
West, you must bring Credor to fight Patek. But then again, Credor almost didn’t have sport models.
Kilo Gone I’d say Credor fights Philippe Dufour in fact. These watches are out of this world in terms of finish
Hi Watchfinder - please see my enquiry 2000233 via your website. I have a very interesting Spring Drive for you.
A GS dress watch with a thinner case, more sophisticated complications and a bit more of an elegant look, to match say Patek, would be great. In fact a hi-beat, super thin dress watch with an instant-change perpetual or annual calendar would be amazing, but perhaps that goes against the GS philosophy of simplicity (even though they could probably do it)
YEARS IN THE MAKING, THE VIDEO THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CLAMORING FOR IS FINALLY HERE!
it back in place. Also, the hand adjustment dial was not cut right so it was very hard to screw / unscrew to change the time. It was an average purchase. It does the job of looking nice and feeling
I owned three Rolex watches and sold them all. Lovely watches but I never felt them special which a watch should feel at these price points. I then purchased a Grand Seiko and have not looked back. A level of finish so much higher than the Rolex’s I owned and it always feels like an event when I wear it.
Of course, it means that if you buy a watch that tells people you have the ability to spend this much on a watch then the GS is a fail as most people think it just a Seiko, luckily I am not in that camp and love that it’s only people who really know about watches know about these.
The most satisfying reactions are the ones I get from dealers of other costly brands who have never seen a GS in the flesh, every single time you can see their excitement in getting to see one in real life at last.
I love Rolex and will have another one day but it will be a vintage piece but for new, well, I would have to delve into the haute horology realms to get close to the level of finish and sense of occasion my GS gives me.
I always loved the Daytonas. And for me that’s the best Rolex watch. Compact chronograph movement cased in small case... hell that one is hot AF.
I'd rather take a GS, the Rolex is still an excellent watch but there is something too industrial about it. Also, I don't like the brand image, way too flashy.
Rolex also has a cheapness to it's flashiness ....It's not a Lange..
@@algorithm007ify How could Rolex be a Lange? You want it to be a Lange?
@@MrAnubhabd Very well said, but I've also got 10 Seikos.
@@romeos50 Touché!
As a Grand Seiko owner, they absolutely do compete, but unfortunately it would only be at the enthusiast level.
Product wise, they are competitive on every level, but at that price range, people are looking for a status symbol as well, which to many can be as important as the craftsmanship.
And that’s the problem in the circle of Rolex owners. Most of them didn’t even know the subtle differences from facelift done by Rolex, between the production years. And there’s nothing more hilarious than, when gen Rolex owners on the same table with peoples wearing the fake. As for now only the precious metals and Daytona able to stands out easily from the fakes.
And it's ugly
@@kilogone8781 You are the problem, not the Rolex owners. You don't make sense.
Seiko - give them money and you will receive 100% quality timepiece, a perfection.
Rolex - Give them money and you will receive 80% quality timepiece and 20% brand.
Don't get me wrong, i really admire both, Grand Seiko Snowflake and Rolex Explorer I are my favorite watches, but Grand Seiko is another lever of perfection. Rolex is perfection but Grand Seiko is Grand Perfection.
I disagree with the 80/20 ratio here. Or perhaps flip the tags, and 80% of the price goes for the brand name? Ti alone is times more expansive than stainless steel.
If I had the money I'd always thought of choosing the Grand Seiko over a Rolex for myself. Even a complete watch noob like me can appreciate a watch when I see one. Afterall, no one gives a crap if you have the nicest car or watch so you might as well buy one for yourself.
Grand Seiko will never outsell Rolex because Rolex has a near monopoly in the market for people who know/care nothing about watches but want a status symbol to show off their wealth. And that market dwarfs the connoisseur market. Also, the vast majority of people would have to hop on a plane in order to go see a GS in person, or shell out thousands of dollars to buy one online, sight unseen. That's an enormous hurdle to ownership. But if you want to see a Rolex before you buy, just ask any five people on the street and one of them will be wearing one. (And if you want to have a little laugh, ask he owner what the "Oyster" or "Perpetual" monikers mean.)
By all accounts, a fair few Rolex ADs don’t have models in their showrooms to demonstrate to clients!
Richie P Grand Seiko should not outsell Rolex. Leave the rotting garbage for idiots who will pay for exorbitantly for it and then smell it like it's caviar
Poor peoples
Hell, if you want to see a Rolex, go to Costco.
I'd rather own a Grand Seiko. The smoothest second hand sweep I've ever seen, and it just oozes quality. Not to mention the spring drive system is a true horological innovation. Seiko actually produce their own parts, and are truly in house. Rolex is only inhouse in the sense that they bought out their suppliers.
C Sievers aye, my dream is to be able to afford a Snowflake, just such a gorgeous watch. I don’t care about the quartz in it, it’s true innovation a beauty, the perfect combination
I chose poor man's spring drive - Old Bulova Accutron with a Fork Tuning Movt due to the smooth sweeping hand, you can get one for 250$!
For the price of the Rolex, you can get two GS Spring Drive watches, one with a white dial (Snowflake) and one with a black dial (GMT)... and both will keep better time, last longer, and are more unique and inspiring than the Rolex.
@ekim andersom lose*
@ekim andersom Who cares? I get that people wanna sell their rolexes since they are.. well kinda boring, buy a GS and keep it for life :)
@ekim andersom Doesn't matter what it's worth if I'm keeping it for life.
@ekim andersom ware a rolex for 20 years every and try to see if u can sell it! Lol yeah value!!
The GS are around 6 grand for that price you can get a Rolex, for me the GS spring drive is the watch to get!
Rolex: huuu duuur look at my watch made of steel
Seiko: made from the finest titanium with atomic precision
Looks like a no contest to me. Seiko wins
Well Rolex are also made of 18 karat gold, rose gold white gold
@@danielpark6031 That's none of your business.
@@mverick5444 Titanium is a better and stronger material
@@khaledmadani8074 yes, but in luxury world, gold and platinum are more valued. A titanium framed air craft has more value than a gold plane.
@@mverick5444 Yes I might buy gold as an investment other than that, I got no use for it lol
A thoroughly informative piece of journalism. Thank you. I LOVE the Japanese, I love their products, I love their ‘Never say die’ attitude. These qualities, humility, discipline and tenacity, will certainly win the day for them
Would you be able to do a video on GS's Springdrive? I'm a little in love with the sweep on those things
This is an excellent video explaining how spring drive works:
ruclips.net/video/1QSbheeMIHk/видео.html
Japan doesnt just do cars well. They do cameras, televisions, premium audio, musical instruments, etc.. canon, nikon, sony, panasonic, toshiba, yamaha
Pens
"Doesn't" means what exactly?
@@ayame23i it means that it's not just cars. Japan does everything well. Cars, watches, pens, cameras, audio devices etc.
Toyota? Hyundai? Suzuki? Mitsubishi? Honda? Mazda? These cars are wildly popular and some of them are highly respected by car enthusiasts.
Ever driven a GTR ,or a S2000 ?? 😂🤣
I would happily take a Grand Seiko over a Rolex. The craftsmanship employed to create GS watches is absolutely outstanding. The Rolex may have the edge in brand recognition. in no small part the results of clever historical marketing, but the GS matches the best work found in watches from even the holy trinity.
If and when I could ever afford either, it would be a Grand Seiko, as far as looks go. I have never been able to see one with eyes in real life, but I own a Seiko, and so far I'm extremely impressed.
I am not in the GS class, but my first battery-driven analog Seiko lasted 36 years despite a very rough life.
I had no hesitation in buying another Seiko, but since becoming a pensioner, I tried an automatic, to avoid the rapidly rising cost of batteries.
It keeps the same excellant time and anybody who wants a good watch at a reasonable price, should try them.
The rapidly rising cost of batteries 😂😂😂😂. Where are you buying them? Watch batteries can cost as little as $1 on eBay and last 7 years!!!!
You should buy a Casio F91W - horologically significant, respected by all who know watches, 4 x more accurate than a Patek costing $250k, and yours for just $10 - and will likely last the rest of your life on 4 x $1 batteries if you’re already a pensioner and live to 105. That’s $13 for accurate time for the rest of your days!!!
I’m assuming the Seiko mechanical (a brand I love btw) cost $200.... you’re already down $187 and assuming it will require a $50 service at some stage in the next 20 years, you’re down $237 on what you could’ve spent - with batteries 😂
You still made the right choice though, the fallacy of rising battery costs just helped you buy what you wanted 👍
The finish on the Seiko is incredible. The only reason you'd choose the Rolex instead is because it's a Rolex.
Alex Mallinson Exactly why Rolex is still in business. They have the world by the balls. Why buy a Rolex? Oh shit I don't know, because it's a Rolex I guess? Lol
Or because the design appeals to you more I guess?
Matt McLoughlin seiko lacks engineering and craftsmanship and design....and rolex is one of the best in engineering and craftsmanship and design with other swiss brands....thats why people buy rolex and dont buy seiko....you racist japan loving and european hating americans and british who buys japanese copy products simply because its from japan..japan has done enough copying great european inventions and stealing european markets with their mediocre engineering and mediocre craftsmanship and superb marketing....stop supporting japan's robbery you racist thief anglosaxon!!! Japan is a large country that can support its people with agriculture alone and swiss depends on their great invention and watch market to feed its people!!!
polychronio 😂😂😂😂 what.
polychronio what in God's name are you talking about, sir. Seiko was the first to introduce quartz watches and the spring drive which is the world's most accurate mechanical movement is a Seiko invention. Please be a gentleman and provide some well thought opinions.
An excellent point to finish on, the Japanese have done some remarkable work. I'm also glad the French and British origins of this fine art have been acknowledged.
That Grand Seiko is pure elegance. The Rolex looks like my cheap Lorus in comparison. Also.. be careful with car comparisons. And Titanium is space age, not a rought industrial material. But thumbs up from me.
Firsthgyhgyhuy Lastujhujhuj haha your eyes must be painted on
@Firsthgyhgyhuy Lastujhujhuj So does your name mate!
@Firsthgyhgyhuy Lastujhujhuj but the GS looks so much nicer than the Rolex anyway. By the way there are many different Grand Seikos to choose from, hence there are others that are far more beautiful / elegant than the one show on this review, also far more accurate as well. The GS Spring Drive watches are extremely accurate, far more accurate than anything that Rolex produces.
@Firsthgyhgyhuy Lastujhujhuj Watch out, is the only junk these guys can afford. They might become sensitive. lol
@@Aramis_Production Troll much?
ive say it before, iwill say it again:
See a Rolex at someone's wrist and you will know that the guy have money, thats it. See a GS at someone's wrist and you will know that the guy and the watch are real deal.
in other words, you want to show? buy a Rolex, you want to start a conversation? buy a GS.
agree
Not necessary, I have omega, rolex, iwc, ap, and I'm into a GS now.
Hell Yeah! GS is definitely on par with the best from Swiss... saving to get a high-beat GMT!!!
I have held the snowflake in person and at first I agreed with the popular sentiment that the bracelet felt cheap. But you have to remember it's titanium, its supposed to be light. And it's very easy to correlate a heavy chunky feel with better quality, but try isolate that opinion when looking at each bracelet and the seiko will score some points back. I'm not saying that it stomps on an oyster bracelet, but it's not lagging behind as far as a lot of people make it out to be without considering it's material.
Wiseguy724 I hear so many people in horology correlate weight with quality and it’s a complete fallacy. There are Invictas that are heavier than any Lange, obviously they are nowhere in the same universe of quality. Light weight is a good thing for a watch as far as I’m concerned and Grand Seiko tends to aim for it with their titanium designs.
right on
You can kill someone by throwing Invicta to their head...
I wish you would bring upp The springdrive gs. Amazing tecnology.
Erik Axelsson clever technology because they can't compete in pure mechanical watches...
agreed. i don't know how you wouldn't think that the hi-beat movement is absolutely world class.
Seiko took the best of swiss watches, studied to the last detail afterwards they made their approach using the tech they have for far more complicated disciplines. This is the result.
Rolex is like Apple. Expensive, under-engineered, and targets the richer part of the population.
Seiko is like Google/Android. Is often cheap (sometimes even free), has a myriad of choices to pick, and prioritizes quality over price and cost.
They definitely do deserve the admiration especially from an objective and informed viewpoint.
What Seiko should do is the same thing that Hyundai did when it created its sub brand "genesis" which only makes luxury cars. Create a completely new brandname that ONLY makes high-end luxury watches and does not contain the word "seiko"in it, period. this is the only way they will be able to cross over and compete with rolex
And how has that worked for Hyundai? Genesis is a flop, nobody drives those things. You can get one 15-20% bellow sticker price almost on a day it arrives into the dealership. By the way Seiko is doing just that. On this year Baselworld they ditched the Seiko from their name all together and these watches will be sold under Grand Seiko brand or simply GS.
They have Credor, which is in even higher price range than Grand Seiko
It's just snobs that won't buy Seikos. Most others recognize their high quality in even their lower end models. I think what you suggest would be a mistake.
They have a luxury brand allready, it's called a credor wstch
Shouldn’t be a Good move. Seiko is famous in watch industry for its exceptional quality even in low price models. And over, seiko as a brand has a great fan base. Seiko earns by cheap models and increases prestige by Grand Seiko segment. Is the best marketing strategy because Grand Seiko born to satisfy seiko fans and watchmaniacs not to compete with Rolex (that instead has just the middle price luxury target segment). Watchmaniacs will continue to buy GS because is better than Rolex. Party maniacs will continue to buy Rolex because has a better brand authoritativeness
Grand Seiko has the engineering but it can not compete with the marketing of Rolex
I agree with you but GS will slowly get there. Rolex's marketing is unmatched. They sponsor all the big names in Sport and otherwise as well. I think they need to hire an American agency for the marketing because the Japanese are too conservative.
Watch is a swiss invention. Don't copy and try to steal swiss market. You malicious american british asian racists who hate european countries and love japan copying great european invetions and steal european market... japan is a large country who can feed its people by agriculture and swiss is the inventor of watch and watch belongs to swiss and depends on this market to feed its people!!!
Japan is the master of copying european invention and master of marketing with mediocre engineering and mediocre craftsmanship just like their cars and watches and cnc machine...selling well everything in america with their mediocre engineering because of their superb marketing...you dont know japanese people...japanese people are natural born talented marketer and thieves...
Wow. Here is a Polychronio best of : "You malicious american british asian racists who hate european countries [...].", "Japan is a large country who can feed its people by agriculture and swiss is the inventor of watch (Well, no, but moving along) and watch belongs to swiss [...]." and finally "Japanese people are natural born talented marketer and thieves."
For these comments, I award you the "RUclips Comment of the Day" award, and subsidiarily the "Missing the Point of the Comment Being Replied To" certificat. Feel free to take 45-60 seconds to thank anyone who helped you grow into this person you are now.
The floor is yours.
haha, Polychronio is probably Hitler lost bastard.
I don't like the style of the Grand Seiko vs Rolex but the quality is awesome.
Den Hayes i totally agree. The rolex looked a lot finer on his wrist compared to the seiko that looked cheap. I know it's very high quality but it just does not show it. Especially with the design of the bracelet
the reason why both of you think the design is cheap is because you yourself are cheap, that is why you side with the flashy brand hype rolex. Simplicity is beauty. You cannot make something beautiful by saying I'm going to make a beautiful thing. Being just what it is, is where the beauty comes from. It's a watch and it's sole purpose is to tell time.. nothing more.. nothing less. The Grand Seiko is truly stunning.
Den Hayes tragic attempt to be funny.
me and yo mom had talk about you wearing a dress but she had a little trouble with something jammed into in he mouth but in the end........
it is ok if you want a be a like mom.
And please get some mouthwash next time she goes out at night, thanks!
the reason why you you think the design is cheap is because you yourself are cheap, that is why you side with the flashy brand hype Grand Seiko. Simplicity is beauty. You cannot make something beautiful by saying I'm going to make a beautiful thing. Being just what it is, is where the beauty comes from. It's a watch and it's sole purpose is to tell time.. nothing more.. nothing less. The GMT is truly stunning.
Don't you love when you can replace your argument for any brand and it still works?
I use mainly tool watches.
A Seiko 5 (4R36 calibre) loses 10s a day.
A Vostok Amphibia gains 5s a day.
A G-Shock gains 10s a month.
A Seiko Kinetic gains 1s a YEAR.
A G-Shock Atomic obviously flatlines to Zero.
I have the GS Spring drive GMTSBGE201G and I'm in awe of its quality and accuracy. I believe its fit and finish and overall quality leaves Rolex in the dust, I respect Rolex but I've never seen anything made as well as my Spring Drive.
the only advantage of the rolex over seiko is its precious investment value...but technically seiko is a beast.
Great video as always. Nice to see non-european watches on the channel too! I really enjoyed both this and the video on the H. Moser & Cie!
Thanks very much for watching
Anyone who is saying japanese watches don't have precision is an ignoramus. Japan is the country of precision, their life is about precision, their philosophy is about precision, even sushi is done witj precision.
The Japanese have never invented anything.
@@dereks66 Yet they have perfected everything.
@@nelmangulaman Well said Foot Fairy. You are right!
witj precision.
@@dereks66 Seiko invented the first quartz wristwatch..
To a Chinese who just wanna show off how rich he is, but in fact only knows about spending money and nothing about workmanship and class, he would get a Rolex just for that wow-factor. But to a watch lover who appreciates fine art akin to a wine lover enjoying his wine, he'd be proud to adorn a Grand Seiko on his wrist.
GS, used it for 33 years and it still works just fine - never serviced and only 2 sec delay in 1 year, but do not drop it !
Seems like Grand Seiko wins this one.
JoUtan01 I am wArNinG YoU!!!
JoUtan01 yeah that’s what I thought. Stay the fuck OUT!!
LOL ! That escalated quickly. But yeah, the Seiko is clearly superior.
arupian666 get *out* matE.
God Emperor of Mankind stay *off* RUclips.
I totally love your channel. The stories, the finesse and the eye candy. Well done sir.
The only thing that makes me think that the GS is maybe a bit too understated is that, while beautiful very close up, even in this video the shots from medium distance appear to show a watch no more spectacular than a $400 SARB035. Only this is 10x as much or more. So, that’s my .02. GS Spring Drive is still an amazing watch, undoubtedly.
It's very Japanese - their design ethos is to focus on the details, forcing you to 'zoom in' to a particularly beautiful feature rather than the whole object being beautiful. It doesn't really translate well to western design values.
I'm with you in this. Their average design is always kind of "too classic" (and I damn love the GS snowflake dial SBGA211, regardless how classic it is) or too crazy (look the cars designed in Japan and not done by EU designers, for instance).
They should take a line and let this line to be designed by, for instance, an Italian designer, like those Giugiaro, Bertone etc that designed beautiful cars in the past.
I am close to making my first luxury watch purchase and have wanted a Rolex for several years. It´s hard to top the aspirational aspect of the brand and the fact that most sports models are so hard to get makes it even more satisfying to finally own one. That said, the more I learn about watches and Grand Seiko in particular, the harder it becomes for me to justify buying a Rolex when I could get so much more watch for the same money. I am truly torn though, if I were to buy tomorrow I have no idea which one I would choose.
'' is it a real one? ''
Take the GS everyday.
That GS is far superior than that rolex. If you see a fella wearing a GS you know he knows his watches but if you see a fella wearing a rolex, it's just a fella. It's funny everyone talking up rolex in these comments are only referring to resell value and marketing prestige not one has said the rolex is a better quality watch, lol lol that in itself speaks volumes.
Do you own a GS? Let's be real here, no one is going to buy a GS as their first luxury watch.
oh boy you are so wrong here lol
Okay, allow me: The Rolex has a longer warranty, only needs servicing every 10 years not every 3. A Rolex is accurate to -2/+2 whereas this Grand Seiko can only manage -1/+8 under factory conditions before final assembly. In other words it isn't even COSC certified; it isn't a chronometer. Rolex have been around 100+ years, Grand Seiko in their present form less then a decade? Grand Seiko has several pages of warnings in their instruction book about getting the watch near anything even slightly magnetic. Not an issue with Rolex. Grand Seiko tell you not to wear the watch while playing golf, because their shock absorption doesn't hold up.
So yeah. If I see a 'fella' wearing a Grand Seiko, I think to myself, what a sad fucking loser, who thinks he has made a smart choice, but hasn't even taken the time to read the instruction manual; where Grand Seiko are quite explicit in the MANY shortcomings of their faux luxury watch.
Finally, I will mention value. I don't suspect you own either a Rolex or a Grand Seiko, but for those of us who have worked hard and saved our money, we don't want to see the value of our watch hit the shitter after a few years. The Rolex in this video will still easily fetch $6000-$7000 in ten years. What do you think the Grand Seiko will be worth? Consider too that the Rolex will just be getting ready for its first service, whereas the Grand Seiko will be less than a couple of years away from its FOURTH service!
GS, Japanese in general is really humble you know.
There’s nothing wrong with being conservative on papers. See how Porsche always eclipsed what’s written on papers.
Way better than Hodinkkie. Considered and intelligent. Thank you for taking the time to spread your knowledge
Thanks very much!
Rolex SUPERLATIVE writing on the dial meaning COSC is rated at -4 to +6 secs\day while GS standard for accuracy is -3 to +5 secs\day.
Fit and finish of th GS is al least on par with Rolex or even higher.
Rolex produces 4-5 million watches every year.
GS produces around 5000 watches so that you have an idea about exclusivity.
mariamik104 Wrong!
Rolex sends the movement to be COSC certified, upon receiving the movement back as COSC certified, Rolex adjusts the movement again to within +-2 seconds. Only then can the Rolex say superlative on the dial
You are making absolutely the best watch reviews videos out there. Great light, quality and knowledge. An absolute top class! Many thanks!
Can't believe I found this video. I'm looking to buy my first watch and Grand Seiko vs Rolex perpetual were my two choices for a long time now. Now, I've made a choice and soon I'll be getting a Grand Seiko
Yes!!! Another video!! Seiko's effort is just as great as Rolex is and sometimes an understatement, and to add more power reserve in to the same dimensions as rolex's in a feat on its own, Rolex should step up the game even more if it ever wants to stay on top the game if Grand Seiko kept on innovating. Just as you said, Toyota may be cheap but it's hella reliable compared to its european counterparts, and for that, it really does earn its place among the top manufacturers.
Raphael Saavedra you must be kidding...benz, bmw, audi, porsche volkswagen, fiat, peugeot, alfa romeo, renault are the much more reliable cars than toyota.....toyota never beaten them in le mans 24, wrc....also nobody buys grand seiko...mechanical watch is the state of art... so called innovation made by japan makes watches easy to make cheap quartz watches as innovation..that innovation is out of business now and no one cares about toy innovation watches....but these racists asians and english speaking people keep praising everything from japan when they are irrelevant to the market...
Japanese has far surpassed European automakers in reliability and durability. As far as the luxury, marketing, and branding? No. Japan is still trying to work on it's image in and heritage in automobile and timepiece manufacturing. The Grand Seiko really is a far superior watch to the Rolex. Add 904l steel and or precious metals to a Grand Seiko. Then have Seiko officially certified as a Swiss chronometer. Also work on marketing and the over all look of the Seiko brand. Then many westerners will get and understand Japan fully
Grand seiko is mechanical. And the swiss did not invent the mechanical watch....
you can stop counting right after porsche, don't blame the japanese for democratizing affordable and reliable technology, they don't compete on luxury, they compete on value
Wow, thank you for all of your replies, I learned a thing or two, keep them coming :) 👍
i will forever obey you as a customer.
Jesus christ you people talk like total morons. Get off the internet with your stupid childish memes.
Viral Tube I have this model and have had a Rolex. There isn’t a Rolex I would have over a Grand Seiko.
shut the fuck up you fucking boomer
Omggg. You must be reading my mind. Your latest 2 videos are the exact content I’ve been looking for
Glad you're enjoying!
There is no need to bash either brand - it is possible to like both. I have Rolex and GS and enjoy both. The bottom line is that they are both high quality watches and enjoyment is there to be had from both.
waiting for grand seiko vs Patek and AP
The grand seiko looks so clean and precise. Just brilliant
Grand Seiko SBGJ201 is the stainless steel version of this watch...I prefer stainless.
The Japanese understand quality! I can say first hand as a guy who used to work on cars that the Micra for example is leagues above the Astra or Fiesta in terms of quality, I've also been studying Kizen for a module at University and how Toyota revolutionised quality control in the 70's and it's awesome. That being said I fear the Grand Seiko suffers the same problem as the Nissan Micra, and it' the image. e.g. a big beefy looking guy like me would look ok with the Rolex or driving an Astra VXR; but the Seiko (or Nissan Micra) would look silly on me as it is too feminine looking - as is the case with a lot of Japanese things.
If I had the money, it would be the Rolex, even though I kinda respect the Seiko more.
Buffalo my dad owns that GS and it doesn’t have the white background which would make it look better
Buy a Rolex to impress others. Buy an egg to make an omelet.
There really is no need for a soundtrack, however quiet on your videos. Your mellifluous tones and articulate delivery are more than adequate! 😎
Grand seiko spring drive is actually most accurate automatic watch ever made,closest to quartz
It actually uses a quartz for timekeeping. So it's pretty obvious it's close to a regular quartz watch.
@akhenatuh Read what he said. Read what I said. We are talking about accuracy.
Rolex: Impress others
Grand Seiko: Impress yourself
Cheap Casio collection: Bring smile to my face
Interesting to hear. Besides owning some refined Swiss watches I still love my Casio cheapos.
@@peterm.winter3184 casio collection is about achievement with different experiences without selling a house :)
accurate
Well that Rolex cannot compete with the GS movement but it wins the competition in resale value and cost to service. There are some GS models I’d rather have than Rolex models and vice versa. Any watch collector certainly has both.
The Rolex is actually more accurate on paper than the Seiko which has a hi beat movement, not a spring drive.
I think GS cannot compete with the Rolex in fact.
Well put. I wouldn't own 90% of what Rolex makes nor 95% of what GS makes simply because the design doesn't move me. Conversely both brands have compelling models. Why hate on options? There is a lot to dislike about Rolex but a lot to like too. Often; the hate seems a sort of adolescent rebellious stage watch-heads tend to grow out of.
"I'm different and special because I don't buy into the Rolex hype."
Until they see or experience a model they really enjoy; and are forced to admit.-
"Ok, maybe Rolex isn't ALL bad."
I started with a Swatch, and then fossil... A Seiko presage got me back into mechanical watches, getting me into Rolex, Omega, JLC. But now, I'm back to my 1965 Grand Seiko (2nd Gen). To this day, It is my favourite watch.
I'm so impressed by it. My wife, who got me the watch thinks I'm mad - even though she seems happy watching how overjoyed I am by her gift every day. Hattori-san, My respect to you.
Grand Seiko is gaining tremendous momentum outside of the horological fans due to their new luxury boutiques in some of the finest locations in the world. Regular people are starting to become inquisitive. They see $10K, $25K, $100K watches in their shops. Sooner or later, the secondary market is going to drive up prices of used GS because of brand recognition, much like Rolex. So if the only thing holding you back from GS is resale value, give it time.
Many people that need others approval will go with Rolex but that Grand Seiko it´s just a piece of art...
Would take it in front of Rolex always.
Your reviews are always credible, authoritative, and interesting. Cheers.
It’s two completely different watches - dress watch against sports watch...even if both have the second time zone.
Love my SNZG11K1 Seiko 5 Sports automatic. I’ve previously owned a Date, ExplorerI and II and a GMT coke and now an IWC Aquatimer but I just love me Seiko. Very attractive dial, hardlex crystal back displaying a beautiful, industrial-looking movement and a very cool bead-blasted 42mm case it just can’t be beat! My favorite field watch, with that smooth and durable titanium look yet a relatively nice, hefty weight which I love on my wrist. Thank you, Seiko!
Like the Lexus LS, one of the most iconic cars ever built, so to is the Grand Seiko GMT Spring Drive. Rolex may be the go to piece of jewellery for cartel leaders but the GS is for the perfectionist who doesn’t need to impress.
That was so emotional 😢 I loved the video and now I’m even more in love with the Grand Seiko 😭 Thank you so much for this amazing video. Very well produced and you’ve just got yourself another subscriber 😁✌🏼
Love that Seiko, their appreciation for detail, attention, and performance is simply to be admired. I need to add this to my collection. One gentleman noted, quite well indeed, buy a Rolex to impress others, buy a Seiko to impress yourself. Honestly believe in my mind they have set the mark to be measured.
GS is better, used it for 30 years now
Grand Seiko restarted production 28 years ago. So you're a liar.
@@wiwimantony lol
@@Aramis_Production maybe he got one of the older ones off the second hand market 🧐
@@Aramis_Production Grand Seiko has been around since the 60's. So no, he is most likely not a liar. Maybe he bought a piece from the 60's or the 70's for example, at time 30 years ago.
@@Aramis_Production the grand Seiko was started in the 70s .....
My god, look at those dramatic GS edges.
I bought Grand Seiko yesterday.
Omega and Rolex can make spring drives.
However, they will never fight on the same stage....I understood why.