Purchased this watch last year and have to say it is just as phenomenal in the metal as in this video. Independent jumping hour hand, accuracy, fit and finish is all outrageously good and blows the rest of my collection out of the water. What is hardest to describe about this watch without seeing in in person is how the dial sits somewhere between matte and sunray in its finish, depending on the lighting - but seeing as this is a Watchfinder video, in all its world-class macro glory they managed to capture this at 7:23, where it looks like the dial is matte-textured directly underneath the GS logo, and sunray-textured as you look out towards the 3 o’clock mark. Seeing this watch in daylight will blow you away.
I don't know about you but I'd say it's way more phenomenal in the metal than it could ever be on video or in a photograph. I've found this to be true with most Grand Seikos. I would have never purchased my first one based on the research I'd done on the internet but one day I decided I'd at least go try it on at my AD and I was immediately enamored by it. The way it plays with light in person just can't be captured with a camera.
I have the spring drive variant of this and I have to add that sunlight is the worst lighting for this watch. Gloomy weather and sunrises and sundays MAKE IT POP better than even some 50k-300k watches I’ve seen. That champagne dial is no joke
I’d love to see a come back of the dream 3 watch collection around a certain theme, I think that’s an amazing way to learn about different watches but still have some control over what you will learn about
@@tfpp1, a theme would me some aspect in concept, function or colour scheme that all three watches share. For an example, an ice themed collection could have the snowflake (concept), the speedmaster Alaska project (function) and maybe the old yatch master in white gold (colour scheme)
I'd say the most "complete" 3 watch collection is a diver, chronograph, and dress watch. For me, that would be a no date Submariner, Speedmaster, and Snowflake. For your theme, all watches that start with "S". 😂
Over the years I've found the channel to be fairly biased but it's still one of my favorites. I just take reviews of certain brands with a grain of salt since the channel is sponsored by them.
I feel you. I got one Rolex at list price and if that’s the only one I ever get that’s fine with me. I won’t pay over list price for anything. I walked into a remote subway at a national park and the 5$ footlongs were 6.50 so I left and didn’t eat till my 5 hour car ride was over
@@WatchUnwind Eeew! Subway sucks! Processed meat (cold cuts) are unhealthy to eat. Eating their bread is like eating lightweight cardboard. 😝 Moving on to shopping for a watch at Watchfinder. Their prices are no bargain. They’re a very overpriced site for used watches. Regarding waiting for a Rolex watch, I don’t get it. You can walk in a Lux Bond and Green jewelry shop in Connecticut, USA, and buy one no wait, no problem, nice selection available, also nice friendly staff. 👌
I have been living in Japan for 12 years and been considering a GS. Thanks for another wonderful video. I have a Rolex Explorer in my collection and luckily picked it up when it was still a reasonable price. Nothing else in the Rolex lineup grabs me and what you get for the price with GS makes a mockery of many high end brands. You are the best watch channel by a country mile. No algorithms will keep me from finding your content😀
A 44GS 9F and a Rolex explorer is my collection and nothing else is needed. With these 2 I have no desire for any other watch. Perfect 2 watch collection from the only 2 brands in the world that are truly in-house
I like my spring drive even better than my 9F. No battery! Reminds me when cars went from carburetors to fuel injection. Same with spring escapements versus glide wheel. And the best part...it can't be Counterfeited. It's a technological marvel. If the Swiss sold this, you could add at least one more zero on the price.
I just wish someone at Seiko could be a bit more innovative with the design language. They've always had that look of the "old man watch" which, even now, I find hard to shake. I'm really warming to the brand but I wish they'd produce something visibly and immediately desirable by form.
@@diavalus I’m sure they probably could counterfeit them but it is a remarkably complex movement. Seiko spent 3 decades working on it. Piaget released something similar in like 20 copies and never tried again. Much easier to counterfeit a Rolex as they are a known quantity and can use an off the shelf mechanical movement to allow for 4hz beat rate.
I absolutely love this review. In fact most of these reviews are wonderful. So much so that they have genuinely influenced how I think about watches and my purchases. Grand seiko dress watches especially are so enticing and stunning and in person are even better but the camera work in these videos is itself a work of art. I have also loved your pieces on moser, Baltic and dornbluth. Any chance on a review of something a little closer to home and leftfield such as Anordain?
This might be the Grand Seiko for me. It's one of the more affordable GS watches, but it's so gorgeous it doesn't feel like any kind of compromise to me. Only their 9F watches really interest me, even though I know GS does a fine job with their mechanical movements, and of course I admire the Spring Drive as much as any watch nerd. A 9F won't need service anytime soon, and that appeals to me (on top of the extreme accuracy & the other advantages of quartz). I really appreciate Grand Seiko for giving quartz respect, and applying their exacting standards to the production of luxury HAQ watches.
I'm glad GS are making high end quartz. They invented quartz watches and quartz made them the establishment company they are today. It part of their history. They are adding more tech to quartz like omega with the coaxial movement with mechanical. The seiko high quartz watches are stunning with high quality. I'm a mechanical guy through and through well except for my g shocks, but as a watch enthusiast, I can appreciate seiko high end quartz. It will be sad for me if I see Seiko stop making their high end quartz watches altogether. And you dont need to reset the watch if you leave it a lone and always have accurate time. My co worker is a watch guy and he prefer quartz and Nick Shabazz, the RUclipsrs, perfer quartz. High end quartz lovers are niche in a already niche hobby, but they are there.
Every time I see or handle one of these in person I’m blown away by the quality. Your excellent camera work captures a lot of it, but checking one out in person with a loupe is still a rewarding experience
I absolutely love GS. My goal with GS was to get a Spring Drive, a High Beat, and a 9F Quartz. I have my Spring Drive and High Beat, all that's left is the 9F quartz movement. This is the exact piece I was eyeing. Thank you for the great review and cementing my decision.
I started to get into watches about a year ago and wanted to get a Rolex but there were none to be had and the waiting list was ridiculous. So I started to search for an alternate and landed on Grand Seiko. Once I took a journey into this brand I was amazed with the innovation and amazing dials! Now I am hooked and prefer a Grand Seiko over Rolex! Only advantage I see for Rolex is the value retention/appreciation which Grand Seiko doesnt have unless you are lucky to purchase certain limited edition models which is what I am buying from GS.
@Roberto Vidal Garcia makes sense and I get it but when Rolex selectively choses customers then people who are starting the watch hobby is being discriminated against because they have no sales history. Its the same thing when you graduate from college and nobody wants to hire you because you have no experience. Its stupid! Anyways I am happy with my Grand Seiko purchase and looking forward to my next piece soon!
Was on the edge with this watch, but pulled the trigger post watching this video. Thank you for the help. Really like the macro shots and production quality.
Listen, I know this watch might be seen by many as kind of "plain" and boring. But it's one of the most pure, perfectly balanced, clearly legible, easily accessible, and "form-meets-function-meets-form" examples of watchmaking I have ever seen. And all in a neat, pretty, exquisitely-made, relatively affordable little package. This is where beautiful bone-simplicity camouflages almost mind-boggling complexity. That's something rare, and you don't see it often in ANYTHING we come across in life.
@@NABROWNEBMX I'm jealous!🙂 Seriously, when I said "rare" I mean there are precious few examples of this level of precise design that so obviously achieve their engineering AND aesthetic objectives...because it's REALLY HARD to do. A couple examples, in my opinion...A few Rolexes (and I admire them but I'm not a fan-boy) have almost perfect proportions -- everything is spot-on, all in the right size + right place + right style + right material/texture + right proportion + exact right relationships. Similarly, the Porsche 911 has pretty much remained the same for literally generations. And that's not by fluke: it's EXACTLY what Porsche wanted to build, and it fits their customers expectations and tastes almost perfectly. Why change something if it's THAT good...? Your watch is very likely going that kind of universal, lasting appeal.
Fantastic video - as always.👍 Grand Seiko watches are uniquely special. I have the SBGT015 which has the champagne dial and applied minute markers. It is a work of art. Anyway, just wanted to tell a quick story that made me smile. I took my Grand Seiko watch into the local jewellers to have the battery replaced. The lady at the counter looked rather bemused when I gave her the watch - "oh I haven't seen one of these before, it looks a bit special" she said, "I'm not sure if we have the tools for this." She then took the watch into the backroom and her boss promptly appeared - a very polite gentleman. He was smiling when he remarked how special this watch was - "it's a Grand Seiko!" he said, like I didn't know 😄 Then he explained that he wouldn't want to risk changing the battery himself due the quartz movement being very special, so he will have to call his Seiko expert come to collect it. We chatted for a while about the charm of Grand Seiko watches and he mentioned that they are shooting up in value right now. They clearly do not get many Grand Seiko's (if any at all) in their small store and it genuinely gave them a buzz to have it in their hands. Made me feel very special and that would not have happened if it was a common old Rolex 😜
I bought a GS SBGA285 spring drive a couple of months back. At first glance it's a no frills, understated watch. But then after wearing, you start noticing finer details. 1. It's accurate. Has not lost or gained any time in the weeks I've had it. 2. The indices are faceted in such a way, reflected light at the right angle becomes iridescent. 3. The effortless glide of the seconds hand is mesmerising. 4. I feel compelled to keep the power reserve gauge full (like the petrol gauge in my car). 5. The black on the dial is flawlessly uniform. And black.
I bought one of these last year and recently sold it. Lovely watch overall and kept amazing time (lost zero seconds in 6 months!). But it’s was just a little too big for my 6.75 inch wrist - lug to lug was too long for me and the watch wears fairly flat on the wrist. Other gripes were the bracelet: well made but lacking in taper and adjustment. And the dial: if you caught the light at the right angle, it was stunning - the champagne colour really shone. But most of the time it had a dull silver look - not what I’d hoped for, given GS’s reputation for spectacular dials. Anyway, I sold it for what I paid for it, so no harm done! Still have the GS itch to scratch…Like the look of the new Evolution 9 “Mist Flake” GMT (or whatever its nickname ends up being!)
@@chrismuz There’s one on Chrono 24 in good condition for $1149 and a couple others at just under $1300. I also see a couple ones on e Bay that are also under $1300
@@chrismuzI know it a late reply but I got my SBGX263 for 1100 in near mint condition in the US from a US seller. Deals for them are out there. It’s an absolute stunner!
Exactly my case, can’t get a Rolex, got myself into Grand Seiko, acquire a SBGA211 spring drive, SBGN005 Quartz and a SBGW231 mechanical all in under 12months. Now all we need is you tubers not hyping GS up, prices for new launch are creeping up fast and furious!
I was told by a store assistant once, that there are those who buy a watch for other's and there are those who buy a watch for themselves. This struck a cord with me as I had gone to look at Omega and Tudor and left with....I'll let you guess? and I've not regretted it a single moment since 😉
I clicked on this because I love Grand Seiko. I bought a Spring Drive five years ago and love it. The finish is superb, as you can see in the close ups.
I love GS. I would just love to see them pay as much attention to their bracelets and clasps as they do to their cases, dials, movements and hands. I despise Rolex as a brand - I really hope that something puts a hole into its hype bubble. It's really getting ridiculous.
I'd also like to see them release a divers watch that can fit a normal sized wrist. As it is their entire lineup of dive watches are far too thick and far too large. I've bugged them about this over the years in person and in an online AMA and it sounds like they have something in the works but they're unable to confirm.
The clasp on my Astron (made in the same factory as the 9F models) isn't fancy looking but has a good tool free quick adjust, I'm surprised they don't use that clasp on everything, or at least use that mechanism and in fancier watches put it in a prettier 'case'.
Yes, the Grand Seiko's are amazing time pieces for the price and we need more Watchfinder videos about them! I always look forward to a Watchfinder video, and you never cease to impress ! Thumbs up!
Love that you look even at the quartz Grand Seikos. Curious if you would consider making a video about The Citizen models that compete directly in this High-Quality, Highly-Finished, High-Accuracy Quartz space. Perhaps the Washi Indigo version AQ6110-10L? Or one of the Four Seasons versions?
I love your description videos and this no exception. The single narrator has a simple, effective, emotive delivery. Very convincing voice and tone. And the Watch descriptions are first-rate. I especially have learned so much about Grand Seikos…I’m definitely going to get one now. Great job!
1. I like Rolex (the engineering, the history, the ATD), but the buying experience is the lowest of low end. Seiko and Grand Seiko fill different but important roles without the bitterness of dealing with an arrogant AD. 2. The notion of Japan as home of affordable tech passed more than 20 years ago. Japan is now the home of handcrafted luxuriousness (Onizuka Tigers, Alpha Recording Systems and Jiro's sushi) that you won't get from Malaysia or Guangzhou. 3. Having eaten McDonald's in more countries than I care to admit, I love the notion of "alien familiarity". Brilliant.
Three months ago, I purchased a Grand Seiko SBGX261 on a 9F caliber. This is the perfect watch for every day: the highest quality quartz in the world, accuracy of 10 seconds per year, hand polishing, wr100, perfect readability, date window in the color of the dial, the service interval is 50 years, free battery replacement, size 37mm and a ticket to the GS9 indoor club. All this for $2000. What more could you want?
I am blown away to be watching what is essentially a, "let us introduce you to Grand Seiko," video in April 2022. Particularly when I purchased my first GS seven years ago. Is Watchfinder suggesting that the watch cognoscenti is still unfamiliar with the brand?
Check out The Citizen line. It's done better than Grand Seiko in many aspects. Uses solar as a solution to limited power for quartz watches, instead of using 2 fast, simultaneous ticks per second. Perpetual calendar, and date change at exactly 12 midnight, not a second earlier or later. Adjusts hands' positions automatically, and had independently adjustable hour hand much earlier than Grand Seiko. Anti-backlash system is done better than Grand Seiko in my opinion, because seconds hand doesn't vibrate as much from moving one tick to another. And caliber 0100 can arguably move even heavier hands, the second hand for watches with cal 0100 is made of brass. Watch parts made from LIGA and assembled by hand by watch meisters, with Sallaz polishing. Specially-selected, aged AT-cut crystals with careful thermo-compensation, which vibrates at 8 388 608 Hz, 256 times faster than the standard quartz 32 768 Hz. Considering the constraint that light has to pass through the dial, it's a wonder that The Citizen watches still have so many wonderful dials. Best part? It's still relatively unknown to many.
I have a similar watch with a Spring Drive mechanism (SBGA285G) and it is vastly superior to the Rolex 2019 Airking it replaced. Frankly speaking they are like night and day. I also love the fact that I have something on my wrist that is understated, underrated by most of the watch buying public and of such good value that the price is scarcely believable these days.
I own an automatic vintage GS 6146-8050 in pristine condition, amongst a KS and lots of other vintage Seiko's. A modern GS like this one is on my list. I find the GS quality second to none. @Watchfinder: keep doing what you are doing. Great job!
I love that this doesn’t have the bounce back typically associated with a quartz watch second hand. The hand moves to the next index, then stops dead. It reminds me of the JLC dead beat.
What a beautiful watch! Sure it's a quartz, but the design and finishing are just stunning. I like Rolex a lot, and have a couple of their watches in my collection, but they really don't hold a candle to Grand Seiko.
The 9F movement is excellent in its own right. It's not an ordinary, run-of-the-mill quartz. It has just as much “soul” and craftsmanship as an automatic
@@simonj5615 If the bracelet was the most important reason to buy a watch, I would just buy Oris, Bvlgari, Omega, Tudor or some other brand that makes decent bracelets. I'm not a big fan of Grand Seiko bracelets, and Rolex bracelets are certainly better, but the bracelet alone does not justify the ENORMOUS price difference. Besides, I'm not really a bracelet guy and generally switch out bracelets for leather straps anyway, except in rare cases.
I'm glad Seiko make high end quartz. If anybody makes a high end quartz, it should be Seiko. They invinted quartz watch and the quartz made the company they are today. It like a celebration of their history. They will be nothing without the quartz. The tech in quartz make it lose 12 second a year. The way they make their quartz watches are perfect. Quartz are in some high quality beautiful stunning watches. I'm mechanical watch guy through and through, but as watch collector I can appreciate Seiko high end quartz watches.
Would love to see more manufacturers produce high-end quartz watches, and in particular, focus on adopting a sweep second hand similar to the Bulova precisionist. The technology exists but I'm not sure that the market is demanding it.
Thank you for your comment on the state of clickbait nowadays. I love your videos, but titles like "IS THIS THE ROLEX KILLER" or "BEAR GRYLLS WILL HATE THIS WATCH" drastically cheapen the otherwise 'premium' feeling of the videos. It's glad to hear that you do it reluctantly not because you endorse clickbait.
It’s very frustrating. The videos we don’t do it on just simply don’t get shown to viewers. Look at our last Patek Philippe video. A tiny fraction of the views.
Yes, agreed. My heart sank when I saw another WF video with the word ROLEX in the title to get the numbers in, but it totally defuses the frustration when talking hands fully owns that they do it, and that they do it for a reason.
I believe a lot of us watch enthusiast RUclipsrs aspire to Watchfinder's quality of footage. You've inspired a lot of RUclipsrs including myself to even start. So, I totally understand what you mean by the changing landscape in the RUclips world!
"Perhaps we can be the ones who change it" is just spot on. Reminds me of the story about the two wolves (one greedy and the other one caring for the pack) we have inside us and which one of the two that will survive? The one you feed of course. I own the GS SBGR251. A "Japanese DJ" at 37 mm with 100m WR, display caseback, 72h/pwrsrv in a nicely decorated movement and hand finished/zaratsu polished case, silver sunburst dial with those immaculate indices and hands and regulated in 6 positions & temperatures (slightly above COSC standards)..And ALL of this for the price of just under 3000£.. Get it? Stop feeding the beast and start thinking instead.
I always thought I wanted my first high end watch to be mechanical, But the 9F seems to be pulling me in, The only down side would be no display casebook for obvious reasons.
Grand Seiko's are awesome but i can't believe that no one in the comments that i have seen is mentioning the clasp on the bracelets. My GS bracelet does not have any micro adjustments, nor do most of them. On top of that, the spring in my clasp became dislodged and I had to bring it into the AD and they sent it off for repairs telling me, "4 to 5 months." The watch is six months old.
Yes, these videos are what you do best. The co-moderation vids are good, but IMHO this kind of presentation is your sweet spot and just maybe helps sell more watches too. Thanks and thumbs up for you!
@@AlexMi77 making this machanical ruins the spirit of it. Grand Seiko hand builds even their quartz movement and even take immense pride in them. The 9F is a wonder of modern watch making in its own right!
I don't hate Rolex but they have not been generally available in my metro area for over a decade. What with the increased global demand for Rolex it's become impossible to get one from any local AD even though I live in a major US West Coast metro area. I've given up on ever buying a Rolex or even a Tudor because Tudor have also been sold out due to spillover demand from customers that could not buy a Rolex who still wanted something with a Rolex-like stylistic flair. I now wear a Seiko for my daily driver and aspire to a Grand Seiko quartz. Theoretically available Rolex watch models have lost any relevance for people who buy watches in the real world.
Demo of quick date change when talking about date change and shots of the movement when talking about the movement would have made this video so much better.
If you get bored you can try the slo mode on your phone and watch the double pulse. I wear mine daily and catch myself staring at it all the time. Also the movement is all metal, a work of art.
YES! Granted you're having to play the algorithm game by invoking Rolex hype (whether hate or love)...but this is one of the important major channels that's been elevating Grand Seiko in Western markets to the stature it deserves. And as you rightly pointed out, GS finishing quality is closer to AP than to Rolex...I say on forums all the time that GS is closer to holy trinity than to Rolex and Omega---and nothing but love for Rolex and Omega.
@@jacc88888 I don't care about the finishing if the bracelet otherwise sucks.. they are terrible for watches that expensive. Compare it to a Tudor BB58 or to an Omega Aqua Terra.. both are miles better than what GS does.
@@pacisking How so? Could you please explain what else is wrong with your own GS apart from the clasp? Only asking because I went only the Seiko boutique and tried a few on but didn’t notice anything bad (but hard to tell if you only try each of them on for a few mins) Good to get someone else’s hands on experience. Thanks in advance.
@@jacc88888 well first of all if you want a GS you can't go wrong.. incredible watches and arguably the best movements for the price, especially the spring drive.. and they are beautiful. What I did not like was no micro adjustment (that's a big turn off for me, especially for an every day watch), clasps are poor, it doesn't taper much which was a problem for me because I have small to medium sized wrists and it just felt cheapish even compared to watches around 2000 euros.
Really love your calming voice. I'll try to get a Rolex OP in upcoming weeks first, and if failed, I think a GS will be the answer after watching this video.
You also don’t have to “build a relationship” with a Grand Seiko dealer in order to get one. You just walk in and buy the one you want. Actually that goes for most watch brands besides Rolex, lol.
There is no need to get start a fight with Rolex aficionados in order to prop up Grand Seiko. This Japanese marvel is such a beautiful product of design and ingenuity that it does not need to put down the big player in town to shine. It can stand tall on its own merits.
Would love to get your take on the new three handed Astrons. I've got one, the SBXD003, and I think it's great and underappreciated. It's like a mini GS. Stainless steel case and bracelet with a ceramic bezel. Case is very similar to shape to this GS, including the polish on top of the lugs w/the brushed area right next to the bracelet. The Astron is solar powered and GPS equipped, in a GREAT wearing 39mm wide case with a lug to lug of 45.7mm and thickness of 11.3mm. Simple uncluttered dial - three hands and a date, and that's it, minimal text and no subdials or anything else to clutter it up. I think the hands look great, and they're well finished being polished on one side and brushed on the other. The bracelet is excellent, and includes a good tool free quick adjust clasp. Very easily change time zones and of course always perfectly one time due to the GPS sync. The Astrons are made in the same factory as the 9F powered GS's, and the finishing is really good. It's not Grand Seiko good, but, very good. I paid $1300 USD for mine including shipping, buying it from a Japanese online dealer, so less than half the price of a new quartz GS. I'll also add that the pics on the Seiko website do NOT do these justice. Plus the history of the Astron is interesting - it's the watch that brought about the quartz crisis and changed the watchmaking industry forever. A pic of mine: i.imgur.com/a4wmRRJ.jpg
Gorgeous watch. I would love to see the Longines HydroConquest with ceramic bezel on this channel. I have it in black and I truly think it's so underrated.
Dear Mr. Talking Hands, I absolutely love the Grand Seiko brand and everything about it, especially the 100% in house manufacturing. The only thing that I would ask for is a bit more lume here and there. Other than that, don’t change a thing! I’m of the opinion that you can never have too much lume on a watch (bring back the radium paint and I’ll buy it! lol). Thanks for the fantastic video please keep up the great work. Sincerely, J. S. B.
I think lume would ruin it. I specifically looked for a GS GMT without lume because the finish on the hands is so beautiful I feel the lume breaks it up. It is just my opinion of course, cheers!
Zaratsu isn't German, it's Swiss in origin. It's the Japanese pronounciation of Sallaz, as in "Präzisionsmaschinenfabrik Gebr. Sallaz AG" from Grenchen, Switzerland.
Positively superb quality with high-end dial work in a highly practical quartz variant. It's great that your review video showed us the ticking second hand for a long time, so that those of us who are upset by misalignment issues in some quartz watches between the position of the second hand and the marks on the dial, can rest assured that Seiko has this handled. Actually, even Seiko's entry level quartz movements seem to have good alignment between second hand and second marks. For those who cannot part with a mechanical movement but want the accuracy of quartz, GS also offers spring drive variants, although they do cost more than this model.
Please correct me if I am wrong....The second hand doent hit the minute markers., not even for one time! Disappointing quality control!! I think this shows the distance to Swiss made...
I own top tier $600 mechanical replicas of Rolex, Omega, AP etc and though they're indistinguishable from genuine, they don't give the satisfaction of my Grand Seiko sbgx261. Hardly wear them anymore.
The wonderful content of your videos is matter of fact whilst being open minded, Thank You. This video in particular hits home in a way I care not to explain, but my father and I have large differences on the quality of things from other cultures. The appreciation for detail in a Grand Seiko is inspiring to say that least. Having owned and have had my submariner stolen, I really miss it in this market especially, but I am happy of the quality, price and heritage (not to mention the reliability)of all the seiko watches I have acquired since. A quartz GS at that price for the overall quality is definitely worth it, especially when the other brand has priced itself out of reach for those of us in the middle of the road.
Your videos are pure class. Thank you for everything you do. Being a photographer by trade I fully appreciate the work that goes into creating these images... not to mention the fantastic writing.
We know you want more watches…. click here: linktr.ee/watchfinder
I can see a blemish on the S of the GS logo?
Purchased this watch last year and have to say it is just as phenomenal in the metal as in this video. Independent jumping hour hand, accuracy, fit and finish is all outrageously good and blows the rest of my collection out of the water. What is hardest to describe about this watch without seeing in in person is how the dial sits somewhere between matte and sunray in its finish, depending on the lighting - but seeing as this is a Watchfinder video, in all its world-class macro glory they managed to capture this at 7:23, where it looks like the dial is matte-textured directly underneath the GS logo, and sunray-textured as you look out towards the 3 o’clock mark. Seeing this watch in daylight will blow you away.
I don't know about you but I'd say it's way more phenomenal in the metal than it could ever be on video or in a photograph. I've found this to be true with most Grand Seikos. I would have never purchased my first one based on the research I'd done on the internet but one day I decided I'd at least go try it on at my AD and I was immediately enamored by it. The way it plays with light in person just can't be captured with a camera.
And also their polishing result on the case. Vid or pics will show it looks terrifyingly sharp. But in the flesh, it looks like a liquid mirror.
I have the spring drive variant of this and I have to add that sunlight is the worst lighting for this watch. Gloomy weather and sunrises and sundays MAKE IT POP better than even some 50k-300k watches I’ve seen. That champagne dial is no joke
I have owned this watch for 2 years ……great watch
I’d love to see a come back of the dream 3 watch collection around a certain theme, I think that’s an amazing way to learn about different watches but still have some control over what you will learn about
What do you mean by “themes”. I hear that term but I don’t know what the means in terms of watch collections. Kindly elaborate?
@@tfpp1, a theme would me some aspect in concept, function or colour scheme that all three watches share. For an example, an ice themed collection could have the snowflake (concept), the speedmaster Alaska project (function) and maybe the old yatch master in white gold (colour scheme)
I'd say the most "complete" 3 watch collection is a diver, chronograph, and dress watch. For me, that would be a no date Submariner, Speedmaster, and Snowflake. For your theme, all watches that start with "S". 😂
It's still a Seiko
I did it. Bought a 37mm quartz GS. It's a stunner!
Quartz?????
@@lafireteamplx3400 best quartz watches ever made... for this I'll make an exception..
Do you still have it? How is the honeymoon period? ❤ I’m so tempted to get a champagne dial
Solar quartz is awesome
@@lafireteamplx3400solar quartz is the future, no mechanical movement can keep up with quartz.
This has too be my favorite RUclips channel of all time. The honesty, the production value, the education and banter! Thank you!!!!
Over the years I've found the channel to be fairly biased but it's still one of my favorites. I just take reviews of certain brands with a grain of salt since the channel is sponsored by them.
It's honest about using clickbait. I'd rather support a channel that simply doesn't.
My favorite, always!
I don’t hate Rolex but the price increase is so ridiculous that I would rather get something better at list price than a overpriced rolex
I feel you. I got one Rolex at list price and if that’s the only one I ever get that’s fine with me. I won’t pay over list price for anything. I walked into a remote subway at a national park and the 5$ footlongs were 6.50 so I left and didn’t eat till my 5 hour car ride was over
@@WatchUnwind I don't think subway has had 5$ footlongs in many years. I could be wrong though
@@VideoGamerabc this was along while ago
@@WatchUnwind Eeew! Subway sucks! Processed meat (cold cuts) are unhealthy to eat. Eating their bread is like eating lightweight cardboard. 😝
Moving on to shopping for a watch at Watchfinder. Their prices are no bargain. They’re a very overpriced site for used watches. Regarding waiting for a Rolex watch, I don’t get it. You can walk in a Lux Bond and Green jewelry shop in Connecticut, USA, and buy one no wait, no problem, nice selection available, also nice friendly staff. 👌
@@krokodyl1927 they have popular Rolex watches there in the case? I’m from Massachusetts next time I’m in state I’ll have to head over if this is true
I have been living in Japan for 12 years and been considering a GS. Thanks for another wonderful video. I have a Rolex Explorer in my collection and luckily picked it up when it was still a reasonable price. Nothing else in the Rolex lineup grabs me and what you get for the price with GS makes a mockery of many high end brands.
You are the best watch channel by a country mile. No algorithms will keep me from finding your content😀
A 44GS 9F and a Rolex explorer is my collection and nothing else is needed. With these 2 I have no desire for any other watch. Perfect 2 watch collection from the only 2 brands in the world that are truly in-house
I like my spring drive even better than my 9F. No battery! Reminds me when cars went from carburetors to fuel injection. Same with spring escapements versus glide wheel. And the best part...it can't be Counterfeited. It's a technological marvel. If the Swiss sold this, you could add at least one more zero on the price.
Piaget did a very very limited run of a similar movement and it was pretty pricey.
I just wish someone at Seiko could be a bit more innovative with the design language. They've always had that look of the "old man watch" which, even now, I find hard to shake. I'm really warming to the brand but I wish they'd produce something visibly and immediately desirable by form.
@@peetiegonzalez1845 I think you are looking for Casio,bor if you can afford it, some of the Nardo watches.
I really doubt nobody can counterfeit this. They have the resources, even the Chinese.
@@diavalus I’m sure they probably could counterfeit them but it is a remarkably complex movement. Seiko spent 3 decades working on it. Piaget released something similar in like 20 copies and never tried again. Much easier to counterfeit a Rolex as they are a known quantity and can use an off the shelf mechanical movement to allow for 4hz beat rate.
I love my 9F grand seiko. Bought it in pristine condition for only 780 euro. Hasn't lost or gained a second in over a year of ownership
how?
@@94Ninsound94 imported it from Japan , won it on a yahoo auction.
What’s the reference of your watch may I ask?
@@watchtherapy1068 i got a sbgx005. I really wanted the cream dial version with the 9F82 but that was another +-200 bucks extra
you lucky dog.
sending a bit envy from berlin.
I absolutely love this review. In fact most of these reviews are wonderful. So much so that they have genuinely influenced how I think about watches and my purchases. Grand seiko dress watches especially are so enticing and stunning and in person are even better but the camera work in these videos is itself a work of art. I have also loved your pieces on moser, Baltic and dornbluth. Any chance on a review of something a little closer to home and leftfield such as Anordain?
This might be the Grand Seiko for me. It's one of the more affordable GS watches, but it's so gorgeous it doesn't feel like any kind of compromise to me. Only their 9F watches really interest me, even though I know GS does a fine job with their mechanical movements, and of course I admire the Spring Drive as much as any watch nerd. A 9F won't need service anytime soon, and that appeals to me (on top of the extreme accuracy & the other advantages of quartz). I really appreciate Grand Seiko for giving quartz respect, and applying their exacting standards to the production of luxury HAQ watches.
I agree....I am in a small group who think mechanical is a bit outdated.
I'm glad GS are making high end quartz. They invented quartz watches and quartz made them the establishment company they are today. It part of their history. They are adding more tech to quartz like omega with the coaxial movement with mechanical. The seiko high quartz watches are stunning with high quality. I'm a mechanical guy through and through well except for my g shocks, but as a watch enthusiast, I can appreciate seiko high end quartz. It will be sad for me if I see Seiko stop making their high end quartz watches altogether. And you dont need to reset the watch if you leave it a lone and always have accurate time. My co worker is a watch guy and he prefer quartz and Nick Shabazz, the RUclipsrs, perfer quartz. High end quartz lovers are niche in a already niche hobby, but they are there.
Every time I see or handle one of these in person I’m blown away by the quality. Your excellent camera work captures a lot of it, but checking one out in person with a loupe is still a rewarding experience
I absolutely love GS. My goal with GS was to get a Spring Drive, a High Beat, and a 9F Quartz. I have my Spring Drive and High Beat, all that's left is the 9F quartz movement. This is the exact piece I was eyeing.
Thank you for the great review and cementing my decision.
That will be an awesome GS collection if you get the quartz too. Good luck on your next purchase.
If you like this dial, you’d go nuts for the SBGP005
Love that goal!
I started to get into watches about a year ago and wanted to get a Rolex but there were none to be had and the waiting list was ridiculous. So I started to search for an alternate and landed on Grand Seiko. Once I took a journey into this brand I was amazed with the innovation and amazing dials! Now I am hooked and prefer a Grand Seiko over Rolex! Only advantage I see for Rolex is the value retention/appreciation which Grand Seiko doesnt have unless you are lucky to purchase certain limited edition models which is what I am buying from GS.
@Roberto Vidal Garcia makes sense and I get it but when Rolex selectively choses customers then people who are starting the watch hobby is being discriminated against because they have no sales history. Its the same thing when you graduate from college and nobody wants to hire you because you have no experience. Its stupid! Anyways I am happy with my Grand Seiko purchase and looking forward to my next piece soon!
Was on the edge with this watch, but pulled the trigger post watching this video. Thank you for the help. Really like the macro shots and production quality.
Listen, I know this watch might be seen by many as kind of "plain" and boring. But it's one of the most pure, perfectly balanced, clearly legible, easily accessible, and "form-meets-function-meets-form" examples of watchmaking I have ever seen. And all in a neat, pretty, exquisitely-made, relatively affordable little package.
This is where beautiful bone-simplicity camouflages almost mind-boggling complexity. That's something rare, and you don't see it often in ANYTHING we come across in life.
What a perfectly said explanation. I have the black dialed one (SBGP003) and its the best watch I've ever had- i dont wear anything else anymore
@@NABROWNEBMX I'm jealous!🙂 Seriously, when I said "rare" I mean there are precious few examples of this level of precise design that so obviously achieve their engineering AND aesthetic objectives...because it's REALLY HARD to do. A couple examples, in my opinion...A few Rolexes (and I admire them but I'm not a fan-boy) have almost perfect proportions -- everything is spot-on, all in the right size + right place + right style + right material/texture + right proportion + exact right relationships. Similarly, the Porsche 911 has pretty much remained the same for literally generations. And that's not by fluke: it's EXACTLY what Porsche wanted to build, and it fits their customers expectations and tastes almost perfectly. Why change something if it's THAT good...?
Your watch is very likely going that kind of universal, lasting appeal.
Fantastic video - as always.👍 Grand Seiko watches are uniquely special. I have the SBGT015 which has the champagne dial and applied minute markers. It is a work of art. Anyway, just wanted to tell a quick story that made me smile. I took my Grand Seiko watch into the local jewellers to have the battery replaced. The lady at the counter looked rather bemused when I gave her the watch - "oh I haven't seen one of these before, it looks a bit special" she said, "I'm not sure if we have the tools for this." She then took the watch into the backroom and her boss promptly appeared - a very polite gentleman. He was smiling when he remarked how special this watch was - "it's a Grand Seiko!" he said, like I didn't know 😄
Then he explained that he wouldn't want to risk changing the battery himself due the quartz movement being very special, so he will have to call his Seiko expert come to collect it. We chatted for a while about the charm of Grand Seiko watches and he mentioned that they are shooting up in value right now. They clearly do not get many Grand Seiko's (if any at all) in their small store and it genuinely gave them a buzz to have it in their hands. Made me feel very special and that would not have happened if it was a common old Rolex 😜
I bought a GS SBGA285 spring drive a couple of months back. At first glance it's a no frills, understated watch. But then after wearing, you start noticing finer details.
1. It's accurate. Has not lost or gained any time in the weeks I've had it.
2. The indices are faceted in such a way, reflected light at the right angle becomes iridescent.
3. The effortless glide of the seconds hand is mesmerising.
4. I feel compelled to keep the power reserve gauge full (like the petrol gauge in my car).
5. The black on the dial is flawlessly uniform. And black.
I bought one of these last year and recently sold it. Lovely watch overall and kept amazing time (lost zero seconds in 6 months!). But it’s was just a little too big for my 6.75 inch wrist - lug to lug was too long for me and the watch wears fairly flat on the wrist. Other gripes were the bracelet: well made but lacking in taper and adjustment. And the dial: if you caught the light at the right angle, it was stunning - the champagne colour really shone. But most of the time it had a dull silver look - not what I’d hoped for, given GS’s reputation for spectacular dials. Anyway, I sold it for what I paid for it, so no harm done! Still have the GS itch to scratch…Like the look of the new Evolution 9 “Mist Flake” GMT (or whatever its nickname ends up being!)
Have you looked at the SBGX261/263/265? The SBGX263 is basically the same watch but 37mm and only costs about $1300
@@LorianandLothric Please kindly let me know where the SBGX263 is available for $1300. Thank you in anticipation.
@@LorianandLothric Interesting, thanks. Will take a look next time I’m in the local GS dealer!
@@chrismuz There’s one on Chrono 24 in good condition for $1149 and a couple others at just under $1300. I also see a couple ones on e Bay that are also under $1300
@@chrismuzI know it a late reply but I got my SBGX263 for 1100 in near mint condition in the US from a US seller. Deals for them are out there. It’s an absolute stunner!
Exactly my case, can’t get a Rolex, got myself into Grand Seiko, acquire a SBGA211 spring drive, SBGN005 Quartz and a SBGW231 mechanical all in under 12months.
Now all we need is you tubers not hyping GS up, prices for new launch are creeping up fast and furious!
I was told by a store assistant once, that there are those who buy a watch for other's and there are those who buy a watch for themselves. This struck a cord with me as I had gone to look at Omega and Tudor and left with....I'll let you guess? and I've not regretted it a single moment since 😉
I have this one and a Datejust. The level of pure quality in GS is astonishing
I clicked on this because I love Grand Seiko. I bought a Spring Drive five years ago and love it. The finish is superb, as you can see in the close ups.
As a RUclipsr myself… I find your level of professionalism and high quality content astonishing!
Thank you!
The dream Grand Seiko is the Elegance Collection spring drive, yellow gold case with snowflake dial.
I love GS. I would just love to see them pay as much attention to their bracelets and clasps as they do to their cases, dials, movements and hands.
I despise Rolex as a brand - I really hope that something puts a hole into its hype bubble. It's really getting ridiculous.
Yeah they are really annoying. So many better watches
The clasp does indeed suck on these bracelets, it’s the reason I sold my Snowflake.
Agreed. The LEAST they could do is put a few more micro adjustments available. Sad.
I'd also like to see them release a divers watch that can fit a normal sized wrist. As it is their entire lineup of dive watches are far too thick and far too large. I've bugged them about this over the years in person and in an online AMA and it sounds like they have something in the works but they're unable to confirm.
The clasp on my Astron (made in the same factory as the 9F models) isn't fancy looking but has a good tool free quick adjust, I'm surprised they don't use that clasp on everything, or at least use that mechanism and in fancier watches put it in a prettier 'case'.
It doesnt have the cap on the center of the hands, like my SBGV221. Its the little touches.
Yes, the Grand Seiko's are amazing time pieces for the price and we need more Watchfinder videos about them! I always look forward to a Watchfinder video, and you never cease to impress ! Thumbs up!
I don't exclude quarts in anyway. I just appreciate them within their own catagory, and this is a fine watch I would be proud to own.
Meeting with the in laws = hands and familiar music, hanging out with your friends = microphones and ranting. Either way I love it!
Nice watch. Wish they stuck with the regular Seiko formula and female end links and shorter lugs so the watch sits better on the hand.
That shot at 4:55 🤩
I watched most of your videos and something about that stood out. Anyone else notice that?
Spiraling pull back. Good damn camera work.
@@mybrainlikesthings 😂😂😂😂😂 mf said IPhone, bro this is shot on a Sony A73 .IPhone can't do shit in professional field
Love that you look even at the quartz Grand Seikos.
Curious if you would consider making a video about The Citizen models that compete directly in this High-Quality, Highly-Finished, High-Accuracy Quartz space.
Perhaps the Washi Indigo version AQ6110-10L? Or one of the Four Seasons versions?
I love your description videos and this no exception. The single narrator has a simple, effective, emotive delivery. Very convincing voice and tone. And the Watch descriptions are first-rate. I especially have learned so much about Grand Seikos…I’m definitely going to get one now. Great job!
The case on that GS looks so so similar to the case of my 70s King Seiko. A gorgeous and timeless design
1. I like Rolex (the engineering, the history, the ATD), but the buying experience is the lowest of low end. Seiko and Grand Seiko fill different but important roles without the bitterness of dealing with an arrogant AD. 2. The notion of Japan as home of affordable tech passed more than 20 years ago. Japan is now the home of handcrafted luxuriousness (Onizuka Tigers, Alpha Recording Systems and Jiro's sushi) that you won't get from Malaysia or Guangzhou. 3. Having eaten McDonald's in more countries than I care to admit, I love the notion of "alien familiarity". Brilliant.
My quartz Grand Seiko's second hand hits the markers dead on.
Three months ago, I purchased a Grand Seiko SBGX261 on a 9F caliber. This is the perfect watch for every day: the highest quality quartz in the world, accuracy of 10 seconds per year, hand polishing, wr100, perfect readability, date window in the color of the dial, the service interval is 50 years, free battery replacement, size 37mm and a ticket to the GS9 indoor club. All this for $2000. What more could you want?
The only GS models I’m interested in are equipped with the spring drive movement.
1. Love this review, 2. Keep up with your long videos with Tom.
I am blown away to be watching what is essentially a, "let us introduce you to Grand Seiko," video in April 2022. Particularly when I purchased my first GS seven years ago. Is Watchfinder suggesting that the watch cognoscenti is still unfamiliar with the brand?
Could you, one day, do a review of the current model of Jaeger LeCoultre Master ultra thin moon, preferably in the petroleum blue dial.
Check out The Citizen line. It's done better than Grand Seiko in many aspects. Uses solar as a solution to limited power for quartz watches, instead of using 2 fast, simultaneous ticks per second. Perpetual calendar, and date change at exactly 12 midnight, not a second earlier or later. Adjusts hands' positions automatically, and had independently adjustable hour hand much earlier than Grand Seiko. Anti-backlash system is done better than Grand Seiko in my opinion, because seconds hand doesn't vibrate as much from moving one tick to another. And caliber 0100 can arguably move even heavier hands, the second hand for watches with cal 0100 is made of brass. Watch parts made from LIGA and assembled by hand by watch meisters, with Sallaz polishing. Specially-selected, aged AT-cut crystals with careful thermo-compensation, which vibrates at 8 388 608 Hz, 256 times faster than the standard quartz 32 768 Hz. Considering the constraint that light has to pass through the dial, it's a wonder that The Citizen watches still have so many wonderful dials. Best part? It's still relatively unknown to many.
I have a similar watch with a Spring Drive mechanism (SBGA285G) and it is vastly superior to the Rolex 2019 Airking it replaced. Frankly speaking they are like night and day. I also love the fact that I have something on my wrist that is understated, underrated by most of the watch buying public and of such good value that the price is scarcely believable these days.
The SPGA285 is about the same price, but with the Spring Drive, which is much rather have, that smooth sweep is so nice.
I own an automatic vintage GS 6146-8050 in pristine condition, amongst a KS and lots of other vintage Seiko's. A modern GS like this one is on my list. I find the GS quality second to none.
@Watchfinder: keep doing what you are doing. Great job!
I love that this doesn’t have the bounce back typically associated with a quartz watch second hand. The hand moves to the next index, then stops dead. It reminds me of the JLC dead beat.
ruclips.net/video/NrTEnE2oi3Q/видео.html
I have a seiko that looks almost the same with less price. I prefer a simple quartz watch. I hope this helps.
“It’s watchmaking, Jim, but not as we know it.” 🤣 Love the Star Trek reference!!!
What a beautiful watch! Sure it's a quartz, but the design and finishing are just stunning. I like Rolex a lot, and have a couple of their watches in my collection, but they really don't hold a candle to Grand Seiko.
The 9F movement is excellent in its own right. It's not an ordinary, run-of-the-mill quartz. It has just as much “soul” and craftsmanship as an automatic
Seriously? You actually like the bracelet?
@@LorianandLothric True, but I still prefer mechanical movements, assuming similar quality.
@@simonj5615 If the bracelet was the most important reason to buy a watch, I would just buy Oris, Bvlgari, Omega, Tudor or some other brand that makes decent bracelets. I'm not a big fan of Grand Seiko bracelets, and Rolex bracelets are certainly better, but the bracelet alone does not justify the ENORMOUS price difference. Besides, I'm not really a bracelet guy and generally switch out bracelets for leather straps anyway, except in rare cases.
I'm glad Seiko make high end quartz. If anybody makes a high end quartz, it should be Seiko. They invinted quartz watch and the quartz made the company they are today. It like a celebration of their history. They will be nothing without the quartz. The tech in quartz make it lose 12 second a year. The way they make their quartz watches are perfect. Quartz are in some high quality beautiful stunning watches. I'm mechanical watch guy through and through, but as watch collector I can appreciate Seiko high end quartz watches.
Would love to see more manufacturers produce high-end quartz watches, and in particular, focus on adopting a sweep second hand similar to the Bulova precisionist. The technology exists but I'm not sure that the market is demanding it.
是的，我喜欢石英表，不喜欢机械表，希望多出石英表
There is a third reason that I watch this video...
I just like the way these watch reviews are done. In some way, they are addictive...
Yeah, is not that I can afford most of the watches shown here, I use a Casio.
44GS case, 9F movement, and the most labor-intensive champagne dial from the brand...probably one of the Grand Seiko Grand Seiko's you can get.
Thank you for your comment on the state of clickbait nowadays. I love your videos, but titles like "IS THIS THE ROLEX KILLER" or "BEAR GRYLLS WILL HATE THIS WATCH" drastically cheapen the otherwise 'premium' feeling of the videos. It's glad to hear that you do it reluctantly not because you endorse clickbait.
Or: ”A.D.s hate this trick!”
It’s very frustrating. The videos we don’t do it on just simply don’t get shown to viewers. Look at our last Patek Philippe video. A tiny fraction of the views.
Yes, agreed. My heart sank when I saw another WF video with the word ROLEX in the title to get the numbers in, but it totally defuses the frustration when talking hands fully owns that they do it, and that they do it for a reason.
I believe a lot of us watch enthusiast RUclipsrs aspire to Watchfinder's quality of footage. You've inspired a lot of RUclipsrs including myself to even start. So, I totally understand what you mean by the changing landscape in the RUclips world!
"Perhaps we can be the ones who change it" is just spot on. Reminds me of the story about the two wolves (one greedy and the other one caring for the pack) we have inside us and which one of the two that will survive? The one you feed of course. I own the GS SBGR251. A "Japanese DJ" at 37 mm with 100m WR, display caseback, 72h/pwrsrv in a nicely decorated movement and hand finished/zaratsu polished case, silver sunburst dial with those immaculate indices and hands and regulated in 6 positions & temperatures (slightly above COSC standards)..And ALL of this for the price of just under 3000£..
Get it? Stop feeding the beast and start thinking instead.
I always thought I wanted my first high end watch to be mechanical, But the 9F seems to be pulling me in, The only down side would be no display casebook for obvious reasons.
Grand Seiko's are awesome but i can't believe that no one in the comments that i have seen is mentioning the clasp on the bracelets. My GS bracelet does not have any micro adjustments, nor do most of them. On top of that, the spring in my clasp became dislodged and I had to bring it into the AD and they sent it off for repairs telling me, "4 to 5 months." The watch is six months old.
A Grand Seiko spring drive automatic for me, one day.
Yes, these videos are what you do best. The co-moderation vids are good, but IMHO this kind of presentation is your sweet spot and just maybe helps sell more watches too. Thanks and thumbs up for you!
my god this watch looks so beautiful, it will still look good in a decade or more, it never gets out of style !!!
Nice. Just a pity they would not do this mechanical
@@AlexMi77 they got plenty of mechanical GS already ;)
@@AlexMi77 making this machanical ruins the spirit of it. Grand Seiko hand builds even their quartz movement and even take immense pride in them. The 9F is a wonder of modern watch making in its own right!
@@jessiehobbs219 fully agree with you. It’s just personal preferences ☺️
I don't hate Rolex but they have not been generally available in my metro area for over a decade. What with the increased global demand for Rolex it's become impossible to get one from any local AD even though I live in a major US West Coast metro area. I've given up on ever buying a Rolex or even a Tudor because Tudor have also been sold out due to spillover demand from customers that could not buy a Rolex who still wanted something with a Rolex-like stylistic flair. I now wear a Seiko for my daily driver and aspire to a Grand Seiko quartz. Theoretically available Rolex watch models have lost any relevance for people who buy watches in the real world.
Demo of quick date change when talking about date change and shots of the movement when talking about the movement would have made this video so much better.
That watch is so crisp and sharp, you could practically shave with it. I really like the understated precision, absolutely beautiful.
Tudor Style is under appreciated also. I have a two tone that is remarkable for the money.
I've got the SBGP009 GS Heritage. It is so accurate I have never change it since 210601. Absolutely stunning watch! And so accurate!
If you get bored you can try the slo mode on your phone and watch the double pulse.
I wear mine daily and catch myself staring at it all the time. Also the movement is all metal, a work of art.
YES! Granted you're having to play the algorithm game by invoking Rolex hype (whether hate or love)...but this is one of the important major channels that's been elevating Grand Seiko in Western markets to the stature it deserves. And as you rightly pointed out, GS finishing quality is closer to AP than to Rolex...I say on forums all the time that GS is closer to holy trinity than to Rolex and Omega---and nothing but love for Rolex and Omega.
yeah but then again the bracelet is closer to Casio than to Rolex
@@pacisking Hardly. The finishing is still good despite the poor clasp.
@@jacc88888 I don't care about the finishing if the bracelet otherwise sucks.. they are terrible for watches that expensive. Compare it to a Tudor BB58 or to an Omega Aqua Terra.. both are miles better than what GS does.
@@pacisking How so? Could you please explain what else is wrong with your own GS apart from the clasp? Only asking because I went only the Seiko boutique and tried a few on but didn’t notice anything bad (but hard to tell if you only try each of them on for a few mins) Good to get someone else’s hands on experience. Thanks in advance.
@@jacc88888 well first of all if you want a GS you can't go wrong.. incredible watches and arguably the best movements for the price, especially the spring drive.. and they are beautiful.
What I did not like was no micro adjustment (that's a big turn off for me, especially for an every day watch), clasps are poor, it doesn't taper much which was a problem for me because I have small to medium sized wrists and it just felt cheapish even compared to watches around 2000 euros.
A video on ceramic watches will be interesting, especially the Speedy DSoTM.
Really love your calming voice. I'll try to get a Rolex OP in upcoming weeks first, and if failed, I think a GS will be the answer after watching this video.
You also don’t have to “build a relationship” with a Grand Seiko dealer in order to get one. You just walk in and buy the one you want. Actually that goes for most watch brands besides Rolex, lol.
I own three 9F’s, and three Spring Drive. Love them all…
There is no need to get start a fight with Rolex aficionados in order to prop up Grand Seiko. This Japanese marvel is such a beautiful product of design and ingenuity that it does not need to put down the big player in town to shine. It can stand tall on its own merits.
I love the Spring Drive sweeping second hand, so I stay with GS
I have SBGV221 and it's the most accurate watch I have owned. I checked the time after 1 year and it was off by only 5 seconds!
Would love to get your take on the new three handed Astrons. I've got one, the SBXD003, and I think it's great and underappreciated. It's like a mini GS. Stainless steel case and bracelet with a ceramic bezel. Case is very similar to shape to this GS, including the polish on top of the lugs w/the brushed area right next to the bracelet. The Astron is solar powered and GPS equipped, in a GREAT wearing 39mm wide case with a lug to lug of 45.7mm and thickness of 11.3mm. Simple uncluttered dial - three hands and a date, and that's it, minimal text and no subdials or anything else to clutter it up. I think the hands look great, and they're well finished being polished on one side and brushed on the other. The bracelet is excellent, and includes a good tool free quick adjust clasp. Very easily change time zones and of course always perfectly one time due to the GPS sync. The Astrons are made in the same factory as the 9F powered GS's, and the finishing is really good. It's not Grand Seiko good, but, very good. I paid $1300 USD for mine including shipping, buying it from a Japanese online dealer, so less than half the price of a new quartz GS. I'll also add that the pics on the Seiko website do NOT do these justice. Plus the history of the Astron is interesting - it's the watch that brought about the quartz crisis and changed the watchmaking industry forever.
A pic of mine: i.imgur.com/a4wmRRJ.jpg
Awesome review and this is such a gorgeous watch indeed.
My next big watch is a GS. Maybe a spring drive, maybe a GMT, maybe a Spring Drive GMT. Keep beating the drum.
I'd love to see a roundup of "flyer" GMTs across the price spectrum (eg ETA Powermatic GMT, GS 9F GMT, GMT master II).
Gorgeous watch.
I would love to see the Longines HydroConquest with ceramic bezel on this channel. I have it in black and I truly think it's so underrated.
My 9F is 2 1/2 years old and off by +5 sec. Now I can get rid of my atomic clock. This watch looks better too.
Dear Mr. Talking Hands,
I absolutely love the Grand Seiko brand and everything about it, especially the 100% in house manufacturing. The only thing that I would ask for is a bit more lume here and there. Other than that, don’t change a thing! I’m of the opinion that you can never have too much lume on a watch (bring back the radium paint and I’ll buy it! lol).
Thanks for the fantastic video please keep up the great work.
Sincerely,
J. S. B.
I think lume would ruin it. I specifically looked for a GS GMT without lume because the finish on the hands is so beautiful I feel the lume breaks it up. It is just my opinion of course, cheers!
For me, Grand Seiko quality is above rolex, rolex is a marketing machine
This comparison is great and all but a Seiko Presage with spring drive is even a better proposition.
Zaratsu isn't German, it's Swiss in origin. It's the Japanese pronounciation of Sallaz, as in "Präzisionsmaschinenfabrik Gebr. Sallaz AG" from Grenchen, Switzerland.
The ticking seconds hand on these 9f quartz is literally hypnotizing! Yes... I said it!
I would have loved to see the mechanism.
Positively superb quality with high-end dial work in a highly practical quartz variant. It's great that your review video showed us the ticking second hand for a long time, so that those of us who are upset by misalignment issues in some quartz watches between the position of the second hand and the marks on the dial, can rest assured that Seiko has this handled. Actually, even Seiko's entry level quartz movements seem to have good alignment between second hand and second marks. For those who cannot part with a mechanical movement but want the accuracy of quartz, GS also offers spring drive variants, although they do cost more than this model.
Thank you so much for covering the Grand Seikos here.
i love that watch so much and i love that you're not adverse to showing off a high quality quartz.
Please correct me if I am wrong....The second hand doent hit the minute markers., not even for one time! Disappointing quality control!! I think this shows the distance to Swiss made...
It also has an independent jumping hour hand!
Would love to see more affordable watches, like the tissot prx review👍
I own top tier $600 mechanical replicas of Rolex, Omega, AP etc and though they're indistinguishable from genuine, they don't give the satisfaction of my Grand Seiko sbgx261. Hardly wear them anymore.
Happy to follow you to a less click-bait driven platform. YT is a mess.
I'd really like to see other quartz watches covered. Thanks guys!
The wonderful content of your videos is matter of fact whilst being open minded, Thank You. This video in particular hits home in a way I care not to explain, but my father and I have large differences on the quality of things from other cultures. The appreciation for detail in a Grand Seiko is inspiring to say that least. Having owned and have had my submariner stolen, I really miss it in this market especially, but I am happy of the quality, price and heritage (not to mention the reliability)of all the seiko watches I have acquired since. A quartz GS at that price for the overall quality is definitely worth it, especially when the other brand has priced itself out of reach for those of us in the middle of the road.
Your videos are pure class. Thank you for everything you do. Being a photographer by trade I fully appreciate the work that goes into creating these images... not to mention the fantastic writing.
Suggestion: add the clasp of the watch during the wristroll.
What is the mechanical GS you referenced?