Grand Seiko VS Rolex

sdre · Jun 21, 2018

Was browsing around Youtube and chanced upon this video.

Fantastic information on the GS/movement and the close up shots of the GS dial. I'm beginning to see why some people are going gaga over Grand Seikos (Calling @bigsom)

ulackfocus · Jun 21, 2018

Dangerously close to a WUS thread. As a preventative measure, I'm going to spray a little insurance to keep it on this side of the fence.

warrydog · Jun 21, 2018

I passed on an older GS a few weeks ago. Despite being priced right, it was a little rough and I just couldn't pull the trigger.
Now You've got me thinking I need to take another look at it.

Larry S · Jun 21, 2018

I need to go to an AD. I own the watch on the right. Need to experience the watch on the left.

sdre · Jun 21, 2018

To be fair, I enjoy the occasional seiko turtle / dive watches... But I think the branding on Seiko still needs some work.

The video had me thinking otherwise though. The movement, the sweep, the power reserve and the texture and workmanship on the dial.... Definitely supercedes the Rolex.

Of course, it might not be seen as a beater like the Rolex per se, but the dollar to value ratio... Wow.

omegaswisst · Jun 21, 2018

It was great to scratch beneath the surface and learn more about this great watch and Seiko. Thanks for posting @sdre

It's easy to take for granted the amount of work that goes into some watches.

sdre · Jun 21, 2018

omegaswisst
It was great to scratch beneath the surface and learn more about this great watch and Seiko. Thanks for posting @sdre

It's easy to take for granted the amount of work that goes into some watches.

It's all good 😀 more than happy to share

larryganz · Jun 22, 2018

The fit and finish on my Grand Seiko SBGX115 diver looks to be on par with my Rolex Submariner Hulk, even under a 10x loupe. But I went the cheap route with one using the 9F61 high accuracy quartz movement. Still, the watch doesn't feel or look cheap to me, with a lot of attention to detail.

At 1/4 what the Hulk cost, it could qualify as my "beater" watch, to set it and forget it until I need it. However, I can't justify spending the $6-7K it would cost to buy the steel/Ti Spring Drive model that I desire. My friends and family would not understand that move, and I have to admit that if I'm going to spend that much money I want the prestige that a Swiss luxury brand brings. #imawatchsnob

sdre · Jun 22, 2018

larryganz
At 1/4 what the Hulk cost, it could qualify as my "beater" watch, to set it and forget it until I need it. However, I can't justify spending the $6-7K it would cost to buy the steel/Ti Spring Drive model that I desire. My friends and family would not understand that move, and I have to admit that if I'm going to spend that much money I want the prestige that a Swiss luxury brand brings. #imawatchsnob

I feel the exact same way as you. Rolex is Alot easier to move if you require funds for a new purchase or an emergency.

RelozoBoi · Jun 22, 2018

I wouldn't put GS along with Rolex just yet.

This is coming from somebody who has two GS and one being refunded if approved.

sdre · Jun 22, 2018

RelozoBoi
I wouldn't put GS along with Rolex just yet.

This is coming from somebody who has two GS and one being refunded if approved.

Do you mind explaining providing some reasons why so? 😀

RelozoBoi · Jun 22, 2018

sdre
Do you mind explaining providing some reasons why so? 😀

Good question - hahaha. I just got lazy. Are we allowed to post links to other forums? It's quite a long explanation.

https://forums.watchuseek.com/f642/am-i-being-unreasonable-slight-hand-misalignment-4708169.html

Of course a lot of people will say that this is common especially for major brands like Omega. Ok, let's say it is - but 2 degrees tolerance? That's space for the gears really? I mean I am more than happy for a watchmaker to give me horology 101 on this.

Uniqez · Jun 22, 2018

Is watch quality there - YES, is marketing and brand recognition there - NO. I don't think you are comparing apples to apples here. I don't think Grand Seiko would ever get to the Rolex brand recognition level, even though they are making top of the line timepieces.

ulackfocus · Jun 22, 2018

Grand Seiko is like Pioneer Elite stereo equipment - excellent product that could compete with the high end stuff, but consumers will NEVER believe that it's anywhere near the quality of the names like McIntosh, Levinson, or even Adcom. Seiko mass produces inexpensive watches, and because of that are pigeonholed into that lower end bracket by public perception.

sdre · Jun 22, 2018

U ulackfocus
Grand Seiko is like Pioneer Elite stereo equipment - excellent product that could compete with the high end stuff, but consumers will NEVER believe that it's anywhere near the quality of the names like McIntosh, Levinson, or even Adcom. Seiko mass produces inexpensive watches, and because of that are pigeonholed into that lower end bracket by public perception.

Absolutely agree.

Oh i'm not wearing slippers this time.

Archer · Jun 22, 2018

Don't take any technical advice/information from this channel too seriously. The reasoning for the longer power reserve isn't really all those things he talks about. Power reserve is designed into the watch based on a very few simple things...

1 - Length of the mainspring, which determines the number of times the barrel will turn from full wind to unwound.

2 - Gear ratio between the barrel and center wheel.

That's it.

MEMS, skeletonized parts, and all that other stuff is secondary. I can take a regular watch that runs 48 hours, and provided there is room in the mainspring barrel, install a longer spring and make it run 55 hours.

Marketing is all this video really is...

Cheers, Al

Archer · Jun 22, 2018

U ulackfocus
Grand Seiko is like Pioneer Elite stereo equipment - excellent product that could compete with the high end stuff

Only recently did I find a monitor that would compete for picture quality that my old Pioneer Elite Kuro plasma monitor had...for years there wasn't anything out there that I would consider replacing it with - great quality for it's time.