2020 Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT SBGE253 Grand Seiko Watch Review

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SKU: 4332417
The Grand Seiko Sport Collection Spring Drive GMT SBGE253 is encased in 40.5mm of stainless steel surrounding a black dial on a stainless steel bracelet. Features of this Grand Seiko Sport Collection Spring Drive GMT include hours, minutes, seconds, date, GMT and power reserve indicator. This Grand Seiko watch also measures 14.6mm in thickness and 48.6mm from lug-to-lug.
For complete details, watch the full Grand Seiko Sport Collection Spring Drive GMT review by Tim Mosso!
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[@Mile-long-list]

Who else sees a grand seiko and just says nailed it ? They're truly stunning

[@MrThehardway]

Yep, they nail imitating iconic Rolex design every time!

[@4liter]

Yes! With the exception of the clasp. CHEAP looking clasp.

[@Angry_Gnome]

@@MrThehardway Lol wut?

[@oralkombat5479]

This is the watch for people who cant afford lux watches, cheer yourself buy GS

[@d.b.1176]

lots of Rolex cuck comments, enjoy the artificially inflated Rolex prices you paid.

[@bobcat409]

You are the best at describing watches.

[@specialkfouryou]

Really nice to see them going smaller on the diameter, still looks thick as a brick but would have to try it on. I like the design other than the location of the date.

[@defenstrator4660]

This watch looks great and shows GS is listening to feed back. Lumed, slimer design, while keeping everything that makes them great. A very solid looking sport watch.

[@gelmibson883]

They still have the same shitty clasp for years.

[@chiragbhavsar562]

Tim, your reviews are the best! Excellent description in all your reviews. You make me want to buy every watch you review!

[@ironoutrigger1]

I purchased this when it was first issued. Yes, it is a bit on the chunk side. Gains about a half second a day. I wear it every day and it's a rock solid of a watch. My only peeve is that GS has since release several lesser models that have a similar appearance so only a GS enthusiasts would know the difference.

[@jayjayhooksch1]

A few Grand Seikos are so close to earning that grail moniker for me. This one needs a display caseback, the snowflake and the gmt chrono needs lume, and they all need a better clasp with a quick adjust feature, but man are these nice watches. Ill keep searching for my grail.

[@theonlyredspecial]

Stunning watch. Like it more than the submariner. And I love the submariner.

[@oralkombat5479]

dont push it man

[@cruxae]

"reasonably slim" at nearly 15mm. What the heck?

[@d.b.1176]

14.6

[@colemanhoyt5437]

I own a blue version of this watch. Part of the thickness is on the caseback, and that part "settles" into your wrist more than wearing "on top" of it. Also the sloped bezel and gently domed crystal helps reduce the perceived height. It is not a watch I would call slim, but it isn't as prominent as the dimensions on paper would suggest. It routinely slides under my sleeves.

[@jaredblakecooper]

This could be a perfect watch with a few changes. Without an adjustable bezel, it has a subpar gmt function. And why would they not have an open case back to see the beautiful movement?? Who is taking This hundreds of meters below the surface? No one. If you want to do that, buy a diver. Then Kill the power Reserve meter and put the date, if you must have it, back to the 3 position. Ok I’m done….

[@Hollyrock712]

Just ordered the green bezel one… GS all day !

[@oralkombat5479]

Try to save more money and buy zenith at least

[@Hollyrock712]

@@oralkombat5479 that’s a nice watch too. I already have Rolex Explorer 2, Yachtmaster , and a Blue dial 36 OP. Plus Omegas…. I have a decent collection. Next One I get will be the Pepsi GMT .

[@oralkombat5479]

@@Hollyrock712 good on you mate

[@tc5074]

I was going to get the blue. Leaning toward the green. How do you like it?

[@Hollyrock712]

@@tc5074 love it. The green is stunning… you won’t regret it.

[@stark_syndrome7857]

In what world is that reasonably thin?

[@moa8247]

😂

[@yousif5191]

14.6 is not reasonably slim, GS needs to work only on two aspects Their watches are thick Their bracelets are not good enough for the asking price Everything else is perfffffffect

[@lucasxlacerda]

Thank you! Grand seiko please listen to this guy

[@SirMopy]

You forget the date at 4... it‘s disgusting

[@yousif5191]

@@SirMopy Its a bit unusual, but it matches the crown at 4 which is a Seiko signature.

[@yousif5191]

@@lucasxlacerda I hope they listen, they have the technology to do it

[@SirMopy]

@@yousif5191 yeah true. I like the crown at 4. and the date matches with the 4. but if you look at the whole design, the date looks off... but I guess it‘s the same with the HE valve on the SMP300. Weird that I like that....

[@Ex.zed.]

I see Grand Seiko, I click!

[@oralkombat5479]

i see grand seiko, i throw up

[@blackbaygmt_pepsi7284]

Why is this watch so thick compared to the Rolex Explorer 2 ? Every time I look at a GMT watch (other than a Rolex) ; great dial, nice bracelet, etc. it’s always the extra thickness that turns me off.

[@oes2546]

I wish it was a tad bit thinner, and/or had somewhat more curved lugs or a shorter lug-to-lug measurement. But I can go to the 9F based Grand Seiko GMT's for that. Now when I think about it, the 9F actually suits my needs better than a spring drive, although the spring drive is more special (even if not as well suited to my intended use case), and this watch kills the 9F GMT's when it comes to looks.

[@rousseau327]

The inner chapter ring bugs the hell out of me, with the grey section being less than half of the circumference. Wish they would have just stuck a rotating bezel on this.

[@gbsailing9436]

Rotating bezels are easily misaligned whilst wearing. Clearly Seiko thought of this.

[@gbsailing9436]

@japanwatchconnection In Your Opinion.

[@youraveragebreakfastcereal5285]

@@gbsailing9436 honestly depends on the level of finish on the watch. I have a citizen diver around €200 and every now and again i look down and see the bezel misaligned. I also have a Omega seamaster diver professional chronograph. The bezel is SOLID and doesn't move without obvious intent and considerable effort. Considering what I've heard and read about GS, i imagine it's closer (or better) to the Omega in that regard than the citizen

[@gbsailing9436]

@@youraveragebreakfastcereal5285 Never had that with any Citizen I’ve owned. Nor Seiko for that matter! Strange how we never see these things when we are buying them.

[@MarzAdam]

I really love the spring drive and some of the watches with this caliber type under the hood, but I really don't understand the power dial on almost all of the watches with them? The dial seems like an afterthought, often misplaced, out of place and balance, or is just me?

[@tikiecue5677]

On this model it kinda offsets the date window placement

[@shipmate3577]

What happened to TGV?

[@Leartech81]

When I finally buy my first luxury watch it will be this one. *Soon*

[@blackbaygmt_pepsi7284]

I wouldn’t do that brother, you’d be throwing a lot of money away. Grand Seiko lose their value fast and their demand on the used market is non-existent. Consider any of the following: Tudor BlackBay Pepsi GMT ; Tudor BlackBay Chronograph (new release) ; Tudor BlackBay 58 blue dial ; Tudor Pelagos blue dial ; Omega SeaMaster Diver 300 (current model) ; Omega SpeedMaster Professional 1861 solid case back in Hesalite ; Breitling Navitimer B01 Chrono 43mm ; Breitling SuperOcean Heritage 2 (42mm) B20 blue dial ; these are much better watches for you to consider; higher demand & reputable in-house movements. They’ll either hold their value, drop slightly or go up over time. Buy on the secondary market as cheaply as possible. You won’t go wrong with any of those options.

[@Leartech81]

@@blackbaygmt_pepsi7284 You presume to know who I am and what I want and why I want it. Consider fucking off.

[@willielarsson9651]

@@Leartech81 hahah great answer. These guys are obsessed with using watches as an investment rather than just enjoying it.

[@nolanreed7090]

@@Leartech81 Have you picked one up yet?

[@Leartech81]

@@nolanreed7090 Nah... My other hobbies needed money... lol

[@watchesofgactm5nguyenhiep385]

Look great on your wrist.

[@stapleboss]

I love everything about this except the GMT. I just can't stand a 4th hand. Really want a sporty/sub spring drive this size.

[@bighands69]

It is a great all round sports watch.

[@ctn830]

I would love to see this watch compared to Seiko’s SNR049 GMT

[@caseywilson7768]

Really as close to perfect as you can get

[@ianlastname5881]

Fixed bezel is a bomber. Doesn’t make any sense, why would you print 24 hours marks inside the watch and on a bezel and then make it fixed, like wtf? 🤷‍♂️😡🤬

[@gyrovague]

Because like the Rolex Explorer II you set the GMT hand to it. It could be moveable and give supposedly easier access to a third time zone like the GMT Master but that's not essential for a true GMT. One could purchase the very attractive Fortis F -43 Triple GMT as a cheaper alternative to the GMT Master etc but you don't get reflective indices.

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

This is one of my favorite Grand Seikos. Can the Spring Drive be serviced at Seiko USA or does it go to Japan?

[@siddhant46s54]

Well hello there Mr.McMahon , fancy seeing you here eh . Was just watching this review because of my recent watch obsession episode on this particular reference !

[@dariussilber1128]

This piece is still available on their store

[@oralkombat5479]

yup they are always available coz no one wants to buy it LOL

[@ctn830]

When compared to the new Seiko SNR049 or 33 GMT who wins?

[@drmanhattan225]

Obviously the GS.

[@ctn830]

How does this watch differ from GS SBGE201?

[@tikiecue5677]

The main thing is the size. SBGE201 is 44mm while this one is the sweet-spot 40.5mm.

[@mdmdmeke2956]

Nice

[@georgiebestmanutd4746]

Biggest drawbacks. Non rotating 24 hr bezel ala Rolex Explorer. 2) stingy lume

[@gbsailing9436]

Rotating bezels are easily misaligned whilst wearing. Clearly Seiko thought of this.

[@gbsailing9436]

@japanwatchconnection You know that for a fact?

[@gbsailing9436]

@japanwatchconnection Yes but there are a lot of people out there like myself that have just a little bit of OCD in them. This means that the slightest misalignment gives them grief. I can understand, if I were a seiko marketing executive, that: 1) I'd like to see something different to a Rolex, 2) there are people out there that don't like the fact the the bezel can misalign all the time and so let's do it differently with out annoying a significant portion of our customers. Ok so if you want a rotating bezel...go by a Rolex or an Omega, No one is stoping you. And that's my honest take on the matter.

[@gbsailing9436]

@japanwatchconnection You lucky man!

[@bighands69]

It is not a dive watch hence why it does not have a rotating bezel.

[@mao7]

If it was a tad slimmer and had a rotating bezel 👌 Not a fan of twin trigger release on clasps either...

[@rousseau327]

I'm okay with twin trigger release, but this one, like all Grand Seiko clasps, just look cheaply made.

[@gbsailing9436]

Rotating bezels are easily misaligned whilst wearing. Clearly Seiko thought of this.

[@rousseau327]

@@gbsailing9436 Uh, i'm not sure what watch you're benchmarking, but none of the GMTs I own have rotating bezels that "easily misalign"

[@gbsailing9436]

@@rousseau327 Ok perhaps "easily" is not the best word. but you'd have to agree that any external bezel CAN re-align if bumped, whereas an internal mechanism will not accidentally misalign. Which is why a number of companies have developed locking bezels for their diver watches, eg. ORIS Prodiver.

[@rousseau327]

​@@gbsailing9436 Assuming we're talking about quality watches here, if you bump the bezel into something hard enough to misalign it, you've got bigger problems than just a misaligned bezel. "A number of companies" making locking bezels is relative tiny compared to the ones that don't. Not even Oris makes locking bezels for their normal dive watches, it just doesn't happen enough to warrant it in a day to day setting. This is even more so for most GMTs, they won't ever see a dive setting. Not to mention, for a GMT, a rotating bezel actually has functional purposes. It allows you to track a third time zone on the fly without having to hack your movement to move the GMT hand. I suggest you try one of these on in person. I reckon you're basing your assessment off of theory here.

[@josayeee]

Curious as to why you are wearing a mask haha

[@1969jmac]

it would be perfect with out the annoying GMT hand

[@kangsteroflove]

I can’t stand the position of the crown and the thickness

[@braydencromar]

Reasonably slim at 14mm 🤨

[@MisterTwister222]

lmao youre wearing your mask while filming this

[@tynchytemper9618]

No display back? Just no way!

[@gbsailing9436]

Keep it on your wrist...you'll Neve even notice...

[@willielarsson9651]

Glass backs are a waste of time , unless you want to take it off in the pub and bore your friends

[@USS_Liberty]

It would be even thicker with a sapphire caseback.

[@gelmibson883]

Have fun getting this fixed when any issue occurs. Half a year gone, even for a miss aligned bezel. And it doesn't lay in your local Botique, it has to be shipped to Japan. Don't get me started if you have problems on the terrible complicated movement. Nothing in their service is holding up compared to the aura they are trying to create, all that marketing nonsense with japanese precision, perfection, heritage, price-perfomance etc. Like zero communication and paying Patek prices outside of warranty. It is a fn mess. Especially after they put the prices up for almost all their lines. And on top they squeezed lower prestige lines up to GS standards in terms of movement and zaratsu polishing. If they keep that s up, they will end up like Panerai. ps. They still use the same shitty clasps....

[@gelmibson883]

@@Luke-bt4do The whole post contributes to the service of SEIKO if something goes wrong on your GS. Which is nothing new or unusual. I did not a bashing about general quality of dials and indicators etc. I will repeat my self: Patek prices in terms of getting you GS fixed in Japan. Outside your warranty! Have fun with that. If you can't get my intent clear, although it was, but have a play as the grammar nazi. You are the right customer for such a shitty brand like GS.

[@CrimFerret]

I like Grand Seiko and the Spring Drive movement is pretty cool, but I've seen too many videos about the nightmare of getting them serviced to be all that interested in owning one.

[@steveyrock]

I feel a lot of pain in your comment. Are you speaking from personal experience?

[@billmoss2877]

@@Luke-bt4do And you are?

[@Dylan-xj8tb]

@@Luke-bt4do you're delusional if you think grand seiko is in the same ballpark as patek. Having a fancy name for standard wheel polishing doesnt put you in the holy trinity. They are a good competitor to brands like breitling and panerai, as all 3 like to produce gaudy designs and oversized cases that always seem to miss the mark in one way or another.

[@gbsailing9436]

I see your video runs for 5:40...You would NOT be penalised for having a video that runs for say...10minutes...This would allow for two consequences: 1). You would be able to take a breath between each word for example. The use of significant pauses also enhances your speaking delivery giving gravity to your content and context. This will aid in making your content more interesting and more effective overall, rather than seeming bland, boring and often unintelligible, whilst sounding less rushed and seemingly insignificant. 2). It will also allow you to be able to be heard by the audience. I could NOT follow what you were saying - I had to stop at 1:27 because I didn't know what you were talking about - except that you were obviously talking about a watch. Is that because I don't, or have not been raised in America? I'm not sure. From a few well places words, I understood that you were supposedly speaking English, but I could NOT tell where one sentence ended and another began, which helps define context and meaning. I had extreme difficulty in working out where jargon and opinion overlapped and should have been separated. If you wish to use a "Global" technology to reach a 'Global' audiences, it would best suit your purposes to make sure you deliver content that at least can be heard and moreover UNDERSTOOD by such audiences. It benefits both parties. Can I suggest that you take this as "constructive" criticism, not as a blatant swipe or smash against you work. Clearly you know you stuff and can offer much to the end user. But only if they can hear and understand it. Cheers. GB

[@drmanhattan225]

take a chill pill fella