EXCELLENT DRESS WATCH: Grand Seiko SBGW231

[@WatchesOnYou]

CHECK OUT THE WATCHES I CREATED: www.ebay.com/str/hoglundandsonswatches

[@klaushaunstrupchristensen7252]

Very nice. Had it been 15% thinner and had it had slightly more flowing integration between lugs and case, then it would have been pure perfection! This watch is the most likely candidate when I next year will give myself a sixty years birthday present. Had I been willing to spend the excess money I would buy the Calatrava 5196G for the reason given above. But even the Calatrava is not perfect, it lacks hacking seconds.

[@canonyeo4286]

When i first heard that GS beats the Swiss in their own game, i was fascinated, as i was with why watch collectors consider manual wind as higher class. Since then, i have collected a dozen of the new GS and another dozen of their vintage. I reproduce here my comments made on Watchfinder's video on Rolex/Cellini using the SBGW231 for comparison. "Rolex doesn't make its own hands. What else it doesn't make? But, let's just talk about hands, bec, the hands have a lot to tell. And, let's also talk about SHS, the Short Hand Syndrome, bec, talking about hands is not complete without it, which, can be cleverly got away with the 2-hands mechanism, sub sec hand mechanism, or, keeping all the three hands, but, an automatic. SHS is sometime not apparent. It's not only in cheap watches, but, hidden in expensive ones. "You are right. Rolex doesn't do anything new. They don't have time. These new Cellini are testaments. What happened to the earlier manual wind? Is adjusting to 4 positions the best they could do? That, they have to recycle the 3132 automatic for these so called luxury dress watches marketed at 15-20k? I don't mind the thickness if there's good reason for it, but, at least have the decency to shortened the length, or, bend to hug the wrist. No, having a sapphire glass back case wouldn't do, like any of their calibers. They are not proud to show case them, and, neither would you be proud to see them, not when you can get handmade watches for a lot less. All good watch makers have good Three Centre Hand Manual wind in their stable, like the GS 9S64. It takes an excellent mechanism to carry the long minute hand, and, even longer second hand for 72 hours in high beat, and at the same time keeps excellent time throughout. Connoisseurs called this kind of sec hand the Third Hand, and, considered them the best of watches. This is the most basic complication, but, probably the most important, being the foundation for good automatic watches. Other complications are nice, if only you understand this basic. And, at 3K, they gladly showcase the finishing of the mechanism for the world to see. ( Mine is accurate to 1-2 sec per day). When people says, 'High horology need not be expensive,' this would be an excellent example. It may seems strange, but, you may not find one in Patek or Lange to match this complication. You can see for yourself that the finishing of this affordable GS mechanism is not inferior to these 'Big names' except for some finer details, which you can also have in higher end GS/Credor. As for the finishing of the case, hands, and, indices, they dance even in dim lights, which makes my heart skip a little every time i look. The patek does not do this for me. With the rainbow effect, front and back, you do not need precious metal. The absolute non reflective ivory dial is an art hard to find outside of gs. It's simplicity at its best. Also, it's not that GS cannot make thinner watches, which you can see in their 9mm tk 5Hz Vintage 4522. Though the power reserve is compensated to 45 hrs, it's still considerable for a movement made 50 years ago. Well, actually, it's bec of this kind of calibers, that the Swiss shamefully called off the competition. We cannot have everything in a watch, but, we certainly have a choice for real good watches, if only, we care to look beyond the marketers. Btw, the 9s63 is a much better mechanism than the calatrava small sec, and more beautiful. It's a piece of art. If you like power reserve on a manual wind, here you have it. If you like the power reserve hidden, then you can have the 9R31 Spring-drive manual wind mechanism on the SBGY003 Grand Cocktail ( I have both of these). If you like a more decorated one, then there's the 9R02 for you." (I don't talk about Rolex out of spite. I have played with many over 20 years. I still have many in my collection which includes the daytona, hulk, batman, etc. The finishing of these watches are not even as good as the new SLA series with the 8L35B movement and the new LX line which are also zaratsu polished. The pasture is not as green on the other side as many people is implying, and, this is not healthy for the watch community. Also, i do own those patek, rolex and GS made in comparison. I talk from my own experience as a watch enthusiast, as would all the like-minded).

[@CallMeSetApartOnes]

Canon Yeo you my friend you surely know your watches and I couldn’t disagree with all you’ve said, even though it took me a century 😌🤣

[@canonyeo4286]

@@CallMeSetApartOnes You are welcomed, my friend. It also took me a long time to find out. I didn't know these things playing with Swiss watches for 20 years. It's only when i found GS, I begin to learn from people who have played with them way before. Other complications are very nice, but, there are toys for the super rich, which, in most cases, not practical ( call me sour grapes, haha....). Anyway, now the Chinese has came up with a Minute Repeater Tourbillion, which only a handful of big names have. Though, still very expensive at 35K, it's a tenth the price of a Swiss made, and, you get a dial made from pearl. In the present world of DT and 5G, the generation Z looks for the best, and, the cheapest, with just a tap on their phones. This is indeed a bright sign for the future.

[@bighands69]

You first heard crap if I am being honest.

[@canonyeo4286]

@@bighands69 now l hear crap to be honest

[@alia-ps6xz]

This is a perfect watch, I wish there was affordable automatic seiko watches without date windows which really destroy the Beauty of the dial

[@jeffdj1975]

Just copped one yesterday!!!! Very exciting.

[@greggallinoto2668]

Absolutely nothing wrong with “just” a Seiko. I actually have this GS. Best watch I own. Above all my other luxury watches

[@canonyeo4286]

Agree absolutely. Interestingly, the sallaz is swiss-german made, and, yet, they do not have the skill of the Japanese in handling it. The twinkling rainbow-effect on the hand set and indices apart from the finishing on the mechanism is zaratsu, now synonymous only to GS ( though, other japanese-made, like citizen also has zaratsu finishing). Just put a patek beside and compare, especially the mechanism, since they are so highly regarded by the 'experts'. Imagine if this finishing is found on a swiss-made - these 'experts' would scream their throats dry, and, push the price even higher than the present ridiculous prices. Look at the LX lines, which i mentioned briefly above. The Ken Okuyama designed diver, the way it's structured, is qualified for professional saturation diving, without helium, thus superseding the earlier marinemaster. You cannot see this kind of innovation in the submariner. I have the hulk. The price doubled in 3 years. I am selling it to by the LX for free. Like the new SLA series, it's not only zaratsu polished on the exterior, but, also, the mechanism like all GS. The parts are also done with the MEMS engineering in their micro studio by skilled craftsmen. Funny thing is that people say it's expensive, and, they prefer to buy a machine-made rolex. Anyway, here is a good read - deployant.com/review-seiko-prospex-snr031j1-lx-black-edition-dive-watch/ Imagine if this innovation is on the rolec - the speakers will burst.

[@wristroll_vlad]

Mine runs 10-12 seconds per day faster and is among my less accurate watches.

[@evh4611]

Next week i will own a Grand Seiko SBGW001. Cannot wait really

[@evh4611]

What a stunning beauty

[@DavidDatura]

Lovely watch, looks fabulous under your lighting setup, especially the movement! But as it’s a manual wind, I just wish it incorporated a power reserve indicator...either somewhere on the dial or more discretely located under the display back on the movement plate. Like some high-end Swiss watches do. Still, only a minor gripe.

[@bighands69]

Nope no need for meter you just wind it regularly. Not hard to do.

[@mosytube]

Stunning watch and great review. I would assume that the strap is either gator or croc skin, not simply “genuine leather”.

[@giangvu7902]

Just gorgeously beautiful!

[@fung123890]

This is so gorgeous

[@fletcherhamilton3177]

Could the leather be replaced with a standard GS bracelet?

[@southnc63]

Fantastic value for a high quality dress watch. But, nearly 12mm thickness is way too much. Most high-end MW dress watches are under 8mm in thickness.

[@bighands69]

12mm is fine for a dress watch. There are ultra thin dress watches but that does not mean they are better or more dress watch like.

[@southnc63]

@@bighands69 Not fine for high-end. Seiko's Credor dress watches are also much thinner.

[@MoltenScience]

hey watches on you, i am trying to get my hands on a pepsi daytona or batman for my collection. however my local rolex dealers say it is almost impossible to get at list price. u got any tips for me to get one at a dealer

[@WatchesOnYou]

Unfortunately, those watches (I assume you mean the Pepsi or Batman GMT) are extremely difficult to find unless you have a long relationship with an AD. If you want one of those, I would suggest waiting until the pre-owned prices simmer down. Thanks!

[@enriqueali]

This watch looks very "tubby". What's its thickness? And the lug-to-lug measurement?

[@田中精一-d1n]

I have this good watch .

[@josefsladek7016]

Great, but too thick :(.

[@arashmalekzadeh1]

$4000 watch that beats a $25000 Patek

[@medroastt9888]

38.5" case size it would have been perfect