Ginault Silent Service (is it that good?)

[@robbackstrom3365]

I have the same one - SS no-date. I’ve had over a hundred - maybe more?..watches over the years and I feel the Ginault punches above it’s weight class. Regardless of what you might think of the people behind the brand, the actual watch is a great piece. Bezel action, case finishing (on mine) and the bracelet quality make it a winner. Criticisms from myself would be - there is a sharp case edge on the back of the watch - it does not touch the wrist - but you will notice the rear of the lugs as very sharp - as Rob alludes to in this review. There is a ghost position - which I forgive - because there are 2 versions with 3 options - obviously with all the same movement. Super comfortable on wrist, not too heavy - very versatile. I’d say anybody on the fence as far as the product quality can proceed - I do understand where the brand history can be a problem for some. These people know where to source very high end components at a reasonable price - that much is clear.

[@mr.eswatchreviews]

I recently got the traveler model on loan from Ginault please go and check out the unboxing video and I will be doing a review video comparing the traveler and diver model this weekend

[@tailsneon556]

Mine finally arrived today. Took a little longer than I was hoping for. Nearly 4 months. But I'm absolutely blown away by the quality of this thing for the money. It feels every bit as premium as a Submariner. And that bezel action is * chef's kiss *

[@nartlambaz]

looks like a vintage Omega Seamaster . I like it

[@cameronbowers5842]

Crazy how nice a watch 1/12th the price of a sub is.

[@thexetmes]

Makes sense if you've ever handled some very high end replicas. Weight, hand feel, bezel, all almost identical to genuine. It's a smart move for a replica maker to go legit and charge a bit more for better QC which is always the killer when going with a rep.

[@flow2tech]

@@thexetmes that and lack of water resistance in reps.

[@isrstrategies]

Yeah but more than a 99 percent Clone the bracelet comes from China. It’s basically a Rolex replica bracelet that you can buy at a Rolex replica is the best replica for $500.

[@isrstrategies]

Yeah, like a Rolex replica for $500 that’s 99.9% as nice as a Rolex

[@underachievingwatchcollect1878]

I have the date/no cyclops version-love it! Mine runs -1 sec/day. And Rob is right, the Helson Sharkmaster can coexist with the Silent Service (I have both). FYI- the Sharkmaster has been restocked if anyone is interested.

[@billweede]

The text on the dial doesn’t bother me one bit. Love my SS no date. I would love to see a version oh this watch with the gloss black dial like my OR ll!

[@BetamaxBabe]

Had mine since August, and I love it. I was losing interest in most 1:1 homages already; this watch was the final nail in that coffin. I don't need them after owning this (though still maybe considering San Martin's "BB36").

[@reverb508]

Still love the ocean rover I bought 5 years ago.

[@mr.eswatchreviews]

Sorry Mr Rob you're slightly incorrect The Traveler comes with a 12 position bi-directional bezel the diver comes with 120 click unidirectional bezel

[@digitallandfill]

Great watch, I own the same no date and have no complaints. The overall word to describe it is svelte. From the tactile feel of the bracelet to the bezel action. The only gripe I have was that some of the lug edges were quite sharp so I had to use some polishing cloth to wear those down.

[@geoffreysnow7688]

Rob, I clearly am too late to the pre-order pricing. Would you think that the watch is still worth the price at full retail? Thanks in advance!!

[@Jun118notes]

I agree that ginault ss is a very high quality watch. Easily feels luxurious on the wrist in all ways. But the accuracy of mine is quite dissappointing, -4sec/day. I thought it would be better due to in house regulating. What is your accuracy?

[@jonahlochard4701]

-4sec/day is really not that bad

[@TheMutchlerchad]

I understand your frustration. Mine runs +7 per day. They paperwork that came with the watch documents that it was running within a couple seconds per day, but over the course of the six weeks they regulate the watch, it got worse each week. I contacted the owner to ask about this but he was condescending and after a few back and for messages I just gave up. It’s a beautiful well made watch, but between the regulation and poor customer service I will never buy another Ginault.

[@Jun118notes]

@@TheMutchlerchad sorry for the bad experience. lately mine has been running w/ better accuracy. -10sec during 4 day course. which is -2.5sec/day. I think it might needed a breakin in period. How is yours running lately?

[@TheMutchlerchad]

@@Jun118notes It's running between +7 and +10 per day.

[@mr.eswatchreviews]

@@TheMutchlerchad not that + 7 or + 10 is that bad but out of curiosity have you checked the watch for magnetization as watches are easily magnetized by cell phones laptops stereo speakers alarm clocks and even small magnets after repeated exposure can also magnetize a watch

[@30kHunter76]

Rob just curious what your thoughts are on the Ginault in comparison to the Christopher Ward Trident Pro?

[@thebonvivant]

@Rob how do you think tha tthis compares to the Omega that you sold? I was going to get a used Seamaster, but this seems like it would be a good replacement. Would enjoy if we can chat about this a bit on Monday night chat. I realize that the comparisons would be Apple and Mangos, but please, I'd value your impressions sir. Thank you! Good lord this might be my gateway into Luxury timepieces.

[@MJ-we5if]

I think it looks nice and at $1000 seems like a good deal. Would consider this if I wasn’t waiting for the Monta Oceanking refresh

[@richardvanfrank8114]

Did you preorder the third gen Ocean King? I am not very impressed with it.

[@MJ-we5if]

@@richardvanfrank8114 No I didn’t. I understand the direction they went but to wait so long for them to just use the same case as the Skyquest seems crazy. They didn’t offer any additional colors either. I wanted an Opalin dial at least.

[@richardvanfrank8114]

I am thinking the same. I am going to pull the trigger on the SS. It is half the price of the Ocean King with only a slightly inferior movement. I am going to miss the 56 hour power reserve offered by the Ocean King.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

I like the looks of this better than the Submariner .

[@underachievingwatchcollect1878]

Me too!

[@mickeylickey123]

Great review of a very nice watch. Wish the lugs curved some. Would make for a better fit on my 6.75" wrist. I'd definitely buy if they curved downward

[@redletterl78]

Too flat for me too.

[@polle3600]

They forgot to peel the stickers on their promotional pictures...

[@rickhammel9541]

the watch looks great, but I keep reading about some controversy about who makes it and where. Do you have any information on that?

[@cedarcanoe]

I own a prototype no-date Ocean Rover and I can assure it is a very very good watch.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

I’ve never handled the Ginault, how does it compare to the Steinhart Ocean One? Do I save my money and get the Ocean One 39mm or do I pay the extra for the Ginault?

[@maximilianroidl4747]

Quality wise 1000%

[@Mackster248]

Depends on your budget. It's definitely much better than the Steinhart in terms of finishing and bezel action. They also regulate these. But definitely hard considering how good Steins are at their price range.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

@@Mackster248 I agree with what you said about Steinhart, at just over $500.00 it can’t be beat for value.

[@thexetmes]

Far better. These are similar to high end Submariner reps but you're paying an extra $500 for better QC. With the high end reps they are almost identical unless you use a loupe.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

@@thexetmes I gotta get my hands on one before I spend $1000 plus

[@jorgegonzalezmata524]

Wonderful watch. Ginault have Gmt to

[@msk3905]

why no videos for the Expeditioner? Am I the only one who thinks that is their best looking watch?

[@bud_zdorovim]

Which one is better - this or Wise Adamascus AD8?

[@mathewazzopard8100]

Bought the OR2, must admit the watch is of excellent quality. No need to list it's pluses. I would like to see a modern sub with sword hands. First 6 months the accuracy was amazing, now its at -5 sec @ 24h. Not the best and somehow i have the feeling the the pr doesn't charge well, this is my only complain and didn't buy the SS. The crown is a killer, must provide great grip and love the crown guards free.

[@jodysilvia2]

I placed a pre-order about 13 days ago I opted for a diver with a date, no cyclops .

[@underachievingwatchcollect1878]

That’s the version I have. Mine is running - 1 sec/day. I like it more than my Rolex sub date.

[@jodysilvia2]

@Underachieving Watch Collector that's great to hear. I'm waiting patiently.

[@tacomn]

@@underachievingwatchcollect1878Any feedback on the setup choice you made like would you change any thing? As in choice of bezel and date not day or cyclops’s ? Thanks

[@underachievingwatchcollect1878]

@@tacomn to be honest I have to squint to see the date. I didn’t want a cyclops (too Rolexy) and I didn’t want ghost position. They’re all good-get what you like.

[@tacomn]

@@underachievingwatchcollect1878 That is my same train of thought process. So if you could do it over what would you switch to, or just stay with the normal date?

[@howardroark7726]

Agreed. It would be great in navy blue.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

I’m thinking Green HULK! Double green for me please I have blue covered

[@howardroark7726]

@@canadianwatchmonkey3992 Definitely. Green would be good too. 👍

[@RandallSlick]

A good looking watch. However, is it only me who's becoming increasing suspicious of smaller/micro brands using solid case backs and non-standard (I know!) tool patterns. I get why the big boys did this, to enforce servicing at ADs and allegedly reducing the chance of scratching, but with micros? Are they trying to stop the customer from inspecting the movement they've purchased without the extra expense and a fair bit of luck on tool buying? I'm not having a go at Ginault, as they are far from alone, but I wish they'd all revert to tried-and-tested case-removal patterns.

[@wadehampton1737]

I'd say they'd be taking one heck of a risk to try something shady like that. It's a pain to take off. It's far from impossible.

[@thekeystonekid8687]

I know it's picky, but I just can't get past the "Kinetic Continuous" and "Submersible Maritime" on the dial. That sounds like stuff you'd see on a $20 aliexpress watch.

[@rolexsubcasewearsbettertha9571]

If you know anything about military divers you will know the term submersible and maritime were both terms used on many of the spec documents from the US Naval contracts, this is paying tribute to the mil-spec divers.

[@dannymurzea]

Seriously, the text is as bad as AliExpress Chinese divers.

[@reverb508]

But “Oyster Perpetual” is fine, right?

[@Jedi391]

Put the watch on, then tell me it’s like a $29 Ali express watch.

[@datboi__]

I agree that there's too much writing but I don't think it's to the point that it's distracting

[@rickhammel9541]

this or a Pitzmann 2 for around the same price?

[@localgearhead]

Does it have a Ghost Date ? I read somewhere it does have one but no one seems to mention it

[@simonjeong77]

OMG so funny I was keep thinking about this and Helson lately! Big thanks for showing both!!! How does the Helson feel compared to Ginault? (in build quality?)

[@RandomRobReviews]

Helson is more Microbrand feel, tougher working class feel to it vs the more luxury feel of the Ginault

[@jlarsson1978]

A mix between an Omega Seamaster 300 reference 2254.50.00 and a Rolex Submariner. Price is a bit high for a homage IMHO.

[@hockingham7160]

How is this a homage, its very much it's own watch bar the bracelet. You can apply your analogy to 50% of the watches out there if not more. So are they also 'homages'.

[@christianjoseph7367]

Why is it a homage? It looks nothing like a Rolex or an Omega? The term is overused.

[@CharlieHargarten]

Love it! Definitely want one

[@Mr.Peperkamp]

Will there be an sunburst dialed or glossy dial one?

[@kyleheron38]

If i didn’t just buy a Hamilton KFA, I’d seriously consider putting a deposit in on one of these. I’m going to kick myself once the pre-order price goes away

[@morgan97475]

Very nice looking watch there.

[@albinhultman9662]

Second hand looks a bit rough?

[@TheBimmer74]

What is the weight?

[@edwardklein5692]

Looks great!!

[@theoverlord1925]

I’ll take this over a Christopher Ward any day…..

[@isrstrategies]

They are still running the discount he is the bottom line if they’re selling you a $1500 watch directed to $3000 watch because if they weren’t selling it direct they would have dealers and the dealers will be getting it at 50% off and selling it for double

[@johnnyj.817]

so they don’t make the ocean rover anymore?

[@underachievingwatchcollect1878]

Nope

[@danielvanemmerik9823]

@@underachievingwatchcollect1878 on website why are they saying place order blue or black bezel ? I'm confused

[@legionnairegonk4425]

So criticisms I have seen are the ghost date, case finishing has been spotted as not quite symmetrical around the lugs, bezel / marker line-up and bezel knurl finishing... Niggling things, but things that do subtract from the quality hype surrounding it. Add in the ludicrous quantity of text on the dial, the 'still too much of a Rolex homage' thing and it's frustratingly just short of a no brainer purchase for many...

[@David-vi9jq]

I like both, but the Helson has more presence in my opinion.

1500 -1800 USD current price. Must be joke. A no brand (not even a microbrand) watch does not deserve this much money. Do not care how well built it is. 700-800 USD would be OK.

[@isrstrategies]

It’s a Rolex rep bracelet

[@redcard1990]

With the amount of Rolex homages out there, cannot justify this

[@stevenuk]

date?... need a date..

[@stevec2569]

I have this watch, but I got it with the date and cyclops

[@wilderbeestmcc6539]

$1800…..bye bye😂👍

[@datboi__]

It's not $1800

[@evh4611]

It has a Planet Ocean kind of vibe

[@adrianhargreaves2854]

Orient kamasu homage 😂😂

[@BAF605]

No.

[@gregnatividad8345]

Does it still have a ghost date position?

[@mcstarling07]

I was hoping they'd get rid of some of the ridiculous text. I had the Ocean Rover I and II, sold them both off. They're amazing watches for the money, but the text just grates my nerves. This model fits my tastes even more and I know the quality is simply amazing but they still have the ridiculous text! Maybe the next iteration will move away from this obvious flaw.

[@davidv6091]

100% agree. I don't understand why do they put this ridiculous no-meaning text on the dial. And this is why I am not interested in this watch.

[@BetamaxBabe]

That would be my only complaint about it, but the text is so small (and my vision is so trash) that I barely notice it.

[@calypso22]

Very similar face to the Omega 2254.50.

[@PeepingTime]

👀

[@hauntedpandaofgreyvalley803]

way too much text on dial

[@isrstrategies]

Case and bracelet is from China. It cost this guy no more money to make this watch then a five or $600 perfect Rolex clone which means it cost him $300 to make this watch at the most.

[@bobnewby9129]

Rolex Submariner case and bracelet with vintage Omega Seamaster 300 hands and dial. How original. Not! I have no respect for someone who would wear a watch like this. If you're going to go this route at least save some money and get a San Martin or Pagani.

[@carlosraygoza9153]

Looks too much like a Rolex in my opinion. Brand equity matters, also the history of the owner and the brand is somewhat shady. Something about selling parts to replica watch builders.

[@ultramagnus7842]

Man these are the worst Rolex spin-off I have ever seen. I can't believe people are buying these. I wouldn't buy it even if was $300 lol. Sorry to say guys, you can do better than supporting a company that built itself from basically putting a different name on a completely "copied" Rolex and selling it as their own brand. I look at this watch and this brand an I am completely disgusted.

[@GS-nx5ud]

Completely agree. Can't imagine people paying this much for a homage from a super shady counterfeiting business.

[@datboi__]

It's not a direct homage and pretty much every single brand has homage designs lol

[@GS-nx5ud]

@@datboi__ there's a difference between having one or two homage models and having an entire brand of homage models. This brand was also built from money made counterfeiting rolex watches. Just tell yourself it's all fine though 🤡

[@datboi__]

@@GS-nx5ud there's so many brands that are built off of being homages, steinhart being the prime example. For people that can't afford the actual watch, steinhart and other homages are a great alternative especially with steinhart usually using the elaboré movements. And from what I can gather, TC is John Tsung Chi is John Mcmurtry is Charles Ginault but some people really don't care if they made counterfeit rolexes in the past. Rolex is a multi billion dollar company regardless of the existence of fakes and for the average person making $30k a year a Rolex is literally unattainable so having homages or even fakes is fine by many people. I would never wear fake anything but I'm blessed to be able to afford real things. Not everyone is that fortunate. Fakes are really only problematic when people try to sell them as the real thing or when they get past sellers as authentic and get sold as authentic when they aren't. Other than that there's no harm imo. It's not like fakes are stealing business from Rolex lol those are all people that would never ever be able to afford or get a Rolex in the first place

[@Jedi391]

Say what you want, bottom line it’s an outstanding watch that can’t be matched anywhere close to its price. I’ll judge the watch for what it is,not for your internet rumors.

[@mosytube]

Need a 38/39mm version!!! Please pass on to owner @randomrob