Grand Seiko GMT SBGE257 - A Week on the Wrist

Review of the Grand Seiko SBGE257 after a week on the wrist, and a few comparisons to the Rolex BLNR (Batman).
Grand Seiko Spring Drive Ceramic Bezel GMT
Zaratsu polishing, Grand Seiko Grammar of Design, Polishing Light, SBGE257 Thickness, Shades of Green

[@ZachBie]

I like this kind of review/wearing experience better than just a reading of a spec sheet. Keep making videos!

[@stevefarmer15]

Nice review, those outdoor shots really show how gorgeous that GS really is. Seiko know how to make big watches comfortable. The crown at four and the undercut caseback make their dive watches so wearable. I'm wearing my Yeti as I check you out. Subscribed.

[@JJPanozzo1]

Just received my GS 257. Love it! Thanks for the review. BTW, I believe it is called the Batgirl

[@forceforgood4669]

“Inspiration for myself” well said, in fact this is the only reason I buy complications. Depending on how one sees them, great watches are not only time peace but can be transformational.

[@foesfly3047]

IMO the overall form and proportion of the case is excellent. The side profile (is that redundant 🤔) is so attractive, I’m sure I would take it off my wrist at times, just to admire it. BTW, “Grand Seiko is Not a marketing-first company”… That statement is so very relevant in the world of watch collecting and I agree completely.

[@vktravellog1242]

GS makes the best dial in the watch world and the way the hour markers sparkle is amazing!

[@rustythecat2163]

Appreciate your fair and balanced review of your Grand Seiko GMT. It truly is a beautiful watch with a tour de force innovative spring drive movement. I get your comments re the non rotating bezel. I have owned a Rolex GMT for many years and rarely changed the time zone as I was in the military where GMT was the norm. The Rolex GMT design has changed little in the years I have owned it. The aesthetic and functional change using ceramics in the rotating bezel is much ppreciated. Other manufacturers are using ceramics as well including Grand Seiko. Truth is I love everything about the Grand Seiko GMT. I would purchase it rather than acquiring another Rolex. I am happy for to own both the Grand Seiko GMT as well as the Rolex GMT. I Need to catch up.

[@Barricade98466]

1. GMT (Greenwich {England} Mean Time - ZULU Time) for Airline pilots, control towers and Military operations use. 2. The Hour time hack for local time. 3. The rotating bezel for the third time zone. Unless you're a pilot or engage in military operation, most people would only need to track two time zones, Dual time which this Grand Seiko is (home and local/destination time: Set the GMT hand to your home time (instead of ZULU) and Hour time hack for local time. Hope this helps

[@jpdemer5]

At work, I set the GMT time to, well, GMT. Like the video's author, I know most of the major city offsets from GMT, so it's a quick moment of mental math to get the time in Paris or Tokyo. (Takes less time than it does to rotate a bezel, actually!)

[@steveyrock1]

For the GS, you set the GMT hand to home time. You can jump the hour hand to local time when you change time zones. That's what I do.

[@watchandhobbies7366]

Makes sense... but call me a purist I have to use the hour hand for local time. Plus I switch watches a lot and if I started to use my GS that way I would keep getting thrown off

[@steveyrock1]

@@watchandhobbies7366 Your way is the original way because the GMT Master didn't have a jumping hour hand so you only had the bezel. I would have called out that it's your personal preference. It's a negative for you but not for everybody.

[@ThatGuyBW]

Given the fixed inner gmt ring, you'd be able to track 3 time zones if only they allowed the bezel to rotate. Sigh.

[@steveyrock]

@@ThatGuyBW this type of set up in not unique to GS (explore II).and they have models with a rotating bezel if that is what you want

[@Lenduya]

@@watchandhobbies7366 You have the hour hand for local time though. The GMT hand is for the timezone you want to track - be it your home (HOME, NOT LOCAL) or GM time. The hour hand is for...well, local hour.

[@nevillebartos8304]

Beautiful watch, a real quality product.

[@ElectronicHouseFlash]

Wtf is going on with Germans and Japanese People.... They cant stop making breathtaking Watches, Cars, Planes, Trains, other kind of Machines.....

[@juanriv01]

Great review!

[@haibre5035]

Very helpful. Thanks, appreciated!

[@skookapalooza2016]

Stunning!

[@shouyili3751]

Frankly pal, GS is something that always we can enjoy a bit longer than we thought.

[@rodsalvador3608]

Stunning! Trying to decide between this and the 255, or the 205 principally because the earlier model has the see through case back.

[@watchandhobbies7366]

Both amazing watches! I went with the 257 because i really like the green and i have two other blue watches (and now a 3rd with the BB58). The 205 is a great piece and I was thinking about that one as well. The clasp on the 205 is arguably better than the 255/257, but the 255/257 is definitely more sporty and with the ceramic bezel with enamel labeling it’s a beaut

[@secretsanta9046]

Great review! I just found a SBGE263 Eagle US Limited Edition of only 110 pieces! It has a brown/chocolate spiraling dial. I am super excited 😁 as this will be my very first GS!!

[@hessjason]

did ypu find it new or used? I just learned about them and wamt one.. but seems they are all gone.

[@secretsanta9046]

@@hessjason They are all sold out from Grand Seiko. I bought it new. I did see a few for sale on Chrono24.

[@jpdemer5]

@@japanwatchconnection Keep an eye on the Japanese market. In particular, Chrono24 will list watches as not in stock, but "need to be acquired", meaning that the seller intends to buy on the JP market and flip the watch to you for a quick $1000. For me, that's a heads-up to track down the watch and cut out the middleman.

[@johnhayes5820]

Hi from Brisbane, yes I agree only a nip up with the thum & index finger is enough for Seiko's as stems have been known to missalign. The reason for the "fixed" bezel is Aviation guys don't give a shit about playing with a bezel, no time. On shifts it's nice to know it's on home time thus the fixed dial. Modern aircraft have GPS digital time mode selectors so Rolex with their old school style clicker is not needed, atleast not for me anyway. It's good to know if the kids are in bed. Seiko do the Gmt 45hr sharp edge nowadays but that date dial is a fail, so it the Spring Drive Gmt 72hrfor me. Still using my SPB143j & SPB207j these days, the $9500 AU asking price will take a while. Cheers Johno :)

[@ziplepingouin1186]

Cool watch

[@ripperx444]

I have the SBGJ237 and I think compared to my other watches (Panerai, IWC, Omega) GS is phenomenal. They updated the clasps on the sports models with the micro adjustment which was the only thing missing from near perfection. They used to have these cheap stamped clasps right off the marinemaster line and totally fixed that at least on my model. Most accurate watches on market with yours being the king as it’s spring drive. The 9S85/6 are almost dead on as well. pictures don’t do these watches justice. You have to physically hold them to understand.

[@watchandhobbies7366]

For sure! I even had so much more appreciation for the watch after a week compared to day one

[@rektl2036]

@ripperx im planning to get a sbgj237 blue white bezel gmt as well.. please share abit more. how is the hi-beat? that was basiclaly the only thing that made me unsure if i should get it over the spring drive. personally i prefer the 44mm than the 40mm thouhg most of the spring drive ones are smaller

[@ripperx444]

@@rektl2036 it’s just a good sports watch. Not one thing to complain about with it other than the weight. It’s a heavy watch but that’s fine with me.

[@ajay.parameswaran]

Thank you for your beautiful review and explaining the SBGE25x family in perfect detail. Also, congratulations on your acquisition of the watch. May I ask your personal opinion on the 3 colour options (Black, blue and Green) and why you eventually chose the green SBGE257 version?

[@jpdemer5]

Just acquired this watch at a terrific price on the JP market. Black and blue are such standard colors, and I wanted something that would stand out - and I love green. (It'll complement my iPhone, LOL.) Number one reason is that it gets you that glorious golden colored GMT hand.

[@marxman376]

There was an issue on some of their gmt models where the hands don’t fully align with the indices at the top of the hour. Have you found this to be true ?

[@jeffgawne]

How many clicks is the Batman bezel? Very different sound than my sub.

[@derekbarnes370]

I own that piece and love it

[@adamk972]

What do you think about SBGA407?

[@johntimber3999]

That Green dial reflects depending on its color temperature.....ur Kelvin

[@Weakeyedominant]

Great video, I'm really interested in this watch. Tell the truth name and value retention aside does the GS outperform the Rolex Gmt

[@watchandhobbies7366]

Ah it’s a hard call. Even without name recognition, Rolex has amazing design. The bracelet is so comfortable, the thickness is perfect, and it just wears great. But GS fit and finish is above Rolex for sure. And spring drive is way beyond Rolex.

[@patrickdaly5988]

Love it, my only criticism would be the date window. Not the placement, but that it could do with a frame, looks slightly unfinished.

[@nathancortes3722]

Good point

[@thehardways]

Thanks for your thoughtful review. Was wondering how this relatively thick watch fits under the cuffs of long sleeve shirts.

[@watchandhobbies7366]

It’s not bad at all. I’m more used to 12-13mm watches. But realistically, Omega Moonwatch is 14.3mm. So 14.7 is not bad at all. The polished case also makes it easily slide over a cuff.

[@andychang7137]

I don't really know why ppl crazy about GMT (especially for rolex) I have one GS gmt adjust the date is as you said like a pain in the ass That's why I'm not crazy for any GMT no more

[@watchandhobbies7366]

Gmt with a rotating bezel isn’t hard to manage at all. The best way to use it is to set the gmt hand to actual gmt time. Then you rotate the dial to see the second time you want to track. Extremely simple on the Rolex. What I don’t understand is all the people who get a Rolex blnr or blro gmt and they always leave the dial centered. More or less never using it the way it’s meant

[@GapBahnDirk]

Do you find that having a green dial limits your choice of clothing colour? Or, not an issue.

[@watchandhobbies7366]

Nope, doesn’t make a difference to me. I’ll wear it with anything. It can almost be black under fluorescent lighting. Also given it’s a sports luxury watch, I feel I can dress it up or down. Usually down, I’m pretty causal

[@kychoi2653]

fixed bezel?

[@elqd91]

The rotating bezel should only be used to track a third timezone. The GMT hand shows your home time and the hour hand your local time. So it's not a good thing to rotate the bezel when traveling. Why? Because your hour hand changes the date as well. So if you're not setting the jumping hour hand to your local hour, the date wont change correctly.

[@ruvarkus]

What helped you to choose green over blue?

[@watchandhobbies7366]

I felt like the blue is too flashy, and felt the green was very nice looking but subtle. Also I have a seiko alpinist blue and the Rolex blnr... so too much blue if I got the sbge255

[@stevejones5070]

I just picked up the SBGE255 and couldn't be happier. Quality is a step above Rolex (IMO) and very much so when you include value for money. I would suggest anyone who is considering a GS do it soon, I can't see this level of value remaining much longer. The upward trend in Seiko pricing makes me think they are preparing GS for a price hike too, and to be honest they'd be worth it. Last week I'd have been envious of your Batman (2 years and still waiting....) but with the GS on the wrist, not so much!

[@watchandhobbies7366]

It’s a beautiful piece! Congrats!

[@carling4737sir]

Looking to buy my first expensive watch with a £5000 budget. Is this watch a good choice? Will it hold it's value?

[@MrDccrombie]

It depends what you consider as holding value compared with most brands yes, but it will not increase in value like Rolex AP, PP

[@krit5339]

Just some tips, don't torque down the crown that tightly and provision slight backturn before threading in. Your tube and gasket will thank you down the road.

[@watchandhobbies7366]

Hope that won’t be the case. I’ve had my omega seamaster 300m for over 12 year... torque down the same way. Been perfect, no issues never serviced it once. Holds great accuracy and take it into the water too

[@krit5339]

@@watchandhobbies7366 I hope so too. At the end of the day it's a numbers game, all any of us can do is take risks appropriate for our appetite. Cheers.

[@ruben619448]

Can’t you just keep the gmt hand to your local time and use the jumping hour hand to track other time zones quickly? Also when you put the watch next to the Rolex it looks so much better

[@TheKestevon]

It does look like Casio Edifice

[@e36boy]

beautiful watch. Now I don't have to buy a Rolex. The 40.5mm got me sold

[@ekimandersom4478]

You never have to buy a rolex. Plenty better choices

[@DarthMalaks_Missing_Lower_Jaw]

If you didn’t like the fact that it doesn’t have a rotating bezel ... why did you get a watch that doesn’t have a rotating bezel? *facepalm* it’s not like it was a surprise when you opened the box.

[@noelmcdonagh3905]

well designed GMT's are design to change the hour hand to your local time when you are traveling and the 24hr hand stays at local time. You are not a traditionalist, you are not using a GMT traditionally. Otherwise good review.

[@watchandhobbies7366]

This GMT has a jumping hour hand which is great. But for me I can’t use the hour hand for tracking my other time zones; it would just throw me off too much since I change watches a lot. Also the 24 hour gmt allows for you to easily determine whether the other time zone is in the day or night. The hour hand wouldn’t be able to do that... and I don’t need local time set with 24 hours to know if it’s day.

[@michaelbishop9157]

Love the dial and the finishing but I don't like that date window and that fat bloated case. I'd take that Batman any day over this but I am also sure I will buy a GS one day as they keep getting better

[@dacolonya]

+8 is Taiwan time....great.....

[@williamchinda2538]

Just like Rolex exporer 2

[@williamchinda2538]

GMT

[@davidofglenbrook4487]

It’s a nice watch but the fixed bezel is a bit of corner-cutting I don’t like. Also, the cheapness of the bracelet and lack of a micro-adjustment bothers me even more. So although I like the low price, I’d probably prefer any of a number of other (Swiss) GMT sport watches.

[@watchandhobbies7366]

Not a fan of the fixed bezel either, but same with the Rolex Explorer. As far as the bracelet, agreed that GS can do better. I’ve seen a few other GS bracelets that are much better, this one less so. It does have micro-adjustment though.

[@watchandhobbies7366]

Also wouldn’t say this price is that low at $6200. Compared to the other Swiss watches though, there’s a lot to be said about what GS does well. I’d say the finishing with Zaratsu polishing is better than Rolex, and none of the Swiss watches can come close to the innovation of Spring Drive

[@plusgood15]

Which other Swiss GMT sport watches can compete at this price? A BB GMT felt like a proper step down from this in the shop. On the hunt at the moment so very curious.

[@raff1971]

Well you didn't talk about the bracelet or water resistance. Does it have a saphire crystal display on the back. It looks like it has the gmt numbers on the dial as well. I mean this review is quite sparse for the length....you can do better i think

[@watchandhobbies7366]

Fair point - but not that kind of review. More of a perspective review than a specification review. Watchbox did a great review that covers the specs, also specs can all be found on GS’s website

[@Landmantx]

My main knock is that hideous band. Reminds me of my Seiko 5 that is $100. They need to come up with an awesome band for the Grand Seiko.

[@chancebanana]

it makes the rolex look like a toy

[@kaym7704]

Do people really use the gmt function of watches anymore? I just pull out my phone. But I agree…how GS does the gmt is annoying.

[@Bob.martens]

Thickness not bothering is not slimness.

[@melbguy1]

The lack of rotating bezel is a deal breaker for me

[@seamasterist]

Anyone who is seriously knowledgeable about watches and has the money to spend on such pieces, well ignore Grand Seiko at your peril. Lot's of high end German watches should also be considered!

[@shipmate3577]

Nice, but too big.

[@richardburns9772]

Looks “ok”