GRAND SEIKO - Quartz, Auto, or Springdrive? my thoughts...

Grand Seiko first appeared on my radar a few years ago, and more recently, it has become very popular with a certain niche of enthusiasts. Is it as good as Rolex? Nope! but it is good! Here's why!

[@francoruggeri6209]

I had a quartz GS too, with a blue dial and 40 mm case, which I recently sold. I agree with you that the beautiful hallmark of the GSs is the distortion-free mirror polishing (Zaratsu) and the use of sharp, clean lines and angles, which give them a fine and luxurious look. With reference to the calibre, I believe that the quartz produced are really the best on the market today. However, if I were to buy another GS, I would go for a high frequency automatic calibre (Hi-beat 36000), for example the SBGH273. Ciao!

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

The Hi-Beats are beautiful watches!

[@cedarcanoe]

FYI: the polishing machines brand is called Sallaz and they were produced in Switzerland long long time ago. The Japanese butchered that into Zaratsu.

[@mattnoffsinger2263]

I have a spring Drive titanium amd it's the most elegant and gratifying watch woth perfect accuracy

[@Emach76]

From the dial to the movement to the price point it is dollar for dollar the best watch i own. SBGA407

[@fj7509]

Late comment, but I'm glad to see someone rate the 9F quartz movement. I'm strongly considering getting a GS as my next watch. Since I own three Rolex (and they're all automatic), I think the Quartz will be spot on. I've heard a lot of people say it's incredible bang for your buck, and I'll try to get a good discount on it from the AD. Thanks again!

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

It's definitely great value, whereas I don't rate the auto at all. A nice change from the norm to have a 9F in the arsenal. good luck!

[@fj7509]

@@TheRandomWatchDude Hey, Mark. Just wanted to let you know that I pulled the trigger on my first Grand Seiko! I actually didn't end up going with the 9F Quartz... As much as I liked that watch, I had the budget to splurge on a Hi-Beat which you also seemed fond of below. I purchased the Summer Rikka from the four seasons collection, it's the one with the deep green dial and gold indices. A family friend of mine works at an AD in the states, and he was able to get me it at 20% off and shipped straight from the Shizukuishi Studio rather than being sold a model sitting around at the boutique. The craftmanship has seriously blown me away. Owning a Grand Seiko has given me a newfound appreciation for watches. The dial is stunning, and it honestly feels and looks higher quality than my Rolex. Thanks for your recommendations. Hope to see more Grand Seiko content from you in the future!

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

@fj7509 hey thats great news, and you got a fantastic model, at a good discount! What's not to like? The finishing is rather special isn't it!

[@Anirossa]

Im intrested to see if when the springdrive movement patent expires, if the movement will be copied and become more mainstream in watches

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

I wonder when it expires, as it will definitely be taken-up by more manufacturers surely.

[@Anirossa]

@@TheRandomWatchDude Me too, what I know is that you pay to keep patents within certain world regions for a few years at a time and it can only be done for a set numbers of years before it has to be made available, so I guess when it expires in asian manufacturing nations is when it will become cheaply available

[@h.l6344]

Get a spring drive!!! Absolutely beautiful movement can't stop staring at my cherry blossom shun bun SBGA413G sweeping hand!!! ❤ the only downside with GS is their bracelet are crap no quick adjustment so I changed it with a premium leather strap ❤ In the end the spring drive would be great to your collection and goes well with a good discount 👍

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

I will definitely get a Springy at some stage!

[@h.l6344]

@@TheRandomWatchDude perfect for the new year😉 ✨️ 👌

[@PabloTBrave]

For me between the two it has to be spring drive . There's nothing wrong with quartz but I work in technology industry and quartz no matter how nice the dial and finish doesn't have the wonder , the romance craftsmanship or luxury as a mechanical movement it has to be the full package and a quartz is 100% practice for me . I'll still appreciate how the watch looks on others wrist but I won't be spending my money on them. If you do want a quartz get a GS

[@WatchMalaya]

I’ve been looking at GS pieces for quite some time and have yet to pull a trigger on any of them. Despite many good reviews, I find them too dressy for my liking. I also get confused with their large range of sports models, they’re simply too many of them. Keeping my fingers crossed but at the moment, the interest is not really there as yet.

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

They do have a large range to choose from. I would recommend trying them in person rather than relying on the internet.

[@lx95020]

I like the GS quartz and also the Rolex OP...... My dilemma is, do I buy the GS and invest the balance in the Stock Market or do I get they watch now that I've always had an eye on? Maybe invest and have the stocks buy me the OP.......🤔

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

Tricky one but every 6 months there's a price increase on the OP so in a year's time it will cost you 10% more so you need to make at least that on stocks to stay even. Plus the value of the GS drops badly but the Rolex retains value.

[@gmshadowtraders]

Hi-beat baby!

[@florinoglan6797]

Tudor is not a part of big 3... Longines is a better product, better and longer history...GS autos are basic? They have the only hi-beats on the market.

[@SB-Kiwi]

Longines?! I've had nothing but issues with my zulu. Won't be rushing back to buy another in a hurry. Tudor on the other hand... 😉

[@florinoglan6797]

@@SB-Kiwi I own both BB GMT and ZULU 42 both working perfectly, if I had to choose one that will be the Longines.

[@SB-Kiwi]

@@florinoglan6797 it's a nice watch and I'm pleased you've had a good experience, but compared to my tudors it's been ongoing frustration and let downs. Date wheel wasn't centered and a big white spec of dust on the dial of my Zulu 42 meant sending back to the factory. I was happy enough for them to correct it rather than a refund but when the watch came back the dust was gone and the date centered but there was a white mark left on the dial where the dust had been. The watchmaker at Bucherer tried to remedy the issue but was unable to so back it went to the factory. Poor QC and unacceptable the watch was sent back as it was the first time. It's now about four months I've been without the watch. My tudors on the other hand... 😉

[@TheRandomWatchDude]

I'm sure Longines is a good product at the price point, but if it was that good it would sell more and cost more. The market doesn't lie?

[@florinoglan6797]

@@TheRandomWatchDude it does sell more then Tudor, a lot more.