Grand Seiko's Boldest GMT: SBGJ237 (SBGJ239) - Rolex Batman Alternative?

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The SBGJ237 (or SBGJ239 on a strap with a green color scheme) has a 44,2mm diameter and is 14,4mm thick with a lug width of 21mm. Lug to lug measures in at approximately 50,8mm. The overall feel of this watch screams quality, it is robust, feels super solid and yes it is a bit bigger boned than most GMT’s.
A new GMT watch by Grand Seiko. It joins an already large collection of GMT watches in the Seiko family, joining titans such as the SBGM221, SBGJ201, SBGE253 or the SBGE2155 for example. Grand Seiko has some of the nicest choices available when it comes to GMT complications, and this is certainly one of then.

[@CM-cw8fe]

Was going to get the SBGH289 but saw this in person and couldn’t pass it up. Absolutely amazing, fits well on my approximately 7.25 inch wrist.

[@degriff]

Perfect wrist size for this! Congratulations!!!

[@canonyeo4286]

I have the older all black model. The lume on the bezel is astonishing. I wear it with a sport leather strap. Looks and feels better on my smaller wrist.

[@canonyeo4286]

The finishing of the hands and markers, the way they reflect the light, you won't get it at any price point.

[@ashleychambers7602]

Stunning watch, I think grand seiko are in a league of their own

[@applewildknight]

Thanks for the video, very insightful. Looks can be deceiving so I suggest to try it on your wrist. Believe it or not, it fits perfectly on my small wrist and the size amplifies the GMT time as I travel quite a lot. I have few Rolex GMTs but this model (and SBGM211 which I highly recommended) is special, you could just spend hours looking at the dials and wonder the artisan work by the watchmakers. Forget about resale value argument as GS will almost never win the case, but what I can guarantee is the smile on your face when you see the out-of-this-world craftmanship by GS.

[@MrMooseful]

Wonderful watch, polarising design no doubt and the video review was fantastic for sure!

[@degriff]

Thanks as always! :-D

[@farzadfelfelian9888]

Absolute dream watch for me personally

[@Brian-ee1gx]

This watch is awesome, and hides its thickness well. It's actually thinner than the smaller SBGE series GS GMT's. If GS could get the thickness down to 13mm and do a refined quick adjust clasp it would be a must buy.

[@robertwallach550]

I need the bigger case size so this watch is perfect

[@b1gkeesh]

I have both a sbgj239 and a rolex batman.. I lean towards the sbgj

[@degriff]

awesome duo!!!

[@iain772]

This was a great review, all the details were fantastic

[@dynamicsinesdynamicsines1161]

awesome watch dude, I prefer it over Rolex's gmt any day, I mean the way it meets the light. I really appreciate the way you filmed this piece, stunning...

[@degriff]

Thanks a lot for the kind words! 🙏 It is definitely a unique looking gmt 👍

[@diego750]

I have this very model. GS have done something special with this size of watch - the lugs taper down so well, just like with the SBGA031 so it fits even smaller wrists with no overhang

[@degriff]

Hey Matt, thanks for your insight! Yes, I agree, it is very unusual in a good way. This is the type of watch where the dimensions on paper really only tell half the story imho

[@kotch31pui]

The bezel of this model got amazing reflective color, and yet GS give you micro adjustment on the clasp, that we can not have in a normal GS GMT diver model like SBGE201.

[@degriff]

I adore the bezel and how it plays with the light, just fantastic

[@susmitm.4486]

This could've been a serious contender to rolex gmts if it could be 41-42 mm size with 12-13 mm thickness...I wish GS brings something as 42 mm would be the ideal wrist size to cover majority of the market....I really want one from GS but the Sbge255 doesn't have rotating and luminated bazel, and this one is too big for my wrist... anyway..awesome review. Keep it coming!

[@degriff]

Many thanks! I agree that the size is holding this one back for a bunch of people. I think Gs has shown a few recent new models that are slimmer and smaller (and also more expensive), so I’m sure that’ll translate to future sport gmt options as well 👍 Thanks a lot for watching!

[@jeremy1038]

Another next level review, appreciate it!

[@degriff]

Thanks a lot Jeremy! Much appreciated 🙏

[@suleymanthetufekci]

Why the hands are not moving? Why they are fixed at the infamous 10:08:42 hour like it’s an official Seiko catalogue shot? I see the crown is not pulled so what’s the situation is this a mock-up?

[@ProfessorPesca]

Lots of display pieces are not fitted with movements, probably the case here.

[@robertlock6041]

What a fantastic watch...

[@montedio2002]

So cool watch!!

[@degriff]

Agreed! Fun “little” watch :-)

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

Another fantastic video my man!

[@degriff]

😄🙏

[@brandonchang6047]

Very nice

[@watcheskick]

How about the Rolex GMT :)?

[@degriff]

That’s a wonderful watch, worthy of praise for sure :-)

[@Rockthespaceship]

Relative to the Prospex LX series, this is small.

[@degriff]

Strangely enough I found this to wear larger than the prospex LX. Not sure why, can't explain..

[@Rockthespaceship]

@@degriff I suspect it is because the LX watches are designed to look and wear smaller than they actualy are.

[@degriff]

@@Rockthespaceship I am a huge (huge) fan of the LX styling and sculpted case, a fantastic piece really. I think you are right, the way it angles, and perhaps the darker color scheme - makes it wear smaller

[@dtm4trix]

Beautiful……but……too BIG!

[@degriff]

If it were a few mm smaller this would be absolutely glorious indeed!

[@dtm4trix]

I agree 100%. This would be snatched up in droves if it were just 3 or 4mm smaller. A 40.5mm would be great and equal to the GS GMT I bought. I'd sell it right away and buy that. 44mm is just too big for a watch these day that most people would wear or find iconic. IMHO.

[@LTTang]

I really hate the date windrow a 400. Leave what works alone Seiko/Grand Seiko. Go back to the 300 position.

[@Brian-ee1gx]

I like the position of the date window on this one. It maintains the symmetry with the larger 12, 3, 6, and 9 markers.

[@shipmate3577]

too big

[@degriff]

It does require a larger wrist size to shine indeed

[@gmshadowtraders]

Now just make the 24 hour bezel rotate, and if possible under 13mm thickness. Then the Rolex GMT Master will finally lose the top spot.

[@bwzes03]

This has a bi-directional rotating bezel, for keeping 3 timezones.

[@gmshadowtraders]

@@bwzes03 Then why didn't this dude turn the bezel even once throughout the entire video?

[@bwzes03]

@@gmshadowtraders no clue ... but I own this watch, so I can attest to the rotation of the bezel ..