Grand Seiko SBGA229 Spring Drive - the ultimate Japanese diver?

A full unboxing and review of the Grand Seiko SBGA229 Spring Drive 200m diver’s watch.
Find out if this is a quirky Japanese largely hand finished special interest watch, OR a proper alternative to the Omega Seamaster 300 and the non-available steel Submariner.
You might get surprised...

[@earlfrancis76]

Sieko is the best watch I ever owned, reliable and sustainable, Rolex just have luxury price

[@tarasmathers7423]

Fabulous piece, with what I believe to be the most innovative and impressive movement in that price range. Grand Seiko just simply does not get enough respect. I feel that part of that reason has to do with Seiko's lower tier models that they produce. While they do have a cult following, the lack of quality demonstrated in these items stains the reputation of the Seiko name. We all know that they have the ability to produce much better. In my opinion, if you're going to enter the luxury market, then you must do "just" that, and "only" that. They tried to draw a distinct delineation by creating the sub-division that is Grand Seiko, but in reality the watch world is all well aware that they are synonymous with each other, and thus the name is tarnished..... Just my opinion. Excellent video

[@willielarsson9651]

Great review , I need to see this watch in the flesh

[@mattfrancis8826]

Beautiful piece 👌 and great vid Thor!

[@Wristwatchism]

Matt Francis thanks Matt!!

[@shivkumarmane8660]

“Subkiller” price wise 🤟🏼

[@Vidar.m]

Must be painfull to return that beauty

[@theoverlord1925]

How come most watch reviewers don’t mention the weight when reviewing watches? That is an important detail that affects wearability , especially when the case size is 44.2 . I think it’s important to mention the weight in grams when going over the overall specs of the watch.

[@shivkumarmane8660]

True

[@Tendertroll1]

How heavy is it

[@ph69jbl]

@@Tendertroll1 200g ish

[@davidursini4740]

I have the SBGA029....wt. on my scale is 193.6 grams

[@hope0160]

希望能介紹9r66機芯的精工

[@ctn830]

Why can’t they make this exact watch in a GMT version?

[@ripperx444]

2 issues. the case back with the air diver on it is like regular seiko prospex and the clasp is directly off a marine master ... so that destroys the luxury for me

[@Brian-ee1gx]

Grand Seiko is a strange brand. They put extreme effort into their dials and finishing, but then they go and put an 1861 Speedmaster homage bracelet and garbage stamped tin clasp on most of their offerings

[@touchingevil2302]

If Seiko was a little bit normal and made the watch in 40mm and not in fryingpan size i would buy it.

[@Sisu2280]

Not everyone has little wrists. I am so glad the 229 is this size, I wouldn't have bought it otherwise. Plenty of options out there for smaller men.

[@ZachBie]

I have tried the watch on, and I do feel it wear more like a 42-43mm watch. But yes, still a bit big and the reason why I don’t think I would buy one.

[@jswede1]

There’s plenty of other watches out there for your little wrists.

[@ZachBie]

@@jswede1 thank you for your helpful comment. It really added a lot to this conversation.

[@jswede1]

@@ZachBie Yes you seem to be lacking perspective so I’m glad to help.

[@harrycook2768]

rolex will always sell well ..but this watch has features that leave rolex looking like a garden shed....shame about the resale value....next watch for me sbga229 well! cannot get a rolex anyway

[@Artsyballoons]

That's the power of GS. People know it will not hold its value. But we still buy it nonetheless

[@jasonroyano6572]

Hello friend just wondering, the serial number for this piece has an N on the third digit...ussually seikos has only an alphabet for its serial numbers on the second digit which is O for Oct N for Nov and D for Dec...wondering what is the meaning of N in the 3rd digit...many thanks if somebody answers..I got mine also on my GS SBGA229 a serial with two alphabets...8 O N 0 X X

[@Wristwatchism]

Jason Royano good question, Jason, I really don’t know...

[@beck4218]

No, it's not, but the SLGA001 slays the Sub/SD.

[@MyWatchTherapy]

Quirky alternative? That’s an odd way to categorize a watch that beats Rolex on most metrics.

[@paweniemiec5511]

Zegarek ładny ale nie jest warty tych pieniędzy.