GRAND SEIKO vs PANERAI LUMINOR 1950: PAM 317 vs Grand Seiko Black Ceramic Spring Drive GMT SBGC017

[@Khanh.Nguyen369]

Hard to explain but the GS dials look too much like department store Seiko and/or Citizen watches. Maybe that’s the Japanese style but it just doesn’t appeal to me.

[@logwind]

Tim, did you write the script for this? Some of the best work I've seen on the channel. The T2 reference and closing line had me laughing. Great stuff man.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you for this kind feedback; it made my day! I write the script for EVERYTHING I deliver on the channel! Strip away the spokesman role, and writing is my actual trade. Originally, I joined Watchuwant as a copy writer after reading a wanted notice on the long-dead WuW blog. Best, Tim

[@phillippugh2161]

@@the1916companywatchreviews great lil peak into Tims world . Gives us more . Is that also what you did while in the navy

[@SpaghettiKillah]

Love the tech and finish on the GS...hate the dial and overall design. Panerai wins this one for me.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Panerai's dial certainly is better balanced. Losing the date hurts, but Panerai does a good job of keeping the core "Luminor" identity intact. I love what Grand Seiko does, but one perennial weakness is the lack of enduring designs or case forms. Grand Seiko is known for dials more than case designs. Sure, there have been memorable GS case series, but GS has nothing as enduring as Panerai's Luminor and Radiomir forms. Best, Tim

[@uhrfreak]

Tim, everytime I see a video which you made I enjoy it. In my opinion you make the best watch videos! Keep it up!

[@JogBird]

'...best way to get wood with a watch' lmao

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

I knew that somebody would catch that ;-) You'd be surprised at how often I plant lines like that in the videos... and it's usually just one or two folks who notice! Best, Tim

[@tonp2917]

Well, you’re ‘how often I PLANT etc’ is nice too. I felt like it was Christmas but I did not get the GS as a present.

[@sutats]

I've always had a thing for the PAM317 however it's always been silly money and I just realised that the very limited 30 min chronograph would be pretty useless for me.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

That's why I love dive bezels. 0-60 minute intervals are more intuitive, and I rarely time anything over an hour with a chronograph. Best, Tim

[@georgehiphopforever]

Seiko,Orient,Citizen brands with great quality watches you get what do you pay for,and not just a brand name,so im very happy with my watches even that they are "cheap".

[@algorithm007ify]

Panerai is a CLEAR winner here....but go for the PAM00311 (PAM311), it is cheaper and made from titanium with a tobacco/chocolate dial.

[@reclermo]

Great video Tim, you are the king of watch reviews! Both excellent pieces!

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you for this kind feedback! I'm working on new features for this channel (e.g., "buyer's guides" and "long-term reviews") in the interest of offering more high-value content in the mold of this "Versus" series. Stay tuned! Best, Tim

[@TheMystro1971]

Excellent job with this review. Common sense in a voice of reason. I’ll take the Panerai every time but that’s my style.

[@Chris-es3wf]

Grand Seiko. No question. Simply a more interesting timepiece.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Especially this one. The Onbashira link is as unexpected as it is welcome. Best, Tim

[@highnrising]

Tim, Since everyone's a production assistant here, I'll throw in my production advice. The "specifications" thrown up on the screen for a single watch appear almost like gibberish, especially to a viewer who does not have watch specifications committed to memory. If you posted the specifications for both watches, side-by-side at the same time, they'd be of much greater value. We'd be able to tell the actual--and relative sizes--and other differences between the watches at a single glance.

[@SpeedyNeo]

This

[@publiusvelocitor4668]

Grand Seiko, no question. Cooler looking, better timekeeping, exciting and innovative Spring Drive movement, superlative dial (in green!) and that gliding seconds hand! I'm pretty sure the dauphine hands are popular in Seiko because that stretched out "kite" diamond shape is a basic building shape in origami, and I've even heard them called "origami hands" in Japan. I'm not a big Panerai fan, but this is a nicer one than most. Looks good in black, and I have to admit 8 days power reserve is pretty impressive, but way too big and still no contest against the GS. Actually, both are a little too big IMO.

[@ruscalable]

the original Panerai P2004 movement had 29 jewels... but the current P2004 movement now has 30 jewels... do you know where abouts the 30th jewel was added to?

[@para_bellum_1984]

I love the looks of the 317 so much but I'm so disappointed by the lack of a date! Like, why leave out the date if it's a GMT? Doesn't this kind of defeat its purpose?

[@richardbaptist5080]

Grand Seiko for the win. The movement is one of the top chronograph movements out there. Panerai, has a 30 minute mono pusher chrono - limited.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

A Grand Victory! Thanks for your feedback Richard! - WatchBox Team

[@fpoynton1604]

Remarkable job Tim. There is so much to consider here - especially the Timber festival. Wow-lol that s a . It definitely requires a case that will not fracture. Seiko s case solution is brillant and in itself makes the watch so remarkable. Love Pam's - especially dial visibility - but rather own that Seiko. Thanks Tim - fantastic job

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you for this kind feedback! Grand Seiko's case construction produces a voluminous watch, but the security of a titanium core puts to bed any worries about ceramic case replacement. That, the watch's unique cultural theme, and the special-spec Spring Drive movement make the Panerai hard to pick over the SBGC. Best, Tim

[@lucioledizerot196]

Probably the first video from Watchbox that rivals the production quality of Watchfinder in my opinion. Great work Tim!

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Wow, thank you! Matching image quality to narrative quality is a long-term project for us. I have great respect for what Watchfinder does, so rivaling that production quality without losing our signature perspective -- especially humor -- remains a my central priority. Best, Tim

[@lucioledizerot196]

Totally agree on the importance of keeping your signature. Never lose the humor or the glasses!

[@mohamedalketbi2326]

Both of them are cool and you won't regret if you have one compared to other.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Most certainly! Two very great watches, can't go wrong either way. Thanks for watching Mohamed! - WatchBox Team

[@Drazorig2]

Brilliant comparison, I'd give the edge to GS. It just looks absolutely heads and shoulders above the Panerai.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

It's certainly the more interesting of the two. Although it produces a huge watch, I like Grand Seiko's hybrid case construction for the peace of mind that comes with an unbreakable core. I will give Panerai credit for going all-out with its PAM 317; no part of this monster or its epic movement feels like a compromise. Panerai isn't always the choice of the watch purist, but this one can hold its own against more heralded manufactures like JLC, Zenith, IWC, Arnold & Son, GO... the PAM 317 is a real movement guy's watch. Best, Tim

[@masqueman01]

Knight rider, Japanese bike week, liquid nitrogen terminator protection and the biggest burn ever... aSwiss Army adjusted datagraph! Oh man... this one was epic! I almost spit out my coffee in the last one! Ha!! Too bad I have many of the said Vsa 7750s so I knew what you meant.🤓

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Watch videos should be as much fun as watches themselves! I'm fortunate to be in a position to make the videos I wanted to view when I was on the outside of the industry looking in. Pop culture, humor, and disarming wackiness are my calling cards; now you know why I'll never get a recruiting call from Hodinkee ;-) Best, Tim

[@phillippugh2161]

Love how grand Seiko does chronographs

[@vsboy2577]

The seiko is perfectly made.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

The ever immaculate Seiko. Thanks for watching! - WatchBox Team

[@nelsonc6173]

Great watches! Great review! Truly efficient but entertaining! Both watches are stunning and the details and intricacies involved are truly a engineering marvel! Prices for both make them out of my league, but a bargain for those that can afford these fine masterpieces! Thanks for the review!

[@AbdulRWatches]

As usual great video from the time wizard Tim :D I never was a big fan of Panerai, but this watch is great example of why people like the brand, from a great movement, fantastic lume and a timeless shape. But as a big Seiko fan, and GS fan as well, i am bit biased for GS, but i have to say that hyper case construction, that impeccable movement, the rich colors and dramatic contrast of the GS wins my heart and would be my choice between the two. (Green is also my favorite color as well :D)

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

You have excellent taste, Abdul! Best, Tim

[@FirestormAA]

Yeah another VS video! Awesome!!!! Nice video on a lazy evening in Singapore.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you for this feedback, Alvin! Hopefully, I'll make a trip out to Singapore in the near future. It's the home of our company ownership and quite a few friends of this channel. Best, Tim

[@FirestormAA]

@@@the1916companywatchreviews Seriously if u are here please make known to ur followers in Singapore, I will be happy to meet up with u in person.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

That would be epic. Ideally, I'd ask my company to give me some advance notice, we'd book a few tables at a fine establishment, and have a mini collector's evening. Best, Tim

[@FirestormAA]

@@@the1916companywatchreviews Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@shipmate3577]

GS fan, but dial is too busy.

[@GapBahnDirk]

Great presentation skills Tim. The GS is wonderful.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you for this kind compliment! Even when the topic is narrow and technical, I strive to put on a show with personality and humor. Best, Tim

[@GapBahnDirk]

You do a good job. Entertaining and full of technical details. Thanks.

[@fragu123]

Always competent...!

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you! Even when I'm not comparing watches of the type I wear and collect, I try to bring out the best each timepiece. Best, Tim

[@primecreator]

Thanks for another great episode. Grand Seiko for me by the country mile. But what's with the Seiko logo up top.

[@highnrising]

I wouldn't buy a full ceramic watch. The weight of any watch I've worn or wanted to wear has never been a problem for me. If a watch is so big and thick that it would require a ceramic case in order for me to wear it, then I probably wouldn't want the watch, anyway. That being said, the replaceable ceramic cladding over a titanium base on the Seiko is a great idea. That, I might go for.

[@aaronedgerton1843]

Each Versus keeps getting better everytime. Thank you Tim and crew! Grand Seiko for the win! Absolutely love this watch. Can't wait for the next vid

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thanks for your awesome support Aaron! Make sure you're subscribed to our channel! More videos coming very soon! - WatchBox Team

[@mikem7114]

Waited all week for this versus. Watched it twice already. I'm calling this one a draw. Huge Panerai fan but GS Spring Drive is pretty awesome!!

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you for supporting my channel, Mike! I agree about the difficulty of calling this match; these watches seem to play to the same timepiece tastes; Panerai plays up the Italian military connections, and Grand Seiko draws upon local customs in its Lake Suwa neighborhood. Size wise, complication wise, and fit-wise, these watches from different sides of the world are shockingly comparable. Best, Tim

[@LiAmTheAsIaN1994]

Spring Drive movement sure indeed is underwhelmed among the rest of them.

[@jannovotny9630]

Honestly, neither. I don't find any Panerai attractive and Grand Seiko is too big and busy. If i had to go ceramic Omega Grey Side of the Moon would be my choice. Great comparison none the less. Just my 2 cents.

[@tonp2917]

I really liked the Grand Seiko until it was on your wrist. It is far too large for most of the wrist. Panerai is never subtile but this GS isn’t either.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Ah, sorry to hear you didn't like it. Any particular watches you're a fan of? Thanks for your feedback! - WatchBox Team

[@tonp2917]

No need to say sorry. I like these kind of watches but this is really large. I like them a bit smaller and maybe even more simple. I have a Tudor black bay ETA and an Omega Seamaster 300m and a Seiko skx007 for at work. If there is one watch I would really want to buy it would be a Rolex Milgauss.

[@kevorknourian5442]

Awesome show I will go with seiko

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Great choice, Kevork! You and I would choose the same watch from this rivalry. Best, Tim

[@ssvs0485]

Oh my, that Grand Seiko is special!

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

A special Grand Seiko!? It's a Grand Special! Ha, thanks for watching! - WatchBox Team

[@algorithm007ify]

Panerai wins...

[@rintarohernandez1140]

most of the versus series has been seiko vs the world

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Might need to put that on a t-shirt 🌎 Thanks for watching! - WatchBox Team

[@bubbab7792]

GS over Panerai. GS has so much to offer and a far better movement hands down. Panerai is overpriced and overrated. They need to spend some time in quality assurance for the price they are asking. Good narration Tim.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Solid points and feedback as always! We appreciate you Bubba! - WatchBox Team

[@algorithm007ify]

I disagree.... The movement in this Panerai is Tier 1 stuff, for the price range... Also, the PAM311 titanium tobacco dial version is a little cheaper, if you want more value.