Review: vintage Grand Seiko 4522-8000 45GS watch

Full review of vintage Grand Seiko 4522-8000 45GS watch.
Please add all questions and corrections in the comments below.
The show with some guy who talks with Ukrainian accent about vintage watches
More on Instagram: / quartzcrisis

[@superfast30]

I have the a King Seiko 4502-7001 and absolutely love it. Nothing beats a manual wind Hi-Beat! Had it serviced 2 weeks ago and the watchmaker said that the movement showed virtually no wear. He said these movements are bullet proof! Its running at plus 2 per day! The lubricants Seiko developed for this movement back then were a dry lubricant in some cases which was baked on to combat splashing off the parts due to the high beat rate. My watchmaker told me that with the newer synthetic lubricants, even with regular wear, it can easily go 5-8 years before needing to be serviced again. A service would take care of your date change issue. It's a simple adjustment of the mechanism.

[@QuartzCrisis]

Thank you! Great info about 4500 movement!

[@Therealgdoesgshit]

That actually a super super watch !

[@axelcayman5755]

From pictures I also always assumed 44 and 45 GS are basically the same watch with only a movement update to differentiate the two. Until I had both in my hands and was able to see the truth: they are in fact completely different watches. Nearly every angle, measurement and proportion of the iconic 44 was redrawn and re-interpreted for the new hi beat watch. Some differences are subtle (expressiveness of angles of the case and height of crystal to name but a few) and some are not so subtle (44GS is 38mm, 45 is 36..). But all are very significant in defining the distict characters of both watches. Maybe it all comes down to the resolution with which you see the things around you: a brick is a brick is a brick and all that and from a distance these watches have a very strong similarity. But stating both watches are the same is doing the truth (and the efforts of the Seiko/Daini design team) a huge disservice.

[@QuartzCrisis]

Thank you for the great info! Yes I've never had both in my hands and made all the comparisons based on the pictures only. It would be great to make a video with you just about the differences between 44 and 45. Could you ping me on Instagram so we can talk how to do it? This could be super interesting and very useful video. Thanks, man.

[@Andrew.W75]

Great watch, I've got the King Seiko equivalent 4502-7000, I prefer it with the date as it's instant change which is cool. This has the vase of the movement Seiko used to stick it to the Swiss in the 1968 chronometer competitions. Great video keep up the good work, cheers

[@QuartzCrisis]

Thank you! Yeap, your King has the same legendary movement. Made at the same factory!

[@brunonjezic6208]

Really interesting thing about straps. Newer thought of imperial meshurments

[@lorenzowong1980]

Have you got the link the top the video you mention at 10.17minutes in the video?

[@anandkaddi]

Great info there, Andrew!! How does patina on the dial factor in for a late 1960's GS Hi-beat? I have seen a 4520-8000, with some patina which makes the dial ivory rather than white. Lot of models I have seen in sales forums are whiter. While I love the instant date change, I am torn between the no date clean dial and instant date change.

[@QuartzCrisis]

I do like patinated GS dials, they pair extremely well with a proper light brown/tan strap. This creates a very casual look, so nobody will say that you wear a dress watch. But obviously you will be very limited in the choice of straps for such watch. Even GS bracelet will not look good with such watch.

[@user-xo6mp2uv8n]

А что скажешь про зенмаркет, я просто видел там гранд сейко есть б.у. Примерно начинается ценник от 600 $ правда кварц. Есть смысл такие брать? Или лучше докинуть и механику винтажную взять

[@QuartzCrisis]

I like quartz, go for it. But please verify it's all authentic and use my video called "How to find value of vintage watch" to see if the price is good.

[@vitvel]

Do they come with all-gold case and dial?

[@QuartzCrisis]

There is gold cap version, but no solid gold

[@MrMadvillan]

There is an 18k textured cushion case 4522-8010 with linen white. they're surprisingly affordable relatively speaking.

[@PaulTirtirauTV]

Amazing video! What watch strap do you have on the GS?!

[@QuartzCrisis]

Thanks! I bought the strap on Nomos website. It's called TEXTILE STRAP LIGHT GRAY, WOVEN and it costs $80. Also you might want to check out my video called: Vintage Grand Seiko straps guide.

[@PaulTirtirauTV]

@@QuartzCrisis Watched it! Also do you think it's safe to buy a vintage 45GS from Japanese ebay sellers? After watching your video - you've convinced me I must have one :) Also what is your wrist size?

[@QuartzCrisis]

@@PaulTirtirauTV 6.25 inch wrist. It's probably safe because of ebay protection, but you should try to avoid buying from abroad no matter what. There's all kinds of unexpected issues and pain. Given that, I've just made a very expensive purchase on ebay from UK today.

[@tellmanuel]

wher'd u get that hat??

[@QuartzCrisis]

I've attended several Grand Seiko events in NYC and got not just 1, but 2 GS hats!! Unfortunately I have foolishly sold one of them. So this is the last one I have. I hope it serves me long and nothing happens to it.

[@davidmcnamara3243]

For G*ds sake : get it on a Croc!!!!