The Best Grand Seiko Embarrasses Rolex

The best Grand Seiko vs the other best Grand Seiko, the Shunbun “Spring” edition pitched against the Taisetsu “Winter” edition. Which should you get?
Featured Watches:
Grand Seiko Shunbun “Spring” SBGA413
Grand Seiko Taisetsu “Winter” SBGA415
Shop now for Grand Seiko watches:
www.watchfinde...
Connect with us at: linktr.ee/watc...
Watchfinder is the number one place to buy, sell and exchange premium pre-owned timepieces. Discover more exceptional watches at www.watchfinde...

[@cadrniadrctkers]

I went winter. It commemorated my son's birth, and I'll offer it to him to wear on his wedding day someday.

[@ianskelly6911]

You cool bastard! That is fantastic.

[@dipaks534]

Nice, mine is on my wrist awaiting my son / daughters arrival into the world, 2 weeks to go :)

[@Unlucky1776]

@@dipaks534congrats!

[@wisamal-hakim5531]

Wonderful good for you

[@anons000]

Let him keep it

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

I don't know about everyone else but the blued second hand is a must for myself. It simply completes the watch for me

[@maudias]

I had them both in my hands at the AD, but the decision was extremely quick. I went for the Spring. The subtle pink and how different it looks under different light and angles is simply amazing. Being lighter than the Winter, this dial shows more clearly the beauty of its pattern. I simply love it. It was my first and only Grand Seiko. However, don’t get me wrong. The Winter is also very beautiful, but very “monochromatic” for my taste. That dial makes the difference and you can better appreciate it in the Spring.

[@kiljaeden7663]

Same - the Shunbun just had way more character.

[@WeibenWang]

I bought the Shunbun back in 2020 when it was brand-new, "limited production," and US only. It was my first Grand Seiko, and my first luxury watch. After lockdown, I went in to look at the Snowflake, but it left me cold. But the Shunbun grabbed me. I also looked at the Winter, but it left me kind of cold too, as it were. To my eye, and in the boutique lighting, it looked sooty. I sat on it for a while, but the Shunbun wouldn't let go, so a few months later I jumped the shark and I bought it. Up until that point, $600 was an expensive watch, and here I spent $6,000. And now, four Grand Seikos later, it's still my favorite and most worn watch.

[@pushslice]

It MUST be seen in person to fully appreciate. Stunning.

[@donjuan150]

Wish I had tried the Shunbun on at the boutique in NYC. I was disappointed with Winter.

[@davidhunternyc1]

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

[@nialldoyle8206]

Yup. My sky flake is my favourite watch. Can’t stop looking at it.

[@vktravellog1242]

What a great pick! I was seriously thinking of getting one but not sure if it matches with what I wear 😂. This dial is amazing!

[@20f124]

went in for the spring and came out with the winter. The blue seconds hand was a must for me

[@FLXLife]

The sticker on the back is still such a tragic mistake.

[@noelanthony1204]

both watches are magnificent... color and quality .. love them both

[@arieandika]

I went for the shunbun. I love pink. And the way that Grand Seiko made the dial is so refined in that it teases your eyes to try and catch the elusive pink color as the light plays on its surface.

[@seiyonne]

The voiceover for these videos along with the background music is 🔥 -- well done!

[@MastinoNapoletano420]

I own the Shunbun. Love it. I wear the crap outta it. It's the perfect weight and size for me. The color is nice and goes with practically anything. The spring drive is awesome and the see through back is really nice to see the work that went into the insides.

[@PeterWilliamson-nn9et]

I love the story about how Seiko dominated a watch accuracy competition (usually the dominion 0f Swiss and German watchmakers) with such overkill that Seiko was banned from further competition, now that’s humbling, and look their watches are still more accurate , Very attractive and better value.

[@defenstrator4660]

Having looked at all four in person, Summer is actually my favorite. The bold gold and green is very distinctive.

[@markhla427]

I went into the AD so my wife could try on some watches (because, of course, i already had enough watches), but i made the mistake of trying on Spring. It was love at first sight. It is as beautiful a thing i have ever seen, and I left with it on my wrist. I'll be gazing at it for years to come. Long after I've finished paying it off 😬

[@prstito]

the reasoning at the end of the video is precisely why I got the Winter LOL. I like them both, but the contrasting blue second hand and the monochromatic feel of the watch is what I'm after. I wear it on aftermarket custom straps mostly, but when I put the bracelet back on, I almost never take it off. Well done GS.

[@MrJnrc]

I went for the spring and put it on an ox blood leather strap which lifted the pink out of the dial. The strap was custom made by the strap tailor in the uk.

[@kyledriscollmusic]

neither of them can be the best Grand Seiko because they both have a power reserve on the front. Yea, I said it

[@arniac6920]

Simple I went for the blue dial in steel ;) purchased in Tokyo at the grand seiko store …just a fab watch as to the strap yeah I would agree it is better in a strap I have yet to buy the one though so just keep experimenting .,,

[@ruzbehjafarkhani3818]

No matter pinkish cherry blossoms or dark grey snow, Nico going crazy about how bad GS is.

[@aspexpl]

I've bought the spring one but now I have sort of a buyer remorse. The winter one is more contrasted and legible, which is appreciable when you reach a certain age and your eyes are easily tired.

[@gordtulk]

I choose the snowflake a year ago because of legibility (fantastic) and the blued second hand.

[@bash44]

snowflake will go down in history as the greatest dial watch ever made

[@jpdemer5]

If what you care about is the dial, how about the same texture, but in a very pale blue? The SBGP017 gives you exactly that, in the legendary GS44 case, for about half the price. It's quartz, yes, but not just any quartz: it's the GS 9F85 "super quartz" caliber, good to within 2 seconds per year. That accuracy, IMO, is a cool factor equal to that of any mechanical or automatic movement. Thinner than a Spring Drive, it wears very nicely.

[@okiali6381]

Between these two i'm team Winter. I have the Soko SBGA427 myself on the strap.

[@phildo864]

I have the 427 also. I like the strap but the bracelet is more practical for me at work. Say, is there any other models you know of with the green second hand?

[@AcmeRocket]

"You simply get Raw Hole" 😂😂😂

[@mondrayuk]

@Andrew Morgan (Sensei) - The White Birch Shirakaba dial on the SLGA009 with the 5 Day 9RA2 superior movement will save you having both of the models you have compared. The White Birch dial on this one, being slightly different than the one on the SLGH005 automatic non-Spring Drive having deep waves, works for summer or winter as it is not quite Snowflake. Yes, that brings you up a notch on price but the quality all ways round is excellent. The 22mm lug width makes it a strap monster as I never wear it with the bracelet but with quick release leather and other material straps. The power reserve indicator is on the reverse seen through the case back. It is all subjective. GS is The Bomb with what they have produced in the last few years. It took me two years to completely get on board with a Spring Drive but glad I did. There is nothing on this planet comes anywhere near the technology. craftsmanship and specification for the price point. Arigato AndrewSan as we continue to Wax-On Wax-Off in collecting watches.

[@jimoathout7543]

I have the slga009 as well. Power reserve is more like 6 days and the accuracy is phenomenal. I put it on an Artem blue strap to pick up the blued second hand.

[@terborgh8757]

Owning the shunbun too, and after a few months understanding all design choices. There is so much to discover. For example the dial; depending on the angle it is pink, white, cloudy or even more whirly. Same with the polished edges of the hands and indices: depending on de angle the surfaces are reflecting, white or black. I can go on and on for other aspects of the design. Had to edit, add more: someone one notices the “top cap” on the rotation point of the second hand? It is a cap placed to hide the rotating axle of the movement. Blue hands do not have it…. I also suspect the design team to deliberately put on some surfaces shiratsu polishing and other hairlines because of scratch susceptibility: after few months some surfaces have limited signs of wear while others are complete untouched.

[@baxoutthebox5682]

The shunbun is a strap monster. It can be hard finding an OEM GS deployment clasp but it’s worth buying because the clasp and a strap will make the watch wearable with just about anything.

[@stu632]

The snowflake is 41 mm wide (not 40) x 49 mm lug to lug and wears quite a bit bigger than the cherry blossom's 40 mm x 47 mm lug to lug. For me the latter is a wee bit more interesting and refined and sits just a bit better at that size.

[@MrCapitalizer]

Put a basic explorer next to it, just as good or better Fit, finish, materials, quality, durability.

[@RG-cc3lq]

If it only were produced in 38 mm size, I would definitely buy one (probably winter).

[@dckooky]

I considered both, but from some deep gut instinct, went with the Winter. At first I worried that it was too gray, too monochromatic. But putting it on again recently after a while, I realized that cold gray dial is what's needed for the hands and indices to light up and flicker like fire in a cold, cold January. Now I think of the overall effect of the watch as "a warm glow in the midst of cold," and I love it.

[@lambamthankyoumaam]

I bought the Shunbun when it came out. Went in for the snow flake, saw the 4 seasons collection, and spring was by far the most remarkable dial to me. It is still one of my most worn watches. It feels weightless when compared to my other watches, disappearing on the wrist until you need it.

[@nkonig1]

Winter for me. The hands and indices have a better contrast to the dial. The texture on the Spring is far more pronounced, I prefer the subtlety of the Winter. The lack of a cap on the second hand is a bit of a let down.

[@goatrope2946]

Just picked up the "raft of flowers" yesterday in Kyoto. The domestic reference SBGA443, which is identical to the SBGA413 available in the US. Very happy!

[@DirkCleiren]

Good video! I have the Taisetsu and my friend has the Shunbun, both look magnificent.

[@nameless_no_name]

Absurd statement! "The Best Grand Seiko Embarrasses Rolex" I own both AMAZING watches. Rolex is a better watch when you measure the big picture. Lets face it. You do not buy a luxury watch to simply tell time. You buy luxury watches to make a statement. As much as I love the elegance of my GS in croc leather and understand the amazing technical aspects of the under-the-hood Spring Drive, it does not have the "stopping power" of my 2-tone GMT Master II where I have had people literally "stop me" at a restaurant to comment on my Roli. GS has detailed engineering and craftsmanship, I get it. However, so does Rolex, and people understand Rolex to equal success, achievement, wealth. Most people have never heard of GS. That is the reality (like it or not).

[@jamied931]

The bracelet is and always will be a dealbreaker

[@albertl-ce2kz]

Then put it on a strap. I did and love it.

[@alexxela3933]

I was in that boat, ended up with the Shunbun as the Winter doesn't have a cap on the second hand and thats a deal breaker... I prefer the contrast of the winter and the blue hand but that missing cap is arghh... One of the reasons getting me into gs a while ago was the attention to details and the cap is one of the details... My first GS midnight blue dial with spring drive has the cap, and i cant stop thinking why the winter is missing it ? While most other models have that cap 😅 Anyways, no regret at all... I love the powerful dial vibes of the spring, its dazzling and mesmerising ❤

[@syktgrei]

The bracelet isn’t a no go for me, but the size and power reserve is. Other than that, I’d choose spring 🌸

[@01rockape]

The winter 415 will be my next addition. The visibility of the textured dial, the blue second and the gold GS all take the points for me. thank you for pointing out the lack of a cap on the winters second hand, a small detail i hadn't noticed despite reaserching relentlesly. i must admit that is a very small - for me. a nice blue cap would finish that beautifully. However, the GS masters do everything or a reason, so i feel the missing cap was not an oversight. thankyou for great review on these fatastic pieces.

[@snakeman48]

The SBGA413 Shunbun needs a Red second hand. If it did, I'd picked it over theSBGA415. I love the Blue second hand.

[@lihanou]

I choose the snowflake. The spring is so overhyped - it has poor legibility, looks plain from a distance, and just looks naked/weird without a bezel. Don't buy into internet hypes - always check in person before you buy.

[@TheCoolkriss]

How weird of them not to cap the blue second hand, when they did it on the snowflake.

[@luckie79]

Actually, what embarrasses most mainstream Swiss brands, are the cheapest GS models....

[@firminshepherd4834]

Andrew's narration and turn of phrase is so fun. GS is properly in my sights. Thanks Andrew!

[@actnaturally388]

the summer is the most stunning in the four seasons collection

[@enriquerojas9758]

Grand Seiko are great watches, but I would pick a Rolex over a GS 7 out of 10 times.

[@flipdrgn]

The shunbun is what brought me into GS. The "Katsuiro" SBGA469 is what ended up as my first GS. Love the Shunbun but with how much attention surrounds it, I opted for a less loved but just as beautiful model.

[@kiljaeden7663]

Yes the Shunbun gets a lot of attention in the watch community, but how many people do you know who has one? Or even just any Grand Seiko at all?

[@CrownRider]

I went for the pinkish Shunbun two years ago. No second doubts. Still in shock regarding the details an craftsmanship.

[@mols0n]

not even the biggest fan of rolex but everyone mentions grand seikos dials and never the movement finishing because your basic rolex is better finished (both are machined)

[@chif123]

Went with Spring, the Shunbun. Loved how it plays with light.

[@simonelwell]

I'll stick with my Black Stream Diver...

[@FirstLast-rt5qc]

EVERY watch brand embarrassed rolex.

[@erwinvlsqz]

Coming from a normal non-nerd consumerist Pros of GS 1. Quality and workmanship justifies the price 2. Textures and polishing are superior 3. Movements as i read are technically a step vs competitors Cons of GS 1. Too poetic trying to fill up lack of brand history (idk) 2. Texture (tho beautiful) are too busy 3. Their sports watches lack of identity. They're too shiny for a sports/everyday watch yet too big for a dress watch. Just my two cents

[@PaddyMcMe]

As someone who enjoys watches but isn't THAT knowledgeable I've heard over and over again that Seiko bracelets are trash and that GS bracelets are trash for their price. Can someone give me a ranked list of who makes the best bracelets, by brand and then ideally, for their price? Also any aftermarket makers of bracelets that are considered, at minimum, superior to Seiko? Thanks.

[@N17ESM]

Epic pieces! I went in for a Snowflake and came out with the Shunbun which I've put onto a claret croc style strap. The bracelet is okay (although nowhere near as good as Rolex) but I tend to think GS heritage pieces look better on straps anyway. Snowflake next (although who knows what I'll actually come out with)!

[@NinjaNovice]

I want the spring!….badly

[@porscheoscar]

I would like to see the pink Shunbun with a navy ceramic bezel and pink gold hands. And another version with skyflake dial with burgundy ceramic dial and polished silver hands. Come to think of it...add in a black Shunbun dial with a titanium grey ceramic dial and white gold hands. Let's add a fourth a peacock 🦚 green with dark blue undertones like the water in Miami Beach with sapphire beze. l

[@arrdeenify]

Got the GS gmt green dial..just mesmorising..perfect timing -1seconds day..Have a few expensive Swiss watches watches..nothing come close to GS expect Tudor Gmt BB

[@alfieakaronaldog]

What’s embarrassing is GrandSeikoUK unveiling their new ‘EU’ model……… in London 🙄 😂😂😂

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

Your voice makes my mobile phone sound like a premium iPhone.

[@davidhunternyc1]

I prefer Winter but I would choose the Spring because it is more unique. There's not another watch like it. Still, Grand Seiko's clashing fonts on the "GS" logo and "Grand Seiko" text is like scratching on a chalkboard. For this reason alone, I'd take none.

[@juanjosemirandapy]

A few years ago, as soon as a Watchfinder video came out, I would watch it without hesitation. I was drawn to the high-quality images, the relaxing music, and the voice of an expert. Now you still have good watches, YES, but with the "traditional format". That's why I stopped watching you a while ago. You had a format that, in my opinion, was unique; you were the benchmark, the Rolls-Royce of channels, the GOAT. Even today, when you feature one of my favorite brands like Grand Seiko, the format seems boring to me, and the production is mediocre, lacking the "warm" feeling of your old videos. What used to be exceptional is just another channel today.

[@rashakor]

I liked the talking hands, it had a sense of magic and mystery that has been 😞 lost.

[@stupidocanerosa]

Time goes by. People evolve.

[@Newerasamearea]

His subscribership growth says otherwise.

[@chuknorth]

and i think it’s simply fab. some of the most intelligent commentary out there.

[@GrumblingForesight]

The writing and charisma is still there though as we’ve all learned from Top Gear, those are the two most important factors. To stretch the analogy : I think of the new Watchfinder format as The Grand Tour. Not quite like the old one that we loved so much, but equally as engrossing to follow.

[@kevinbarefoot8949]

Ask Nico Leonard about Grand Seiko

[@martinkavanagh196]

My "cup would overflow" with either - as an aspirational old man. - But I must admit that for me PINK would remind me of younger times and hope of happiness in company ...

[@pault6731]

Great watches I have the pleasure of owning the Snowflake and the Shunbun and will purchase the Winter version as well soon. The dials really do pop and that sweeping second hand is mesmerising, sometimes forgetting I was checking the time and get caught up just watching the second hand.

[@p.s4677]

Spring, every day till summer!

[@ed7384]

I’ve got the shunbun and I fooking love it - bracelet is shite and like brain surgery trying to remove pins without scratching titanium

[@Chrissepisje]

If all is correct, the Shunbun is on its way to me. :) My choice was made when it came out. Come on. It's pink. Who would not?

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

That is some great close-up photography, yet from close that "snowflake" dial looks kind of fuzzy.

[@rammohan1991]

More like you are embarrassing yourself .

[@mrbkkt1]

Shunbun. That's what I bought. I will admit that the winter's contrasting second hand, is something that GS should have done with the Shunbun. Maybe a dark pink, or red.

[@ralphimbrogno9239]

As a lifelong skier who lives in Colorado, the choice is easy.

[@mtnvalley9298]

hey me too 52 seasons and counting

[@davidp605]

Love your voice! Finally a face to a name

[@zonatedproduct]

Rikka for me 😅

[@mikesheehan5946]

There's gotta be a reason they didn't cap that blued seconds hand right? Would it look weird maybe?

[@RedFuryBooks]

Now do Snowflake vs. White Birch!

[@Subboxstoker]

Wow he showed his face,highly disappointed. This was the best watch channel because it only showed watch faces not people faces

[@TheManublade]

I went with the Slgh013

[@notyourdaddy8300]

Anyone actually had one of these serviced? I’d be interested to learn about price and time waiting

[@MrFrescocotone]

Most amazing value in high end luxury wachmaking in the market today

[@drnick40]

Spring! I own the “Snowflake” though-the watch which put GS on the map….

[@theshadowman1398]

Now if only the rest of the watch wasn’t so utterly dull

[@chrisjohnson583]

Cherry blossom owner here ( for several years now ) - My fav watch - hands down. I just wish it was a bit bigger. Also on a grey leather strap. Curious what strap others have or think looks good.

[@elysium3079]

Mate, you need to decide which GS is best. I tought that was Omiwatari or Snowflake.

[@georgewang4276]

I picked the spring because I knew for sure I would regret not getting the pink if I missed it

[@cl4ssic]

Grand Seiko needs to stop with their ass pull stories about their dial designs...

[@A-MINUTE-TO-WATCH]

Winter is my "Time"😊

[@grahamsalmons2027]

The off beat acid humor makes me laugh out loud. Winter for me

[@Deusmecumest]

For me holding them in hand, the decision came down to the lack of a heat blued seconds hand. But That's just me. I gotta have the blues somehow.

[@allydea]

I chose the Winter, because no matter how pretty, I want my watches to be practical too, and the Spring's legibility was just too poor for me.

[@ricatiman]

I choose Spring as it fills me with Hopefulness for the year to come.

[@BollocksThreeofThem]

Was just in an AD looking between these two models. In real life, I was surprised by just how Pink the Shunbun looked compared to photo and video of it. That pushed me towards the Winter. Now I wonder if the warm incandescent style lighting in the AD was the reason…

[@ravianantharamaiah7567]

I will stick with my SBGA-211, a.k.a The Snowflake :-)

[@621jihoonkim]

i like everything except for their design. something is missing.

[@fitforfreelance]

The spring drive in the 62GS case is 🔥 winter is the one for me!

[@MohammedKhaled-ju7gy]

Man I preferred when your hands were doing the talking 😅

[@nmkjnmnjm]

I purchased the winter and I love it. So much that I am considering getting a new one. My pick would be toward the blue lake Suwa. Then I wonder: as much as I was willing to pay 6K for a GS, am I willing to pay 10K? Hasn't GS gone too far in pricing?

[@Kenji-Tsuyoi]

I recently had the chance to visit Japan and purchase the Taisetsu from the Ginza shop. It's truly a magnificent watch and, in my opinion, outshines the snowflake model. I was particularly interested in the Shunbun variant, but sadly, I didn't come across it in any store during my two-week stay. If it had been in stock, it would have definitely made my decision-making process much harder.

[@JuanSegarra-td6yr]

Their bracelet still suck.

[@nizarmurar]

Many thanks, Andrew Great psychotherapic episode as always. I chose the Spring one . I believe and notice all seasons together there With love and appreciation Nizar -Israel