The President's Favorite Grand Seiko? We asked! Frederic Bondoux explains why he loves his SBGW231

Today, we sit down with the brilliant mind behind Grand Seiko Europe, none other than President Frederic Bondoux. In this video I'm asking the forbidden question: What's his absolute favorite Grand Seiko watch - if he has to chose just one watch? Get ready for some insightful revelations and a glimpse into the personal taste of the man steering the Grand Seiko ship in Europe.
Usually the CEO comes prepared with one of the latest releases on their wrists, it is good for marketing and all that. This piece however, was very clearly his - it was very well worn and came on a bespoke strap with just two holes, just the right fit for his wrist! This is the first time I catch a CEO with a made to measure leather strap like this on video - my kind of guy! :-)
The SBGW231 is an excellent watch, and with its perfect (in my opinion at least) diameter it will suit just about any wrist. Manual winding caliber, gorgeous dial, those zaratsu polished hands and indices, a nice movement to admire through the case back.. I can see why he loves this piece. Simplicity at its very best!

[@MARKWAN1881]

Can't agree more. Timeless simplicity + artisan excellence capture the gist of the beauty of this Grand Seiko and many other models. I personally will embellish this classic piece with a textured Suede strap.

[@degriff]

That sounds like a wonderful combo idea! And yes I really liked his summary here, it applies to a lot that is done by GS, not just this watch reference. Thanks for watching!

[@robertlock6041]

Bonjour Monsieur de Griffe, this is a beautiful watch: simple, elegant and exquisitely made. Thank you for sharing this with us. Happy New Year to you and your team... I look forward to more interesting videos in 2024. Meilleur voeux, Bob

[@degriff]

Bob! Great reading you here as always. A very Happy 2024 to you and your family! 🎉 wishing you all the best for the year to come 💪 The watch is a beauty indeed. -‘d of all the watches he could have easily picked, a surprising (but excellent) pick if you ask me 🥂

[@robertlock6041]

@@degriff 👍👋🥂

[@Ronybiza]

C'est presque ma SBGW235 🎉. Excellent choix. Bonne année mon cher Jan

[@degriff]

Bonne année amigo! 🥳🥂🥂🥂

[@ihopetowin]

I have the SBGW283. It is such a pleasing piece to wear, it's jewel-like with wrist presence enough without being in any way overbearing.

[@Sartorial_Groot]

Wow congrats my friend! Another great interview!!!

[@degriff]

Cheers amigo! You were supposed to be there 🥹 Next one!

[@MrMooseful]

A fantastic choice and a great explanation behind it! Happy New Year 🎉

[@degriff]

Agreed! Have an excellent 2024 🥂🥂🥂

[@lukifrieden1269]

My wife gifted me the 231 for Christmas. Beautiful.

[@degriff]

Congratulations!! She’s a keeper! (Watch and wife 😄)

[@lukifrieden]

The irony is...i shot commercials for IWC, the Swatch Group and Rolex, but own a Grand Seiko :-) @@degriff

[@gautam9]

Where can one order such a custom made strap

[@degriff]

Quite literally , at Atelier DE GRIFF 😅 We make custom straps, you can check it via the website. It is what helps fuel these videos etc :-) The atelier/shop is briefly closed now for the summer break, but we’ll be up and running again soon. Note that the exact custom strap in this video was NOT made by us, it was a very nice and total coincidence :-)

[@rajmehta6210]

Does he have a view on the bubble issue ?

[@degriff]

Thanks for highlighting this! I have to admit I was not aware of the issue myself at the time of the interview so I did't ask unfortunately. He did not bring it up either (his watch also did not show any of the issue to my eye? and it was very well worn)

[@davidb9531]

@@degriffyou can see the bubbles on it under macro but who cares honestly

[@1973833]

I own the watch,but haven't even checked😅😅😅

[@rajmehta6210]

@@1973833 I swapped my 231 for the 301 as it was bothering me

[@rajmehta6210]

I had to swap mine for the new 301 as it was bothering me so much

[@ABCDEFGHcreator]

boring.

[@PabloTBrave]

I can't understand grand Seiko they put so much effort into the dial, finish , and movement yet put no effort into the bracelets and clasps other than polishing surely it's obvious they need improving and an item is only as good as the weakest link

[@degriff]

Just to avoid confusion, the strap in this video is his own, it is a bespoke strap - not the one that comes on the watch. But I think you refer to their (metal) bracelets in general, right (not this particular strap or watch)?

[@PabloTBrave]

@@degriff I was being general regarding GS bracelets yes