Watch Review Grand Seiko SBGE257 - The Busy Forest

Watches for Sale! - / chaotime16
Hi y’all
My name is Mr. Chao and welcome to Chao Time. I’m back with yet another Grand Seiko, but this time, a Spring Drive!!! This is the SBGE257, which is from their sport collection. As such, it has a bit of lume, and feels a bit like a slightly more robust Snowflake.
In order to buy the next watch to review, I need to sell the watches I buy to review. Below in the description, you’ll find my instagram with watches I’m trying to sell. If you’d like to check out one of my watches or want to support the channel, buy a watch! Or just like and subscribe. That works too.
The way I review watches is by objectively scoring them against a rubric to get a total score. I then take the score and apply a value multiplier to get a value score. Then, I rank the two scores against all the other watches I have reviewed up to that point. After the review, I give a completely subjective opinion which takes into consideration everything that goes into buying a watch.
Before we can begin scoring the watch against the rubric, we first need to understand the purpose of the watch and what design language inspires it. Well, it’s a dressy sports watch that seems to be made for casual dress but with a classic look.
So, let's get to it.
L'Indécis - Soulful chll.to/7e1ef2a3

[@Robert-cx5hc]

Really liked the comments on the movement when it came to what you said about the passage of time referring to the second hand. Never looked at a time piece that way and after looking at the second hand I agree with you well done! thanks for that new concept or can I say enlightenment!

[@ChaoTime101]

Thanks! I like getting philosophical about time, haha.

[@MikeJB352]

Mr. Chao…been following your work for a good year or so now. I luckily purchased an Omega SMP ceramic before seeing your score. I was relieved by your analysis. Today I picked up the Grand Seiko GMT based on your ranking and recommendation. Really appreciate all your hard work. Please keep it up. Sincerely - MB

[@ChaoTime101]

Thanks! Good to know it’s useful for someone!

[@yz8096]

I have an SBGJ237 and I'm thinking about getting one of these as its little brother. The 257 is a real beauty and you provided a very nice synopsis of its strengths and weaknesses.

[@ChaoTime101]

Thanks yz. Let me know if you pull the trigger! I've been trying to save for a snowflake, but haven't made much progress this year...

[@JamesMaccarone]

Great review! I have this watch and for some reason I find myself wearing it more than any other watch in my collection. My collection includes a Seamaster 2254.50, Speedmaster, GMT Pepsi on Jubilee, BB58, Snowflake, Submariner and a Heritage SuperOcean II 42 so this watch has some decent competition for wrist time. There is just something special about this piece. It has so many subtleties that I really enjoy. My favorite (which you pointed out) is the rainbow effect on the indices. I also think this piece is one of the more underrated models in the GS lineup. Its not perfect. I wish there was a quick adjust to the clasp and it could be a little thinner but for some reason none of that really bothers me.

[@ChaoTime101]

I know what you mean when you say the imperfections don't bother you. A watch can sometimes have a charm that makes imperfections irrelevant. That's a really nice collection you've curated. Well done and thanks for watching!

[@bootsndenim3127]

Great review 👍🏻

[@ChaoTime101]

Thanks!

[@darnskey]

You have grown to be my favorite watch channel! I take a similar approach to evaluating watches but i have to say your method is much more comprehensive haha. Have you come across the Farer Lander by chance? I got mine recently and haven’t been able to keep it off my wrist due to the quality and unique design. Would love to hear your thoughts!

[@ChaoTime101]

Thank you so much! I haven't. In fact, my filming area has been overtaken recently due to an impending move and I haven't been making content for about a month now. But it's a brand I've been curious about. I'll be on the lookout for one to review when I go back to the states this summer.

[@stephenmeade8501]

New subscriber, Keep up the good content. This piece is one I'm keeping my eye on too, if it had a microadjustable bracelet I'd already own it.

[@ChaoTime101]

Thanks Stephen! I'd like to get a snowflake before too much longer.

[@Lorenzodial]

Very nice pice! Love it!

[@ChaoTime101]

Thanks! I agree.

[@morgan97475]

Nice looking watch. I have to say that I prefer the odd-number markings on the inner rehaut. Less thinking required when looking at the other time.

[@ChaoTime101]

A friend of mine told me that the other day. A very valid perspective.

[@kofiofosu9051]

Excellent review. I have some steel Rolex and a Seiko Marinemaster. I enjoy my Marinemaster as much as my submariner. I was think of buying a Rolex GMT. After your review, this GMTwould more than fit the bill!

[@ChaoTime101]

Thanks! I also want a gmt master. I like the old black version with the green hand.

[@jamesblonde2271]

This is a bewitchingly beautiful watch, even with the power reserve messing up the dial. If the bezel moved it would be a diver/3 timezone watch, as it is the rehaut is otiose as you say. also a safety clasp on the buckle would be reassuring. Two other considerations one is the rubbish lume, from Seiko no less, if microbrands can do outrageous fully lumed bezels for £400 you can for 10x as much. The other is the Presage gmt, £1300 in my local AD and wears smallerthan this. I still want one mind....🤔

[@ChaoTime101]

I agree. A rising bezel would have made the chapter ring functional. What a good idea! The safety clasp is a take or leave for me. Doesn't affect my opinion on the watch. The lume though, very disappointed in the lack of it for a sports watch. The snowflake is a long term goal of mine.

[@nickslater9499]

Micro brands don’t have R&D departments with a vested interest that the technology of their watch lasts a lifetime. Even Rolex/Tudor can’t get lumed ceramic numbers right.

[@ChaoTime101]

@@nickslater9499 gs already had sapphire bezels though. They could put lime under a layer of sapphire. It would be longer lasting than the pelagos bezel. I wouldn't be surprised if there is already a model that they do that with!

[@nickslater9499]

They do already have a GMT with a rotating lumed sapphire bezel, but they were going for a sleeker aesthetic with this one.

[@boydbria]

Awesome. As an Omega SMP Black owner, this is on my high list of dressier seconds / potentially daily wearer. Cool you place it 61.5 over the 61.0 on your rubrik. Makes me think I'm right on target / or we just have similar tastes.

[@ChaoTime101]

I just purchased an Omega Seamaster ceramic with the flat dial and I absolutely love it. Can't wait to do the review. I think afterwards, I will want to get a snowflake to scratch the dressy spring drive itch. Thanks for watching!

[@boydbria]

Well, just picked up the 257. Love it so far. Lighter than the SMP, but both are 100% daily wearers for sure. For travel, the GMT is a keeper for sure....dressy/sport functional just like you noted in your review.

[@ChaoTime101]

@@boydbria awesome! It's funny because I just bought a golden snowflake at the duty free airport two weeks ago after mentioning it here. Yes, it's an excellent travelers watch with one of the most functional complications in my opinion. Enjoy the GMT!

[@Brian-ee1gx]

I wish the date window was framed, and that the bezel was rotatable. Makes the watch seem unfinished.

[@ChaoTime101]

Totally agree with the bezel. I would definitely not mind a date frame, but I can see why the cleaner look works for some people.

[@FlorianGrau]

I find the adjusting mechanism of the clasp is not really fitting the price range and standing of Grand Seiko. The visible holes look a bit unrefined and the need for an additional tool is not ideal. Looking forward to a quick-adjusting mechanism. Other than that a stunning watch!

[@ChaoTime101]

Yes, that would be more suitable. If you can get it on a pelagos, you should be able to get it on a gs.