Why Grand Seiko SBGX261 is the perfect Rolex Explorer Alternative

Why Grand Seiko SBGX261 is the perfect Rolex Explorer Alternative. In this video I will review the Grand Seiko SBGX261. It is the perfect watch in almost every way in my opinion. This simple yet brillian Grand Seiko can be your only watch and literally serve you for any occasion. And I think it will do it even better than the Rolex Explorer.
Now thanks to Karan Mnoyan from @wristtimeco I had this Grand Seiko for a week. If are thinking of purchasing this Grand Seiko or any other luxury watches contact Karan on instagram or website www.wristtimeco.com/collectio.... The special price is available with the promo code OneMan24.
I hope this video will be helpful for those who is on the fence about the Grand Seiko SBGX261.
Follow me on Instagram @onemanreviews
Watch my other videos about Grand Seiko watches:
Grand Seiko SBGA407 Spring Drive “Skyflake” Review • The Coolest Grand Seik...
The Grand Seiko SBGW231G - I found my Grail Classic Watch! • The Grand Seiko SBGW23...

[@stevocaspo7414]

Very useful review. One question: Does it pick up smudges on the crystal easily? My black dial SARB033 does constantly, but they are not so apparent on my cream dial 035.

[@edenamar5887]

Have been wearing the 40mm version with 20mm lugwidth as my daily for a year now. The end goal is explorer but this is beyond alternative. I am thinking of having both when the day comes.

[@walaarostom]

Quartz Intolerance. Brilliant 😂😂. Thanks for the great review as always. Cheers Neighbour.

[@OneManReviews]

😁 Thank you!!! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@1000lightyrs]

Yep, I can attest to this watch being a great one-and-done watch. I've had 3 Explorer's and 4 of these GS's (2 blacks and 2 champagne's). The Explorer's are long gone, but I still proudly wear my SBGX261. Fun fact - the watch is 4g heavier than my DJ 116200 (modern 6 digit heavy Oyster Rolex), they're bloody solid little watches!

[@cbret5350]

It's going to be my personal grail watch. Good to see positive feedback from someone who owns it.

[@jesse-martinmanufor6248]

Its a fantastic watch, I have the white dial version and I am super happy with my purchase.

[@OneManReviews]

The white dial is stunning!

[@Anirossa]

My seiko prospex solardiver does about +5s/6month when I adjust it for DTS, when it was brand new, it did +1s/6month, but I assume the GS does much better than it's tolerance, just like my prospex :)

[@allanbergsma3256]

Nice review, thanks!

[@OneManReviews]

Thanks Alan for your feedback.

[@allanbergsma3256]

@@OneManReviews keep up the consistent good work! Appreciate your hard work.

[@OneManReviews]

Thanks a lot!

[@oceanzu6585]

have a sbgx263. I was surprised by the bracelet wabble compared to my Citizen Chronometer aq4000. They look similar from the outside but what holds the link together on GS bracelet are floating pins with two screws on each side. Citizen use genuine large screw links on their chronometer bracelet and the gap between the lock section and the clasp is way smaller than the one on GS. Case finish, dial finish, hands finish are basically identical, but Citizen comes with a perpetual calendar.🧐

[@lamkevinp]

I wanted one of these SBGX for some of the very same reasons, but thought the Casio Oceanus S100 captured the spirit of Japanese quartz for a lot less money. More accurate than GS, no battery changes every 3 yrs, hands also hit all markers, lume, microadjust, and is finished exceptionally... money saved went to the Explorer.

[@jwillwork3683]

You win!!!! Not get this too just to flex 😂

[@ProtomanZ]

And we've come full circle.

[@OneManReviews]

The Oceanus is a very good watch. If you want the Explorer the GS probably wouldn't scratch that itch.

[@shaohuadong9860]

I'd say Citizen's top end quartz watches are better than the 9f series. They have the same temperature control and Zaratsu polishing as GS, but Citizen's movements offer +/- 5 seconds per year accuracy, perpetual calendar and some even have titanium cases .

[@jonathanilagan7778]

Great watch!! I have The Citizen AQ1020, wc is similar to this, but both are reallt beautiful! I noticed you have a wise ad7, how would you say the finish of the two compare to each other?

[@OneManReviews]

I didn't have a chance to see that Citizen but it looks amazing. As for the Wise - I was very impressed by the overall quality of the watch and the finishing in particular. The dial is incredible. Planning to make a review of this watch soon.

[@skookumwatch]

Solid commentary. I have 2 9F GS , I prefer them to their sometimes oddly chunky automatic counterparts.

[@mohnnadmercedes8246]

Is it legible and easy to read at glance??

[@jesperandersson6143]

Hi, witch model year are this?

[@forgiga]

Hello! Thank you for the straight-to-the-point review (as usual) with no marketing stories about Japanese craftsmanship and zaratsu polishing technique and bla-bla-bla... When I held the GS watch ( I do not remember the ref #, but some 39mm model) for the first time I was trying to find that exceptional "out-of-this-world" case polishing quality. But, to my disappointment, I didn't find it. The case was as good as most of the top-tier (and some mid-tier as well) watches would have. But the hands and the dial are executed really well. And, I'll be honest, it was really comfortable to wear it. The case shape was designed with a "comfort first" attitude in mind. In your video, you just shared the same thoughts. And about that specific model: not the quartz that makes me say "no", but the size. Too small. While respecting the GS watches, I would still prefer my 41mm Aquaterra which looks more proportional on my 17.5cm wrist. These watches are of similar quality and shapes, both could be "one watch collection" items. Good luck with your channel!

[@OneManReviews]

Thanks for your comment. Glad you liked the video. Yes. I handle quite a few GS watches and I don't find the case polishing something crazy extraordinary. But when it comes to markers and hands - the finishing is incredible. Aquaterra is an amazing choice.

[@jwillwork3683]

I thought the snowflake was amazing. Seen it in person and I would definitely steal the dial and re-case it ( not actually but its a pretty dial ) The watch was sooo underwhelming and mediocre. The prx does nothing for me either like nothing.

[@jwillwork3683]

@@OneManReviews2nd this!

[@OneManReviews]

@@jwillwork3683 I wasn't fascinated by the Snowflake either but I reviewed a Skyflake about a year ago and I found the Skyflake dial much more interesting and cool than Snowflake. Again the hands and markers polishing are outstanding.

[@jwillwork3683]

@@OneManReviews Nice

[@patsmith3894]

Nice watch. But your cat stole the show.

[@OneManReviews]

Thanks :)

[@steve8510]

Wish it had Lume like the Rex and perpetual calendar like the Citizen Chronomaster (which is more accurate @5spy)

[@cocoyc495]

This is a great all around watch.

[@OneManReviews]

Definitely.

[@philbooth5570]

For me the question is not this vs the Explorer, but this vs the Longines Spirit 37. Both great GADAs, but I prefer the latter.

[@OneManReviews]

The Spirit is a great watch.

[@Ferien7]

Looks so much like my Seiko SARB033

[@OneManReviews]

Yes, quite similar design.

[@MisterKnightly]

I do wish they'd make a version of this, Quartz and all, without that date window. I'd buy it in a second.

[@OneManReviews]

That would be nice.

[@mrjellow]

SBGX321

[@MisterKnightly]

@@mrjellow I stand corrected, thank you, friend.

[@alexxela3933]

I dont mind quartz but preferably solar powered, so no battery hassle... Therefore iwould lean towards the "the citizen". I have and actually wearing my gs sbga439, its midnight blue with a spring drive and 39,5 mm dia, i can relate to your assessment being a do it all but hey we live once so lets enjoy more watches 😂 The crown is outdated and overrated, im leaving the crown for unsecured crowd haha

[@jwillwork3683]

It is A looker!

[@OneManReviews]

Definitely!

[@_RJ_Z]

GS is their own thing.

[@BosworthMcG]

I like that you took wrist shots while driving, at night, in the rain. 😮

[@micaljimenez7381]

Sure the quality have to be great...but you can show an automatique model if you want to compete with rolex explorer...but nice watch

[@OneManReviews]

Funny because they have 2 watches that can compete with both Explorers and both are quartz.

[@micaljimenez7381]

@@OneManReviews yes,sure...but for a classical look vintage,automatique make it more "romantic"

[@OneManReviews]

@@micaljimenez7381 I do agree.

[@antonbayda2571]

Good watch, but it's too plain for me (judging from pictures and videos). Maybe it looks better in person. Thanks for the gideo.

[@OneManReviews]

Thanks.The simplicity is what I like about this watch but also yeah it looks better in person.

[@Lewatchman]

Lack of bracelet taper and microadjust makes it a pain. I sold my SBGX343 due to this reason, bracelet itself is lovely but could never find a perfect fit. For this reason, it will never be as good as Rolex.

[@OneManReviews]

I think I was able to find a good fit with this GS but I see your point.

[@cedarcanoe]

Ideal everyday watch?

[@OneManReviews]

Pretty much.

[@richardvanfrank8114]

But how does it compare to your Railmaster?

[@OneManReviews]

They are somewhat similar by philosophy but very different by the design.

[@jP-nw7nm]

Seiko SARBO33 GANG HOMIE WASSUP!

[@jP-nw7nm]

Awesome video BTW!

[@OneManReviews]

Thank you!

[@billcore6295]

I have a GS Winter and GS cannot be compared to the Rolex Explorer in which I am very familiar with 😊….. owning both Rolex and GS, GS is perfect, better quality and more refined, its much better than Rolex…no comparison. period!!! GS make 36K watches annually by hand compared to 1M made by Rolex, also by machine. mine is titanimum with springdrive which is NOT quartz

[@mak52580]

Which model is the t titanium spring drive that you have?

[@OneManReviews]

Thanks for the comment. I think that GS and Rolex are very similar and different watches at the same time. The both have the precision and quality as the priority. To me Rolex offers a better package overall: quality, movements, design, bracelets etc. Grand Seiko shines with craftsmanship.

[@OneManReviews]

@@Bu-22 These both are amazing watches!

[@ccooper8785]

I would agree with you completely if the GS had a 3,6,9 dial. If it does not then IMHO it is not an explorer replacement.

[@OneManReviews]

The watch doesn't have to be exact copy of the Explorer to be an alternative.

[@ccooper8785]

@@OneManReviews Good point well made 🤔👍

[@MrNickMulgrave]

Shouldn't this be considered a Rolex Datejust alternative? The Explorer has Arabic numerals.

[@OneManReviews]

Sure it can. To me, it's more comparable to the Explorer.

[@MrNickMulgrave]

@@OneManReviews The Explorer has Arabic numerals and no date function. The Grand Seiko SBGX261 with it's baton indices looks just like a Datejust without the cyclops window. So I'm curious as to why you think it is more comparable to an Explorer.

[@NeoNyder]

Quartz no lume? hard pass

[@filou89]

Get a Sarb 033.... cheaper and basically the same look on your wrist

[@virada630]

Why is it just rolex and what about grand seiko to go down as alternative? Bottom line? If u can afford get it if u don’t then stop making it a big deal. Its a human nature that it’s expensive and known? Ur something to their eyes.

[@nathandallas4878]

No lume and a scratch magnet no thanks