How good is a Grand Seiko
#1
I have read,and researched GS watches for the last 10 years,and heard
many conflicting reports on them.I just had to try one for myself.
I decided to buy a cheaper model,just to feel and see what all the fuss
was about.This is the model http://www.kronometer.dk/grand-seiko-spo...uartz.html
I picked up my watch from Nicolas,and at the same time took a look at
a mechanical model he had at the time.This is my honest opinion of what
Seiko have done with these watches,that is really a bit of a game changer
for the Swiss watch industry.

Before GS you could not buy any watch in the world that could compete
with high end swiss watches at a much lower price.It takes time and money
and years of tradition to reach the levels of finish in watches from say
Patek-AP-VC etc etc.They and other high price brands have had this part
of the watch market sewn up for years.The finishing on the cases and dials
of these watches was unique,and their movements even more so.
So how have GS watches changed this conception that you need to
pay a fortune for a watch that is high end or very very close to it?
Seiko have i think been very clever here.GS. calibers have a very good
finish indeed,and beat anything out there in the same, or a bit higher
price class.But in my opinion their calibers do not have the beauty of
many other high end watch brands.This i think is due to the Japanese
way of thinking about watches,and not to do with their ability to do it.
Proof of this in in their Credor models,that leave Patek and even Lange
behind them in regards to finishing.
               
Grand Seiko concentrated in my opinion on the finish of their
cases-dials- hands -markers et etc.And this is where the revolution really
is.I have owned many high end watches but nothing comes close to
the finishing of details on GS watches.I am not alone in thinking this.
Many of the worlds well known watch pundits have said the same.
I was shocked when i received my GS Quartz watch,i expected a good
finish,but not this!

The polishing details on the case,the bevelling and the razor sharp lines
between polished surfaces and brushed is extraordinary.The details on
the dial are as close to perfection as i have ever seen.Putting my Rolex
up against this,is a joke.I am not putting down a brand i love,just telling
how i see it.I have seen many pictures on the net,where macro pictures
of GS watches and cases are compared to Patek or AP.They lose so no
shame to Rolex Icon_smil We are talking here about a watch with a list price
of 28.000 dkr here,that on outside finish equals or beats brands costing
up to ten times as much.This is an exceptional achievement in my book.
                       
So you might ask yourself the question why pay more?
But it is really not that simple.The GS watches might be superb and great
value for money,but they have drawbacks in my humble opinion,and i
would like to name a few of them.
Seiko need to get some ground breaking designers on board,most of
their GS models are just to bland to look at.Designs that existed years
ago in the Swiss watch industry.They need a Royal Oak type unique
design,to give them their own special identity in the watch world.
They released not long ago a GMT model that is a complete rip off,
Rolex explorer copy.This is not doing them any favours in trying to
break into the higher end of the watch market.

They need to build their image with watch buyers,who for the most
will always buy A Rolex instead of a GS, alone because they are still
getting a good watch that has brand recognition and history behind it.
It will take many years before GS watches can build an image to compete
with the Swiss.But i think they are well on the way,and i never imagined
it would come at this level.At this moment in time ,nobody really knows
the production numbers of GS watches,or if supply and demand will
make them a good investment for the future.My opinion is that watches
made with this kind of quality will hold a good value over time.

This is worth a read. https://www.askmen.com/fashion/mens-watc...-snob.html
- Jeg er engelsk - bor i Danmark, forstår dansk - men foretrækker at skrive på engelsk Icon_smil
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#2
Clever words and interesting perspective. GS Quartz has got my attention and reading your comments and this:
https://timelessluxwatches.com/reviews/n...-movement/
The interest has just got bigger and will be part of my collection at some point. But 37mm as standard is a little small for my liking so I am looking at this one:
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/grand-seiko...ch-review/
Svar
#3
Rigtig mange ligger på 39,5 til 42,2 mm. Få på 37 mm.
Svar
#4

Når man snakker finish, så viser denne lange video det meget godt.
Alt er poleret til det utrolige. (springdrive Chronograph).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeyxC33dNQc
Svar
#5
(17-12-2018, 07:46 AM)doxa300 Skrev: Clever words and interesting perspective. GS Quartz has got my attention and reading your comments and this:
https://timelessluxwatches.com/reviews/n...-movement/
The interest has just got bigger and will be part of my collection at some point. But 37mm as standard is a little small for my liking so I am looking at this one:
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/grand-seiko...ch-review/
Thank you.They are interesting watches,and thats a nice one you are looking
at.I hope they soon come out with a ten year battery,because that should be
standard on any watch in this price class in my opinion.
- Jeg er engelsk - bor i Danmark, forstår dansk - men foretrækker at skrive på engelsk Icon_smil
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#6
Godt at høre/læse lidt fra dig igen Icon_Up om end vi ikke altid har været enige Icon_lol

Her er vi dog enige langt henad vejen. Seiko kan bare noget...
[-]
  • Palleurup
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#7
(17-12-2018, 03:42 PM)KimT Skrev: Godt at høre/læse lidt fra dig igen Icon_Up om end vi ikke altid har været enige Icon_lol

Her er vi dog enige langt henad vejen. Seiko kan bare noget...
We live and learn Kim Icon_Up 
There have been so many changes in the watch world in recent years,Its great to see 
brands like Nomos-GS etc, making inroads on the market.The world changes and its
best to change with it.We have a new breed of watch buyer today compared to 
what we had say 20 years ago.Nice to hear from you as well. Icon_smil
- Jeg er engelsk - bor i Danmark, forstår dansk - men foretrækker at skrive på engelsk Icon_smil
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#8
Mit syn på Seiko/GS er vist kendt af alle herinde.  Icon_e_biggrin1

Men jeg syntes først at de har fået rigtig vind efter at Hodinkee viste dem retfærdighed.





Nogle folk (masserne) skal åbenbart ledes.  Icon_blink
Yoshikazu Akahane. 28/+50.
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  • cfnissen, KlausM
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#9
(17-12-2018, 06:09 PM)Stensbjerg Skrev: Mit syn på Seiko/GS er vist kendt af alle herinde.  Icon_e_biggrin1

Men jeg syntes først at de har fået rigtig vind efter at Hodinkee viste dem retfærdighed.





Nogle folk (masserne) skal åbenbart ledes.  Icon_blink

En rigtig fin sammenligning med de 3 ure.
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#10
Det kan godt være at GS giver dig value for money. Men jeg må indrømme at de intet tænder i mig. Dette skyldes nok, som du selv pointere deres design, eller mangel på samme (sat lidt på spidsen). De er simpelhen for kedelige/plain. Det mest unikke ved deres ure er vel at de ikke er fra Schweiz...

Når det så er sagt, så er jeg heller ikke den store fan af hverken Aqua Terra samt Perpetual. Så skulle jeg en dag ombestemme mig, og pludselig være i markedet efter et klassisk no-nonsens ur, så ville jeg bestemt ikke afskrive GS.

Sidst men ikke mindst, så er der jo meget storytelling når det kommer til urindustrien, og når man så kigger GS navne, Feks "SBGR305G" så strutter disse navne jo ikke ligefrem af historie.

Jeg har så valgt at springe let og elegant over Brand Value, hvilket jo nok er det største grund til prisforskellen på de tre ure fra Hodinkee videoen.
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