Since I joined MWF in 2012, I had never written any watch review to-date.
However when I acquired the Seiko Prospex Marinemaster Spring Drive tuna, I was so impressed by its finishing that I had to write a review.
When the SBGW047 next arrived, it also had the same effect on me and before long, I decided to do retrospective reviews on those watches already in my possession.
My target is to complete the reviews for the rest of my Grand Seikos before moving on to the other brands that I have e.g. Glashutte Original, JaegerLeCoultre and some individual pieces..
I acquired this GS SBGC003 watch sometime back perhaps pre-2010, I can't really remember.
Being my favourite daily working watch since, it is worn the most often so there are light scuff marks accumulated through the years of desk diving.
Accuracy is excellent. Although GS Spring Drive specs states +/-15 secs/month, its more like < +4 sec/month.
All my Spring Drives accuracy varies but I've yet to experience any variation greater than +5 sec/month. Googling will reveal the same experience by all SD owners.
Generally I hate getting my watches scratched or dented although I believe in wearing them all and not keeping them as safe queens. I'm generally very careful in handling them.
At this level of magnification, you will see the scuff marks even more obviously.
I should have taken these pictures when the watch was first new.
Tech Specs:
Drive system: Spring Drive Chronograph
Caliber: 9R86
Case: Stainless Steel Case
Case back: See-through Screw Case Back with Sapphire Crystal
Glass: High Definition Dual-curved Sapphire Crystal with Anti-Reflective Coating
Bracelet: Solid Stainless Steel
Buckle: Stainless steel with three-fold clasp with push button release
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4800 A/m (60 gauss)
Weight: 187 g
Case thickness: 16.1 mm
Case diameter : 43.5 mm
Jewels: 50
Remarks: Screw crown
Current RRP: JPY 840,000 (with tax)
JPY 800,000 (without tax)
Overall view of the dial
The hour and minute hands are brushed in the centre and polished on either side (similar to the earlier SBGW047), chrono hour, minute & second hands are matt finished to differentiate them against the timekeeping hands, hour indices are diamond-cut with the top serrated to catch the light at various angles
The running second hands and power reserve indicators hands are polished. So there are 3 different finishing to separate the 3 functions
The lugs of the case are finished in 2 parts, 1 part finely brushed and the other highly polished to sparkle in the light
Due to the highly polished nature of the bezel, even light swirl & scuff marks show up obviously when magnified
Close-up of the finely finished lugs with drilled holes with a contrast of fine brushed & highly polished finish
Close up of the crown and chrono pusher buttons which are all screw down type
Close-up of the regular crown on most modern GS
Close up to show the very fine tolerance fitting of the bracelet to the case. Also note the fine brushed finish of the outer part contrasting with the sandwiched highly polished parts of the bracelet
Sapphire crystal see through back showing the 9R86A Spring Drive movement. Note the Grand Seiko stripes as well as the perlage and anglage done on the bridges, jewels are chamfered, hallmarks of a finely finished movement
The Grand Seiko stripe finish (distinctively different from the Swiss Geneva stripes) and rotor radial brush finish
Close up of the movement showing the chrono column wheel, Grand Seiko stripes, perlage and anglage of the bridges, chamfered jewels
Finally, an i-phone wrist shot taken earlier..
