The Beauty of Grand Seiko

[Yikkie]

sorry i don't have GS, so i wanna double check, is GS using pin in their bracelets?

Both my GS use screws in their bracelets.  Not too sure about the entire range of GS, old and new.  If I am not mistaken, all modern GS with bracelets come with screws.  However, their titanium watches like the Snowflake comes with friction pins as Ti is a softer alloy than Steel.  If Seiko were to use screw threads on their titanium links, it would be easy to strip the thread due to the softer nature of Ti alloy.  Hence, friction pins are used.

[Nobby]

If I remember correctly, mine (circa 2004) ustilised friction pins throughout and used tiny cap screws in the adjustment links.

[Enkidu]

If I remember correctly, mine (circa 2004) ustilised friction pins throughout and used tiny cap screws in the adjustment links.

All 3 of my GS use pins (not much friction in fact) and really really tiny screw caps at both ends of the adjustment links. You need to remove both screw caps on each adjustment link, pushed out the pin with another pin (or fine needle, either of which is not provided by Seiko, sorry) from one end. Be careful not to lose any of the tiny screw caps. No micro adjustments. I think the folks at Seiko have been too busy polishing the watch and simply neglected to make more user friendly bracelets.   

[Yikkie]

If I remember correctly, mine (circa 2004) ustilised friction pins throughout and used tiny cap screws in the adjustment links.

All 3 of my GS use pins (not much friction in fact) and really really tiny screw caps at both ends of the adjustment links. You need to remove both screw caps on each adjustment link, pushed out the pin with another pin (or fine needle, either of which is not provided by Seiko, sorry) from one end. Be careful not to lose any of the tiny screw caps. No micro adjustments. I think the folks at Seiko have been too busy polishing the watch and simply neglected to make more user friendly bracelets.   

That is a more accurate description. It is a combination of screws and pins, which is different from the usual friction pin system that you would need to hammer out to remove the links.  The screw caps are indeed very small and quite fiddly.

[jason_recliner]

Nice pictures, but very average ship yard watch.

Fixed that for you 

[Nobby]

 

[Yikkie]

Nice pictures, but very average ship yard watch.

Fixed that for you 

The ideal shipyard watch would probably be either a Sinn or a Damasko with the hardened steel...or a G-Shock.   . GS will definitely be "very average" or even "below average" if used as a tool watch. 

[Nobby]

Yikkie,

With my ownership summary, I was being ultra-considerate, so as not to create unwarrant upset;

A huge proportion of my time is spent in office environments, albeit at shipyards, but the truth is this. My watches that I most often wear at "work" are Rolex and the breitling I bought to replace the GS.  Both have stood up well to the "challenges" of my work environment, for much longer periods than the GS.

The GS is delicate...too delicate 

[Yikkie]

Yikkie,

With my ownership summary, I was being ultra-considerate, so as not to create unwarrant upset;

A huge proportion of my time is spent in office environments, albeit at shipyards, but the truth is this. My watches that I most often wear at "work" are Rolex and the breitling I bought to replace the GS.  Both have stood up well to the "challenges" of my work environment, for much longer periods than the GS.

The GS is delicate...too delicate 

Thanks for the summary bro.  How could we get upset over your own experience with your watch?  We were just a little concerned initially that you commented that the SBGA105 is a very average watch without giving any reasons.  (Probably not a good idea to post on forums while driving) Your experience with your own watch still does not fully justify your initial statement as they are very different watches although of the same brand.  I understand that you did not have a pleasant experience with the GS you owned and it is indeed a shame that the GS gave you problems.  However, that one watch does not represent all that GS has to offer.

[Nobby]

Yikkie,

I made that clear in my earlier post...I believe I had a bad one and one should not assume that they are all like mine, and I am SURE that mine did not meet the standards one should expect from GS.

I like Grand Seiko! (not loud enough!) I LIKE GRAND SEIKO

My opinion is exactly that...my opinion. As much as I like them, I would not have another one.
My ownership assessment = Average, 5/10, 50%,etc

I am sure, and I truly hope, that your GS watches are much better than the one I had. Enjoy them.

Nobby 

[WHEELQ]

This is a really interesting thread. Kudos to all sifu's exchanges. I was always been intrigued by what are the grand things about another 'Seiko'. Little do i know how wrong i can be...

Let me tell my part of meeting this Grand Seiko in person. Was window shopping with family in Sunway Pyramid. Then, daughter gotta do toilet business so wife followed. Left alone for awhile, i wander into the nearest watch shop (like a routine). Its a general Seiko shop, with the most pricey pieces at the main entrance. Voila!

Looked see around,  no one seems to notice me until i gotta ask a young lady to open up the cabinets. The target was a diver GS, my fav type as I'm a diver myself.  First impression was 'its really light' until it feels cheap... Then i flip it around and its answered my question: full titanium case and bracelet. Its really solid. Got the lady to wound up the watch and remove the plastic.. Well, that's a bad mistake. The details were meticulous!!  Especially how the blued second hands sweeps around the dial.. My heart went ballistic. 

I murmured to my father in law (who happens to wander next to me) on the smooth glide of the hand. The lady responded "Yup, its bcoz it is an automatic watch. Not like your battery watch.' Felt slighted a bit, i asked for a tray to try the watch but she said only one but in use now. More bad feeling (on the salesgirl, not the GS), I promptly remove my rolex sub blue two tone to my father while putting the GS on my wrist. Another mistake.. That's it. I decided i want it. Now.

So badly i almost hand out the cash in my bag but..but... rational minds persists.  My missus will kills me for this reckless move. Its time to plan ahead how to justify this to the home minister.  Been having dreams about this GS lately.

So in fact, there's a mechant in MWF who happens to hav two nice GS for sale. Unfortunately for my part, i prefer the blued version of this snowflake GS which i believe was grabbed by one of the forummer in this thread. Well well.. Will see whether my heart still sings to this. So, the moral is, do not ever ever try a GS (or any other watch) unless u wanna kena poisoned.

[CKL1213]

window shopping for GS few times, but i never dare to try it because i know i will do stupid things.

for the moment, i need to endure, i guess this is delay gratification

[Yikkie]

This is a really interesting thread. Kudos to all sifu's exchanges. I was always been intrigued by what are the grand things about another 'Seiko'. Little do i know how wrong i can be...

Let me tell my part of meeting this Grand Seiko in person. Was window shopping with family in Sunway Pyramid. Then, daughter gotta do toilet business so wife followed. Left alone for awhile, i wander into the nearest watch shop (like a routine). Its a general Seiko shop, with the most pricey pieces at the main entrance. Voila!

Looked see around,  no one seems to notice me until i gotta ask a young lady to open up the cabinets. The target was a diver GS, my fav type as I'm a diver myself.  First impression was 'its really light' until it feels cheap... Then i flip it around and its answered my question: full titanium case and bracelet. Its really solid. Got the lady to wound up the watch and remove the plastic.. Well, that's a bad mistake. The details were meticulous!!  Especially how the blued second hands sweeps around the dial.. My heart went ballistic. 

I murmured to my father in law (who happens to wander next to me) on the smooth glide of the hand. The lady responded "Yup, its bcoz it is an automatic watch. Not like your battery watch.' Felt slighted a bit, i asked for a tray to try the watch but she said only one but in use now. More bad feeling (on the salesgirl, not the GS), I promptly remove my rolex sub blue two tone to my father while putting the GS on my wrist. Another mistake.. That's it. I decided i want it. Now.

So badly i almost hand out the cash in my bag but..but... rational minds persists.  My missus will kills me for this reckless move. Its time to plan ahead how to justify this to the home minister.  Been having dreams about this GS lately.

So in fact, there's a mechant in MWF who happens to hav two nice GS for sale. Unfortunately for my part, i prefer the blued version of this snowflake GS which i believe was grabbed by one of the forummer in this thread. Well well.. Will see whether my heart still sings to this. So, the moral is, do not ever ever try a GS (or any other watch) unless u wanna kena poisoned.

That is great story bro!  Thanks for sharing!  The GS diver is a really nice watch but the Ti version could be polarizing.  Some like the lightness of Ti and some prefers more weight.  I personally find Ti to be overly light and that is the only reason why I haven't pulled the trigger on the Snowflake (and of course the lack of cash).  Having said that, GS polish their Ti like no other and the shine is almost akin to their own Zaratsu polished SS and far superior to any other polished Ti watches I have handled.  The diver also comes with SS but it does not have the gold accents that make the Ti version pop. 

Time to get one bro.  You know you want one.  It will compliment your Sub very nicely.  The Rolex for the brand prestige and the GS to shiok sendiri.   

[Yikkie]

window shopping for GS few times, but i never dare to try it because i know i will do stupid things.

for the moment, i need to endure, i guess this is delay gratification

Hahaha...as they say the journey could be more interesting than the destination.  Time to scratch that itch bro.   

[Nobby]

window shopping for GS few times, but i never dare to try it because i know i will do stupid things.

for the moment, i need to endure, i guess this is delay gratification

Don't do it! 

 

[CKL1213]

Actually eyeing the quartz model, 10 seconds a Year is tempting

[MDF]

I have been poisoned by all the beautiful pics in this forum

[kenji1903]

Actually eyeing the quartz model, 10 seconds a Year is tempting

oh my... the SBGX103

[WHEELQ]

Yup, i concur with bro Yikkee. The titanium can make any watch feels weird. Esp when the fine polishing on GS make the titanium looks like stainless steel. Kinda odds...

Shouldn't hav try on this watch... 

[CKL1213]

GS Quartz owners, does the seconds hand landed spot on, on the minutes markers?

[Enkidu]

GS Quartz owners, does the seconds hand landed spot on, on the minutes markers?

I cannot speak for others, but I'm quite happy with mine. Here are 2 pics with the second hand at almost polar positions.....

[Sacrifies]

Great Shot!!

[Yikkie]

Grand Seiko probably makes the best looking and most accurate Quartz movement in the market.  I mean...look at the thing....

Pretty awesome looking for a quartz movement.  Beveling on the edges and slots for the screws and crystals! 

[CKL1213]

Enkidu, thanks for the pics, it is spot on

I've had Swiss Quartz, to my disappointment, the seconds hand does not land spot on

[dennis.T]

Great story WHEELQ...