Grand Seiko Arrival - modem killer - GS Diver NATO pics pg 4

[Jay]

4 days from Japan to UK :shock: and with help from the wonderful Katsu-san over at http://www.higuchi-inc.com a package arrives



What's inside?

My new Grand Seiko arrival.....albeit a GS Rubber Strap :D 8)



Now as far as rubber straps go this is pretty darn 8) , the finishing on the buckle is superb, the rubber whilst feeling very tough is surprisingly pliable and comfortable. (Pics on the watch at the end of the post for those that don't want to look at the strap on it's own!)







GS logo on the tail



Brushed and polished buckle - which will match my GS





On the watch it sits perfectly and the ridges on the inside make the strap 'click' into place.....if that makes sense :?

And so to the pics of it on the watch. I love my GS and decided that it deserved a new strap to make a change from the bracelet. It wasn't cheap :shock: but then the best deserve the best eh.





















Can't believe i didn't notice the damn bezel wasn't aligned :evil:

Thanks for looking :)

Nato pics added for a comparison :P

[Pamplona]

Looks great...

There are other websites if rubber excites you that much though!

[PeterM]

Velly nice :D Looks good on the rubber too.

Am wearing my GS as I type in fact!

Don't worry about the misaligned bezel - we have all done that I'm sure

[Rumex]

That looks great.

Although I'd be tempted to take some scissors to that rubber strap and get rid of the overhanging tail :)

[JCJM]

Hi Jay,

glad to see your are still enjoying the ***** killer :twisted:

I bet it is comfy. However I feel that the straps design does not meet that of the head though this is hard to say based on 2 dim pics alone.

Bottom line is that you like it :)

[rfrazier]

That's a snazzy watch. I generally like the Grand Seikos. This is the first "sports" one I've seen. And they carry it off well.

Best wishes,
Bob

[Jay]

Thanks for the comments :)

Rumex- there will be no trimming of this strap :lol: although i would agree that i'd prefer a slightly shorter tail.

Hi Jay,

glad to see your are still enjoying the ***** killer :twisted:

I bet it is comfy. However I feel that the straps design does not meet that of the head though this is hard to say based on 2 dim pics alone.

Bottom line is that you like it :)

I'm not entering the ***** killer debate :lol: But yes, i'm still loving this watch. It is certainly comfortable, fantastically so.

I have a flat vent seiko rubber, a maratac and a few others that i'll be trying out tomorrow when i have some time. I'll put some more pics up then to compare the design and how they suit the watch and see what you reckon.....but yes, i like this combo :D :)

[Jay]

That's a snazzy watch. I generally like the Grand Seikos. This is the first "sports" one I've seen. And they carry it off well.

Best wishes,
Bob

Thanks Bob. There are a couple of sportier Grand Seiko's, i think just this and the GMT, but i have to say this i my favourite! It find the spring drive movement mesmerising as well :)

[Rennug]

The strap looks great. I've not seen that watch before. I like it......alot.

[seikomatic]

very fierceful rubber..........

[thorpey69]

I really like that,what is the width?,need to find a replacement for the bracelet on my mm300,this could be it 8)

[Dibetu]

Very nice enjoy! Love the ultra luxury diver rubber strap combo :lol:

[redmond]

great watch, but that strap just looks far to modern for it.

[Daddelvirks]

What a good looking piece!
Another Seiko I'd put around my wrist in an instant.

Cheers,

Daddel.

[andy tims]

Great looking strap on a cracking watch.

Care to say how much the strap was?

[angeche]

That rubber strap shouts QUALITY! Very good looking watch and a fine strap for it. Well done!

[Seamus]

That's a cracking watch looks really good on the rubber.

Have you tried the usual seiko rubber straps, and if so is this better/more pliable than those?

[Doug86]

What model is that watch out of interest? I have been searching around with no joy as yet!

That strap looks very nice. Its a bold design but works really well :D

[Jay]

Cheers again for all the kind comments.

I really like that,what is the width?,need to find a replacement for the bracelet on my mm300,this could be it 8)

It's 22mm so unfortunately unless you notch it it won't fit the mm300.

Great looking strap on a cracking watch.

Care to say how much the strap was?

No problem, the exchange rate hasn't hit the bill yet but i'm reckoning it will convert between £125 - £150.

[Jay]

That's a cracking watch looks really good on the rubber.

Have you tried the usual seiko rubber straps, and if so is this better/more pliable than those?

Hi Seamus,

I have the flat vent z22 which i will be fitting tomorrow as a comparison. It doesn't look as high quality but will post up proper thoughts as to how it fits and looks and feels once i've tried it on the GS.

[Jay]

What model is that watch out of interest? I have been searching around with no joy as yet!

That strap looks very nice. Its a bold design but works really well :D

Doug, it's a Grand Seiko Diver 200m, titanium with Seiko ref SBGA031. You can find previous posts of mine about it here, viewtopic.php?f=1&t=82464&hilit=+gs and here viewtopic.php?f=1&t=88593&hilit=+gs and more info over at Seiya http://www.seiyajapan.com/c=Mr3gIRYc0g9 ... GA031.html

[abraxas]

.
I don’t like it. Too … busy. Ok if you live on a boat, otherwise too teenagery. I prefer flat vents.

By the way, that’s my second favourite watch in the whole world. :wink:

john

[wiesn089]

Stunning watch, though I think it looks better on the bracelet. Well, I'm more of a desk diver, I suppose ;)

[boddah]

Cracking combo 8)

[Jay]

.
I don’t like it. Too … busy. Ok if you live on a boat, otherwise too teenagery. I prefer flat vents.

By the way, that’s my second favourite watch in the whole world. :wink:

john

:( I was waiting for your comment John, but I thought it would be a combination that you would like :? having read your posts about the flat vents and the GS diver. Goes to show how individual taste is and how little i know! Glad you still like the watch though :)

I actually thought it was a fairly simple strap :D

More strap options, flat vent in particular, going to be tried on the watch tomorrow.

One thing i noticed again with the bracelet off, is how much the titanium finish looks like steel. I don't know, but would be very interested in the mechanics, of the process Seiko use to achieve the mirror like finish to the ti.

The other thing was how difficult and yet also easy it was to take the bracelet off. The end links finish so well and tight up to the case and not wanting to mark the watch in any way i've found it near enough impossible to take the bracelet off. In fact it's taken 6 months! Then today, quiet and settled i found out the easy way - applying the pressure in the right direction once the pin has been pushed in. It sounds easy, but it seems there is only one angle to do it at!

[Karl]

my favorite watch 8) 8) 8) wow!

rubber looks spot on Jay 8)

[sharkfin]

Wow, congrats, thats the sweetest GS I've seen.
This is now my new grail.

Thanks for the pics.
Dave

[abraxas]

I want to like it. I really do, but I can’t. It gives me the same feeling as the Hirsch Extreme.

Look, my final word is that if you are going to wear it on rubber, then that rubber it would have to be. Anything else would be sacrilegious. It was made for the watch and the quality looks excellent.

This chap here has tried it on some rubber:
http://mollewatch.webgain.se/informatio ... upId=12336

When I have that watch I would wear it on a Nato. The contrast is just too fabulous for words:
http://mollewatch.webgain.se/upload/mol ... nato_1.jpg



Another interesting combo might be to use the strap parts of the Seiko Bund, and transfer the GS buckle over. If it didn’t have the word “Grand” on it I would have been prepared to pay the price of the strap just for the buckle. That buckle definitely has future.



john

[abraxas]

…

One thing i noticed again with the bracelet off, is how much the titanium finish looks like steel. I don't know, but would be very interested in the mechanics, of the process Seiko use to achieve the mirror like finish to the ti.

On the Ti hardening process this is what I found (not from Seiko):

Surface-hardened titanium material, surface hardening method of titanium material, watchcase decoration …

The invention provides a method of surface hardening a titanium material wherein titanium-aluminium alloy powders or aluminium oxide powders are brought into contact with the surface of the titanium material, and a heat treatment is applied thereto, causing aluminium contained in the powders to be diffused in the surface of the titanium material so that intermetallic compounds such as Ti3 Al, TiAl, and the like are formed immediately underneath the surface of the titanium material, thereby enhancing surface hardness without causing surface exfoliation. The invention also provides a surface-hardened titanium-base material, and decorative articles and watchcases, composed of the surface-hardened titanium-base material, which are substantially impervious to scratches, and not prone to cause metallic allergy.

As for the insane finish Seiko use a process called Sallaz:
http://www.seiko-watch.co.jp/p_design/e ... allaz.html
http://www.seiko-watch.co.jp/p_design/e ... /2006.html

john

[docrwm]

Killer combination. Thanks for the detailed review and photos of the strap. Hadn't seen that GS option before and its great to learn about it- thanks.

[RTH]

http://www.seiko-watch.co.jp/p_design/e ... allaz.html


john

Pardon my ignorance, but what watch is illustrated on that page? It looks amazing apart from the strap.

[Parabola]

Uber 8)

[abraxas]

http://www.seiko-watch.co.jp/p_design/e ... allaz.html


john

Pardon my ignorance, but what watch is illustrated on that page? It looks amazing apart from the strap.

A little bit more here:
http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2008/01/15/s ... -released/



Apparently Sallaz is the English for Zaratsu
http://chinowatch.jp/archives/51120812.html

john

[spogehead]

Looks very smart on the strap, which looks like a work of art in itself, way 8)

[Jay]

John, thank you for the all the links on the processes - you came up trumps again :) Much appreciated.

I'm really interested in the bund, i think you are right and that it could look very good - definitely worth further investigation.

I think it's funny you posted about the hirsch.... as you can see it's one of the straps i already have to try :lol:

[hharry]

I don't like the watch :roll: GS should stay away from divers. Like the strap though.

[Hammerhead]

Looks fabola! Proper beefy :)

[Steve1970]

Simply stunning watch - me wants

[mihaixp]

It's gorgeous watch on a strap that matches it very well.
Congrats for both! :shock:

[Barracuda]

I would call that GODZILLA :P great !!!

[Stanford]

I don't know how I've missed this post until today :?
Anyway, it is a suitably impressive strap for an equally impressive watch :)

[Karl]

:shock: i read some odd and crazy babble on here, some of it from myself but WTF ! seiko should stay away from divers! Behave.

I don't like the watch :roll: GS should stay away from divers. Like the strap though.

[dutchgray]

:D Lovely GS, I like the rubbers modern design, nice to see something different.

[Tony]

The SBGA031is just a stunning watch and the strap is fantastic, too.

[Xantiagib]

GS eye candy.... keep it coming...

[zenmonk]

People can anyone explain to me the following
1. What is a Grand Seiko?
2. Why is it different to regular Seiko
3. What are the prices on the watch here?
4. What is Spring drive
5. Why are some Seikos only available in Asia
6. Can they be sourced in Europe through asian dealers
7. What is Daishock
8. What is Seiko Credor?
9. Are the orange/black or tuna divers available in ADs?

Any help appreciated

[Jay]

Zenmonk - it might be worth posting a brand new thread with these questions to get specific answers and the search function will answer all - but very briefly as one could go into huge detail:

1. Grand Seiko are one of the top line of all Seiko watches, with only Credor being higher.
2. Amongst others the materials, quality and finishing are on a completely different level. Only a very limited number of Seiko's top watchmakers work on the movement.
3. Retail price is circa 700,000 Yen. http://www.seiyajapan.com/product/S-SBG ... GA031.html
4. A type of movement. See forum member Abraxas' fantastic detailed postings regarding the movement - search again is a good friend :) .
5. Only Seiko can truly answer that question! Apparently they have announced that they will be extending the availability of some Japanese market only watches around the world.
6. Some online dealers can help you such as Seiya and Higuchi get Asian market Seiko. There are european boutiques in Paris and Amsterdam with more to possibly come.
7. It's Seikos shock protection method. Aims to protect parts of the movement against sudden shocks such as dropping the watch.
8. The top end of Seiko full stop.
9. Not in european AD's as far as i'm aware.

[Jay]

:shock: i read some odd and crazy babble on here, some of it from myself but WTF ! seiko should stay away from divers! Behave.

I don't like the watch :roll: GS should stay away from divers. Like the strap though.

:lol: I thought the same.

[markrlondon]

5. Why are some Seikos only available in Asia

Orient (a Seiko subsidiary) do the same, as do Citizen.

My impression is that they think we westerners won't understand or appreciate their best designs. I guess that the existence of the likes of Seiya, Higuchi and Chino Watch proves that there is western demand for their domestic market products.

[Jay]

And the sun's out, day off, Nato pics added for you John :D





You know what, you were right John, it's absolutely fanatstic on the black nato, probably my favourite combination so far.

I LOVE this watch :lol: