Reply With Quote
Brilliant piece!!
I love it to bits........... :)
Daddel.
As anyone who knows me on the forum will attest, I am a Seiko nut. Having got that out of the way my Seiko collection comprises mostly of vintage pieces with one or two more modern examples where a particular model catches my eye. There have been many examples of members posting beautiful pictures of their Grand Seiko's over the past year or so and I have been drawn to a few of these models, the SBGR061 with it's beautiful ivory dial or the SBGH001 with it's high-beat 9S85 movement. Of course both have the beautiful blued seconds hands. However the one that really caught my eye was the SBGM023, Grand Seiko's GMT offering, on a bracelet, with it's gorgeous 9S66 movement and blued GMT hand.
As with all Grand Seiko's they don't seem to appear very often on the used market, so I have been keeping an eye on the usual sales forums, rather more in hope than anticipation. Recently there was an SBGM003 that was offered for sale on another forum, and I must admit I was sorely tempted to buy it but in the end I held out because I really wanted this watch on a bracelet as opposed to leather. Another plus is that the SBGM023 also has an updated 9S66 movement although I didn't realise this at the time.
Earlier in the week I spotted Stevens (SIB's) advert for his SBGM023 on SC, about 20 minutes after he posted it. Despite a bad month where I have had a couple of (expensive) domestic disasters I knew I wouldn't be seeing another one come up anytime soon so I contacted him immediately and said I would have it please. After managing to pull the money together it arrived yesterday, and what a beauty it is.
I have some higher end vintage Seiko's, a couple of Lord Matics and a fantastic King Seiko that I bagged from LTF but this GS takes the meaning 'finish' to a whole new level. I'm not one of these people who state this brand is better than that and I certainly wouldn't want to get into any arguments about whether Grand Seiko is better than any other brand. It seems these discussions invariably end up with the Rolex fans bashing the GS fans and vica versa. I can see the beauty of both brands, after all I do own examples from both. However, I can honestly say it is the best finished watch I own. Whilst I don't own any PP's, VC's or anything in that stratosphere I do own some Rolex, Tudor, and Omega whose finish I would have thought would be on a par with GS. I was wrong. Whilst there is nothing wrong with the finish of the aforementioned watches, and they are at a level you would expect to be commensurate with the cost, they are not at the level that my SBGM023 is. Even under close inspection from a x10 loupe I cannot fault anything on the watch, it is amazing from its diamond cut hands to the applied batons to the beautiful silver dial that changes colour to beige depending on the the light. The detailing on the movement is superb, whilst it isn't decorated it is finished to a very, very high standard.
Unfortunately my a) camera and b) photography skills couldn't hope to convey what I have been waxing lyrical about in the above paragraphs. I do apologise but the pictures below are the best I can do!
A beautiful set of drilled lugs, the exception rather than the norm these days. :(
The display back is acid etched with the Grand Seiko logo and lion but I couldn't capture this I'm afraid.
From yesterday when it arrived.
With its leather bound certificate.
The amount of paraphernalia the watch comes with is incredible, the rice paper that the velour box is wrapped in is stunning.
With a couple of its ancestors, a 1972 Lord Matic and a 1967 King Seiko.
To be able to gauge the dimensions here it is with some more familiar pieces.
Can you tell I'm pleased with it? :wink:
Brilliant piece!!
I love it to bits........... :)
Daddel.
Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!
Beautiful Grand Seiko, huge congrats! Maybe one day... :drunken: :)
Nice write up and photos, so glad you're pleased with it :)
Very nice indeed.
That's a really beautiful watch, perfect design and legibility. I am sure the quality when held in the hand is a joy. One day I can see myself wearing one.
Simply superb.
Many congratulations on such a beautiful watch. You're right, it's great to see a watch of this refinement with lug holes, and I'm sure it would look as good on leather. I notice the thread is entitled your "first" GS :wink: what's next?
David
Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations
How on earth did you know I've been drooling over that one Tony? :wink:Originally Posted by learningtofly
I would have thought Carl's '69 vintage that's on SC at the moment ;)
Sound plan! :DHow on earth did you know I've been drooling over that one Tony? :wink:I would have thought Carl's '69 vintage that's on SC at the moment ;)
David
Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations
Black dial and external bezel and I'd be all over that watch!
"A man of little significance"
Fantastic looking watch. I totally missed the ad.
Wear it in good health!
Menno
Wow, beautiful GS. Really like the superb finish on the case and dial.
Simply lovely Duncan.
Really pleased you have realised your GS dream. :D
Mark
very nice indeed, i better not look too long other i might be tempted!
Or this... (pic from hablemosderelojes.com)That'll be a Rolex GMT you want, then :lol:
Fantastic watch. I'm a big Seiko fan and love Grand Seiko.
The black dialled one above is gorgeous too.
Nice, very nice.
I have never owned a VC but I did have a Patek Nautilus and my Grand Seiko SBGA061 has a dial and case that are better finished than the Patek. Not the same, better.
I'm sure the Patek movement was more refined and the Seiko was on leather not bracelet like the Patek (the Patek bracelet was a thing of great loveliness) but when it comes down to the first view of the watch - the dial and case, the GS was manufactured to a higher standard. I don't care if this generates ridicule from those who have never held a GS in the metal but just giving my personal perspective on it. You have a cracking watch there at unbelievable value for money, enjoy it because IMHO the prices of GS are going only one way as they generate more awareness in the West as a luxury alternative (I was in Selfridges last friday and saw GS for sale there, in Selfridges!).
great catch!
I played with it and didn't realize the details of it dial till I got back home and watched the pix I took in GTG.
What a beautiful watch! Everything falls together and it's just right in a zen like way.
Very nice! I think, as ever, you have to handle, closely inspect, and see how the watch appears in dynamic light conditions to really appreciate the quality and finish of a case and dial. Similarly a bracelet can only be appreciated by wearing and feeling. This is extremely difficult with GS.
gorgeous!
Before I started reading and joined TZ, I thought Seiko was a "normal" brand, sold in places like Argos, etc. I had never heard of the Grand Seiko, but it is one really smart piece. I guess others who aren't into watches think the same??
My next watch is definately a Submariner, but who knows after that...........
That's where I first held the SBGH005 and was amazed at the quality. I knew there and then I had to have one.
The SGBH005 is the black dialed high beat model I believe? Post a picture please if you have one, I was seriously split between searching for the SBGH001 and your model. Couldn't make my mind up so decided to look for GMT on a bracelet! Does yours still have the blued seconds hand?That's where I first held the SBGH005 and was amazed at the quality. I knew there and then I had to have one.
I really like that, do you know the model number?Or this... (pic from hablemosderelojes.com)That'll be a Rolex GMT you want, then :lol:
Cheers
Dave
I was also split between the black and white dial. The fact that Jura only had the 005 made up my mind for me :D Some pics:The SGBH005 is the black dialed high beat model I believe? Post a picture please if you have one, I was seriously split between searching for the SBGH001 and your model. Couldn't make my mind up so decided to look for GMT on a bracelet! Does yours still have the blued seconds hand?That's where I first held the SBGH005 and was amazed at the quality. I knew there and then I had to have one.
Just stunning .
a great buy .
Lee
Thanks for posting the pictures - that is a gorgeous watch, the black dial is beautiful. My next GS will have to be a high beat I think. :)
No probs, and congrats on a great watch at an amazing priceThanks for posting the pictures - that is a gorgeous watch, the black dial is beautiful. My next GS will have to be a high beat I think. :)
:D Fantastic things, a GS is a grail but it will be a long time before I could own one.
A truly beautiful piece. Very well done.
Not the best pics but here's a couple of the SBGH001. This is the only reason the GMT was for sale in the first place :D
I can see the attraction Steven, those high beats are gorgeous. I think I need a 001 and a 005! :wink:
I have the SBGM021 GMT - i think essentially the same watch with a croc starp
I like the bracelet for this watch - will have to try and track it down
maybe seiya
Thanks, I think I may be on the lookout for one of those!!SBGM001
Dave
Absolutely beautiful piece! Congratulations.
That's downright gorgeous! 8)
What a wonderful GS. Congrats and good job on holding out for the right one.
Thes GS pictures in this thread are just superb.
One day...
Congrats on the purchase, it really does look wonderful. I've had an SBGX065 for about a year and love it (eventually I'll get around to posting some pics)... next step is either a spring drive or hi-beat.
I love that one! Very nice pictures too.
Congrats!
Posting Permissions
