Reply With QuoteWhen you're ready to sell, just drop me a PM!
Grand Seiko SBGR061
I love Seiko.
I have to admit, I really love Seiko.
But it wasn’t love at the first sight.
The first was a « sumo » (SBDC001) but this one didn’t left me a huge souvenir.
The second one, the famous SKX007, is much more iconic and is still in my box and we shared a lot of dives together.
It’s impressive how such a cheap one gives me that nice feeling each time I strap it !
Time passed, many watches have been there and gone. Mainly “must haves” indeed. But If I have to admit that brand recognition is a criteria, it is fairly small in weight when choice comes.
Nice reviews and pictures often drive me mad.
That was the case with the MarineMaster 300m (SBDX001) which has been and gone too.
Gone for a couple of Submariners which I found boring like – as we say in French – a day without bread !
…but back as I wanted to upgrade my dive companion a little. Of course, having a SBDX001 makes you have a look at the Grand Seiko line.
And oh damn right I was when I got the SBGH001 “hi-beat” a year ago!
“Eyeblowing” is the right word for every Grand Seiko.
No matter you like it or not, there is something special in the finishing of every part.
This is not an in depth review of the watch or the brand, but my praise to these fantastic timepieces. I was looking for a more classical watch and obviously a Grand Seiko, to be it has!
A lot of people don’t understand how we can put such money into a “Seiko”, nor why buying an expensive watch no one knows. I don’t care because I know… I know how great my choice is, despite the difficulties I’ll have to have it repaired or serviced.
Over the small (37mm) manual winding ones (SBGW031/035), over the GMT ones (SBGM021/023) and over the limited high end ones (SBGW033, SBGH013), I have chosen the simple 3 hands with date SBGR061.
Grand Seiko’s are not easy to render on pictures. You have to try them by yourself in shops to see how they feel.
That’s what I did and my fear of a brownish dial vanished.
The box, with all you can expect into it. You don’t pay extra for a wooden big one.
Some pictures of the lacquered cream dial. It’s silly to think that a GS is more or less like a entry level Seiko automatic with a better movement.
Everything is sharp and fantastic. Changing colored dial, highly polished indexes, blued second hand or grey powder date disk.
And last but not least, the BEST hands I’ve ever seen on a watch. Period.
The movement is the 9S65 which has 72 hours of power reserve and all great Seiko engineering into it.
I don’t master the techniques of watches so I won’t say more. It’s not that beautiful but it’s seriously made.
Notice the +5/-3 seconds a day setting which is Grand Seiko kind of COSC.
...well mine looks to run a little faster. The SBGH001 was on +2s/day after 3 years.
The beautiful hand polished case: 39,5mm wide (excl. crown) and 13,1mm thick.
Nice domed sapphire which reminds the vintage classic watches and a non-screwed crown.
It’s not that thin, neither thick, but It feels “there” on the wrist and I like it.
The strap is a brown/redish big square alligator mounted on a beautiful deployant clasp.
If you don’t want to use this clasp but rather a tang buckle, don’t buy another one: it’s in!
The tang buckle can be mounted out of the deployant. Great idea.
Hope you enjoyed those pictures. But please: don’t buy a Grand Seiko. I’m proud to be one of the small number of lucky guys who have one :)
And I must admit; I miss the hi-beat sometimes....
When you're ready to sell, just drop me a PM!
Ignore those ''it's just a Seiko'' stories.
A truly magnificent timepiece, congrats!
Great right up and stunning watch, i think the strap suits it perfectly.
Enjoy!
Great photo's. quality of the piece really shines through - good catch
Beautiful watch. I agree with you on the hands, wonderful.
Thank you.That was a great review.Your enthusiasm around Seiko certainly came across.
Excellent review, nice photos, great watch.
Thank you.
Although no trees were harmed during the creation of this post, a large number of electrons were greatly inconvenienced.
Thanks for your comments.
That's a great watch, a little on the thick side which is also good for casual wear.
I don't wear it much as I would and sometimes I regret the SBGH001 for its case and bracelet.
I would have kept the SBGH001 if the lugs were a bit shorter in order to install a strap.
Looks absolutely fantastic, in particular the blue second hand makes it stand out whilst still being very dressy. Good choice and nice review.
Excellent review, thanks :-)
Just read this one, have been away from the site for a while. Lovely review, and of course, a fantastic watch.
Je suis désolé, mais...But please: don’t buy a Grand Seiko. I’m proud to be one of the small number of lucky guys who have one :)
Paul
Amazing piece.
A Grand Seiko is on my list of future purchases.
Great review!
That's a gorgeous piece. Good photos.
Beautiful watch and great pictures!
The Grand Seiko's are lovely-the Titanium divers spring drive is a long-term Grail.
The Grand Seiko cream color is imo even more special than the awesome snowflake. Whereas the latter is spectacularly textured, the former is 'just' plain painted. Yet it has an almost chameleonic property changing the shade of cream from beige to white depending on the light conditions.
The contrast between dial and hands/markers is something archetypically GS and I find it comes even more to life on the no date dial.
Regardless of the name on the dial it's one of the most beautiful watches I've ever seen. And I don't think 13.1mm is especially thick for a dress watch, especially if that's the measurement to the top of the domed crystal.
great looking watch so classy looking and a great change from all the normal stuff you see
the face colour and strap work really well just class.
Great review! Learnt a thing or two about the Grand Seiko today. Big power reserve that..
A very handsome watch and an interesting review. Nice work
Beautiful watch and and a nice review. Thanks for sharing.
Phil
Great choice and fantastic photos, thanks for sharing, definitely on the "must have list" when funds permit.
Did you buy it new or second hand?
I think I would go for a white faced version, but otherwise can't see much fault in that
Thanks for the review and pictures...and congratulations
Stunning watch! The hands & markers are just wonderful - sharp & clean. Enjoy it :)
Thanks for your comments.
I recently sold it to fund another one.
I am more of a sport watches guy and regret selling the SBGH001 more than this one.
But this mini-Patek is definitely a fantastic watch, and even more for this price (around 3000€).
Grand Seiko is definately up there in the top when talking quality
Great review always been interested in the GS.
A very attractive piece indeed.
Perhaps one day.......
Beautiful watches
I am also deciding between this one and the 001. Truly beautiful watches!Originally Posted by Gargamel
Perfect in every way. I have the SBGH005 and its not going anywhere
Great photos and awesome watch, thanks for sharing.
Thank you for share us the Pictuers, you have do really nice pictueres
Beautiful - such clean, precisely made watches - almost Germanic (with a bit of oriental soul!). I was very tempted to buy a Snowflake but, as you commented, servicing/repairs looks to be an issue: also very few outlets in the UK and I have yet to find one to see in the metal (comme on dit).
Love GS watches, the details are just amazing.
The watch is simply stunning. I regret selling my MM300, but since having it a GS has been put squarely in my sights as a grail watch. I was toying with a second hand Patek Philippe Aquanaut, (automatic), but that would take me quite some time to save up for, and in all honesty I would prefer a GS. It's a watch you buy for yourself. Most people will think you are 'just wearing a Seiko'. Little do they know .... :o)
No issues with service as Seiko UK in Maidenhead will look after everything for you.
Picked one of these up from our very own steppy recently after reading this review over and over and wow what a watch. I can't stop looking at it, it's a real beauty. Thanks for the review and for making me poorer, this place is so dangerous....but amazing.
Love the mirror effect zaratsu polishing gives...
Its those polished sword/dauphine hands, a work of art
I like GS, beautiful watch, nice photos
I've the quartz version and love the size and feel but the lack of micro adjustment is proving a niggle with my slim wrist and desire to have an exacting feel of fit. A GS leather strap might be the answer but I bought it to wear on the bracelet which in itself is fabulous....
SBGR061 is a true beauty !!!!
You're welcome :)
This one left a year ago but I miss those dauphine hands so much!
Very nice watch! I wish for a diver GS with Spring Drive, those to me look even more amazing.
Very classy! A GS is something I've always wanted.
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