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11 June 2013, 10:57 PM | #1 |
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Grand Seiko vs Rolex Explorer I (39mm)
I know it's not a Rolex, but I was wondering how many of you are considering
taking a plunge on Grand Seiko, now that's coming to the U.S. I was set to get an Exp I (39mm) from AD (great deal, 20% of sticker) and when i saw grand seiko SBGA001 at the same AD, i was stunned. What an amazing piece of art. It's the same price range as Rolex Exp I, but based on the looks, movement, finishes, dial/hands, it puts Explorer I to shame in my opinion. So now I'm torn. What are you guys thoughts? |
11 June 2013, 11:03 PM | #2 |
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If in your opinion the Grand Seiko puts the Rolex Explorer to shame, by all means, buy one.
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11 June 2013, 11:04 PM | #3 |
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I'd buy a used GS over a new ExpI any day.
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12 June 2013, 08:12 AM | #4 |
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18 June 2013, 04:56 PM | #5 |
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18 June 2013, 05:06 PM | #6 |
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Fantastic bit of history on Seiko there Padi
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11 June 2013, 11:14 PM | #7 |
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I am probably looking at this different than most, but I could never see myself spending Rolex money on a Seiko. Its not that they are not nice watches, it is that they also make <$100 watches. That would be like Kia making a $100k car to compete with the S Class. Unless it is A LOT nicer and I planned on enjoying it for awhile, I wouldn't do it.
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11 June 2013, 11:36 PM | #8 |
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11 June 2013, 11:43 PM | #9 | |
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ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder |
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12 June 2013, 12:50 AM | #10 | |
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your car analogy is a bit off. think of it is as: * fiat making ferrari,one company can make different ranges of products. the key is to find the "apples" from each company and to compare them. anyway, despite all that, i would go with the explorer in this case, as i prefer its look and history to the GS's. |
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12 June 2013, 01:24 AM | #11 | |||
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I am all for buying a high quality product at the best price (value) but if I am going to spend money on a luxury item, I would be lying if I said I didn't appreciate a little exclusivity to the name. Yes, I know that Rolex mass produces watches, but they are still not something you see out and about on a daily basis at least not where I am from. I don't brag about my watches, I don't show them off, but I do get a smile knowing that I am not going to see 20 rolex watches when I got out to dinner. I knew my opinion would not be a popular one. I think the GS is a gorgeous watch, I would just look at other watches before it at that price point. |
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14 June 2013, 12:15 AM | #12 | |
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But that goes on to my point, which [I think] 69mach351 was making and one I made in the GS thread: people are brand conscious. Most, but not all, people have a hard time paying Rolex money for a Seiko because its branded as a Seiko. If Swatch rebranded Breguet, or any of their other brands, as a Swatch, their sales would drop 90%+ because people will pay top dollar for the Breguet that heads of state and royalty wear but they won't for a "Swatch" that is synonymous with inexpensive plastic watches. |
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12 June 2013, 04:30 AM | #13 | |
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16 June 2013, 08:04 PM | #14 | |
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11 June 2013, 11:32 PM | #15 |
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Seiko makes watches that are comparable to Rolex watches, so there's no reason they shouldn't charge Rolex prices for their Grand Seiko line.
People often talk about having a Rolex that flies under the radar. The Grand Seiko truly does fly under the radar.
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11 June 2013, 11:41 PM | #16 |
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I have read a lot about the GS models and finally got the chance to see the line in person at Basel this year, their Minute Repeater is pretty nice... With that said I would stick with the iconic Explorer in this scenario... Good luck!
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12 June 2013, 12:07 AM | #17 |
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Quality of an item should be the most important factor regardless of stereotypes.....
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12 June 2013, 12:14 AM | #18 |
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I know we all should appreciate Grand Seiko's but I just don't find the design that appealing, certainly not enough to part with my money. An Explorer at 20% off on the other hand... |
12 June 2013, 01:01 AM | #19 | |
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This would be my 3rd watch from the AD in 2 years, so he offered me 20% discount (but he told me he can do that because its an old stock, when they were $6,200 MSRP last year). |
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14 June 2013, 01:40 PM | #20 |
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Damn this makes me want an explorer
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12 June 2013, 01:02 AM | #21 |
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I would rather have the Grand Seiko all day long.
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12 June 2013, 01:05 AM | #22 |
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The SBGA001 is a spring drive which can be bought from Seiya @ $4300 (prob less from competing sellers).
The exp1 with a 20% is around $5250ish. Our favorite youtube reveiwer Paul Pluta sums it up best for these type of comparisons. 'A watch is not just a thing to tell time, its a status symbol..' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wl3K2XXmDQ (1:15mark) :) |
12 June 2013, 01:12 AM | #23 |
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I would rather have the Explorer, especially at 20% off.
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12 June 2013, 02:23 AM | #24 |
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An AD by my house in north DFW has GS and GS Spring Drives in stock and I even tried some on the other day.
I used to owned a Spring Drive but this was my first time seeing Grand Seikos in person. They were absolutely amazing in real life and I almost bought this one. Bad photos in bad lighting just don't do it justice. Back to the original question, I would pick a GS over an EXP I but I would not pick a GS Diver over a Sub. Not because of the name or the build quality (which is as good or better) but because I simply like the Sub styling better. The shop owner/salesperson was wearing a GS diver.
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12 June 2013, 02:32 AM | #25 |
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14 June 2013, 03:59 PM | #26 |
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An AD by my house in north DFW has GS and GS Spring Drives in stock and I even tried some on the other day.
I used to owned a Spring Drive but this was my first time seeing Grand Seikos in person. They were absolutely amazing in real life and I almost bought this one. Bad photos in bad lighting just don't do it justice. Love this one! How much it? |
14 June 2013, 04:03 PM | #27 | |
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12 June 2013, 06:24 AM | #28 |
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that GS on the nato strap looks outstanding!
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12 June 2013, 06:31 AM | #29 |
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The owner/salesperson of that small shop is a real WIS.
The place is the size of a master bedroom and it looks like a library. It's pretty awesome! I know of no other place in Dallas (this is technically Frisco) that carries Grand Seiko and Muhle Glashutte.
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12 June 2013, 09:06 AM | #30 |
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