Grand Seiko vs Rolex Explorer I (39mm)

[NAVY]

I agree
I don't think GS are trying to compete with anybody. They produce a very low volume of watches each year and are still around.

Originally Posted by ecsub44

If they've been around for 53 years, I'd guess they're doing well and are quite profitable.

[kmleffler]

I currently own both a GS SD GMT and a Rolex GMTIIC and in my opinion the GS is a better made and finished watch.

[schwantz1]

Originally Posted by DJJon

The SBGA001 "Snowflake" Grand Seiko is THE GS to own if you want a non-GMT Dress Watch. Discounted you can probably get it in the $6K range.

I would positively love to own this reference.

It's a Spring Drive that positively stops the wearer dead in his tracks when he glances at the dial.

I saw this very watch at Henne in Pittsburgh not too long ago. Nice people there, the whole Shadyside section is awesome too. They had some nice pre-owned Rolexes on display but away from the new stock.

Good luck, that is one heckuva watch if you can swing it.

Actually I bought the sbga011 from Hennes last December. Spectacular timepiece and I was treated very fairly there. It gets at least as much wrist time as the Rolexes.

[powerfunk]

9 pages strong...clearly we need a Grand Seiko subforum.

[kymwatchlog]

Every brand has its following and fans. Doesn't make one superior of another. We all hav our own value system.

[adt]

I love my hi-beat. Would chose this over an exp1 anyday.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

[Roll the Lex]

Originally Posted by adt

I love my hi-beat. Would chose this over an exp1 anyday.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

Great watch!
I was looking at this watch as well, but I love the design of the EXP I.
But I do love that blue second hand.

Did you buy it from an AD or one of the online stores- i.e. seiya?

[CKL1213]

I love my Explorer

[adt]

Originally Posted by CKL1213

I love my Explorer

Very nice!

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

[adt]

Originally Posted by Roll the Lex

Great watch!
I was looking at this watch as well, but I love the design of the EXP I.
But I do love that blue second hand.

Did you buy it from an AD or one of the online stores- i.e. seiya?

Thanks. I got it from Seiya.


Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

[CKL1213]

Originally Posted by adt

Very nice!

Thanks, Hi Beat is stunning

[Ozzyhavana]

Originally Posted by CKL1213

Seiko in Asia is like a Toyota (affordable & reliable) nothing more.

Grand Seiko has little presence at the moment.

Seiko is already making good money from their "pedestrian line"

The Hi beat is a stunning watch, I put mine on a strap looks kind of vintage.

[ninotcs]

Originally Posted by schwantz1

Actually I bought the sbga011 from Hennes last December. Spectacular timepiece and I was treated very fairly there. It gets at least as much wrist time as the Rolexes.

That is the AD i'm dealing with.

[ninotcs]

Originally Posted by CKL1213

well guys, as much as fun we are debating and exchanging thoughts on Rolex & Grand Seiko, just to update you that:

the OP chose Explorer.

page 2, post #50


now is page 8 and going strong

I chose the Explorer and I am very happy. I chose it more for minimalist classic yet sporty look, no PCLs, etc.

It was a tough decision. HOWEVER, Grand Seiko line is SPECTACULAR. If you get a chance, go see it, play around with it. You will be impressed.

Quality is there, complexity is there, design is superb, craftmenship is there. It comes down to which sings better.

[Ozzyhavana]

Another.

[CKL1213]

Grand Seiko definitely will be my future endeavors

[CKL1213]

Originally Posted by ninotcs

I chose the Explorer and I am very happy.

congrats and remember to post photos, this is your thread

[Billywiz]

Originally Posted by CKL1213

I love my Explorer

For me its just no contest...looking t the wrist shots...this explorer is in a different ass imho...its a beauty!

[Billywiz]

Originally Posted by landroverking

Got to love all the low number posters coming in on this thread.

Constructive post drawing on all you experience I guess...We'll get there.

[Kobayashi]

Originally Posted by Billywiz

this explorer is in a different ass imho

And who's would that be in :).

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Great photos in this thread.

[Billywiz]

Originally Posted by Kobayashi

And who's would that be in :).

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Great photos in this thread.

HA!...Sorry folks typo...thanks for the good laugh Kobayashi...that really did make me LOL!

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I'd buy a used GS over a new ExpI any day.

Yup, so would I.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by MrLee

Ok so you have proved me right, I didn't say all GS's were quartz, I said the brand was synonymous with quartz which is true. You mention the oysterquartz but as I had already said in a previous post I have nothing against quartz per say, and I'm fully aware that even patek make quartz watches, the difference is we are comparing a hybrid watch vs a mechanical watch, I personally have more respect movement wise for the purely mechanical watch.

It's also quite funny that you highlighted in bold a section where I didn't say every GS was quartz, I said the heritage of seiko was quartz watches, funny, heritage does not equal all!

Here are a couple of other relevant points relating to Seiko's development as a major player with mechanical movements for 80 plus years.And a lot longer than any what any quartz watch has been around,but the invention of the quartz wrist watch it was by Seiko in 1969 the Seiko 35SQ Astron, was introduced first to the Japanese market on Christmas Day1969 and costing 450,000 yen ($1,250) in today's money equivalent £11000 around $17000

In 1969 Seiko produced the world's first automatic column-wheel chronograph, beating both the Breitling-led development group and Zenith-Movado to market. These chronographs were very popular with American airmen and other military units, as were the Diver watches. Sold under the Speed Timer and Seiko 5 Sports Chrono names -- among others -- they featured one or two sub dials, and had day and date guichet displays. It is these watches, the Seiko 5s, Divers and chronographs, when brought back by US servicemen serving in Vietnam, that finally introduced Seiko to the US consumer in a big way.

And it's almost impossible to find any detail about the last Observatory Chronometer competitions held in Neuchatel from 1967 -71, probably because Seiko destroyed the Swiss, and the competitions were never held again. Girard-Perregaux won the competition with a specially constructed one off movement in 1967, and Seiko came second with a standard straight of production Grand Seiko, but won all years after till it was stopped.

In 1971 observatory competitions in Neuchâtel were suspended indefinitely after a petition and then the threat of boycott by several prestigious Swiss wristwatch manufacturers, because Seiko had begun to dominate the results, winning two years in succession. It wasn't the arrival of quartz which brought mechanical accuracy competitions in Switzerland to an end, but IMHO losing a fair fight to Seiko from Japan.

For better or worse IMO, Seiko's are pretty rugged watches, The "Kalashnikov's of the watch world".But the King Seiko","Grand Seiko", and "Seiko Credor range are in a totaly different ball park ,so do not be blinkered by a name there is a place for them in WISdom.

The well-known workhorse Citizen Miyota movement is worthy of a mention,and
I would rate them on par with the Seiko high street range,with a reputation for very long life without servicing, and extremely robust. They can also be manually wound which is irritatingly absent in some Seiko movements like the 7S26, and can with a bit of patience can be regulated to COSC standards but there again so can most others today.

[adt]

Fantastic bit of history on Seiko there Padi

[bhall41]

I don't frankly see either watch as being better or in competition with the other. The Explorer I is a fine watch, with a fantastic heritage. GSs are interesting watches with top-notch finish. They are outstanding value for money. I have previously owned a GS and would consider buying another one, in the future. I also love Rolex, and currently own two models. Live and let live I say!

[padi56]

Just a few of the watch brand names of Seiko

The many names of Seiko.
Seiko.
Alba.
Lorus.
Pulsar.
J.Srings.
Gererally High End Seiko Model and Seiko registered names.
Grand Seiko.
King Seiko.
Bightz Japan only.
Credor.
Spring Drive.
Prospex.
kinetic.
Rivoli.
Sporture.
Vivace.
Alpinist.
The New Alba Models.
Wired.
Epsiton.
Roox.
Sirus.
Seiko that have there finger in the pie as to speak.
Anna Sui.
Tsumori Chisato.
Nooka.
Agnes B.
Appletime.
Issey Miyake.
Riki Watanabe.
Alessi.
Cacharel.

Below my oldest Seiko from 1943 still running fine but case showing signs of wear as then quality metal was in short supply quite a large watch for that time about 38mm. And no its not a dial copied from Rolex its just like the dials from perhaps 100s of mechanical brands watches from this time period.

[George Ab]

I really like my GS.

[adt]

Originally Posted by George Ab

I really like my GS.

Nice!

How does this wear? It is really chunky at 43mm?

[Sperry]

GS had some great designs a few years back but they changed their lineup about 4-5- years ago.
Yes, the watches are a little less expensive now, but I'm not as enamored as I once was.

[tinger]

Probably should start a new thread, but this one has so much traction..
From one of my favorite reviewer-
http://www.timezone.com/2013/06/17/t...james-dowling/
What I like about this review is that Mr Dowling points out the details/finish that a noob like me wont notice.