GS 8 Days

[tom2517]

This review is long overdue (especially now seeing Ken has also ventured into GS), as I think I am the only one in this forum who has this watch, Grand Seiko 8 Days SBGD001 (now renamed to SBGD201 with GS logo on top). I bought it as soon as it came out in Taiwan but was told they already sold two, so I am not the only crazy one.

On to the watch. First of all this is a big watch (for a dress watch), it’s even bigger than the Rolex DD 2 which Rolex realized it was too big and came out with DD 40.

The entire case is mirror polished and has many angles, an impressive case if you don’t mind the size. GS likes to promote their special polished cases are distortion free, well, what does that mean? Below has an example.

The alligator or crocodile leather band it came with is very stiff and very thick, I would guess to compliment the size of case, and the buckle is a platinum deployant buckle.

The diamond dust dial is great to look it, frost finish with sparkles. When I had dinner with Stephen Forsey about a couple of months ago I was told the frost finish on GF are done with special wire brush, I am not so sure how GS does theirs. Online I found some info that said the dial was soft pressed, layer plated, hand painted, and burnished. Regardless of how it was done, it’s a special dial.

Many complained the movement is boring, that the bridge plate is way too big and GS should have shown more parts. GS’s reason was they needed the big plate to stabilize the movement, whatever the reason the plate dominant the movement. However it is still finished at the highest standard. For me I would put Seiko’s Micro Artist Studio (which made this watch) and GF as the top tier in terms of just finishing, nobody else does beveling and counter sink polishing like these two, except some indies. You really need a loupe to appreciate the watches coming out of the MAS, even the underside of the screws are mirror polished according to deployant.com. No watch at this price range has finishing like this (except its brother Credor Eichi II), even watches that cost multiple times more.

But in a way it made sense, Japanese watches have to offer more value. When Toyota created the Lexus division, the first car LS400’s goal was to offer Mercedes S class luxury but at E class pricing, otherwise why would anyone buy it?

Still, a GS at 50k+ it’s certainly for a few people only. I wouldn’t say I am a diehard GS fan as this is the only GS that I have. I would say I buy watches that I find interesting, as some might know I also have (god forbid) Bamford and Tempus Machina Rolexes, Hermes enamel watches, De Bethune and Urwerk 210 (though both DB28 and Urwerk are now gone). The quality of this watch is exceptional but I do wish it was smaller, sized like a DD 40 would have been perfect.

[SSCosmo]

Nice review and beautiful watch! So you're one of the few people that got this watch in Taiwan - the sales person I know at the main Seiko boutique in Taipei told me there were a few. Just curious - you mentioned the Eichi II. If you had to pick between this watch and the Eichi II, which one would you choose?

[Ichiran]

Good review and congrats for owning this extraordinary timepiece!

I remember there were articles from Hodinkee and Fratello when this watch was released, and one of the first things that piqued my interest was the price of the watch. I thought it was a lot of money for a GS, but I also read about the hand-crafting by the micro artist studio, who are the same team that hand-crafts the Eichi II and the Credor pieces too. Now, I'm a big fan of simple, elegant and well-balanced dial and this one looks great from the photos. I'm sure all the detailing and finishes are exemplary under the loupe, given the attention to details from these Japanese craftsmen.

I wish I have the chance to visit the studio. Anyway, enjoy this rare watch in good health!

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by SSCosmo

Nice review and beautiful watch! So you're one of the few people that got this watch in Taiwan - the sales person I know at the main Seiko boutique in Taipei told me there were a few. Just curious - you mentioned the Eichi II. If you had to pick between this watch and the Eichi II, which one would you choose?

Honestly, that's a tough choice. I like the dial side and the case better on the GS, but movement I like the Eichi II better. And size wise, of course I like the Eichi II better as well.

The GS is a very imposing watch due to its size, and also it is thick because of the 3 barrels, if you like a more understated watch, Eichi is probably the better choice.

I am actually thinking of getting the Eichi II as well, but undecided.

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Good review and congrats for owning this extraordinary timepiece!

I remember there were articles from Hodinkee and Fratello when this watch was released, and one of the first things that piqued my interest was the price of the watch. I thought it was a lot of money for a GS, but I also read about the hand-crafting by the micro artist studio, who are the same team that hand-crafts the Eichi II and the Credor pieces too. Now, I'm a big fan of simple, elegant and well-balanced dial and this one looks great from the photos. I'm sure all the detailing and finishes are exemplary under the loupe, given the attention to details from these Japanese craftsmen.

I wish I have the chance to visit the studio. Anyway, enjoy this rare watch in good health!

Thanks Michael!

[SSCosmo]

Originally Posted by tom2517

Honestly, that's a tough choice. I like the dial side and the case better on the GS, but movement I like the Eichi II better. And size wise, of course I like the Eichi II better as well.

The GS is a very imposing watch due to its size, and also it is thick because of the 3 barrels, if you like a more understated watch, Eichi is probably the better choice.

I am actually thinking of getting the Eichi II as well, but undecided.

Good points. I was about to pull the trigger on the rose gold Eichi II earlier this year, but am holding off because I've never seen any Eichi in-person. I think I need to see one in the metal before deciding to pull the trigger. I did hear that the wait for one is about 6 months to one year. That was in March, so it could be longer wait now. I feel that now is a good time to get one of the MAS made watches, as GS/Credor are getting more and more popular and they may be harder to get in the future.

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by SSCosmo

Good points. I was about to pull the trigger on the rose gold Eichi II earlier this year, but am holding off because I've never seen any Eichi in-person. I think I need to see one in the metal before deciding to pull the trigger. I did hear that the wait for one is about 6 months to one year. That was in March, so it could be longer wait now. I feel that now is a good time to get one of the MAS made watches, as GS/Credor are getting more and more popular and they may be harder to get in the future.

A couple of weeks in Ginza, I believe they are for sale, but zero discount.

They look better in person as I don't feel Eichi IIs are photogenic.

[Old Expat Beast]

Very interesting. Thanks

[HL65]

Very nice Tom and was reading about this one yesterday. What a watch!

[joli160]

Stunningly beautiful

[incontrol]

Just beautiful! Thank you for the great review.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tom2517]

Thanks guys!

[SSCosmo]

Originally Posted by tom2517

A couple of weeks in Ginza, I believe they are for sale, but zero discount.

They look better in person as I don't feel Eichi IIs are photogenic.

I’ll have to check out the store in Ginza when I am in Tokyo later this month. Thanks for the heads-up!

[gin47]

Lovely, thanks for the interesting review.

[GB-man]

Really cool piece thanks for the review.

[Borsika]

Fantastic piece, cogratulations!

I have been thinking about this for a long time. I love this watch but unfortunately it is too big for my wrist. Actually not the watch face itself but the straight lugs looked strange on my skiny wrist.

Seiko boutique here still has got this piece in stock. Seiko shop manager said that only 8 pieces were made of that! Only 8 SBGD001 with this dial (Seiko on top). The new SBGD201 are made with GS logo on top.

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by Borsika

Fantastic piece, cogratulations!

I have been thinking about this for a long time. I love this watch but unfortunately it is too big for my wrist. Actually not the watch face itself but the straight lugs looked strange on my skiny wrist.

Seiko boutique here still has got this piece in stock. Seiko shop manager said that only 8 pieces were made of that! Only 8 SBGD001 with this dial (Seiko on top). The new SBGD201 are made with GS logo on top.

Yeah it's a big watch. As for how many made with Seiko on top, I know they sold at least 3 in Taiwan, and one forum member over at Watchprosite has one, so that's four right there.

[ppoonndddd]

I have one in thailand

[Borsika]

Seiko boutique told me that only 8 was made of the sbgd001.

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by Borsika

Seiko boutique told me that only 8 was made of the sbgd001.

Yes, I was told the same, 8 of the Seiko logo on top, before being replaced by SBGD201, same watch but now with GS logo on top.

[ppoonndddd]

I think it's not 8 cause 8 is for Credor “Tourbillon Engraving Limited Model” .
I see on instagram of 68molle they said it"s almost 50.

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by ppoonndddd

I think it's not 8 cause 8 is for Credor “Tourbillon Engraving Limited Model” .
I see on instagram of 68molle they said it"s almost 50.

I highly doubt GS already made almost 50 8 days with "SEIKO" log on top before they switched to "Grand Seiko" on top. Then again I don't work for Micro Artist Studio so who knows.

[ppoonndddd]

i think we can guess by series number.

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by ppoonndddd

i think we can guess by series number.

It’s too hard the way GS does their serial. Mine was 650003 but on IG I have seen 660011, 660002, 660005, 680003, and 650009. 60Molle has one of the earliest one and his I believe is 680004.

[PJ S]

^
Assuming Seiko hasn’t changed the way their serial numbers represent manufactured date, then yours was the earliest – 3rd one produced in May 2016

[ppoonndddd]

My is 660010

[benlee]

Excellent review. Thanks for sharing

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by PJ S

^
Assuming Seiko hasn’t changed the way their serial numbers represent manufactured date, then yours was the earliest – 3rd one produced in May 2016

Ok, I got mine (March 2017) later than 60Molle. But I suppose the parts or the case could have been made prior and just got assembled later, or maybe just sold at a later date. But still, if your explanation is correct then ppoonndddd might be right that GS had made quite a few of the 8 days.

[PJ S]

These are supposedly limited to 20 pieces in total per annum, which then may mean the serial number designates (but doesn’t differentiate between) the number of watch produced by the Micro Artist Studio, including the Credor models they make.
So rather than yours being the 3rd GS, it’s the 3rd piece the Studio created that month.
I’m sure if you asked the question, they’d be happy to provide you with a definitive answer.

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by PJ S

These are supposedly limited to 20 pieces in total per annum, which then may mean the serial number designates (but doesn’t differentiate between) the number of watch produced by the Micro Artist Studio, including the Credor models they make.
So rather than yours being the 3rd GS, it’s the 3rd piece the Studio created that month.
I’m sure if you asked the question, they’d be happy to provide you with a definitive answer.

Yeah probably that's the case. My Eichi II is ends with 014, I highly doubt they made 14 Eichi IIs in one month. They are exceptional watches but couldn't have been selling that well....I think.....