Grand Seiko vs Rolex Explorer I (39mm)

[ninotcs]

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?

[GradyPhilpott]

If in your opinion the Grand Seiko puts the Rolex Explorer to shame, by all means, buy one.

[kilyung]

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

[69mach351]

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.

[GradyPhilpott]

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.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by 69mach351

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.

Wouldn't that be called the Hyundai (Parent company of Kia) Equus?

[FremStar]

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!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by 69mach351

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.

Well Ferrari is owned by the Fiat and both make very fine cars and afraid you just cannot compare a Seiko grand to the normal high street Seiko.Trouble today many are stereo typed by a name, same today many don't wear a watch they wear the brand name.

[Lion]

Quality of an item should be the most important factor regardless of stereotypes.....

[psv]

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...

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by 69mach351

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.

your car analogy is a bit off.

think of it is as:

* fiat making ferrari,
* vw making porsche or lamborghini,
* mercedes benz making both smart cars and rolls royces, or
* bmw making minis and bentleys.

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.

[ninotcs]

Originally Posted by psv

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...

I love the look. Beautiful watch, great pic.
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).

[Watchdog]

I would rather have the Grand Seiko all day long.

[tinger]

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)
:)

[Art 1]

I would rather have the Explorer, especially at 20% off.

[69mach351]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Wouldn't that be called the Hyundai (Parent company of Kia) Equus?

The difference there, is that the Equus is $30k+ cheaper than than an S Class, which is supposed to be its competition. At 2/3 the price, even if it isn't quite on par with the S Class, it is there is a lot of room with an extra $30k in your pocket. I am a big fan of what Hyundai is doing.

Originally Posted by Lion

Quality of an item should be the most important factor regardless of stereotypes.....

I agree, it SHOULD be, but how often is it an emotional decision over a logical one? People SHOULD go for the best value when it comes to purchasing goods. What is the highest quality you can get at a certain price point? With a watch hobby, that kind of goes out the window.

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

your car analogy is a bit off.

think of it is as:

* fiat making ferrari,
* vw making porsche or lamborghini,
* mercedes benz making both smart cars and rolls royces, or
* bmw making minis and bentleys.

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.

I completely agree, but I am not seeing a $15k Ferrari running around. The same thing applies with the other brands - when you get to the higher end brands, they are not mass producing cheaper products.

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.

[SLRdude]

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.

[tinger]

Originally Posted by slrdude

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.

[/img]

+1

[F.Works]

Originally Posted by 69mach351

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.

Audi makes the A1 and the A8 . Seiko makes the best automatic in 100$ and the same Expensive watch like Rolex. In Japan Seiko is considered like Rolex in top watches but in Europe still are further due to the bad Marketing . The people only knows the basic watches.

[GermanyMatt]

that GS on the nato strap looks outstanding!

[SLRdude]

Originally Posted by GermanyMatt

that GS on the nato strap looks outstanding!

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.

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by kilyung

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

+1

GS all day

[Swift_Movement]

Explorer 1

[Thatguy]

These threads make me want to see a GS in person.

[R.J.]

The finish on the GS is as nice or better than any Swiss brand. Just a beautiful well made watch to wear.

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

your car analogy is a bit off.

think of it is as:

* fiat making ferrari,
* vw making porsche or lamborghini,
* mercedes benz making both smart cars and rolls royces, or
* bmw making minis and bentleys.

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.

Not to get into the weeds but VW owns Bentley, not BMW. And BMW owns Roll Royce, not Mercedes. But in any event, the parent company doesn't make those products, they are owners of those brands which are typically run autonomously.

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.

[SearChart]

I'm a huge fan of the Explorer I, so that's obviously my choice.

[sierra11b]

Grand Seiko has a few options comparable to the Explorer, both SD and Mechanical, in numerous sizes:

Mechanical:
SBGR053 (37mm)
SBGH005 (40mm)

Spring Drive:
SBGA085 (39mm)
SBGA003 (41mm)
SBGA041 (41mm with lume)


I've wanted one since before they came to US soil and I'm considering one of two models as I type.

[427shark]

Originally Posted by psv

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...

Damn this makes me want an explorer

[redsubby]

New Exp I all day, no but's or if's.