GS White Birch ! SLGH005

[BigAppleBill]

Originally Posted by swish77

Have you actually worn or even held a Grand Seiko? There's nothing cheap or tacky about them, especially in the flesh.

Design elements are subjective in many cases (for example, I don't like the Spring Drive meters on dials), but the level of quality/craftsmanship of these timepieces is above reproach.

The fit, finish, feel, weight, lustre etc .... is amazing. And some of the dials are among the most beautiful, innovative and interesting in the industry.

+1

[thenewrick]

It’s not a fit and finish issue. It’s a design issue. They put the same type of text and logos on a $50 Seiko as a $10k grand Seiko. Would like to see them go more elegant. Remove the extra text and logos and adopt the less is more ethos. Although I’m sure they’re much nicer, they still look like a basic $50 Seiko without the backstory on the hand finishing etc it just looks like another Presage with entry level text and logos on dial and case back

[sensui]

It's really an amazing watch in dial and movement... Just like the 60th 003..... But I personally can't stand the 80hr line either it comes off very tacky to me.

The thickness thing has been talked about in multiple threads... My perspective when it comes down to case design/thickness is it all goes back to heritage and the "Grammar of Design.". So there's always going to be a limit of how thin they make their watches with these multi faceted style cases. Just IMO.

[nervosa1901]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

It’s not a fit and finish issue. It’s a design issue. They put the same type of text and logos on a $50 Seiko as a $10k grand Seiko. Would like to see them go more elegant. Remove the extra text and logos and adopt the less is more ethos. Although I’m sure they’re much nicer, they still look like a basic $50 Seiko without the backstory on the hand finishing etc it just looks like another Presage with entry level text and logos on dial and case back

What are you talking about? Clearly you have never seen a GS in person. You make it sound like they are sticking Prospex logos on these. Saying these watches have anything in common with a $50 watch is just ridiculous.

[fullofboats]

Originally Posted by nervosa1901

What are you talking about? Clearly you have never seen a GS in person. You make it sound like they are sticking Prospex logos on these. Saying these watches have anything in common with a $50 watch is just ridiculous.

Just ignore him. Apparently his taste in watches is entirely predicated on the font and logo lol.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

It’s not a fit and finish issue. It’s a design issue. They put the same type of text and logos on a $50 Seiko as a $10k grand Seiko. Would like to see them go more elegant. Remove the extra text and logos and adopt the less is more ethos. Although I’m sure they’re much nicer, they still look like a basic $50 Seiko without the backstory on the hand finishing etc it just looks like another Presage with entry level text and logos on dial and case back

It’s all good. We like what we like. However, your statement is inaccurate. The text (design/font) is very different on Grand Seiko and Seiko, especially over the last couple of years when the “GS” replaced “Seiko” on the dial, and there are plenty of GS models that have very sparse dials, with no text on the lower half. The brands themselves are light years apart in many other ways too.

[quakeroatmeal]

This watch is breathtaking. The dial, the movement. I love it.

As others have said, the new movement also addressed my number one issue, case thickness.

And if that's the case, I hope to get one in March once they start shipping.

[bibbi]

Originally Posted by BigAppleBill

GS continues to perfect its game. I predict in the years ahead the brand will finally become known to mainstream consumers (like Rolex & Omega are now) and not just the watch community. Lots of potential for more editions to become high-demand collectibles. Many already are. I spoke to the manager of a GS boutique a couple weeks ago. They’re having trouble keeping up with demand for certain references. Waiting lists are the norm.

That is interesting. Which references in particular? Like SBGA413?

[thewatchidiot]

Originally Posted by swish77

I've heard this complaint before and I never understood it. Most GS models (non quartz) are in the 13mm ballpark for thickness, some a little more and some a little less, with the GMT models on the thicker side. In fact, some of the models are very thin, such as the SBGK00 series, which are 11.6 mm. (I own the SBGK005.)

The thickness seems the roughly the same, on average, as many brands, including Rolex (the 41mm Sub is just under 13mm). And there are many well-known brands, including IWC and Breitling, that sell much thicker watches. The classic Navitmer is 14.6mm thick, for example.

Your comparing sport watches with divers and chronographs. I don’t think this makes sense.


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[swish77]

Originally Posted by thewatchidiot

Your comparing sport watches with divers and chronographs. I don’t think this makes sense.


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Not sure I understand your point. Divers and chronographs ARE sports watches.

My point was that Grand Seikos, in general and including all styles/types of their watches, are no thicker than many other brands, and they offer a lot of watches that are quite thin. You sometimes hear complaints that GS watches are too thick, but when you look at the sizes, they're comparable to many other brands, including Rolex and Omega.

Here's another GS I own, a SBGH273. About the same thickness as a Sub at 12.9mm, and I'd say it wears even thinner than a Sub because of the case design.

[thewatchidiot]

Originally Posted by swish77

Not sure I understand your point. Divers and chronographs ARE sports watches.

My point was that Grand Seikos, in general and including all styles/types of their watches, are no thicker than many other brands, and they offer a lot of watches that are quite thin. You sometimes hear complaints that GS watches are too thick, but when you look at the sizes, they're comparable to many other brands, including Rolex and Omega.

Here's another GS I own, a SBGH273. About the same thickness as a Sub at 12.9mm, and I'd say it wears even thinner than a Sub because of the case design.

I’ll try to be more clear as we compare things. A sub at 13 mm thick accommodates 300 m of wr. A chronograph is a thicker movement than a three hander. Why is you GS 13mm then?
I appreciate Gs, had an sbgr301 that I sold cause it was 13.3 mm tall on a 3 hander. That’s uncomfortably tall on a 160mm wrist. However I love the new high beat at 11.7 tall. That’s looking more proportional.
So this is only trying to respond to your statement back to me.


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[swish77]

Originally Posted by thewatchidiot

I’ll try to be more clear as we compare things. A sub at 13 mm thick accommodates 300 m of wr. A chronograph is a thicker movement than a three hander. Why is you GS 13mm then?
I appreciate Gs, had an sbgr301 that I sold cause it was 13.3 mm tall on a 3 hander. That’s uncomfortably tall on a 160mm wrist. However I love the new high beat at 11.7 tall. That’s looking more proportional.
So this is only trying to respond to your statement back to me.


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Ah, OK, understood. Some fair points based on the movements vs. thickness. But I never analyze a watch like that. Either it's comfortable or it's not, regardless of the movement or how thick it is, and regardless whether it's a dress watch or a big diver, or anything in between.

In general, I just don't find a watch that's 13mm to be too thick on my 6.75 inch wrist. And if a Sub is not considered too thick (although I suppose it probably is by some people), not sure why a GS at the same thickness would be considered too thick.

[Ichiran]

Wow the case thickness is now 11.7mm, which is more slim than a Spring Drive version. And at 40mm, the dimension is perfect! The movement looks decorated too. Would love to see it!

[BigAppleBill]

Rather than belabor this back and forth I’ll let a couple of photos of my stainless steel GS speak for themselves.

[Mbbgysam]

Originally Posted by calatravato

Wow-that dial is amazing! If I didn’t have the SLGH003, I would go for it. I can’t wait to see it in person!

Originally Posted by ap1

I’m considering double dipping, what’s wrong with me

Also in the same boat!! There's nothing wrong with us per se, just a few screws loose... ok maybe a lot of screws

[swish77]

Originally Posted by BigAppleBill

Rather than belabor this back and forth I’ll let a couple of photos of my stainless steel GS speak for themselves.

That's beautiful! Is that the same case as on the SBGK005? A fabulous old-school design.

[BigAppleBill]

Originally Posted by swish77

That's beautiful! Is that the same case as on the SBGK005? A fabulous old-school design.

Thanks! I’m not familiar with the SBGK005. Mine is the SBGY003 20th Anniversary LE. Nice and thin. No date window. PR on the back. Very comfortable watch!

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by fullofboats

Just ignore him. Apparently his taste in watches is entirely predicated on the font and logo lol.

This.

[Locust]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

It’s not a fit and finish issue. It’s a design issue. They put the same type of text and logos on a $50 Seiko as a $10k grand Seiko. Would like to see them go more elegant. Remove the extra text and logos and adopt the less is more ethos. Although I’m sure they’re much nicer, they still look like a basic $50 Seiko without the backstory on the hand finishing etc it just looks like another Presage with entry level text and logos on dial and case back

No. No. No. seriously? I own every thing across the board except credor and in no way shape or form does a grand Seiko even remotely resemble a presage. They are night and day.
I’ve found your posts since you’ve joined to be bordering on trolling. Do better

[Locust]

And that watch looks amazing. Though my $ will go to the 5 day SD that is just around the corner

[thenewrick]

Just an opinion. Looks tacky and cheap to me. You like it. It’s all good. Everyone’s got their thing. I don’t like text on dials especially when it’s specs. Redundancy bugs me too. GS does both.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Just an opinion. Looks tacky and cheap to me. You like it. It’s all good. Everyone’s got their thing. I don’t like text on dials especially when it’s specs. Redundancy bugs me too. GS does both.

4 posts in this thread bashing this reference and GS. You really REALLY REALLY don't like it. Okay, we get it.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Just an opinion. Looks tacky and cheap to me. You like it. It’s all good. Everyone’s got their thing. I don’t like text on dials especially when it’s specs. Redundancy bugs me too. GS does both.

That's fine, of course. We all have different tastes. However, some of your points are just not logical, IMHO. The vast majority of watches have some sort of text on the dial, including specs. If you don't like the specific font/design of that text on GS watches, that's one thing, but just about every watch brand does what GS does.

For example, how about the near novel on some Rolex dials, with depth ratings and "superlative chronometer, officially certified, " etc ...? My Daytona 16520 has SIX lines of text on it, and my 1665 DRSD has SEVEN lines of text and a big crown. GS dials are sparse by comparison.

[subtona]

Consider that we are looking at rather poor image (even an excellent photos would have trouble doing justice to many GS dials) in this thread vs the real thing. Having owned several models they often present very different once in hand.

Recommend a Visit to a boutique or AD before final judgement

[Ichiran]

A video from Bark n Jack on this reference. He has invited a gentleman from Seiko UK to talk about the movement.

https://youtu.be/AizAC-qBg28

[gnuyork]

Awesome looking watch. I love everything about it except the non tapered bracelet (and the price of course). And THINNER too. Impressive.

[mongrelnomoad]

Originally Posted by 77T

An interesting thought you shared there. Made me go looking.

https://www.seiyajapan.com/pages/the...of-grand-seiko

I learned something I hadn’t known previously - the intense competitive drive that produced the brand we now know. Seiko watches were originally produced by two different subsidiaries.

Daini Seikosha Co and Suwa Seikosha Co. Two different companies vying for leadership - most women's watches were made at Daini in those days. Most men's watches were produced at Suwa.

The First Generation GS -- 1960/8 by Suwa Seikosha Co., 25jewels, manual wind, 3180 -- 18,000bph.

The First King Seiko --1964/09 by Daini Seikosha Co., 27jewels, manual wind, 4420B -- 18,000bph.


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Not entirely true. Most of the manual winds were Daini, both KS and GS. I believe the current mechanical movements are produced in the plant that was Daini Seikosha...

I’d love to see the old thunderbolt return to the dials...

[mongrelnomoad]

Originally Posted by sensui

The thickness thing has been talked about in multiple threads... My perspective when it comes down to case design/thickness is it all goes back to heritage and the "Grammar of Design.". So there's always going to be a limit of how thin they make their watches with these multi faceted style cases. Just IMO.

The original manual wind grammar of design watches were ridiculously thin. A GS45 (arguably the all-time greatest) is truly tiny.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by mongrelnomoad

The original manual wind grammar of design watches were ridiculously thin. A GS45 (arguably the all-time greatest) is truly tiny.

Why that is interesting indeed. Seems to be around 10mm from my quick search. Super interesting they can get that with this type of case profile/shape... But this was on a 36-37mm case vs the 38mm plus cases today.... So if you take the current manual wind references at at around 38mm-40mm GS references with thickness around 11.5mm.... It's not that they far fetched.

I like everyone else like thin watches so I do think anything taller than the 12.5mm height (unless it's a specialized diver or a very special complication) for the regular sports watches is outside my comfort zone. The new 9s85 is in the right direction... If they can only do something about that 80hr thing on the dial....

[denmanproject]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

A video from Bark n Jack on this reference. He has invited a gentleman from Seiko UK to talk about the movement.

https://youtu.be/AizAC-qBg28

I think that video pushed me from a 'maybe' to a 'must own'