Grand Seiko vs Rolex Explorer I (39mm)

[c.rod]

having said get the rolex, i am a sucker for the stainless spring drive diver.... awesome piece. some nice ones on recon right now

[Lage]

I owned a GS quartz for a short while. The finish was very good and I thought the bracelet was impressive. It was certainly a nice watch, but I didn't feel content with the Seiko logo on the dial. This is really superficial, but if they had gone with just the Grand Seiko logo it had actually felt better.

There's also the service issue. Outside of Japan there aren't that many service centers, at least not compared to Rolex and Omega. In Sweden and most of the world the mechanical watches seem to be sent to Japan for service. Since we are talking about a serious investment I at least feel it's important to have good access to a local service center.

GS makes impressive watches and if they focus more on the market outside of Japan, they can certainly become an interesting alternative. As it is now I would however choose an Explorer I - a really nice watch. The only competitor is an AT8500 (preferably the Skyfall edition).

[Lage]

Double post (again - what's wrong with me?)

[And]

GS for me. It's my only current watch lust.

[petenyc]

Explorer

[warren G.]

GS for me.

[landroverking]

You know James Bond wore a Seiko. So you would think everyone here that bought a Sub because 007 had one would buy a Seiko and an Omega.

[RolexDivers]

Come selling time, and believe me, we all think it is for keeps forever, but things change and situations change ... so you will get a lot of "You want that much for a Seiko???" ...
Those are the realities of brands and where they rank ..

But I buy what I like to wear and the design of the watch -- lucky for me, it is Rolex --- I have not seen any other watch for which I will shell out thousands, except for a Rolex...

Horological wise, the GS might leave the seiko far behind ... but I am a pretty shallow person -- to me, brand name, the attention getting factor and the resale matter a whole lot more than the horological significance or whether it has a parachrom blue spring or a parachrom green spring....and I have not seen watches that look better than Rolex's diving collection... So I stick with Rolex for those reasons...

[RolexDivers]

Originally Posted by ecsub44

Interesting reason for buying a watch...

Well that's not the sole reason... If I have lets say $5000 burning a hole in my pocket, then I think the best use of that money is to buy a sports model rolex with it ... come selling time, you take a minimal loss and you get to enjoy it everyday...

It is way better than putting it in a bank or buying electronics or furniture with it ...

[Rags]

I'd go with the 39mm EXP.. After I acquire that I would consider a GS.

[Billywiz]

Seiko...or Rolex...just let me think for a millionth of a second...Um NO.

Ref car comparisons I would say this....Lexus V BMW...Lexus a fantastic car , well built and easily matches a BMW on every like for like comparison.

So would I buy a Lexus...NO...just not got the character or personality or of the BMW by a country mile.

Rest my case.

[Andreas Schuback]

well said billywiz !!!! go on buy the japanese piece with no sole, a fool and his money is easily parted.

[Trurolexer]

Go for Expy of course. But GS is a Great watch too.

[MaxCargo]

I can't stand shallow minded people. Too many of them speak on what they don't know.

[landroverking]

Originally Posted by Andreas Schuback

well said billywiz !!!! go on buy the japanese piece with no sole, a fool and his money is easily parted.

Wow that sounds borderline fill in the blank.

[tinger]

Originally Posted by Andreas Schuback

well said billywiz !!!! go on buy the japanese piece with no sole, a fool and his money is easily parted.

Lol.. Soul? u listen to music cds / mp3 and use a digtal camera to take pics, No?


Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

[Andreas Schuback]

lol..no linn sondek, leica mp soul!!!.

[Billywiz]

Originally Posted by Andreas Schuback

lol..no linn sondek, leica mp soul!!!.

omg...not hi jacking thread but this is spooky...On friday after 7 years living here in US I just set up my LP 12...what a coincidence you said this!

[Billywiz]

Originally Posted by MaxCargo

I can't stand shallow minded people. Too many of them speak on what they don't know.

?...the whole point of the original post is to prompt debate and opinions ... It is you that is being rude descending to insults...

If i like one thing and I explain why thats one thing...you insulting people is another

[Andreas Schuback]

Enjoy your LP12 and your weekend.

[Chainring]

There is a lot more support here for the GS than I was expecting. It's a very nice watch and could have a superior build to Explorer I but I'd spend my money on the Explorer ever day of the week. I'd probably own a GS also if I was wealthy enough to have all the other watches I wanted first. I have a Seiko Black Monster that I paid $150 last year for when I need a bang around watch and probably have worn it 10 times or so. I actually think it is a very cool watch, especially for $150. I guess I'm one of those guys who can't see paying $5000 or more for watch that says Seiko on it when I have one that I paid $150 for. Yeah I know, a Monster isn't in the same hemisphere as a GS but they both say Seiko on the dial. Interesting debates here and an interesting thread.

[kymwatchlog]

For me, every cent if watch money count. I will get the Exp. GS only when I have extraextra surplus monies..

[diver2012]

Originally Posted by Andreas Schuback

well said billywiz !!!! go on buy the japanese piece with no sole, a fool and his money is easily parted.

So something mass produced like the Rolex has 'soul'...but something like a GS which is assembled by hand has no 'soul'?

At the same price points - GS are better made watches than Rolex...they just don't have the marketing and brand recognition.

If you buy a watch so other people know what it is - then get a Rolex.

If you buy a watch because you appreciate the craftsmanship then GS will undoubtedly win.

I would argue the fool is the person buying the Rolex when you could have something better for the same price.


...I do love the Exp 1 though!

[AJMarcus]

Please...not again...

[Docar]

A little more than two years go I chose Grand Seiko SBGR031 over a Rolex Datejust.
Am so very glad I did..
It is an exceptionally nice watch....exceptionally nice.

[MrLee]

Originally Posted by diver2012

So something mass produced like the Rolex has 'soul'...but something like a GS which is assembled by hand has no 'soul'?

At the same price points - GS are better made watches than Rolex...they just don't have the marketing and brand recognition.

If you buy a watch so other people know what it is - then get a Rolex.

If you buy a watch because you appreciate the craftsmanship then GS will undoubtedly win.

I would argue the fool is the person buying the Rolex when you could have something better for the same price.


...I do love the Exp 1 though!

Lol, the thing is soul isn't about the way something is manufactured, it's about it's design, it's history, it's heritage, and I'm sorry but the GS history and heritage is a brand synonymous with nearly wrecking the Swiss watch industry (whose brands, designs and history I think we all love) with cheap quartz watches. So yes GS have absolutely no soul

[Billywiz]

Originally Posted by MrLee

Lol, the thing is soul isn't about the way something is manufactured, it's about it's design, it's history, it's heritage, and I'm sorry but the GS history and heritage is a brand synonymous with nearly wrecking the Swiss watch industry (whose brands, designs and history I think we all love) with cheap quartz watches. So yes GS have absolutely no soul

YOU ARE dead right!...Rolex stirs the emotions...not quite what a Seiko does...is it!

[diver2012]

Originally Posted by MrLee

Lol, the thing is soul isn't about the way something is manufactured, it's about it's design, it's history, it's heritage, and I'm sorry but the GS history and heritage is a brand synonymous with nearly wrecking the Swiss watch industry (whose brands, designs and history I think we all love) with cheap quartz watches. So yes GS have absolutely no soul

Are you also upset the Swiss watch industry wrecked the sundial industry?

All they did was innovate - and at the time of it's release - a quartz watch cost a small fortune. You can't blame them for that.

I think GS do have soul but we will agree to disagree.

[diver2012]

Originally Posted by Billywiz

YOU ARE dead right!...Rolex stirs the emotions...not quite what a Seiko does...is it!

This proves they have a better marketing department, little else.

Any true WIS would get more excited if they saw a GS IMO.

[MrLee]

Originally Posted by diver2012

Are you also upset the Swiss watch industry wrecked the sundial industry?

All they did was innovate - and at the time of it's release - a quartz watch cost a small fortune. You can't blame them for that.

I think GS do have soul but we will agree to disagree.

Absolutely fine, we will definitely disagree

The other thing that's quite funny is how GS use quartz in their 'mechanical' watches, and people go on about their horological excellence

And they bring out designs that are quite obvious homages to other brands watches (usually Rolex), whereas their own designs are usually...er....challenging, it's quite laughable. Real soul!! Lol