Grand Seiko Gap Between Crown and Case

[matdottcom1]

Hello all, long time lurker and recently a new owner of the Grand Seiko SBGM235 limited edition elegance gmt. The remarkable finishing has invited closer scrutiny than I have ever subjected my vintage Rolex 1675 or 1680 to in the past. I happened to notice that the non screw down crown does not seat completely against the side of the case. This seems not to be a phenomena unique to my watch. A quick google search yielded quite a few examples of the same “issue,” but not in all cases. I don’t have enough posts to share the direct link, but the HODINKEE 2018 Watch I Wore the Most article includes a very clear picture of the SBGM221 with exactly the same issue.

Any forum members found the same to be true for watches from the elegance line? It seems strange that crown tube tolerances would be any less exacting than the construction on the rest of the watch. Even so, my primary concern would be moisture insltrusion vs aesthetics.

In any event, really appreciate the forum as a wonderful resource and looking forward to participating!

[Seibei]

Get pressure test and live happily ever after.

[bezler]

My SBGM221 crown looks the same as the one in the hodinkee article. Anyway, I'm not concerned.

But I am wondering why the hodinkee guy is wearing that strap, it's much less attractive that the stock 221 brown croc strap.

Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk

[matdottcom1]

Really appreciate the responses!

[asiparks]

Originally Posted by matdottcom1

...snip.... Most article includes a very clear picture of the SBGM221 with exactly the same issue.

....snip....
Even so, my primary concern would be moisture insltrusion vs aesthetics.

perhaps it's not an "issue" as such, looking at the pic on Hodinkee, it doesn't look abnormal. On many of my watches, the crown can't be cranked down against the case, the internal gaskets prevent it. Sometimes the design of the crown guards or case hides the fact.



As mentioned above, get it pressure tested if you want further reassurance

[matdottcom1]

Thank you again, and for posting the picture until I get a few more posts and can do it myself!