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JParm · 25 March 2019, 12:35 PM

Which do you prefer? Also, for those that have handled both, are the crystals identical in height, or does one have a flatter sapphire?

Pics below from the web for reference!

mgsooner · 25 March 2019, 12:59 PM

I really like both of these references but I give a slight nod to the 231. The cream colored dial, lug holes and the fact that I feel the 231 is a bit easier to dress down while still working perfectly as a dress watch. I do feel the 253’s size is superior at 38+ while having a slimmer profile.

Gharddog03 · 25 March 2019, 04:00 PM

253

henrylee · 25 March 2019, 04:01 PM

Cream dial for me

sensui · 25 March 2019, 04:42 PM

Handled both......I definitely liked and bought the 253. Arguably one of the best Grand Seikos in my mind thus far.

JParm · 26 March 2019, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensui

Handled both......I definitely liked and bought the 253. Arguably one of the best Grand Seikos in my mind thus far.

One other thing that plays on my mind is price - is it worth the extra $2500 or so to jump towards the LE, when they are pretty similar watches (I can get the 231 for around $3500).

knm · 26 March 2019, 06:50 AM

If it is about price then you go with the one you can afford but the 253 is a very good acquisition compared to the 231.

francoamerican · 26 March 2019, 07:20 AM

on photos and price no object 253

JParm · 26 March 2019, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knm

If it is about price then you go with the one you can afford but the 253 is a very good acquisition compared to the 231.

I can afford both, it's just that I would most likely need to move my vintage Hamilton to get to the 253.

Here's a pic of the Hamilton for reference (pic taken from the internet)

benlee · 26 March 2019, 10:10 AM

Tough call.. Maybe 231 by a slight margin

Flybak · 26 March 2019, 12:27 PM

I think the finishing on the 253 is nicer, but I'm partial to the overall look of the 231 for sure between the two.

wisemenofgotham · 27 March 2019, 12:30 PM

I went through a similar choice and went with the 231. 72 hour PR, smooth manual wind, vintage charm with modern looks, boxed sapphire crystal, ecru dial, display caseback with GS hologram, stunning hands, etc. I thought it would fly under the radar as a daily but it's been a compliment monster. Best of luck with your choice, both are stunning watches.

My thread:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=658339

didyunt · 28 March 2019, 04:42 PM

253 is perfect for me, it has a better finishing

coelacanthus · 29 March 2019, 12:31 AM

Had 235 and 005 (same case). Loved them. Didn't go for 253 because I felt the watch wore too large for my wrist for this style of watch. SBGW033 could be another contender as it looks very close to 253 but smaller.

joli160 · 29 March 2019, 02:42 AM

Tough call, 253

mdtddd2007 · 29 March 2019, 11:26 PM

Easy choice Sbgw 253!
Get the 130th anniversary SBGW033!

Burdeens Jewelry · 30 March 2019, 02:25 AM

sold one of the last SBGW 253s, always have a soft spot for that piece. I would take that over the 231, but I also have a larger wrist and the 37mm is too small for me.

Gharddog03 · 30 March 2019, 04:38 AM

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ht=Grand+seiko

Mbbgysam · 30 March 2019, 12:05 PM

I have and adore the 231. Amazing value for what you get

scarlet knight · 30 March 2019, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

I can afford both, it's just that I would most likely need to move my vintage Hamilton to get to the 253.

Here's a pic of the Hamilton for reference (pic taken from the internet)

Just ordered a modern Hammy chrono on the net.

JParm · 31 March 2019, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gharddog03

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ht=Grand+seiko

Yup - purchased this exact watch!

Gharddog03 · 31 March 2019, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

Yup - purchased this exact watch!

Congrats. Awesome piece.

sensui · 31 March 2019, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

Yup - purchased this exact watch!

Not going to regret it. It's top game for GS imo.

JParm · 31 March 2019, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gharddog03

Congrats. Awesome piece.

Thank you! Will post pics as soon as it arrives.

What sold me was:

-The LE aspect. While 1,960 might not be "limited" to some, it is sold out and seems to be a watch that people hold onto, as not that many flood the market. I tend to like having watches that you can't just walk into the mall for (16710, 1931 Reverso, Tudor BBN ETA...I guess you can throw my Hulk in there as well, with the state of Rolex)

-The size. 38mm is a perfect size for me.

-The stand-alone logo at the top (without the GS). It's just so classic and different!

-The blue seconds hand...just, wow.

While I like the case style of the 231, everyone says the finishing on the 253 trumps it, so I'm looking forward to seeing it in person.

Cannot wait to receive the watch in a few days!

25 March 2019, 12:35 PM	#1
JParm 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NorCal Watch: Yes! Posts: 6,568	Sbgw 253 vs. Sbgw 231 - your thoughts Which do you prefer? Also, for those that have handled both, are the crystals identical in height, or does one have a flatter sapphire? Pics below from the web for reference! Attached Images __________________

25 March 2019, 04:01 PM	#4
henrylee "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Socal/LA Watch: 116610LN Ceramic Posts: 3,223	Cream dial for me __________________ ♛ Sub 116610LN 2011 ♛ GMT 126710BLNR 2021 ♛ GMT 126711CHNR 2020 ♛ Datejust 16233 X-series 1993 Ω Speedmaster Mitsukoshi 2019 č Cartier Tank w5200025 2021

26 March 2019, 10:10 AM	#10
benlee "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Real Name: Ben Location: SIN & JKT Watch: Rolex, AP, PP Posts: 9,874	Tough call.. Maybe 231 by a slight margin __________________ Follow me on Instagram : benlee789

29 March 2019, 02:42 AM	#15
joli160 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NL Watch: Yachtmaster Posts: 14,758	Tough call, 253 __________________ Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.

25 March 2019, 12:59 PM	#2
mgsooner "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Real Name: Matthew Location: Tulsa, OK, USA Posts: 1,949	I really like both of these references but I give a slight nod to the 231. The cream colored dial, lug holes and the fact that I feel the 231 is a bit easier to dress down while still working perfectly as a dress watch. I do feel the 253’s size is superior at 38+ while having a slimmer profile.

25 March 2019, 04:00 PM	#3
Gharddog03 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Genaro Location: Fresno Ca. Watch: R O L E X Posts: 4,466	253

25 March 2019, 04:42 PM	#5
sensui 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 12,443	Handled both......I definitely liked and bought the 253. Arguably one of the best Grand Seikos in my mind thus far.

26 March 2019, 06:50 AM	#7
knm Banned Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: USA Watch: Rolex Daytona Posts: 91	If it is about price then you go with the one you can afford but the 253 is a very good acquisition compared to the 231.

26 March 2019, 07:20 AM	#8
francoamerican "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: bay area Posts: 571	on photos and price no object 253

26 March 2019, 12:27 PM	#11
Flybak "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Canada Watch: Enthusiast Posts: 1,606	I think the finishing on the 253 is nicer, but I'm partial to the overall look of the 231 for sure between the two.

27 March 2019, 12:30 PM	#12
wisemenofgotham "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 109	I went through a similar choice and went with the 231. 72 hour PR, smooth manual wind, vintage charm with modern looks, boxed sapphire crystal, ecru dial, display caseback with GS hologram, stunning hands, etc. I thought it would fly under the radar as a daily but it's been a compliment monster. Best of luck with your choice, both are stunning watches. My thread: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=658339

28 March 2019, 04:42 PM	#13
didyunt Banned Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: US Posts: 129	253 is perfect for me, it has a better finishing

29 March 2019, 12:31 AM	#14
coelacanthus "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: SF, CA, USA Posts: 148	Had 235 and 005 (same case). Loved them. Didn't go for 253 because I felt the watch wore too large for my wrist for this style of watch. SBGW033 could be another contender as it looks very close to 253 but smaller.

29 March 2019, 11:26 PM	#16
mdtddd2007 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: U.S Watch: Rolex, PP, AP, GS Posts: 5,785	Easy choice Sbgw 253! Get the 130th anniversary SBGW033!

30 March 2019, 02:25 AM	#17
Burdeens Jewelry "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Buffalo Grove, IL Posts: 354	sold one of the last SBGW 253s, always have a soft spot for that piece. I would take that over the 231, but I also have a larger wrist and the 37mm is too small for me.

30 March 2019, 04:38 AM	#18
Gharddog03 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Genaro Location: Fresno Ca. Watch: R O L E X Posts: 4,466	https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ht=Grand+seiko

30 March 2019, 12:05 PM	#19
Mbbgysam 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: USA Posts: 1,065	I have and adore the 231. Amazing value for what you get

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