Rolex or Grand Seiko. Part 2

[caryyee]

Ooooh I'm soooo tempted .... just popped down to road to my local GS dealer, only 2-3 mins walk from work and tried on the spring drive GMT .... my iPhone photos can't capture it, but the sapphire glass shimmers like a water due to it's miniscule curvature, and the ceramic bezel glistens ... truly a thing of beauty. I've now got all the Rolex's I want, I'm now ready to maybe try another brand lol. You really need to see these in person to appreciated them.

[Syed117]

That might be my favorite GS. The lume and sapphire bezel are incredible.

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by caryyee

Ooooh I'm soooo tempted .... just popped down to road to my local GS dealer, only 2-3 mins walk from work and tried on the spring drive GMT .... my iPhone photos can't capture it, but the sapphire glass shimmers like a water due to it's miniscule curvature, and the ceramic bezel glistens ... truly a thing of beauty. I've now got all the Rolex's I want, I'm now ready to maybe try another brand lol. You really need to see these in person to appreciated them.

That's a sensational GMT Cary - I have held that very one in my hands!
If I cannot find a BNIB LE version (the dark green dial SBGE021 model - click here) then this will be my target!

[caryyee]

Thanks Clive! Of all the GS's they had there, the GMT stood out as the one that I'd want.

There's only two things holding me back ... the price. RRP at Salera's is $8k, but they said they'd knock off 12%. But here, http://www.seiyajapan.com/product/S-...GE001-GMT.html it can be had for AUD$5355. Even after including duty, it's around $5900. And secondly, I'm not sure about the longevity of the movement being partly electronic. I'd want to be assured that it'll last for 20-30+ years, and it'd be able to be repaired too. If it were available in a purely mechanical version, I'd likely be all over it!

[Andad]

I have a few (6) Seiko watches but my latest Seiko Astron is outstanding.
The quality is faultless and I noticed that April WatchTime didn't bother reporting the accuracy - wonder why

I bought it because of the technology but it also had to look good.

The monster is popular on the Forum and a great 'beater'.

[bcacncnc]

oooh... that Astron looks like an engineering marvel...nice one... what functions does it have?

[fmc000]

Originally Posted by caryyee

And secondly, I'm not sure about the longevity of the movement being partly electronic. I'd want to be assured that it'll last for 20-30+ years, and it'd be able to be repaired too. If it were available in a purely mechanical version, I'd likely be all over it!

In the Seiko & Citizen section of WUS a very well known Grand Seiko American reseller wrote that the Spring Drive movement is more resilient than normal automatic because the part that is more prone to faults in mechanical watches, the balance-hairspring assembly, is simply missing. He also wrote that in his experience none of his GS Spring Drive customers has ever complained about a single fault.

Of course I can't speak from my direct experience as I simply can't afford a Spring Drive watch and here in Italy they are not sold anywhere.

[bcacncnc]

FMC - my laymans understanding - I think there is some truth to that. Believe there is no escapement, just a magnetic brake. Time will tell, but the Japanese are brilliant in micro electronics so would hazard a guess that they would last a long time. But 20-30 years? Who knows?

[hpowders]

Originally Posted by caryyee

That is nice. Can be had for <$2k brand new so it's quite affordable. Would much rather have a GS quartz over a TAG quartz at this price point.

My dealer is asking $2300 for the Grand Seiko quartz. I have to work on him to get it down to $2100.

Seiko rocks!

[hpowders]

Originally Posted by shnxx

Would anyone really choose a Grand Seiko over a Rolex at the same price?

I would. Rolex watches are mass produced. Grand Seikos have superior movements. The only things lacking are status and resale value. I don't care. Grand Seikos are keepers. I don't sell perfection.

[swink6112]

Originally Posted by shnxx

Would anyone really choose a Grand Seiko over a Rolex at the same price?

Yes, but they'd most likely already have a Rolex in their collection. Hence my next watch will be the GS Snowflake if I can find one.