Bunch of new releases on GS website

[TimeAZ]

https://www.grand-seiko.com/us-en/collections/all

Looks like a handful of new GMT and a new limited edition variant of the hi-beat 80 hour SLGH, at a fairly inflated price. The GMTs are still a little thick at 14 mm and none of them particularly appeal to me.

Here's hoping a new Snowflake spring drive gets released soon... 39.5 mm diameter and <12 mm thickness with the new 5-day reserve would be perfect.

[snarkq]

how many new seasons did the marketing team invent with this new batch of releases?

[fullofboats]

Im guessing the new hibeat and spring drive movements have production limitations. GS is still putting out new models with the old movements.

The SLGH007 is cool. But EUr60,000 for a platinum hi-beat watch. Wow....SLGH003/005 looking even more attractive.

[fullofboats]

And the 8-day at EUR200,000...bonkers. I know it has diamonds or whatever but the original 8-day retailed for 60k or so.

[munichblue]

Originally Posted by snarkq

how many new seasons did the marketing team invent with this new batch of releases?

Prepare yourself for 20 more watches as there are 24 seasonal phases in Japan.

[Cru Jones]

Pretty nice GIF by GS of the new seasons GMTs:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLswY1yD...d=psawr1qr6etl

[Old Expat Beast]

There are many new releases today, it seems, across the board. It's hard to keep up!

[1William]

There are a lot of new watches and it will take me a minute to digest it all. I do like the new SPB white dial.

[ap1]

Originally Posted by munichblue

Prepare yourself for 20 more watches as there are 24 seasonal phases in Japan.

[Cru Jones]

[thenewrick]

Looks like these are using the old movements and not the updated ones from last spring. Probably why the cases are extra thick still.

I'm waiting on the new movements to trickle down into their $5000 range stuff

[ap1]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Looks like these are using the old movements and not the updated ones from last spring. Probably why the cases are extra thick still.

I'm waiting on the new movements to trickle down into their $5000 range stuff

Newrick newmovement

[Mbbgysam]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Looks like these are using the old movements and not the updated ones from last spring. Probably why the cases are extra thick still.

I'm waiting on the new movements to trickle down into their $5000 range stuff

It's unclear whether this will happen. There are seemingly conflicting answers from the HSNY Q&A (full article here):

Q: The technology and level of finishing in the 9SA5 is superb, and the price of the new high beats reflects that. Given that you plan to roll out this movement (or variants of it) broadly, should we expect a step change in GS price points?

A: While the new 9SA5 caliber does reflect a higher price than the 9S8 series calibers (example SBGH281: $6,300 vs SLGH003: $9,700, there will not be a change exactly in price points. There will just be two different price segments between the two calibers coexisting. (Response provided by Mr. Joseph Kirk)

Q: Will the new 9SA5 movement make its way into lower priced models?

A: Yes, we are going to develop a range of products based upon this new caliber in the future which will include a price point significantly lower than the 60th anniversary limited edition model (SLGH002), an example of which is SLGH003 recently announced. (Response provided by Mr. Akio Naito)

[wrxdev]

Will bite when the new 9SA5 movement trickles down to the $6k range. Anything beyond $7k, then it has to be a Rolex.

[Mbbgysam]

Originally Posted by wrxdev

Will bite when the new 9SA5 movement trickles down to the $6k range. Anything beyond $7k, then it has to be a Rolex.

I'm excited to see the 9SA5 in lower price point models. However, if I look at my SLGH003 and think about they'd have to compromise to cut the price by 40% (movement finishing, case finishing, dial, bracelet, etc.), my excitement wanes.

And, for the record, I wear my SLGH003 more than my Rolexes. I can't say that for my other Grand Seikos

[bremersm]

Man the 24 Seasons Summer and the new birch GS are amazing and if I was in the market I would look to add either to the collection.

It seems that GS is quickly moving to take on Rolex based on price. I do feel that they could work to slim down their catalog though. The number of choices is staggering.

[Ichiran]

Originally Posted by Mbbgysam

And, for the record, I wear my SLGH003 more than my Rolexes. I can't say that for my other Grand Seikos

Hardly surprising - that SLGH003 is such a gorgeous piece.

[dchang81]

Originally Posted by Mbbgysam

I'm excited to see the 9SA5 in lower price point models. However, if I look at my SLGH003 and think about they'd have to compromise to cut the price by 40% (movement finishing, case finishing, dial, bracelet, etc.), my excitement wanes.

And, for the record, I wear my SLGH003 more than my Rolexes. I can't say that for my other Grand Seikos

what about your sbgw231? i prefer a smidge more WR than splashproof but i always liked that design. would love having the 9sa5 movement in a diver with an urushi dial.

[Mbbgysam]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Hardly surprising - that SLGH003 is such a gorgeous piece.

Agreed! And it doesn't hurt to be the first steel GS with the next gen movements and LE . There are still some in NYC if anyone's looking (at least as of a few days ago)!

Originally Posted by dchang81

what about your sbgw231? i prefer a smidge more WR than splashproof but i always liked that design. would love having the 9sa5 movement in a diver with an urushi dial.

I do love my SBGW231. It ticks a lot of my "enthusiast boxes"... box domed crystal, domed dial with curved hands, manual wind, 37mm, works well on colorful straps. It's all around a joy to have on the wrist. That said, you really feel the build quality differences between the SBGW231 and SLGH003, as you'd expect from the 2x+ price difference. Plus, the SLGH003 is the new baby, so I've been wearing it a lot more!

[Mbbgysam]

Adding a movement pic as well to really highlight the difference in finishing and movement architecture:
9S64 (SBGW231), 9SA5 (SLGH003), 9R65 (SBGA429)

[mdtddd2007]

SLGH007...wow!!! so nice!

[TimeAZ]

Originally Posted by Mbbgysam

Adding a movement pic as well to really highlight the difference in finishing and movement architecture:
9S64 (SBGW231), 9SA5 (SLGH003), 9R65 (SBGA429)

Gorgeous trio. Really beautiful movements from GS. The new 9SA5 is a winner, that caseback is phenomenal. Wish the dial didn't have "80 Hours" and "Hi-Beat 36000" written on it.... GS should know better, less is more.

[swish77]

I love a lot of GS watches, but am I the only one who doesn’t like that little SD meter on the dial? That’s a deal-breaker for me. I know they’ve been on dials for a while on certain models, but I was hoping more new SD models would eliminate the meters. Not sure why they’re necessary. If it’s just because it’s cool to see it, stick it in the back somehow, visible through the case-back window.

There’s a lot of talk about GS movements and the thickness of their watches, but for me it’s virtually all about the dial. If that’s beautiful, as it often is with GS, I wouldn’t care if a rubber band and paper clip was powering the movement.

[Yellowfury]

Originally Posted by swish77

I love a lot of GS watches, but am I the only one who doesn’t like that little SD meter on the dial? That’s a deal-breaker for me. I know they’ve been on dials for a while on certain models, but I was hoping more new SD models would eliminate the meters. Not sure why they’re necessary. If it’s just because it’s cool to see it, stick it in the back somehow, visible through the case-back window.

There’s a lot of talk about GS movements and the thickness of their watches, but for me it’s virtually all about the dial. If that’s beautiful, as it often is with GS, I wouldn’t care if a rubber band and paper clip was powering the movement.

It’s taken me a few years but I’ve finally accepted the power reserve indicator on the spring drive models. It’s just a quick way to tell whether or not a watch has one. I know there are now models with the indicator on the back if that’s more your thing.

Edit- I just put a deposit on the pink spring 2019 model. The fall 2019 model is also quite nice. Of the new seasons collection my preference is for the fall black and gold or the summer waves.

[fullofboats]

Originally Posted by swish77

I love a lot of GS watches, but am I the only one who doesn’t like that little SD meter on the dial? That’s a deal-breaker for me. I know they’ve been on dials for a while on certain models, but I was hoping more new SD models would eliminate the meters. Not sure why they’re necessary. If it’s just because it’s cool to see it, stick it in the back somehow, visible through the case-back window.

There’s a lot of talk about GS movements and the thickness of their watches, but for me it’s virtually all about the dial. If that’s beautiful, as it often is with GS, I wouldn’t care if a rubber band and paper clip was powering the movement.

Take a look at Credor. Plenty of spring drive models with power reserve on back and no text on dial except "Credor"

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by swish77

I love a lot of GS watches, but am I the only one who doesn’t like that little SD meter on the dial? That’s a deal-breaker for me. I know they’ve been on dials for a while on certain models, but I was hoping more new SD models would eliminate the meters. Not sure why they’re necessary. If it’s just because it’s cool to see it, stick it in the back somehow, visible through the case-back window.

There’s a lot of talk about GS movements and the thickness of their watches, but for me it’s virtually all about the dial. If that’s beautiful, as it often is with GS, I wouldn’t care if a rubber band and paper clip was powering the movement.

It’s been like that for many many years. Like Rolex’s cyclops. Either one love or one doesn’t (or one tolerates).

[ZOOK]

Originally Posted by Mbbgysam

Agreed! And it doesn't hurt to be the first steel GS with the next gen movements and LE . There are still some in NYC if anyone's looking (at least as of a few days ago)!

Sorry just testing

[OJONES]

Movement really is a step up on the SLGH003, but besides that I really don’t care for it at all. This is huge step backwards for me in terms of design. I really don’t understand how that ridiculously oversized bracelet got approved. It makes the watch look like a 36 Datejust in terms of proportions. At least taper the thing.

[Fleetlord]

https://www.grand-seiko.com/us-en/collections/sbgc240g

Wait...this reference is $10,400 MORE than the Steel SD Chrono? What am I missing here?

Same movement...just "limited" to 500 and add some gold bezel, pushers, hands and dial..and crown? It's not even a 2 tone bracelet.

That's just poor marketing. Adding a model to an already bloated lineup with an exorbitant retail will result in unsold watches.....yikes.

[bleek]

The Spring SBGJ249 looks like a horizontal or "fallen" birch