Evolution 9 SLGA015 - Impressions?

[Highland Ranger]

Looks like Gs' AD network has changed again and only place this model available is a bit of a trip to a boutique.

Anyone see one in person?

How are the prices holding? Discounts at AD and/or the GS Boutique or do they sell for list?

I have a hi-beat, always wanted a spring drive and an understated diver a cut above a Turtle seems like just the ticket for my customary new job new watch tradition . . .

[Highland Ranger]

I guess not much interest in this watch.

[Crown & Shield]

I tried one on just last month: case is OK, more modern take of the previous GS divers.
Latest thermo-compensated Spring Drive movement with 5-day PR.
But the bracelet and the clasp still suck.

[TimeAZ]

Bracelet kills the watch. Pass. Same goes for the entire "evolution" line... very evolved, except the bracelet and clasp

[SUPERDOC]

I thought this was unbelievable!
Not sure why the lack of love... I was completely blown away by this one!

[DCheeta]

Of course it’s a great watch. Personally I can’t get into the hands that GS uses on their divers. I’d rather buy the Prospex LX SNR029 - titanium diver, spring drive, cool handset.

[CALIFORNIA-BG]

I'm happy with mine. Purchased online from an AD in Florida.
While yes, it is still the same clasp, I've removed the bracelet and installed a Seiko silicone strap.
I love it. Lightweight, low key, and best of all...... It has stayed within one second of accuracy over a two month period.
5-day reserve is great for when I just need to park it and use a smartwatch.

[Highland Ranger]

I have a hi-beat and I get the take on the clasp - wish they'd address it.

I was going to buy it anyway but unfortunately the boutique wouldn't work with me on providing a few extra links in a manner I could use to resize the band for my large wrist while still maintaining the "returnability" of the online sale if I didn't like the watch. They also had no interest in working with local ADs to get a piece closer to me to try on and if necessary size.

Given the state of the market - madness even as price and supply eases - well let's just say I'm past the point of not being catered to a bit for a luxury item sale.

[Crown & Shield]

Originally Posted by CALIFORNIA-BG

I'm happy with mine. Purchased online from an AD in Florida.
While yes, it is still the same clasp, I've removed the bracelet and installed a Seiko silicone strap.
I love it. Lightweight, low key, and best of all...... It has stayed within one second of accuracy over a two month period.
5-day reserve is great for when I just need to park it and use a smartwatch.

Could you post a picture with the strap, please? I have considered going that way myself...

[rolexgs]

Originally Posted by CALIFORNIA-BG

I'm happy with mine. Purchased online from an AD in Florida.
While yes, it is still the same clasp, I've removed the bracelet and installed a Seiko silicone strap.
I love it. Lightweight, low key, and best of all...... It has stayed within one second of accuracy over a two month period.
5-day reserve is great for when I just need to park it and use a smartwatch.

the spring drive is essentially a quartz movement, not surprised it has the same accuracy as a quartz watch.

[Highland Ranger]

Originally Posted by rolexgs

the spring drive is essentially a quartz movement, not surprised it has the same accuracy as a quartz watch.

No - I believe a quartz crystal and electro magnets are used to regulate a mechanical movement. Big difference. Accuracy of a quartz without batteries. And very cool. See -> https://www.grand-seiko.com/us-en/sp...stories/vol6/1

[JoseR]

Originally Posted by Highland Ranger

No - I believe a quartz crystal and electro magnets are used to regulate a mechanical movement. Big difference. Accuracy of a quartz without batteries. And very cool. See -> https://www.grand-seiko.com/us-en/sp...stories/vol6/1

Agree. I was just watching a video on the Spring Drive.

[rolexgs]

Originally Posted by Highland Ranger

No - I believe a quartz crystal and electro magnets are used to regulate a mechanical movement. Big difference. Accuracy of a quartz without batteries. And very cool. See -> https://www.grand-seiko.com/us-en/sp...stories/vol6/1

correct, the movement basically calibrate itself according to the vibration frequency of the quartz. so it basically is a quartz movement. while a fully mechanical movement calibrate itself by its mechanical engineering.

[Highland Ranger]

Originally Posted by rolexgs

correct, the movement basically calibrate itself according to the vibration frequency of the quartz. so it basically is a quartz movement. while a fully mechanical movement calibrate itself by its mechanical engineering.

I have to look up quartz movements - but I don't think that's quite correct - looking for a drawing but I believe the spring drive is better thought of as a full mechanical movement whose frequency is indirectly (not a direct mechanical connection) regulated by a quartz crystal and electromagnets for accuracy.

Whereas a quartz watch is just a quartz regulated electric motor - direct driven.

Not sure it is a practical difference but it was hard to do and as such is cool.

[danicasi2002]

Is it because this is in the same price point as the Sub and that folks would rather have the sub instead if they can get the Sub at retail or close to retail?

[Highland Ranger]

Originally Posted by danicasi2002

Is it because this is in the same price point as the Sub and that folks would rather have the sub instead if they can get the Sub at retail or close to retail?

From what I understand from another question I asked - no Subs available at list from an AD. Need to go gray and pay on your way to double the price of the GS to get one - quick search shows "unworn" examples at 17k+ online for a vanilla sub.

In terms of sub vs the SLGA015 - Sub's band is superior as would be resale value and lay person brand recognition.

Other than that, as an artifact, the GS has arguably better fit and finish and a better movement. Substantially better not just in terms of accuracy and power reserve, but again as a piece of engineering.

[rolexgs]

Originally Posted by Highland Ranger

From what I understand from another question I asked - no Subs available at list from an AD. Need to go gray and pay on your way to double the price of the GS to get one - quick search shows "unworn" examples at 17k+ online for a vanilla sub.

In terms of sub vs the SLGA015 - Sub's band is superior as would be resale value and lay person brand recognition.

Other than that, as an artifact, the GS has arguably better fit and finish and a better movement. Substantially better not just in terms of accuracy and power reserve, but again as a piece of engineering.

better movement? come on! without the quartz the spring drive movement can't even run.

[Gebbeth]

So when this watch first came out, I was shocked at the retail price. I just didn't think GS was being smart in offering this watch for essentially the same price as the Sub. I understand Subs are hard to find, but it wasn't like the SLGA015 was easy to find when it first launched either.

If it were priced originally in the $7-8k range, I think this would have been a winner, bad bracelet and all. It would have been a viable alternative to a Seamaster 300 on bracelet.

But I would not buy that watch for that retail price.

Right now, most secondary markets have this priced in the high $8k used. Japan seems to have most of them right now. I still wouldn't pull the trigger at that price. I'd wait.

I have no idea why GS doesn't get its head out of its rear end and fix their bracelets. ALL of their bracelets. It just kills the value of their sports watches. I can't understand how a company that otherwise gets things so right can have such an obvious thing be so wrong.

[Highland Ranger]

So much for no one wanting one - now showing as sold out online.

[Gebbeth]

Yeah, I don't think no one wants it. I was thinking the OP was saying there were no comments here for awhile when he first posted.

Anyway, I think the watch is in demand, but I am also seeing these watches slowly trickle into the secondary/used markets.

[Stevec14]

I tried it on yesterday as my AD had it in. Nice watch. Wears miles smaller than the specs. Oddly it was the dial which didn’t do it for me. It looks nice when there is no light on it, but I found it to glare quite a lot when directly under light. You also have the contrast between the matte black grey dial and the very black glossy ceramic. Ultimately not for me (certainly at £10k) but a pretty good effort. I’d prefer it with a normal black glossy dial personally.

[Chas58]

Its my favorite GS diver. All the others seem to wear big, but the Ti and the low center of gravity make this wear a lot better on my 7" wrist. I was a bit surprised that the dial texture is under the dial, not on the surface like many other GS wave dials.

[Highland Ranger]

Like me some blue but still not schlepping into the city to look at one. Its a bummer.

[DJ2020]

I got one the weekend. Absolutely love it. That includes the bracelet.

[1William]

Congratulations.