Grand seiko or Tag Carrera?
Hello fellow enthusiasts, I need your help. So I wanted to reward myself to a watch and the budget is up to £2500. I already have a Tag F1, Tudor BB58 39mm, a Omega Seamaster and a Seiko SNXS79K. I was looking at the Tag Carrera 39mm, automatic leather strap with a eta movement, which the movement being my only and major gripe. On the other hand the Grand Seiko seems to appealing as I no longer possess any expensive Seikos at all. However, although I know it’s a Quartz, I also know it’s the best money can buy and it’s the entry level model which isn’t an issue.
I’m truly stuck. Do I buy the Tag which is beautiful and will be my only leather strapped watch or the GS which is similar to my existing Seiko? Because I rotate my watches and I only have one winder for the Tudor, I end up reconfiguring the time every time. My heart says GS one minute but then the photos of the Tag look amazing.
Some thoughts would be highly appreciated.
Been into watches since I was 10. After 35 years I’m still a fanatic!
I own the blue variant of the Tag Carrera 39mm and I love it as it looks great for all situations
Why buy a quartz for 2500 bucks? If you want Quartz get a G-Shock. If you want a GS get a Hi-Beat or Spring Drive, IMHO its value for money.
Why buy a quartz for 2500 bucks? If you want Quartz get a G-Shock. If you want a GS get a Hi-Beat or Spring Drive, IMHO its value for money.
True. But the reason I chose the quartz is because I could pick it up anytime and the time will be set and there’s no worries of losing time.
I own the blue variant of the Tag Carrera 39mm and I love it as it looks great for all situations
As mentioned, my only issue was the movement and I already have a Tag.
Can only speak for GS, I have a similar one but with the 44GS case. The movement is a marvel, have gained 2 seconds since I bought it in November and it's by far the one in my collection that gets the most wrist time, the movement, quality of build and finish can't be beat for the price, and you can get it cheaper from Japan.
Can only speak for GS, I have a similar one but with the 44GS case. The movement is a marvel, have gained 2 seconds since I bought it in November and it's by far the one in my collection that gets the most wrist time, the movement, quality of build and finish can't be beat for the price, and you can get it cheaper from Japan.
Thank you. Here in England no matter what the price, after paying import taxes, the government seems to make sure you’re hardly making any savings. Is the GS quartz worth £2k though? A lot of Youtube bloggers seem to think so.
As mentioned, my only issue was the movement and I already have a Tag.
Mine runs +-7 seconds a day
Since you asked, both amazing watches and I love GS but I’d go for the tag on this occasion. Love the watch and also feels a bit underrated from what I’ve seen.
Since you asked, both amazing watches and I love GS but I’d go for the tag on this occasion. Love the watch and also feels a bit underrated from what I’ve seen.
The Tag had a big opening. It was the model Ryan Gosling wore in the Grey Man film.
The Tag had a big opening. It was the model Ryan Gosling wore in the Grey Man film.
Ah yeah okay. Shows how in touch I am then! Still I stand by comment on how good it looks!
I agree that the Tag looks better and think this takes priority over the other rationales. I want to say go quartz, go Japanese, but in this case I can't take that side so easily.
Thank you. Here in England no matter what the price, after paying import taxes, the government seems to make sure you’re hardly making any savings. Is the GS quartz worth £2k though? A lot of Youtube bloggers seem to think so.
Yeah, it's worth 2000 new.
On one hand I would like a leather strapped automatic but on the other the GS which i’ve never owned seems to talk to me.
On one hand I would like a leather strapped automatic but on the other the GS which i’ve never owned seems to talk to me.
I own 4 watches from GS, Hi-Beat and Manual wind. For 2.5k you should at least consider a used SGBW .. manual wind is not bad you just need to remember to crank it 30 times in the morning when you slap it on the wrist, takes 10secs and its a ritual. Quartz have seconds hand alignment issues with indices you can YouTube people talking about it. GS is Patek quality at fraction of the price. But not quartz. Nothing wrong with quartz like I said consider a G-Shock or something similar.
get the Tag
Why not buy a GS Spring Drive, a GS Quartz and a GS Hi-Beat? That's my goal and I'm two down, one to go!
Because quartz watches have an ugly problem of second hands not aligning with the indices. If I buy a quartz watch it will be something like a G-shock.
Because quartz watches have an ugly problem of second hands not aligning with the indices. If I buy a quartz watch it will be something like a G-shock.
Not on a GS quartz with the 9F movement. Second hand hits the indices dead on balls everytime. Which is one of the reasons I got one! Got a G-Shock as well.
For £2500 I wouldn’t buy either, as you’ve opened it up to the floor nutters like me will chip in. Considering what you already have, a steel sports isn’t going to round anything out, you should consider vintage or a decent dress watch. Anyway, that’s all from me, I’ll slide away now. I’ve been no help whatsoever.
Neither! Keep looking! 😜 GS Hi-Beat/Spring Drive or Heuer Chrono. 🤷🏽♂️
Both are nice but I would go for the GS peri think what you have to do is to imagine which one you would reach for every morning if both lived in your watch Box. Which one excites you? For me it would be the finishing on the GS case. I find that more alluring than the mechanical movement in the tag. But your mileage may vary.
I bought the SOKO Grand Seiko. The watch came with two straps. A steel bracelet and blue leather strap. I got two watches for the price of one. I love the blue leather strap more than the steel bracelet. My jeweler did not know Grand Seiko included a 2nd strap. She found it in the box while preparing my watch for me. Get the Grand Seiko. This is the only watch designed that converts mechanical energy to electric energy to power a quartz. The quartz is then used for accuracy. The second hand glides across the face of the watch.
I bought the SOKO Grand Seiko. The watch came with two straps. A steel bracelet and blue leather strap. I got two watches for the price of one. I love the blue leather strap more than the steel bracelet. My jeweler did not know Grand Seiko included a 2nd strap. She found it in the box while preparing my watch for me. Get the Grand Seiko. This is the only watch designed that converts mechanical energy to electric energy to power a quartz. The quartz is then used for accuracy. The second hand glides across the face of the watch.
While true if he was looking at a spring drive GS, but the one he is looking at is quartz quartz as in no mechanical energy as it’s powered by a battery. Not necessarily a bad thing, just making the distinction. See @christian108108 earlier reply to see the movement
I’d go GS since I’m an unrepentant GS fanboy. 🤪
I’d like to get a GS quartz as well, perhaps my next big purchase. I love the new 9F with most being -+\- a couple seconds per year. Mind blowing accuracy not depending on internet or any other external signals. Current models have instant date change and quick set jumping hour (in the 9F85) and dead stop second hand.
https://www.grand-seiko.com/us-en/collections/movement/quartz
GS grows their own quartz and hand finishes quartz models like mechanical. They make all their own parts in house.
Seems like you know what to do… the Tag is beautiful and fills a hole in your collection. Already have steel sport watches, and this GS not different enough just to upgrade from the other Seiko or compete with the Tudor.
Don't you want to be this guy? 😉
Get the Tag, of course 😂
The Carrera is a fantastic looking watch...
Grand Seiko, obviously. I mean the level of craftsmanship, attention to detail, heriage, innovations of Seiko as a whole there is no comparison here. Value for money level is off the charts with GS imo.
Thank you. Will be going into town tomorrow, by myself. The Mrs would rather watch paint dry! Happy days for me☺️
Cool! Let us know what you think after trying both on. Lots of people here saying the choice is "obvious," but we'll see if you feel the same way!
Get a Christopher Ward Bel Canto. You’ll wait, but it’s very similar money, and nothing like what anyone has.
GS for me - I love that GS is ploughing on with quartz technology - even sorting second hand issues etc - and the idea of full end to end production eg growing quartz in house…
Carrera. I love GS craftsmanship. But the Tag Carrera is a timeless look, automatic, 100M WR, has lume. GS owners, understand not every purchase is about specs/quality per $. Get the one you like the most. Some of my favorite watches to wear are not my Omega/Rolex/Tudors...