Potential new watch!! Grand Seiko SBGN027 Vs SBGX355
I have been looking to add a 9F quartz Grand Seiko to my collection for a while and the SBGN027 has been at the top of my list however, I always felt it lacked the Grand Seiko dial. After the recent release of the Snowflake quartz SBGX355 I am starting to lean towards that.
I love the 37mm size, the finishing of the titanium and more importantly the snowflake dial. I think the spring drive is too big for my wrist. I would love to know your opinion, which would you go for?
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Dixie
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Dronfield S18, UK
Member since
Last active: 1 day ago
SBGN fam over here!
SBGN fam over here!
Nice!!! Such a stunning watch, you have the original too!!!
I had this debate in my head for about a year. I wanted a GS GMT, but spring drive or 9F, specifically the SBGN003. I decided on the spring drive at 40 mm. What is a GS if it’s not a spring drive?
The quartz snowflake is next in line 😍
White one with textured dial
ive never liked the messy look of the GS gmt watches. and the lack of dial texture means its kinda plain. id go for the snowflake
I went this way lovely watch to wear
While the dial is not textured it is a deep inky black that alows the hands and indices to really shine. For a quartz the tick of the second hand is brilliant it moves from one second to the next with a snap but no bounce at all it’s like the hand just appears to be in one place then the next without any effort. Never seen another tick quite like it. As for accuracy if I found the watch and my iPhone at odds I’d be inclined to believe the watch
Nice!!! Such a stunning watch, you have the original too!!!
Yes I actually prefer the 3 OC date vs the 4 OC.
I went this way lovely watch to wear
While the dial is not textured it is a deep inky black that alows the hands and indices to really shine. For a quartz the tick of the second hand is brilliant it moves from one second to the next with a snap but no bounce at all it’s like the hand just appears to be in one place then the next without any effort. Never seen another tick quite like it. As for accuracy if I found the watch and my iPhone at odds I’d be inclined to believe the watch
Very true! If you watch a slow video of this movement, it actually ticks twice per second but we can’t see it 😉. This helps the accuracy and prevents the bounce.
I had this debate in my head for about a year. I wanted a GS GMT, but spring drive or 9F, specifically the SBGN003. I decided on the spring drive at 40 mm. What is a GS if it’s not a spring drive?
Wow great choice, stunning watch. I get your point about the spring drive and hopefully in the future I will be able to add one to the collection also. There is always so many watches on the list!!!
I went this way lovely watch to wear
While the dial is not textured it is a deep inky black that alows the hands and indices to really shine. For a quartz the tick of the second hand is brilliant it moves from one second to the next with a snap but no bounce at all it’s like the hand just appears to be in one place then the next without any effort. Never seen another tick quite like it. As for accuracy if I found the watch and my iPhone at odds I’d be inclined to believe the watch
Thank you for the comment, you have great taste 👌
I had this debate in my head for about a year. I wanted a GS GMT, but spring drive or 9F, specifically the SBGN003. I decided on the spring drive at 40 mm. What is a GS if it’s not a spring drive?
Spring Drive is unique to Grand Seiko and a phenomenal technology. That said, Grand Seiko existed long before Spring Drive. As cool as that technology is, plenty of people want a purely mechanical watch. You also can’t get smaller Spring Drive watches. There’s many reasons to not buy a Spring Drive. Fortunately, they make watches with many different styles of movements.
Spring Drive is unique to Grand Seiko and a phenomenal technology. That said, Grand Seiko existed long before Spring Drive. As cool as that technology is, plenty of people want a purely mechanical watch. You also can’t get smaller Spring Drive watches. There’s many reasons to not buy a Spring Drive. Fortunately, they make watches with many different styles of movements.
Yes Grand Seiko has plenty of choice. Not always a good thing but I like the textured dials but there hasn't been too many releases with 9F.
Spring Drive is unique to Grand Seiko and a phenomenal technology. That said, Grand Seiko existed long before Spring Drive. As cool as that technology is, plenty of people want a purely mechanical watch. You also can’t get smaller Spring Drive watches. There’s many reasons to not buy a Spring Drive. Fortunately, they make watches with many different styles of movements.
Trust me. I have many gripes with GS and spring drive. Nevertheless, it is unique and is one among my many mechanical and quartz watches.👍
Yes Grand Seiko has plenty of choice. Not always a good thing but I like the textured dials but there hasn't been too many releases with 9F.
Not yet, but I have a feeling we will start seeing more. Quartz seems to be rising in popularity. The new 9F snowflake looks really great!
I have the „luxury“ of not having to choose but if you want to go for a 9F may I suggest poster #1‘s @neloms SBGN003?
It is the objectively „better“ version compared to the follow-up models (i.e. the SBGN027)
Wow congratulations 👍. Your snowflake is stunning, pure Grand Seiko. I had the opportunity to buy the SBGN005 before it was discontinued but us watch nuts spend too much deliberating!!!
Wow congratulations 👍. Your snowflake is stunning, pure Grand Seiko. I had the opportunity to buy the SBGN005 before it was discontinued but us watch nuts spend too much deliberating!!!
Isn’t the SBGN027 the new one and the SBGN003 and 005 have been discontinued? Or are the newer GMT 9F‘s also discontinued after only one year on the market?
Isn’t the SBGN027 the new one and the SBGN003 and 005 have been discontinued? Or are the newer GMT 9F‘s also discontinued after only one year on the market?
Sorry my bad, I wrote the incorrect reference. So many references!!!
Between the two, I like the SBGX355 quartz Snowflake. But, no bad choices between it and the SBGN027. Let us know what you get and pics when you do!
Snowflake for sure. But, do try on the Spring Drive to be sure as they do wear better than you think. You wany to be sure, so try on lots! It's not like it's Rolex after all, they are actually available 🤣
I picked up the SBGN027 in December. During the summer I went to my AD with the intention of getting a Tudor BB and was so disappointed. I looked at the SBGN027 and Omega Seamaster 300M. I picked up the Seamaster at that time but new in time I would get the SBGN027. Love the watch.
GS GMT
I picked up the SBGN027 in December. During the summer I went to my AD with the intention of getting a Tudor BB and was so disappointed. I looked at the SBGN027 and Omega Seamaster 300M. I picked up the Seamaster at that time but new in time I would get the SBGN027. Love the watch.
What was disappointment with the BB? I have been seeing that alot of people have been having QC issues. My BB58 bronze does have a slightly misaligned bezel but it doesn't bother me too much.
Snowflake for sure. But, do try on the Spring Drive to be sure as they do wear better than you think. You wany to be sure, so try on lots! It's not like it's Rolex after all, they are actually available 🤣
Yes I would like a Spring Drive eventually but for now I really do want to add a 9F to the collection.
Snowflake quartz no brainer. Lovely watch
What was disappointment with the BB? I have been seeing that alot of people have been having QC issues. My BB58 bronze does have a slightly misaligned bezel but it doesn't bother me too much.
I am sure it's a quality watch and well made but it was so bland. No wrist presence at all.
Yes I would like a Spring Drive eventually but for now I really do want to add a 9F to the collection.
Completely understand why! Great movement 👌🏻
The GMT is lovely but (probably bracelet aside) the sbgx355 is really looking like the perfect watch. Perfect size, beautiful dial, accurate, advanced and maintenance free movement, and will surely be available soon enough for 2/3rds of its list price. Very, very tempting
Yes I would like a Spring Drive eventually but for now I really do want to add a 9F to the collection.
Then get SBGNXXX for now and wait for grail SD