Under-the-radar Grand Seiko?

I don't have a watch from either brand so I'm no expert, but I don't think they look at Rolex as a question. The most I know about GS is the video they with Teddy Baldasserre, and they seem content on making their own style. Personally, I would choose GS over Rolex every time.

Only thing better on the Rolex in my opinion is the location on the date complication. 😁

My ad and his older brother gifted the dark blue model to their dad who actually owns the family watch and jewellery business but leaves operations to his two sons. I think the watches are not reviewed more because they are not celebrated by ads who prefer customers buy more expensive high beat and spring drive models. My ad did show me the same watch when I was shopping for a blue dial watch. I just feel that I should source a spring drive and move on from GS.

I have the sbga427

I am unsure how this GS can be compared with the Explorer I 36mm. They are totally different size, one of them uses number, one of them has a date and one of them uses a unique movement only found in their models. For that matter, they are totally different style.

And who has heard about that SBGA4XX series ? It is difficult to understand all the available models in the GS line. I keep a notepad on them that I can reference when someone toss a GS model number.

I see these as being more of an analog to the 39/40mm versions but appreciate this may be a stretch. I'm talking overall quality and GADA utility than a blow-by-blow comparison.

Overall quality :

Explorer I => -4 to +6 seconds per day

SBGA437 (as an example) => ±1 second per day (±15 seconds per month)

This is where it gets interesting, right? Movement accuracy-wise, GS has Rolex cold but there's more to the equation. I'm at a place where I'm wondering if the history, and objective value of the Explorer 1 trumps the objective spec value of the SBGA437. My feeling is that the GS is objectively better, but love to hear from the WC hive mind on their opinion.

Any feedback on how you're liking it? Is this a special watch for you or do you have several similar quality watches to gauge comparison?

Thanks for this. I agree I don't think Grand Seiko lose much sleep over their market position relative to Rolex. I'm thinking more from the pro-Rolex enthusiast POV. I love the Explorer 1 for its looks, physical specs (better than rivals) and history. Whatever else you want to say about the brand +/- 2spd is world class. But I love GS, am much more comfortable at the ~4.5k price mark and am pretty blown away by these specs at this price in 2023. Plus, you know, no wait list or AD mind games... I'm leaning GS but open to others insights.

Thanks for pointing out this model!! A less expensive way to add a spring drive movement to the collection😍

Ya it’s just another watch and I only bought it to have a spring drive. Taking out the spring drive it’s just another watch with a nice polish to it. I wanted to add grand seiko to my collection with spring drive just because I think the movement is awesome.

To be honest I’m selling mine. Rather someone have it that will wear it move. It’s just never makes it into my rotation.

Appreciate your honesty. Cheers.

If you end up looking to buy let me know maybe you will end up with mind if you like it.

My SBGA211 gains about 2 seconds a month, with is amazing. My Explorer on the other hand…

I have the watch you're showing, SBGA285 it has a matte greyish black dial, 39mm case (37mm if you only measure chapter ring and 31.5mm dial face). To me it is a gada watch and very goos alternative to explorer 1 39~40 mm.

I second that. I also have the SBGA285 and it’s a phenomenal alternative to the 39 Explorer 1. Majority of the Watch community missed this one imo, hence the lack of reviews and content. But that’s also what I love about it, it flies under the radar!

Yeah, GS realised they made this one too good both in term of price and sizing so they charge extra 1000 usd for its successor 🤣

Thanks for this. Yours seems to be a predecessor to the SBGA467 I'm referring to but besides being 1mm smaller (and no longer in production) I can't see any difference in terms of specs.

I think most people are aware of the SBGA line as they are the cheapest GS Spring Drives.

I have the white dial version. Didn't really know it existed, I wanted a GS and wanted a white dial watch, I was in the Sheffield area for work and when into the AD, tried on everything with a light dial, I was convinced I was going to get the White Birch before I went in, and as a backup the snowflake, but the they were not right for me. This was perfect for me, the finish is great, the weight is perfect (titanium is too lite for me), and when they told me the cost I almost fell off my chair. It is a great everyday watch.

Tried on an SBGA467 a few weeks ago, it's quite nice and wears smaller than I expected. Didn't pull the trigger because I wanted to see a SBGA439 (blue dial) but they didn't have one available.

I also looked at more expensive pieces (Snowflake, Birch, etc.) and I didn't think it was worth the extra cost, plus I felt like the simple dial was much more GADA.

All to say I think this line of GS are really great value for what you get with a Spring Drive and premium finishing. 👌

Thanks for this - almost looks like a linen dial, nice to see the close-up.

First, that watch you have on is spectacular! I think that your point about the comparison to the 39 mm Rolex explorer is well taken. If I had my choice, I would really want to take the the SBGA467. The watch is beautiful and I can imagine it going from a hike to the boardroom very well. But…lume. I Love lume! And the SBGA4XX just doesn’t have it. I know this is a personal preference but I do consider lume when purchasing a sports watch. That’s why I opted for the SBGM247. Most will say this piece is a response to the Explorer II but forget about seiko’s long history in gmt watches. Just like your watch, GS doesn’t need to respond to sh!@. GS’s has handed Swiss watches a smack down since the 60’s and they continue to till this day.

Not my watch, that's a stock image above. I'm considering this (along with a bunch of other options) but I was particularly impressed by this series so it's rising up the ranks in terms of the watches I'm taking a serious look at. I have a soft spot for good lume too, but for me GS's un-lumed daupine handset is a thing of rare beauty and I prefer those hands to the broader lumed hands they offer. Having said that, your SBGM237 is a seriously good-looking GMT 🍻.

An excellent watch, one I’m literally about to purchase after much scouring of the internet! Personally find it much nicer than the newer SBGA467 that replaced it

Amazing #grandseiko

The issue I have with the 285 is the lugs are 19mm. The 467 has 20mm which for me is better as a GADA watch.