Size isn’t everything!

I’ll admit, I’m a Grand Seiko fanboy and am absolutely besotted with everything about them. The finishing, accuracy and sheer dedication to their craft speaks to me. I own several GS pieces already and a mix of quartz, hi-beat and spring drive movements.

So when I was in the market for a diver, I must admit I was looking elsewhere brand wise as I had some specific requirements. First was a ‘no date’ design. I just don’t like divers with date complications, I think it disrupts the look of the dial. Next was to find a black ceramic-like (in looks at least) bezel and blue dial. Furthermore, I’m a sucker for accuracy, so a good quality movement.

My search took me around the houses until I was casually browsing Chrono24 one evening. Now I’ve never purchased anything on the site as I guess I was fearful of getting hit by all sorts of charges importing into the UK.

Well all that was thrown out of the window when I clapped eyes on the SBGX337. Part of a trio of divers exclusive to the Japanese market, it appeared to be the answer to my dive watch prayers.

I had to have one, and get over any fears about purchasing unseen and through a Chrono24.

Well, I’m very happy to report that the whole process went supremely well. I purchased the watch from Ippo Watches and the sales rep (Izumi) could not have been more helpful. I managed to negotiate a small discount and placed the order on a Saturday, and received it 5 days later! I needn’t have feared the charges as all I had to pay was the standard UK VAT and a very small charge by FedEx; all budgeted for and no surprises.

As for the watch itself. It’s even more stunning in the flesh and I fear my photography skills do not do it justice by any means.

For a very large watch, it somehow fits my 17cm wrist brilliantly and this is part of the Grand Seiko magic; they somehow make large cases wear very well.

Yes the bracelet is not as good as Rolex, Tudor etc, but when has that ever been the case with Grand Seiko?

But boy, I cannot stop smiling when wearing this well balanced, beautifully executed watch. Something I never felt with my Submariner. The latter was a brilliant watch, but as I say, I’m a GS fanboy through and through 😂