Signaling status to attract mates (AKA, why I bought the GS SBGJ261)
This watch recently entered my collection. The dial is, like many GS, subtle from a distance. You have to catch it at the right angle, up close, in certain types of lighting, in order to see the pattern; otherwise, it looks like a regular ol’ blue dial.
It is the GS SBGJ261, nicknamed “The Peacock.” Per Grand Seiko:
The dial of SBGJ261 features a texture achieved through an intricate press patterning process. The effect, radiating from the dial’s center, is immediately eye-catching, recalling the vibrant plumage of a peacock’s train. Multi-faceted indexes and razor-edged hands offer high legibility, as well as a contrasting GMT hand for tracking an additional time zone. A dual-curved sapphire tops the dial.
Like all hi-beat GS, the watch beats at 36,000 vph, it uses MEMS technology to get incredibly fine tolerances with super lightweight components in the movement - which otherwise can’t be done using traditional machining techniques - to be able to achieve 55 hours of power reserve in spite of the 5 Hz frequency, when most other manufacturers can only reliably eeek out a similar power reserve with 4 Hz, at best. But, really, I couldn’t give a jot about all that. I only care for the beautiful dial - the Peacock dial. Which makes me realize something about myself: Like the peacock, I am the most shallow animal on earth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTwT1-TpFhE
Peacocks have those massive trains solely for the purpose of signaling in the sexual selection game. Even though those giant tails make a peacock more susceptible to predation and causes him to waste inordinate calories and other resources on this ridiculous plumage, this is the only way for the male to credibly signal to females that he has good genes and that therefore the female should choose to mate with him. As they say, “The only credible signal is a costly signal.” And the GS SBGJ261 was costly indeed!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signalling_theory
But, I’m old and I’m very happily married and I have 2 young kids that I adore and 2 puppies I adore even more than my kids! So, I really shouldn’t care about this dial, and I really shouldn’t care about signaling, because I ain’t in the sexual selection game anymore. Fine, fine! I get it, I get it… we’re all machines composed of biological materials, and our programming is controlled by the algorithms that emerge from the different combinations of nucleotides in our cells. And, well, the programming is the programming and ain’t nothing you can do about it. Sure, sure… I just wish that life were different somehow. And I know that’s a ridiculous thing to wish. I mean, I’m sure that the Roomba running around your house, sucking up dirt and dust wishes that its life and its programming were different somehow - like maybe it wishes it could be a refrigerator instead - but it’s stuck being a vacuum, because its algorithms have condemned it to be nothing more than a vacuum.
I mean, honestly, the universe kinda dealt us all a sh*t hand. Nature, at its most basic, is “red in tooth and claw.” Here’s an example of what I mean:
- In my younger, single days, I lived in Chicago, and met this gal… who really wouldn’t give me the time of day. We had friends in common, and every time I’d see her, I’d make a beeline right to her, because, um, you know, she was very attractive. But, zero interest was ever reciprocated. She would see me, and her immediate reaction would be...
- Which then resulted in me always awkwardly walking away, like this…
- Then, one day, out of the blue, she walked up to me! And she was doing this…
- Was that flirting??? Like, what? She’s flirting with me??? And it felt like this…
- And as we were talking, I said something along the lines of, “Yeah, Monday’s gonna suck. I gotta fly out to bumblef*ck nowhere to the client site to kiss the client’s rear-end.” To which she responded, “Oh, yeah, Cassie was telling me that you work for [hoity-toity professional services firm X]. I looked it up. Wow. You must be really impressive.” She literally said that! And, you know what? Instead of being elated, this is how I felt…
- Somehow I thought she had come around to my incredible charm and my witty repartee and my sardonic humor. No. Not at all. My job simply signaled that I would be able to generate a lifetime of excess resources, and she was simply interested in gaining access to that surplus… And, fair enough, let’s be honest, that’s about all I had to offer
But, thank god, my now-wife finally decided to marry me, because she married me for my incredible charm and my witty repartee and my sardonic humor… I think… though, I did buy her dream home for her, along with a shed-load of plein air paintings, a house-full of Mission-style and arts & crafts furnishings… Ugggghhhhh… see what I mean about nature being “red in tooth and claw” at its core???
Anyway, this is a long rambling way to say that I really dig this dial, and I love this watch. But, I wish we lived in a universe where I didn’t.
The Artist formerly known as @HotWatchChick69 and formerly-formerly @Omeganut
More from Mr.Dee.Bater
That dial is jaw dropping, what an absolute stunner!!! From my perspective Grand Seiko & even Seiko really do a fabulous job on their dials from color to dial finishing wow this is artwork on your wrist. Congratulations!!
PLUS
EQUALS
looks at the stallions who got hitched and laughed
I'm free! 😛😂
looks at the stallions who got hitched and laughed
I'm free! 😛😂
OMG...
Yeah, I promised myself that I wouldn't buy another watch till March 2024.
Since that time, I've purchased 3 GS'es!!!
But, truly, now I am promising NO MORE WATCHES UNTIL MARCH 2024!!!
In the future I’m sure I will ad a Grand Seiko. My problem is that I want it to be spectacular. Spectacular to differentiate it from, and motivate me to pay the premium compared to a Seiko. The few I tested on was in reality somewhat overpowering, a bit too much bling in the long run. This seems to be in the sweetspot for me, peacocking or not. Great pick up by you👍
VERY handsome watch indeed!
I just looked at pictures didn’t read it but that watch is f@cking Awesome!!
ok I read your love story…now I’m sad…
In the future I’m sure I will ad a Grand Seiko. My problem is that I want it to be spectacular. Spectacular to differentiate it from, and motivate me to pay the premium compared to a Seiko. The few I tested on was in reality somewhat overpowering, a bit too much bling in the long run. This seems to be in the sweetspot for me, peacocking or not. Great pick up by you👍
Thank you, sir! Yeah, it feels like GS can be too blingy. Like the White Birch or the Shosho just jump out. I feel totally self conscious with the Ryusendo, and have trouble wearing that out - it's just too bright.
But, GS do have a number of models where the dials are really cool, but you can't see the texture from a distance. You have to squint at it up close, and only in certain angles of lighting, to see the dial.
Maybe something like that would appeal to you?
I would rent out my secret weapon…
You guys have to be into cougars though… 😉
You still kidding yourself your wearing Grand Seikos to signal the ladies?
Guys be wearing watches to flex on other guys.
WC:
And if you ARE trying to Impress the ladies, there is no point wearing a GS.
(Having said that.... nice GS 😂)
Wowzers I love this watch !!! So you be flexen a bit but why not brother!
You know that trope that if a guy spends a bunch of money on a car or any luxury / signaling / positional good, he must be "compensating" for something?
I'm a short, middle-aged, 4-eyed Asian dude, with bad teeth and a bad back. Of course I'm compensating!!!
You know that trope that if a guy spends a bunch of money on a car or any luxury / signaling / positional good, he must be "compensating" for something?
I'm a short, middle-aged, 4-eyed Asian dude, with bad teeth and a bad back. Of course I'm compensating!!!
For what it’s worth, I’m here for your incredible charm, witty repartee, and sardonic humor. definitely not for your auctions.
Congrats man, I just ordered mine and it’s coming this Wednesday. I cannot wait!!! Seems like a real winner.
Damn Brian!!!!
You are winning at the GS game. Love the new addition 😍 . Interesting choice though: I totally get falling in lust with that crazy brilliant dial.. but how do you like the 36k auto movement - feel as magic as a SD movement?
Seiko keeps turning out epic dials in the elegance line and in versions and with automatic movements. Wish they'd do more of these full peacock models in SD, which are the watches I dream about. i.e. the Ryusendo - but in done in the heritage line, with a date, Ti build, bracelet, and SD.... that's my watch!!!
Then finally, I will own the signalling game 😀
Oh, dude... I have 2 spring drive GS'es on the way... both with exquisite dials!
Yeah ok I’m in love with it
Last time I was there, Westime in La Jolla had one sitting under the display case for retail. I couldn't believe that it was available. I mean, they all seemed to immediately sell out!
Sometimes a watch . . . is only a watch!😗💨
Pretty as a 🦚 though.
Enjoy! Remember, like me you probably don’t deserve your wife, kids or watches. Just means we are lucky guys!!
Also reminds me of this hilarious Groucho Marx story, where he was talking to a woman with 17 children on "You Bet Your Life"
Absolutely love it!!!!! enjoy it and wear it in good health
Damn Brian!!!!
You are winning at the GS game. Love the new addition 😍 . Interesting choice though: I totally get falling in lust with that crazy brilliant dial.. but how do you like the 36k auto movement - feel as magic as a SD movement?
Seiko keeps turning out epic dials in the elegance line and in versions and with automatic movements. Wish they'd do more of these full peacock models in SD, which are the watches I dream about. i.e. the Ryusendo - but in done in the heritage line, with a date, Ti build, bracelet, and SD.... that's my watch!!!
Then finally, I will own the signalling game 😀
By the way, dude, there are 3 options to choose from that meet your current criteria!
In a competitive romance market you just have to avoid being one of the frogs they gotta kiss. Besides women know car brands better than watches so your safe as long as the car looks expensive.
By the way, dude, there are 3 options to choose from that meet your current criteria!
100% I know those 3!! … and I’ve got my sights set on the middle one, which I’m 80% saved up for so far 😃🤪!
Of course, I am still enamoured by the idea of some new limited run model of <300 units, with a mind exploding dial, in spring drive, and a screw crown, that somehow my Japanese family can snag for me even if North America gets none. Special, rare, and will impress fellow GS nerds to no end.
I usually wear my: "Rich, famous and well hung" T-skirt if I'm wearing my G-Shock or Seiko...
I would rent out my secret weapon…
You guys have to be into cougars though… 😉
That's a cool watch!
Amazing dial! 😍And my favourite colour too - blue ! Congratulations Truly! 🍻
In a competitive romance market you just have to avoid being one of the frogs they gotta kiss. Besides women know car brands better than watches so your safe as long as the car looks expensive.
True, I used to let a co-worker borrow my convertible BMW exactly for that reason. Trickery, trickery, trickery...
Oh my sweet boy. Grand Seiko is a signaling mechanism alright. It signals that you're this.
Oh my sweet boy. Grand Seiko is a signaling mechanism alright. It signals that you're this.
Dude, you know what is the absolute worst about these nerd images? The "nerd" is still like 100x better looking and more fashionably dressed than me!
The absolute worst was that movie "She's All That." It's like the holy grail of "nerdy girl let's her hair down, takes off her glasses, and suddenly she's hot" movies.
Uh... no! When she's supposed to be nerdy and ugly, she's like better looking than 99.9% of humanity!
So, if GS signals that I'm like that dude in that photo, YEAH! It's doing something right for me!
Attractive Dial!