New or Vintage?

Sigh... you are asking for rational help and I want to give an irrational response from the heart. I have questions 

Price is similar? 

What is the budget? 

Why do I ask?

I feel like there may be more Seiko/ Grand Seiko options.  Can't quite out a finger on it . My guy says go GS. A GS highbeat in a smaller case dress watch is trending right now. The older GS Seiko logo combo on the dial is divisive. I advocate for wearing what you love. Resale has its fans and detractors with the old-school dial 

Budget is about the same around 850, but the GS would most likely mean import costs so I may seek a lower priced piece to account for that. My problem is that to me they are similar enough desirability in logical metrics. I need someone else‘s gut to give me what my gut seems to be unable to: decisiveness. 

If budget is a factor have you budgeted for service/maintenance, I don't know the history of the vintage piece but it's something to factor in. I'm also not a huge a fan of the Seiko/GS dial. I know you mentioned as a con for the presage was a regular Seiko dial, even on the GS the prominent branding is Seiko so for me they're even on that. The presage line is not to be sniffed at either, they make a quality watch. 

It looks like you want a piece with the GS heritage/history and are settling on this one because it's in budget. I'd go with the presage of the two.  

If it were me - I’d go vintage GS. If you already think the presage is pedestrian, imagine how you will feel in 12, 24 or 36 months. The cost of ownership might be higher - but you will probably get more enjoyment of ownership and be more willing to spend the money on servicing it.

Good luck 

I'd go with the vintage GS but with the caveat that you do need to know of a watchmaker capable of servicing it, as the 56 series did have an issue with plastic date wheels being fitted to all but the A movement versions breaking. Metal replacements can be easily sourced & replaced if you are planning to have the watch serviced. However if you don't know of a good watchmaker you maybe best avoiding one of these & getting the Pressage instead 

I know a very good watch maker in town, their servicing costs to fix a vintage Wittnauer the size of a dime for my mom was around 150. Most of the versions I have been looking at of the 5646 have been A versions. It is not that I would be settling for the Presage, I do very much like that watch. For reference, my ”grail” is a SBGH273. A GS high beat with a blue dial and gold second hand. This being several times my watch buying budget for a year will likely have to wait until after I am a homeowner. 

I may end up getting the presage and waiting a few more years for a GS. They may end up making a spring drive in colors/shapes without the power reserve that catch my fancy. 

Seiko Presage would be my choice. And wait for that "GS high beat with a blue dial and gold second hand"

Gorgeous no?

My vote goes to the vintage GS. Reason is simple, vintage watches in decent condition don’t come by very often. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. You can always pick up a presage later. 

A lot of love for the #grandseiko but I'll go against the grain and say the #presage since it is the closest (in look) any of us (most of us) can get to a 1964 #45899. If only it had black applied indicators. 

Look at it...LOOK AT IT! 😂