The Grand Seiko, SLGH005 "White Birch"
I know that the possibilities, that I will ever be able to afford to own this piece, are virtually slim to none....but that dose of harsh reality, does not stop the attraction. I am in shear awe, of Grand Seiko. If I could only own one piece, for the remainder of my life, it would be this one right here.
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Justin
I have always had an interest in watches. From as early as the age of 6. Fast forward to the age of 19, when I bought my first "serious" watch. I became a more avid collector, in early 2020, when shop...
Erie, PA
Member since
Last active: 1 year ago
It’s always good to know what one’s grail watch is. Gives you something to save for/work towards. Goals are good.
My advice? If you can, round all of your purchases up to the next dollar, half dollar or quarter, and take all of the change and put it into a play fund. You’d be amazed how quickly putting away small sums like that here and there can add up. Obviously, however, I don’t know your financial situation, so, your mileage on that advice may vary.
Good sir, I am the proud owner of a White Birch and love it!
However... there's always a however, isn't there?
However, I am thinking about parting with my SLGH005. Why? For very idiosyncratic reasons:
(Look, I know how utterly ridiculous that is. I mean, it's like saying, "I only collect rookie year baseball cards of left-handed pitchers born west of the Mississippi." But, you know, we gotta come up with some sh*t to make the hobby fun for ourselves, right?)
The one thing holding me back from letting it go at the moment is the dial. It's out of this world.
Anyway, I've already talked to my dealer, and he's made me an offer. I'd be happy to extend the same price to you - it's a wash for me, but it'd save you a good deal of cash off MSRP and avoid sales tax, etc.
Otherwise... if now's not the time, I would say, nothing's out of reach. I mean, there are always ways to make more money, right? If you really want something badly enough, you can always find ways to make it happen.
Which reminds me of a joke that rational actor / revealed choice economists love:
Get it? Revealed choice... versus stated preference?
Guess you had to be there...
Good sir, I am the proud owner of a White Birch and love it!
However... there's always a however, isn't there?
However, I am thinking about parting with my SLGH005. Why? For very idiosyncratic reasons:
(Look, I know how utterly ridiculous that is. I mean, it's like saying, "I only collect rookie year baseball cards of left-handed pitchers born west of the Mississippi." But, you know, we gotta come up with some sh*t to make the hobby fun for ourselves, right?)
The one thing holding me back from letting it go at the moment is the dial. It's out of this world.
Anyway, I've already talked to my dealer, and he's made me an offer. I'd be happy to extend the same price to you - it's a wash for me, but it'd save you a good deal of cash off MSRP and avoid sales tax, etc.
Otherwise... if now's not the time, I would say, nothing's out of reach. I mean, there are always ways to make more money, right? If you really want something badly enough, you can always find ways to make it happen.
Which reminds me of a joke that rational actor / revealed choice economists love:
Get it? Revealed choice... versus stated preference?
Guess you had to be there...
I wanna thank you, for taking the time out of your busy day, to respond to my post, as well as for your extremely generous offer. Though, I will reluctantly have to pass on it, at this point in time, know that it is well received, much appreciated, as were your words of encouragement, as well. It's never a positive, to be reminded of the continued existence, of good hearted, generous individuals, such as yourself.
When it comes to the movements inside of various watches, I do understand that line of thinking, as I often have the same thoughts, when a timepiece, w/ the most rudimentary of movements cased-up inside, brings me so much joy. To be honest, I say what I said in my post, not because I can't imagine a financial plan, in which to save for a desired piece, over an extended period of time. It's more so, that I can't imagine putting that much financial investment, into just one singular timepiece. If today I were to take the average value, of the almost 20 pieces in my collection, I could at the very least, be able to, probably take you up, on that offer. I'm the kind of person at heart, that appreciates having options. Some days, I often change watches 4 and 5 times, throughout the course, of one single day.
I also feel that I have to be rational w/ my hobby, in terms of my lifestyle. My wife, and I are just simple, bluecollar, working-class people. I would say, that there are just a good many things, that I would prefer more, than a watch, for that sum of money. But ultimately, these are just my preferences. To each, their own. It's not that I feel, that the timepiece is over-valued. To the contrary. I actually believe it to be one of the best in class, in terms of its' value, for specs offered. I could say, that I wish that it wasn't as costly as it is, but realistically, I feel that the cost is warranted.
I have heard mixed reviews, on the new 9SA5 "High beat movement." A fair number of reports, that the accuracy, is not within tolerances. Some have even speculated, that the release of the SLGA009, is in response to initial issues w/ this new movement. Essentially, to offer another option for consumers, until they can work the kinks out....so to speak. I don't know how true any of this is. I do not own one myself. So for me, it's purely speculation. I will say, that like yourself, I would prefer the spring-drive movement, over a conventional, purely mechanical movement. I find it to be a little drab to look at though. That's all. And vice a versa, I find the level of finishing, of the high beat, to be much more visually appealing.
Good analogy, BTW. And thanks again. Have you considered the SLGA009 for yourself???
I wanna thank you, for taking the time out of your busy day, to respond to my post, as well as for your extremely generous offer. Though, I will reluctantly have to pass on it, at this point in time, know that it is well received, much appreciated, as were your words of encouragement, as well. It's never a positive, to be reminded of the continued existence, of good hearted, generous individuals, such as yourself.
When it comes to the movements inside of various watches, I do understand that line of thinking, as I often have the same thoughts, when a timepiece, w/ the most rudimentary of movements cased-up inside, brings me so much joy. To be honest, I say what I said in my post, not because I can't imagine a financial plan, in which to save for a desired piece, over an extended period of time. It's more so, that I can't imagine putting that much financial investment, into just one singular timepiece. If today I were to take the average value, of the almost 20 pieces in my collection, I could at the very least, be able to, probably take you up, on that offer. I'm the kind of person at heart, that appreciates having options. Some days, I often change watches 4 and 5 times, throughout the course, of one single day.
I also feel that I have to be rational w/ my hobby, in terms of my lifestyle. My wife, and I are just simple, bluecollar, working-class people. I would say, that there are just a good many things, that I would prefer more, than a watch, for that sum of money. But ultimately, these are just my preferences. To each, their own. It's not that I feel, that the timepiece is over-valued. To the contrary. I actually believe it to be one of the best in class, in terms of its' value, for specs offered. I could say, that I wish that it wasn't as costly as it is, but realistically, I feel that the cost is warranted.
I have heard mixed reviews, on the new 9SA5 "High beat movement." A fair number of reports, that the accuracy, is not within tolerances. Some have even speculated, that the release of the SLGA009, is in response to initial issues w/ this new movement. Essentially, to offer another option for consumers, until they can work the kinks out....so to speak. I don't know how true any of this is. I do not own one myself. So for me, it's purely speculation. I will say, that like yourself, I would prefer the spring-drive movement, over a conventional, purely mechanical movement. I find it to be a little drab to look at though. That's all. And vice a versa, I find the level of finishing, of the high beat, to be much more visually appealing.
Good analogy, BTW. And thanks again. Have you considered the SLGA009 for yourself???
Hey man,
Totally agree 100% with you! 20 watches is much, much better than 1 watch!!! Variety is the spice of life!
I will say that with the SLGH005, I've not noticed anything with regard to accuracy. But, then again, honestly, I couldn't care less about +/- X seconds per day. At this point in my life, I don't need to be within +/- 15 minutes on anything, so whatever. 😜
Yeah, I can totally imagine that GS might have had issues with the movement. I mean, any time you release something new and revolutionary, there are going to be issues. Happened with Omega and their 2500 calibre movements that were the first to house the co-axial escapement. The 9SA5 being only the second new escapement architecture in 250 years, I can't imagine that GS get it right immediately. Nonetheless, I haven't noticed anything in mine!
With regard to the SLGA009, no, I have no interest in it. The dial is a bit drab, compared to the SLGH005's, and I actually also have the SLGA007, which I find much more appealing!
I do struggle with SLGH005. Like I said, I want to get my collection down to this platonic ideal of only Spring Drive. But, the dial is out of this world! So, every time I think about my collection, I'm always like, "Ah, dude, I should just get rid of the SLGH005. It doesn't 'fit' with my overall collecting." But, then, I pick it up, and the dial is just CRAZY good.
https://grandseikogs9club.com/chronicle-9/making-white-birch-dial-slgh005/
I recently got these 2 made custom, to convince myself that if I had a Shirakaba dial watch - any Shirakaba dial - that that would satisfy me, and I'd be okay with letting go of the SLGH005.
But, I think it's actually done the opposite! Like, it's made me appreciate just how good the dial is on the SLGH005, and how even with amazing fast prototyping and advanced machining, the Chinese still aren't able to produce anything even remotely as good for custom modding.
I love the design and get its the next hype piece following the Snowflake, but I'm sad to see these new GS pieces have much higher prices. I find the high $4K to mid $6K the proper price for anything from hand-wound through spring drive. But reaching past $7K? I'd rather save up for a rolex at that point. I have the SBGW287 at $4.8K and that's a great price for a GS hand-wound dress piece. The $5.8K for a skyflake and $6.6K for shunbun also seem fine, but after that I start to lose interest in anything reaching Rolex prices, but that's just me. I'd rather put the 8-9K towards a timeless datejust with fluted bezel and jubilee bracelet over a more expensive spring drive o high-beat GS which could be bought in the $5-6.5K range
In all honesty, I am not an owner of any GS models. So for such reasons, my opinions on the matter, are just that...... "my opinions." And as such, I cannot offer any "real world" perspective, other than having handled them for brief periods of time.
I can however pass comment, on the wrist-shots that you provided. The 4th one in particular, is absolutely stunning. It really provides a large amount of depth and detail to the watch itself, as well as that gorgeous, crocodile-leather strap. Stunning, to say the least.
Hi! I saw this post and just felt the need to comment. Personally I bought my Shunbun for around 4.8k USD pre owned and I love it. Pre Owned is the way to go right now for Grand Seiko but I don’t know what’s going to happen in 5-10 years. I saved for a year and got it and I believe you can do it too! If your watch tastes have remained and you still dream about this watch after 7 months, save for it dude. It will be worth it I promise you. But go for spring drive is what I would say! Cheers :)
I Always say if you can't go grand go seiko 🙄😂too myself of course and you now just made it up but it applies,I found the first snowflake dial or most like the GS in a vintage QT,so how about this to scratch the itch my friend