Grand Seiko Shunbun vs Cartier Santos Medium
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Kelvin Heng
Just a watch enthusiast who appreciates craftsmanship, precision, and timeless design. It's more than a timepiece – it's a style statement.
Singapore
Member since
Last active: 2 weeks ago
15.24 cm
I picked the Santos. For me the Santos is one of the most iconic watches of all time. The design has been loved by many for decades & decades & the fact that the design hasn't deviated hugely over this time is testament to how beautiful it is.
Personally, I feel that Cartier have ruined it a bit in recent years with their moves in making the watch size much bigger. I don't think it needs to be a large watch, it's lost some of it's beauty as a result.
The medium is a great choice as it mitigates this increasing size issue.
I picked the Santos. For me the Santos is one of the most iconic watches of all time. The design has been loved by many for decades & decades & the fact that the design hasn't deviated hugely over this time is testament to how beautiful it is.
Personally, I feel that Cartier have ruined it a bit in recent years with their moves in making the watch size much bigger. I don't think it needs to be a large watch, it's lost some of it's beauty as a result.
The medium is a great choice as it mitigates this increasing size issue.
Its timeless design has indeed captured the admiration of many over the decades. I share your perspective on the recent trend of larger sizes, and I believe opting for the medium size is a smart choice to preserve the watch's inherent beauty.
Its timeless design has indeed captured the admiration of many over the decades. I share your perspective on the recent trend of larger sizes, and I believe opting for the medium size is a smart choice to preserve the watch's inherent beauty.
Amen brother. I'm happy that it's not just me that sees it this way.
It's a shame that Cartier have gone down this path as the ability to now have multiple bracelet/strap options that can be easily interchanged is something that really adds benefit to owning the watch. It was always a bug bear of mine that I didn't have this option 20 year ago.
The Santos is a classic for sure (not the large, never the large), but to me it can't compete with the elegance of the 60s Seiko grammar of design.
That 62GS case, immaculate dauphine hands and unrivaled Spring Drive technology alone would sway me in that price range, but the Shunbun is also one of my favorites GS dial so it's a perfect storm.
I will say though, I would love it even more if it stayed true to vintage proportions, 5-10% smaller in a 37-38mm case with 45-46mm L2L.
The Santos is iconic for so many reasons other than being pretty.
The GS is just one of many nice dials that they offer. It has the spring drive movement which is a massive W in its favour, but the cheap looking/feeling bracelet is an equally sized L.
GS. For the dial
GS. The Santos wears very dressy and yes, while you technically can wear it with everything, it isn’t a daily watch in my view.
Santos. It's a beauty and even sporty in either the medium or large size, depending on your wrist. I'm biased and I have not been able to connect with any GS.
They are different, both lovely watches to own. I have 3 iterations of the Cartier Santos, except for the 80s Galbee, I chose the large size, personal preference since the 80s is actually a suitable size for my wife. I am still on the fence for a 3rd Grand Seiko spring drive, like the fact the watches tend to be on the larger case size.
The Santos is a classic for sure (not the large, never the large), but to me it can't compete with the elegance of the 60s Seiko grammar of design.
That 62GS case, immaculate dauphine hands and unrivaled Spring Drive technology alone would sway me in that price range, but the Shunbun is also one of my favorites GS dial so it's a perfect storm.
I will say though, I would love it even more if it stayed true to vintage proportions, 5-10% smaller in a 37-38mm case with 45-46mm L2L.
Yes I would preferred smaller in size like 38mm. Perfect for GS. 🔥
I picked the Cartier, but it could easily have been the GS as I think they are great and like that model. What made me go for the Santos is the power reserve on the dial of the GS. I like Spring Drive, but the ones with the power reserve on the front just kill it for me sadly.
Otherwise it was pretty even!
I picked the Cartier, but it could easily have been the GS as I think they are great and like that model. What made me go for the Santos is the power reserve on the dial of the GS. I like Spring Drive, but the ones with the power reserve on the front just kill it for me sadly.
Otherwise it was pretty even!
Agreed,if without the power reserve on the dial. It will look sick! Maybe remove the date window too
If the Shunbun didn't have that dialside power reserve indicator, it would have beaten out the Santos two-tone. If we're strictly talking about the stainless steel one then if take the GS.