Grand Seiko SBGW231 vs SBGA293 - PLEASE HELP!
Hi guys! I would really appreciate it if you could help me decide on which watch to go with on my wedding day. I have a 6.5 in wrist. I have tried on the SBGW231 many times and really love it. The only thing that bothers me a bit is the manual wind and not knowing the power reserve. On the other hand I have not tried the SBGA293 and worried that it might be too big/thick for a formal occasion. I do love the spring drive though haha. Please let me know your thoughts about this. Thank you in advance!
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Well you can top it off in a matter of seconds and then you'll know it is at maximum power reserve. This is one of the joys of hand winding.
Well you can top it off in a matter of seconds and then you'll know it is at maximum power reserve. This is one of the joys of hand winding.
Gotcha. Thank you!
I am familiar with both, voted for the manual wind with a cleaner dial but is less interesting horology than the GS spring drive. The manual wind will give you an event to occupy your idle moments waiting for the Mrs. and it will teach you patience. There is more but I don’t want to be preachy, all these notes of guys getting married and anniversaries reminds me that we have 37th in August. I wore a quartz on my wedding day, a thoughtful gift from my wife’s dad who believed mechanical watches were antiquated. Best wishes and good luck to you and your future bride!
I am familiar with both, voted for the manual wind with a cleaner dial but is less interesting horology than the GS spring drive. The manual wind will give you an event to occupy your idle moments waiting for the Mrs. and it will teach you patience. There is more but I don’t want to be preachy, all these notes of guys getting married and anniversaries reminds me that we have 37th in August. I wore a quartz on my wedding day, a thoughtful gift from my wife’s dad who believed mechanical watches were antiquated. Best wishes and good luck to you and your future bride!
Thanks for the the thoughtful response!
No date 👍🏻
You can’t beat the SBGA231’s clean dial, I’m not a big fan of dates on watches and I really don’t like the power reserve indicator.
Regarding your concern, when you wind a mechanical watch (not automatic) you can feel when you reach the maximum power reserve and then it’s just a matter of calculating when you need to wind it again.
I have a manual chronograph and I really enjoy winding it before I wear it, it’s a lovely experience.
You can’t beat the SBGA231’s clean dial, I’m not a big fan of dates on watches and I really don’t like the power reserve indicator.
Regarding your concern, when you wind a mechanical watch (not automatic) you can feel when you reach the maximum power reserve and then it’s just a matter of calculating when you need to wind it again.
I have a manual chronograph and I really enjoy winding it before I wear it, it’s a lovely experience.
Thank you!
No PR on the dial please!
As much as I would prefer a Spring Drive as a first GS, the >40mm case is a deal breaker for me so 231 it is.
What about the SBGY007? Clean dial like the SBGW, but spring drive. Still manually wind although there is a power reserve indicator on the caseback.
As much as I would prefer a Spring Drive as a first GS, the >40mm case is a deal breaker for me so 231 it is.
whats your wrist size?
What about the SBGY007? Clean dial like the SBGW, but spring drive. Still manually wind although there is a power reserve indicator on the caseback.
beautiful watch but, looking more for a white or cream color
Ok look. I have two GS and it is these two watches. I have a 7 inch wrist. I started to get the sbgw231 to realize afterward that I wanted the spring drive tech, which is also a little bit bigger. I gave the sbgw231 to my wife, after getting the spring drive.
3 things:
1- let's be honest here, both watches are gorgeous, but you are not going to purchase a watch JUST for your wedding, right? So wich one would you wear the most AFTER your wedding?
2- after your wedding, would you wear it just for special events, like a dress watch? In that case the SBGW231 is the answer because it is more of a dress watch size and the power reserve would not matter anyway if you fully wind it before the event.
3- you should consider the water resistance, especially if you plan to wear it often, and according to your lifestyle.
I also let you see what would fit the best within your collection.
You have your answer here.
Let us know what you chose.
whats your wrist size?
Same as you!
37-38mm is the sweet spot for dress watches for me.
Ok look. I have two GS and it is these two watches. I have a 7 inch wrist. I started to get the sbgw231 to realize afterward that I wanted the spring drive tech, which is also a little bit bigger. I gave the sbgw231 to my wife, after getting the spring drive.
3 things:
1- let's be honest here, both watches are gorgeous, but you are not going to purchase a watch JUST for your wedding, right? So wich one would you wear the most AFTER your wedding?
2- after your wedding, would you wear it just for special events, like a dress watch? In that case the SBGW231 is the answer because it is more of a dress watch size and the power reserve would not matter anyway if you fully wind it before the event.
3- you should consider the water resistance, especially if you plan to wear it often, and according to your lifestyle.
I also let you see what would fit the best within your collection.
You have your answer here.
Let us know what you chose.
Awesome response! Do you wear the spring drive a lot? It doesn't feel as dressy to you? More causal vibes?
In my case, im looking to purchase more for special events. Also this will be my first GS and I do adding another GS in the future.
Beautiful though twice the price of both I think. Evolution 9?
I guess that’s right - $5200 vs $8300. I did see someone on r/watch exchange selling his for like $5500 though. Tempting.
Tough choice. The 231 is the most simple elegant beautiful watch in my opinion but the Spring Drive with its smooth sweep of its seconds and accuracy makes it a tough call. I haven’t bought it yet but I’d choose the SBGA 373, champagne dial.
The size of the SGBW231 will fit your wrist better.
If it's a watch for special occasions only, the smaller, hand wound solution may be better/more cost effective.
If it's going to be worn regularly, and the size is acceptable, the spring drive is mesmerizing and probably more practical.
If it's a watch for special occasions only, the smaller, hand wound solution may be better/more cost effective.
If it's going to be worn regularly, and the size is acceptable, the spring drive is mesmerizing and probably more practical.
great answer!
The size of the SGBW231 will fit your wrist better.
appreciate the response! i think i agree
Tough choice. The 231 is the most simple elegant beautiful watch in my opinion but the Spring Drive with its smooth sweep of its seconds and accuracy makes it a tough call. I haven’t bought it yet but I’d choose the SBGA 373, champagne dial.
very tough choice. but i think ill go for the 231 because of the size
that 231 is beautiful. The 293 is an amazing watch but that datewheel bothers me. HA ha ha sorry I can't help you. 🙂
yes 231!
231, I have the 297 the manual winding is silky smooth.
thanks! how do i know when to stop winding?
SBGA231
Symmetry and thinness wins every time
yes. i agree
I am biased against power reserve on the face of the dial. I think it ruins the symmetry of the dial and really is unnecessary to be put on the face of the dial.
The cleaner dial is more appropriate for a dress watch and a formal occasion.
yes. dress watch is what im going for
I rotate through my watches and they might as well all be hand wind. I vote for the clean, thin, simple choice as you wedding and special occasion dinner watch
agreed!
I like the spring drive and power indicator but not the date for some reason. Voted for manual.
thanks for your vote!
thanks! how do i know when to stop winding?
It has a built in slip mechanism so you can't over wind. 6.25 inch wrist
I wouldn’t sweat the small stuff…. There is no wrong choice, though would suggest some focus on which one you would prefer to wear all of the time after the event, so that your watch continues to remind you of the event. Personally, it’s not even a question that I would choose the SBGA293 because of the spring drive and date. I also prefer having a visible power reserve for multiple reasons.