Grand Seiko Bracelets

I’m not 100% sure, but I imagine @HotWatchChick69 could help you. 

See, that just seems lazy on Seiko’s part. They insist on treating normal things like they’re impossible. There’s just no reason a titanium bracelet can’t have screwed links, I own a Steinhart that does. And the tolerances aren’t good?  How does a company that spends 6 bajillion hours polishing a watch case decide a nice bracelet is out of the question?  GS are some of the Seikos I would still consider buying, but it’s really disappointing that for $6k I can’t expect a high quality bracelet. 

Don't have a snowflake but do have a couple of other (steel) GS on bracelets. To get the correct fitment - it's important to note that the half links are not half but more like two thirds - which actually gives you way more options when you combine them in different ways. (Too early in the morning to go through the maths of this). It was someone on WC who pointed this out and it was a game changer in terms of getting perfect fitment (apologies - can't remember who it was).

That's great. Just what I needed to know. So in theory I should be able to tweak the links to give me the fit I'm looking for 

I agree with @thekris in this. A compatible as big as Seiko and their abilities, they should be able to implement screws rather than pins. Also a micro adjustment in the clasp. I did bring this up with my local boutique and they claimed GS will never have micro adjust in clap like Omega or Rolex as they want the slim bracelet look 

Thanks @MegaBob. The bracelets are definitely a let down in the GS stable. I think half the battle is that we compare to other brands most us own, like Omega and Rolex. It's easy to hold GS to account, and rightly so. They should be doing a better job if they want to be considered on same level. I think they struggle with the fit on the leather deployment clasps also. My Gs elegance strap and fit with the deployment is annoying at times.

The deployment clasp itself is lovely, I think gremlin is more towards the leather, which is very quality bit hardly any give or flexibility. Maybe I should switch it out 👍

My quartz SBGX063 bracelet is good. However I agree that for best fitment, invest in the half links even if they are expensive. I got two and now its perfect.

I saw a watch YouTuber defend the jangly GS bracelets, arguing that the looser tolerances allow the bracelet to breathe and conform to the wrist more comfortably. Which we all know isn't true, because there exists other high-quality bracelets milled to tight tolerances that are superbly comfortable.

I recently got the Shunbun and while the bracelet is not the star of the show here, i don’t see it as a let down (even compared to the bracelet of my speedy which is the only one I own in the same price range). The real let down for me is the lack of microadjust as my wrist seems to gain/lose multiple cm per day and there is nothing I can easily do about it. That said, this is nothing vs my love for this watch (still in honey moon phase) 🥰🥰🥰

You e nailed my feeling on this. It’s not that I want GS to be like Rolex or anybody else, but that’s no excuse for being bad. And at those prices, anything less than great is bad.  These guys are so thoughtful with some things they do, so I know what’s possible. But man, I’m some respects they just refuse to even try. It’s mystifying. 
 

When buying GS, one must truly accept that you are buying the watch, movement, finishing and innovation, but not the bracelet.

and I truly believe, if theres any improvement to their bracelets, most of us wont be able to afford them then

I love this watch. It looks so good in the pics but wearing it, the bracelet fit and feel actually stopped me buying it. For now I’ll just admire GS dials from a distance..

I have a Winter, so a titanium bracelet and a GMT with a stainless steel. I don’t find them jangly, but these are bracelets that I will only have my AD adjust. You do need to take advantage of the 2/3 links to get a good fit. Once done they are comfortable to me, but I’d like easy micro adjustments. Overall Winter is one of my most comfortable watches for most of the day, a little tight in the evening 

I own the SBGA229G Spring Drive Diver and the bracelet is joy. The quality and finish is excellent and comparable to some of my other bracelets (Omega, TAG, Tudor). The one let down, in my opinion is the quality of the clasp, the materials used just don't match up to the rest of the watch. It feels quite cheap and delicate, compared to say the clasp on my Planet Ocean or Black Bay. That said it doesn't particularly bother me, as the positives with the watch far outweigh the only slight negative (being the clasp). Hope this helps! 😀

The only problem with attaining 'perfect fit' on a bracelet without micro adjust, is what time of the day was that perfect fitting achieved? In the morning when the wrist is skin niest or later in the day when wrist is swollen? 

I've owned a Snowflake and SBGA463. You can't compare a dive watch with a GS dress watch as the bracelet and clasp are totally different. I am not a GS bracelet fan. Grand Seiko needs to do more for the money. I say less Zaratsu flash and more quality on their bracelets. I will own a Snowflake again because I love the watch. I put mine on a blue rubber strap . The weight and look were incredible. The most comfortable watch I've even owned 

I picked up a SARX055 not long ago that has a fabulous bracelet with tight tolerances.  Sure, it doesn't have micro-adjusts, but the half links allowed for a perfect fit.

I would be surprised if the Grand Seiko bracelets were not at least on par if not better than the SARX055.

I own a SBGA211 (Snowflake) as well as a SBGE255 (a GMT watch).

First of all, I do believe the GS bracelets are fine. I think the complaint is that the bracelet is not as amazing as the rest of the watch. I've never had a complaint. Especially as an Omega fanboy, I far prefer the GS bracelets over my Omega bracelets.

As for the fit, the Snowflake does not have the micro-adjustment available for the SBGE255 bracelet, so the "perfect" fit is not as easy. I probably wear my Snowflake slightly looser than my SBGE255. Either way, both watches fit very well for me (~7 inch wrist).

SBGA211 (Snowflake)

SBGE255 (GMT)

@Mastiff this is an important reply that you need to be aware of. Not just for the content but also for the subtext: one doesn't just buy ONE Grand Seiko (ask me how I know...)

i already have a Grand Seiko in the form of this:

so yeah, you cant buy just one. ive always fancied the Snowflake

Micro wrist me (6.0) loves my Hanami: It fits perfectly and wears like nothing at all is on my wrist. Looks beautiful.  

“Jangle“ is something I perceive on hollow link bracelets, which I don’t currently own any of. 

IF …the bracelet bugged me (it doesn’t) I’d get an alternate band for it.  So usually a non issue if I love a particular watch. 

I think ‘ol snowy has same the bracelet as mine?  Maybe smart to get an alternate band anyway just to help keep the original bracelet looking perfect! ❤️

I have a 6.75 inch wrist and the Snowflake and the SBGN003 both fit me just fine.  I understand the critique of GS clasps - for the money on the fly adjustment Isn’t too much to ask - however I‘ve not missed having an adjustable clasps on either.  And I think their bracelets are great, albeit a PITA to size thanks to the pin and collar system.  Luckily the AD adjusted them for me.      

I’ve tried the Snowflake on a couple of leather straps but couldn’t really find one that suited the watch, at least to my eye.  It looks good on a nice blue perlon, but spends almost all its time on the bracelet. Same with the SBGN003, looks great on a grey or green canvas strap, but stays on the bracelet. 

And don’t get me started on the accuracy!  The Snowflake gains about 1.6 seconds…per month. And the SBGN003 gains about 0.5 seconds…per year. 😮 
 

I have a snowflake and I’ll say this.  In moderate to cooler weather the fit is phenomenal on the factory bracelet (7”-7.25” wrist) it’s like and wears great.  My issue with their bracelets is solely down to the clasp.  You have can pin and collar adjustment links especially for titanium but for the love of all that is good in this world I refuse from here on out to spend over 3k on a watch without toolless micro adjustment and refuse to spend over 1k without any micro adjustment whatsoever.  
 

they are an Amazing Company capitalization for emphasis but their clasps on most watches are absolutely unacceptable. 

Not so much a slim bracelet look, rather a slim clasp look I think.  which Is fine with me, I like the look!  

I did own one. It really was a beautiful watch but the direction of my collection has changed so I sold it recently. 

This is my grail watch and was my first big purchase. I love the watch still and it'll never go anywhere but I never enjoyed the look of the bracelet. If you enjoy the look, the fit will work. I've found that grey suede, leather or even an Erika MN strap really helps drive home the sporty aspect of the watch and I've covered that in various videos. Go ahead and buy it, you'll never regret it.

Absolutely spot on. I don't like the high polish and brush combo of this line of GS bracelets. I am waiting for new releases to see if anything Spring Drive Titanium will interest me. The Evolution 9 series seems to balance fit and finish much better. I also like the Snowflake dial best. All the color way options are cool. I'm more laid back on dials. The Snowflake is a classic stunner. I was foolish to let it go. 

One thing I like to add to all my Seiko bracelets is a Seiko Marinemaster dive clasp. It's a game changer!

Hi ... I bought my gs snowflake yesterday and have started wearing it from today... My feedback after 1 day wear and extensive reading is as follows

1. Stunning watch ... Price to value is unavailable

2. Dial is one of the best ever

3. Size is spot on for my wrist

4. Love the titanium casing and 96 grams weight ... Soo easy on the wrist

5. Love the finish on the strap and the shine and polish of the overall watch

Gripes

1. Adjusting the strap for micro links is not easy .. multiple visits will be needed to the AD ... Micro adjustment / easy link / t fit is a need at this level and gs has to work on it

2. Can't think of any thing else

A amazing watch and am surprised i overlooked it all these years ... Photos don't justice .. btw lived the snap you have put ✅