OMEGA vs. Grand Seiko

Please... it's not even a contest!

Interesting, but I feel like GS is trying to gun for the wider market like a Rolex or Swatch brand and not trying to stay niche

Omega nut it is then 😉

It’s Omega then, right ;)

Enjoyed the video! To your question on who has the better collection, both have great watches within their collection. I started out with a couple of Omega watches (300SMP, Speed Master Racing) a couple of years ago. I need to check out GS in person a bit more at my local AD and perhaps take advantage of the USD-Yen rates.

I feel like Omega has a more complete lineup

I am going to source one more Omega a ceramic PO GMT but as for Grand Seiko depends on my extra dollars in the years ahead.

I love Omega, and the brand represents 4 out of 9 pieces in my primary collection. That said, Grand Seiko is a brand that is definitely on the table if I decide to open my collection size. GS is definitely undervalued as preowned. Some of those dials are simply incredible.

If you look at the variety and diversity of the Omega catalogue, the comparison with Omega makes more sense than that of Rolex. For me it's a perfect 'in between' brand; diversity and innovation combined with finesse and quality.

GS without a doubt.

I like the omega design, but in the terms of finishing and detail gs is the best

I was shocked at how poorly GS holds their value 😅

Definitely, grand Seiko finishing is on another level

I second this, except plastic watch, which I find absolutely amazing)

Have you seen Coda? I don't think GS craftsmen have an ambition to be Rolex rival. I think that they are aiming higher.

Rolex might pull off best sales, but it's still a glorified tool/sports watch. Grand Seiko is often referred in a community as a "dress watch", "dressier piece", "my elegant watch", etc.

GS wants to conquer wider markets, but feels like they wanna do it their own way. Which is absolutely understandable, because excellence as a concept is embedded in Japanese culture.

Yes, I figure the watch market is behind the curve on this. Imho, I think the name Seiko is making potential buyers believe the GS watches are just rebranded Seikos. Clearly, if a watch buyer spends the time to look under the hood (or more accurately behind the case back), there’s nothing beyond the Seiko name shared. I do think the delayed understanding of the brand offers an opportunity to savvy buyers. I’ll say straight up that if I wanted to spend $20k on a quick quality watch collection, GS is the direction I would look towards and ignore the ‘Hype watches’ (without naming the obvious to avoid contention).

I’m at a place in collecting where I have the collection I want in size, styles, and financial commitment. If I do decide to increase my primary collection, I would definitely add at least one GS.

I can't deny that Rolex makes great watches of fine quality. The fact is that the hype is overblown. In the watch community there are die hard fans. It's the average sheeple following trends that makes it the biggest brand.

By that logic Omega would be nothing without the Moon landing upon which it was just a piece of cargo. Grand Seiko actually INNOVATED Spring Drive and dial design. Zaratsu is actually German, but they have made it their own.

Well, that's not the only thing OMEGA is known for. Before the Moonwatch, they were highly respected by the Allied forces in World War II. Even before that, they were considered the early pioneer of the first dive watch (the 1932 Marine).

The Zaratsu part is definitely true!

You can get fake Omega or Rolex, but you cannot get a fake spring drive Grand Seiko.

yeah it's a bit all over the map with their releases because every dial gets its own reference number ... Of course dials are their thing so it's kind of understandable.

But it's also why I can't see them go mainstream no matter how much they clear up. Most people don't seem to want colourful, playful or whimsical on expensive stuff (case in point, you chose a conservative pattern of the Omiwatari). Some enthusiasts, sure but if snowflakes, cherry blossoms and birch trees are your main point of differentiation to the average individual (who doesn't bring a loupe and knows nothing about zaratsu things) then you can't go mainstream. Rolex is mainstream because they excel in exactly what the mainstream market wants, conservatively styled and well built products with strong branding and good value retention.

Seiko make a nice watch, but they stand no chance here if you ask me. They don't seem to understand the mainstream market in that price range. If they didn't manage to establish themselves in the luxury segment when quartz was big and they had a leg up on everyone, then they never will.

You get a lot of watch for your money with GS both in terms of the movement and finishing. Problem with GS however I feel are the bracelets. They either don’t taper or have pin and collar adjustment or have no on the fly micro adjustment or are simply not comfortable. If they nail that part, GS will truly be amazing. Between GS and Omega however I think Omega wins just because Omega has so many variations of the same watch at different price points that you’re sure to find something you like.

Never thought of that!

Meh? Ok, I don't mean any disrespect, but Rolex is quite... meh to me.

The thing about Rolex these days is that it's Rolex. It's a known quantity outside of the more enthusiast community. Kinda like BMW or Louis Vuitton (for bags, not watches). Wearing a Rolex means you have money for Rolex, and little else. Wearing Omega may mean you care about the watch, even more so for GS. But Rolex is just that, you have money for a Rolex.

Not to say, of course, that Rolex makes bad watches or anything. Their watches are very nice. But crossing into conspicuous consumption means the watches cease to be watches; they are mere status symbols.

As you said, Omega is not Rolex, but that's for the better. Why would you want to buy Rolex, except to show you have money? Their watches barely innovate anymore. They are nice watches, but that's really it.

I want an Omiwitari and An Omega Vintage style Seamaster, I want both ! I want a most of the Horosexual’s GS collection as those watches are gorgeous he owns !! Omega are excellent watches though ascetics come into it and to mind GS have more beautiful watches in their lineup to me .

Who here wishes GS on the watch would be Kanji characters instead of English? Just to really differentiate them from Seiko!

I want Kanji characters and drop the English GS to differentiate them from Seiko

Can’t we play the “it’s only a loss when you sell” game?? ✌😁

I think Grand Seiko can compete against anyone in the market, their level of craftsmanship and dedication is something that is nearly unrivaled

Ohh man that’s a really tough one. I mean my instincts say Omega but honestly I have heard really good things about Grand Seiko so I’m not to sure. I mean I definitely want a couple of Omega middle like the SM300 and a speedy of course but I haven’t settled on an offical GS model just yet so I guess today it would be Omega but down the road anything is possible I guess. Thanks for the post this will help with my Grand Seiko badge which I should be receiving right after I click the green arrow 🤣

Buying pre-owned watch launches value/cost ratio to stars