Would you have made the trade: The SBGJ237 for the SBGE201?
So, I made this trade this week:
- Traded in my used SBGJ237 for a new SBGE201
- SBGJ237 has a hi-beat movement, cool day / night “indicator” on the fully-lumed sapphire bezel insert, is 14.4mm thick, and has MSRP of $6,800
- SBGE201 is an older GS with spring drive movement, numerals are fully-lumed in the sapphire bezel insert, is 14.7mm thick, and has MSRP of $5,800
- So, while the SBGJ237 has higher MSRP, it was used, so dealer gave me a straight trade
Would you have made that trade?
[Now, @chronotriggered and @OutOfWind, because we are friends, here is where I tease you a little, because I’m told by normal humans that friends are allowed to rib each other. So, @chronotriggered, no, this is not me asking this question as some sort of weird flex, because according to you, anytime anyone asks these sorts of questions, they're flexing! I promise you! And @OutOfWind, I know that Sarah Miller knew what she wanted and props to her for that. But, that’s not what this question is about! I promise! What this is ultimately about is asking other watch enthusiasts what they really think about spring drive versus hi-beat. Now, if you simply ask, “Hey, dude, what do you think about spring drive?” or “Hey, dude, what do you think about hi-beat?” I’m sure people will give answers. Yet, those answers will lack any emotive force, any anima. But, when you get specific and you present folks with a very concrete choice between 2 very concrete things you create salience, and then folks respond strongly and preferences are then revealed without hemming and hawing. Weirdly, it is our emotions that enable us to make decisions. I think it was in one of Oliver Sacks’s books, but he tells of a case study, where one of his patients had had damage to the part of the brain associated with emotional processing. The man had become like Spock - the cerebral cortex was left intact and he was a pure logic machine. And when we watch Star Trek, we think that that man should be able to reason out everything efficiently and come to effective logical conclusions. But, when Sacks’s receptionist asks the man whether next Thursday afternoon or Friday morning would work better for the next appointment, the man stands there for 15 minutes, reasoning out loud, listing out all the pros and cons associated with each potential appointment date/time, and he becomes paralyzed in this analytical state. And this happens to him on EVERY decision! So, I want to know what enthusiasts really think, and I want emotion involved to provide clarity in the choice being made.]
The Artist formerly known as @HotWatchChick69 and formerly-formerly @Omeganut
More from Mr.Dee.Bater
Yes. Given the high level of finishing on both, the novelty of the movement more than makes up for any disparity in price.
(We are all waiting for the eventual name change. @OutOfWind did it, so can you.)
I 100% would make the trade for the Spring Drive.
I would miss the lumed bezel though.
I think its a decent trade. I do like the look of the SBGE201 and the spring drive movement hence, why I have this piece cuz it mimics the design but not much on the movement 🤣
As attractive as the lumed bezel appear, in real use it’s seemed too bright for me. So, good trade!
Hmm... lumed bezel, or spring drive... I might be biased, but I say both! 😀
Yes. Given the high level of finishing on both, the novelty of the movement more than makes up for any disparity in price.
(We are all waiting for the eventual name change. @OutOfWind did it, so can you.)
No, dude, I saw how much trouble my wife had to go through to get her name officially changed after we got married... New social security card, new driver's license, new passport... f*ck that!
I 100% would make the trade for the Spring Drive.
I would miss the lumed bezel though.
You know what, though? Weirdly, the lume seems brighter on the SBGE201, because the dial and the background on the bezel are both pitch black - so the contrast is greater. Meanwhile, on the SBGJ237 the lighter blue makes it harder to see and appreciate the lume - the "theme" of the watch is supposed to be the blue skies, or some such crap.
This is what the SBGE201 lume makes me think of:
I think its a decent trade. I do like the look of the SBGE201 and the spring drive movement hence, why I have this piece cuz it mimics the design but not much on the movement 🤣
Very cool. I can't wait to see one in person. I've heard that the dial is out of this world!
As attractive as the lumed bezel appear, in real use it’s seemed too bright for me. So, good trade!
The lume of GS is something that everyone complains about. According to watch forums, either GS watches have no lume, or the lume is really weak. I always thought that maybe Seiko had no idea how to make lume, and that their formulation (Lumibrite) must somehow be inferior to the Swiss Superluminova.
So, the luminescence on the SBGJ237 just doesn't seem to last very long at all. And it doesn't seem to be that bright either. But... I guess on divers, Seiko goes all out on the lume, and every comparison video I've seen, like on Watchbox, reviewers always point out that Seiko divers have the brighter lume when compared to Swiss divers.
All this is to say that if you're ever interested in something like the SBGJ237, the lumed bezel insert shouldn't scare you away - it ain't that bright in real life!
No.
Oh, I didn't answer the question... I think it's just whatever makes you the happiest! I really like the look of the spring drive, but one of my pet peeves on GMT's, is when they don't indicate day and night with some sort of color shift. Not a knock on the watch, it's amazing. Just my personal preference. So for me, I would have stuck with the Hi-Beat.
On a side note, I am 100% with you that the lume on this is not as readable as you would think.
No.
Are you a hater of spring drive? A revanchist "mechanical" purist? A "remember the Alamo" holdout for all things anachronistic, who fights against any and all technological progress?
Love both BUT I would do the trade. NOW, I just told everyone I'd take a hit to get a watch I really want... but that's why I am call TimeJunkie. I digress. Awesome watch !
Are you a hater of spring drive? A revanchist "mechanical" purist? A "remember the Alamo" holdout for all things anachronistic, who fights against any and all technological progress?
I was just demonstrating my emotional range.
Also, I just think the SBGJ237 is prettier with the day/night bezel and dial indicators and lume. I now have (as you well know at this point 😀 ) a Hi-Beat and a Spring Drive (SBGA407) from Grand Seiko. I love them both equally, but for different reasons. I don't see one as better than the other, they just trigger different dopamine centers in my brain. The new 80 hour Hi-Beat is a modern marvel, beautiful to look at, and the SLGH009 design is next level for me. But it also runs about 6 seconds fast a day so far. Which is still very accurate, but not Spring Drive accurate.
My Spring Drive, my first luxury watch purchase (first time is always sacred), has deviated by 1 second in the 15 months I've had it. Plus, the Skyflake design I find very peaceful to stare at when I should be working. Combine that with the sweeping hand and the watch does wonders for my ADHD.
So all that said, I just thought the SBGJ237 was a more attractive piece. And it had a better dinosaur paring.
Congratulations on your new arrival!
Personally, I would have preferred the Hi-Beat over the Spring Drive - it’s a close one (both have stunning looking bezels and I would love to spend hours being mesmerised by the spring drive sweep) but I can’t get over the power reserve indicator. For me, this where spectacular finishing works against GS because it really pops off that black dial too. I hope it doesn’t bother you in that it does me! Enjoy the watch, my friend and Thank You for the pictures
Okay here's my two cents worth.
Good trade.
Didn't really like the SBGJ237, looks like it should be on a 20 something surfer dudes arm and it's not always about the lume, just ask Aurelian.
Like the new SBGE201, classy and sporty and more befitting a man of your stature and years.
Lastly I'm disappointed about the wrist shots, no dogs pooping, you've let the team down buddy.
100% I think the lume though beautiful is form over function for me personally I'd lean into the spring drive. Ask yourself long term i suppose in 40 years which one will age better, i think you made the right choice, but i suppose it depends also on your collection.
Wish u traded into an SNR049 since I like big clunky and would prefer you to opine on that GMT. Still very cool to pull off a direct trade - I love the revenue neutral and no tax loss aspect of this new watch acquisition
That is an awesome Prospex! It's crazy, but it effectively gives you nearly the same specs as the GS, for a lower price! I don't know if the story about "internal competition" between Grand Seiko and King Seiko at the Observatory Trials in the 60's is really true or not. But, if it were true, I wonder if somehow Seiko is allowing that kind of internal competition today?
And, yeah, I absolutely LOVE tax efficiency!
I genuinely don't understand at all why more people don't buy from professional dealers off Chrono24. I've done it a couple of times now, buying from Japan, and in each case I've not been charged any import duty. And the prices from Japan are ridiculous! Like, a watch will sell for MSRP in the US, while you can get 20% - 30% discount from a Japanese dealer!
Okay here's my two cents worth.
Good trade.
Didn't really like the SBGJ237, looks like it should be on a 20 something surfer dudes arm and it's not always about the lume, just ask Aurelian.
Like the new SBGE201, classy and sporty and more befitting a man of your stature and years.
Lastly I'm disappointed about the wrist shots, no dogs pooping, you've let the team down buddy.
This is how we all like to see ourselves:
Reality:
100% I think the lume though beautiful is form over function for me personally I'd lean into the spring drive. Ask yourself long term i suppose in 40 years which one will age better, i think you made the right choice, but i suppose it depends also on your collection.
Yeah! I need more spring drive!
That is an awesome Prospex! It's crazy, but it effectively gives you nearly the same specs as the GS, for a lower price! I don't know if the story about "internal competition" between Grand Seiko and King Seiko at the Observatory Trials in the 60's is really true or not. But, if it were true, I wonder if somehow Seiko is allowing that kind of internal competition today?
And, yeah, I absolutely LOVE tax efficiency!
I genuinely don't understand at all why more people don't buy from professional dealers off Chrono24. I've done it a couple of times now, buying from Japan, and in each case I've not been charged any import duty. And the prices from Japan are ridiculous! Like, a watch will sell for MSRP in the US, while you can get 20% - 30% discount from a Japanese dealer!
I’m going to try to get clarity on that urban myth next month when I visit - hopefully the factory for both. Counting on wifey to talk us past the Covid restrictions still in place, she’s good at that.
Do the GS guys want to murder the LX or King guys? Or the same LX guy changes from 🧢 to 🎩 when working on a GS?
I’m going to try to get clarity on that urban myth next month when I visit - hopefully the factory for both. Counting on wifey to talk us past the Covid restrictions still in place, she’s good at that.
Do the GS guys want to murder the LX or King guys? Or the same LX guy changes from 🧢 to 🎩 when working on a GS?
OMG! That would be so amazing!!! Yes, find out!!! God, I've never wanted to go to Japan. But, now, seriously, I'm thinking of trying to convince my wife that we need to take a vacation out there!
This is how we all like to see ourselves:
Reality:
I'm more of a older Australian version of Sean Connery
And that includes the hair line too 🤣
I'm more of a older Australian version of Sean Connery
And that includes the hair line too 🤣
You know, based on the fact that you're such a dog lover, I actually believe that you are a sophisticated and dignified gentleman!
You know, based on the fact that you're such a dog lover, I actually believe that you are a sophisticated and dignified gentleman!
Mate I'll take that as a complement, I'll take all the complements I can get at my age.
Sophisticated no, savvy yes, you have to be in my job. Dignified I like to think so, I have a high set of morals which in turn has earned me a lot of respect in my industry. But I am what we call a mountain man in Sydney because of my location, The Blue Mountains and you know what they say about about mountain men 🤣
Mate I'll take that as a complement, I'll take all the complements I can get at my age.
Sophisticated no, savvy yes, you have to be in my job. Dignified I like to think so, I have a high set of morals which in turn has earned me a lot of respect in my industry. But I am what we call a mountain man in Sydney because of my location, The Blue Mountains and you know what they say about about mountain men 🤣
Here in the U.S., if you're a mountain man, it means either:
a)
or b)
Here in the U.S., if you're a mountain man, it means either:
a)
or b)
I'll go with B, or though there is only Drop Bears around here 🤣
Hmm... lumed bezel, or spring drive... I might be biased, but I say both! 😀
beautiful ,bro. nice
I was just demonstrating my emotional range.
Also, I just think the SBGJ237 is prettier with the day/night bezel and dial indicators and lume. I now have (as you well know at this point 😀 ) a Hi-Beat and a Spring Drive (SBGA407) from Grand Seiko. I love them both equally, but for different reasons. I don't see one as better than the other, they just trigger different dopamine centers in my brain. The new 80 hour Hi-Beat is a modern marvel, beautiful to look at, and the SLGH009 design is next level for me. But it also runs about 6 seconds fast a day so far. Which is still very accurate, but not Spring Drive accurate.
My Spring Drive, my first luxury watch purchase (first time is always sacred), has deviated by 1 second in the 15 months I've had it. Plus, the Skyflake design I find very peaceful to stare at when I should be working. Combine that with the sweeping hand and the watch does wonders for my ADHD.
So all that said, I just thought the SBGJ237 was a more attractive piece. And it had a better dinosaur paring.
A cure for ADHD? Spring Drive!
My doctor will love that! 😂
Fair play.