Please help me decide!
I just received a sizeable bonus and will be making my biggest watch purchase to date.
I've narrowed it to the grand seiko shunbun, soko first frost, or the zenith defy classic. I'm really struggling with the decision. I'll be buying pre-owned and the full price of all 3 would be within $500-$1000 of each other.
Zenith's CEO announced that the defy classic will be discontinued, so that's the direction I'm leaning toward. That aside, Zenith produces watches in fairly low numbers, 25-50k per year reportedly, so it really seems that if I don't go with the zenith now I may not get another chance at it without paying a hefty premium.
The grand seiko s are beautiful, undeniable craftsmanship. Their secondary market prices do seem a bit soft though, even for some of these sought after models.
Obviously I'm leaning in the direction of the zenith, but please share your opinions. Maybe some of you have a perspective I haven't considered. Thank you friends!
Husband, soldier, wristwatch enthusiast. Located in central Florida, U.S.
Zenith, hands down!
GS have asymmetrical Power Reserves on the Dial, and at least for me, there are no ADs around. Meaning getting support is harder than for established brands with ADs.
I made that exact same move on the zenith. With the same thought process 😅
I love the watch but I eventually returned it as I couldn’t get a good fit and it didn’t really suit my style.
However, that greyish Gs you posted 😍 might have to source one of those now..
Sorry, I have to say this…there’s nothing “classic” about that watch. I don’t object to it, but it’s modern as hell looking, I wish they’d stop calling it classic. It literally looks like an alien spaceship.
Personally, I’d find a GS without a power meter on the face and call it a day.
GS
Soko
Sorry, I have to say this…there’s nothing “classic” about that watch. I don’t object to it, but it’s modern as hell looking, I wish they’d stop calling it classic. It literally looks like an alien spaceship.
Personally, I’d find a GS without a power meter on the face and call it a day.
No apology necessary. Opinions are what I'm looking for 🙌.
The zenith!
My preferances:
1️⃣ Zenith
2️⃣ GS shunbun
3️⃣ GS first frost
Are you sure about the prices between 500 to 1000 dollars each?
If so: do not hesitate and buy all three.
Zenith to me is a technically superior watch from a movement and bracelet perspective. That said, it is not very versatile and as others pointed out, it is very much a product of its time.
To me the Shunbun is a classy watch that can be pulled off equally as well in a pair of jeans and tee, or a suit. As far as the first frost goes, if you are going to get a GS, get the Shunbun.
Which to buy? Tough call, if I wanted to add a skeleton and Zenith to my collection, that would be my first choice. I would also want a few other watches in the box as I am not sure I could wear it every day, also it is one of the least legible watches in recent history if that is important to you. All that said, for me buying today, I would buy the best deal of the two, but likely look at the Shunbun first.
You can get a brand new Shunbun for $4,854 from Japan right now due to the strength of the dollar.
https://www.watchcrunch.com/K.evin/posts/total-steals-grand-seiko-sbga443-shunbun-and-sbga445-taitetsu-17690
There it is the SBGA443.
Take a look on Chrono24
The Frost
You can get a brand new Shunbun for $4,854 from Japan right now due to the strength of the dollar.
https://www.watchcrunch.com/K.evin/posts/total-steals-grand-seiko-sbga443-shunbun-and-sbga445-taitetsu-17690
There it is the SBGA443.
Take a look on Chrono24
How about that! Ty!
Zenith, hands down!
GS have asymmetrical Power Reserves on the Dial, and at least for me, there are no ADs around. Meaning getting support is harder than for established brands with ADs.
In an area with no GS ADs, are there Zenith ADs? I feel like the luxury watch ADs tend to congreate around bigger cities and their suburbs in general.
As a proud owner of a GS Snowflaks (SBGA211), I'd say go for a Zenith, but maybe not that one? Aren't there like normal looking Zeniths? =)
In an area with no GS ADs, are there Zenith ADs? I feel like the luxury watch ADs tend to congreate around bigger cities and their suburbs in general.
Oh definitely. The nearest GS AD is 400km, the nearest Zenith AD is 20km from my home. Tried the defy classic and defy skeleton last year. We also have Omega, Rolex, Tudor, Glashütte Original, Breitling, etc here.