SBGW231 Buy or Pass?

I'd call with a credit card to hold. Great watch!

It's a no brainer if you got the cash and want/need a dressy watch. Dream of having one myself one day. The size and timeless look 👌

Run to your A,D

Your post doesn't scream I love this watch. Are you feeling a need to buy it because of the time pressure placed upon you by the AD?

This is a widely loved watch for good reason. It’s one of the more affordable modern Grand Seikos. It’s 38mm in diameter, making it much more wearable than a lot of their offerings. It’s thinner due to the hand-wound movement, the design is beautiful, and quite frankly: it’s a Grand Seiko! It’s incredible!

Now, do YOU want THIS watch? It’s a terrific watch, but is it for you? We can’t answer that for you.

EDIT: also keep in mind they make this watch with multiple dial variations (more colors and textures), so check all of those out before buying the SBGW231.

So, I voted pass. Not that I have anything against this watch. I think you are missing out on a few of the things that make Grand Seiko what they are:

1. The dial. It’s nice enough, but it’s not a knockout “that’s freaking amazing!” dial like you see on the Snowflake, white birch and so many others. 
2. The movement. Again, nothing wrong here, but as an owner of a spring drive, the smooth sweep is something to behold. It’s mesmerizing.

I'm interested in this one too, but am a little leary regarding the glue/crystal bubble issue that is pretty well documented for this particular model. I'm hoping they've addressed this by now, but I still have some reservations.

Great watch it is! Even though I chose the SBGM221 over it, I did it simply because I saw one pre-owned. Still, I love the simplicity of the 231. It is just the quintessential GS dress watch!!

I voted pass, but that's just me. Grand Seiko has some no doubt very nice but anodyne watches. If I'm going to spring for a Grand Seiko, I'd spring for something uniquely Grand Seiko, a Spring Drive, a striking dial (I'm all about the dial). There are lots of fine, classic, ordinary dress watches out there.

Is this a hard to get watch? Is there a reason the AD is making you "hurry over?" It looks like it's readily available online, even at a discount if you're willing to order from Japan (US ADs won't post a discount online), so I don't think there's any good reason the AD should be making you jump. I've been caught up in FOMO for no good reason; don't let that happen to you. 

I still think sometimes I made the wrong choice... I got the SBGM221 instead. 

I would have if I had seen and touched it in it’s hot metal body. 😀

Yes, it is a pretty dressy watch, it sparkles under the lights.

It’s a 30 mins drive so running is out for me. 🤣

Haha, the truth is I was the one who was pressuring the AD to get me one to see and touch. I told him I have a friend who is traveling to Japan in Sept and if he can’t get me one by end Aug, I may have to ask my friend to buy it from there.

Yes, it is for me. I checked out the 2 other variants available at the AD, the Byoka and Kishun  but I have not been a great fan of all the fancy dial colors and patterns from Grand Seiko, except for a few like the Omiwatari.

The SBGM was also in my list for consideration. The only thing which is personal for me is that it is a little thicker and bigger than the SBGW231 and for a travel GMT watch, 3ATM will limit its usability when I am on holiday overseas. For overseas business trips, it will be fine though. At least, that’s how I just justified preferring the 231 over the 221. 😀 And I bought the SBGN005 instead for travel.

I am sure there is room for a SBGW231 in your watch box. 😊

It was whispering all this while. Yesterday, it just sat there waiting for me to pick it up. 

Yes, this one is hard to get in my country. It’s readily available in Japan and I was going to ask a friend who is traveling to Japan next month to check it out and buy for me. Photos and videos don’t do justice to this watch. I prefer simple dials and I do have a Spring Drive already. Interestingly, I have been the one to hurry the AD in getting one for me to check out over the last 6 months. I guess he is revengeful 😀

Those are certainly valid points for consideration!

I like it. No date is nice for dress watches because you don't wear them all the time.  

Have you picked it up?

Thanks everyone for your votes on this poll. Very interesting that it went from 80:20 to 75:25 to 70:30 to 65:35 and then to around 60:40. It will probably go to 55:45 based on the trend. I was at the AD when it was still 65:35. I deliberately went to other ADs who sold IWC, Omega, Cartier, Tudor, Longines to check out other watches in my list before going to the Grand Seiko AD. It sort of gave me the time to reflect on my purchase decision and to factor in some of the opinions posted here. The SBGW231 look even more alluring in the flesh er or metal which I didn't really expect as I have seen so many photos and videos on it before. Spent another 30 mins checking out other Grand Seiko pieces at the AD which might potentially upset my purchase decision. 😅 I was just deceiving myself. This is a lovely piece and I was very happy to pay for it and make it mine. The AD gave a 2 piece watch box and a travel pouch as gifts. The wife and children oohed and ahhed as opposed to the usual "not another watch dad". Once again thank you all for your help on this buying journey and experience. Much appreciated! 

Yes! It’s mine!

Absolutely!

I totally understand that, the 221 is indeed quite thick on my 6" wrist, and the 30m WR is indeed a huge downside. For me 50m WR would already be a huge improvement

That’s a Great watch! Congratulations on your acquisition! 🍻

Thanks! 🍻

When we last lived in Japan, my family helped a friends family harvest their rice in early October. 

Reading about this model - it's in that same 'early autumn ready to harvest rice' color that I remember.   I'm not a dress watch type - but I love this classy and subtle model.  Nice addition!

https://www.grand-seiko.com/ca-en/collections/sbgw231g

pic of ready to harvest rice from my old next door neighbor's field:

Cool, now that you mention it, it does remind me of some varieties of rice. 👍