An afternoon at the new Grand Seiko AD in town!

I also really enjoyed yesterday afternoon. Grand Seiko dials are truly in another league. In my opinion, their most simple pieces are the best - I don‘t really like how they “waste” dial space for spring drive indicators and date windows on many models. The only more complicated one I’d consider is the GMT, as the date is an intrinsic part of the complication. Overall, I liked the GMT and Omiwatari the most.

Hopefully @Pascal will buy the Omiwatari soon so I can see it regularly. 😂 

This was also my first time handling several full titanium (case and bracelet) watches. It was amazing how light they felt compared to my Datejust, almost like holding nothing at all. 

Hi Pascal,

Sounds like you had an amazing experience!

I am currently tempted by the Omiwatari and the Kishun. 

In one  hand the Omiwatari has a more beautiful dial IMHO, a slimmer case and the emblematic spring drive caliber.

On the other hand, the Kishun has a classic round case (which I prefer), an interesting dial and a manual caliber more beautiful to look at IMHO and perhaps  easier to service.

What a great day out for you and your friend!  I hope to get to the London boutique soon.

I've already ordered my favourite GS, the Asakage.  Just waiting for it to arrive at my local dealer....and unfortunately the pictures of it on the Grand Seiko website don't do it justice. 

Oh yeah the Asakage is nice as well. It is a very essential watch and even the dial is plain for GS, it is plain to perfection!

Right, the Kishun is the more classical one. The Omiwatari is more cushion shaped and the spring drive caliber is not “regular”. But did you try the Kishun in person on your wrist? It is quite thick, imo to thick for a hand wound watch.

Amen!

That is quite a collection... 👍

Right, the GMT Shosho needs a date. The dial was also very amazing, for me it looked like the Mediterranean Sea in the sun shine. Unfortunately I missed to make a picture…

I did a similar trip in February to get the opportunity to have a hands on experience. Limited time and many options didn’t give me the chance to single out a favourite but they do look something special.

If you haven’t found your favorite yet, it‘s the perfect reason for another trip ;)

I'm with you on the silly power reserve indicators invading the dials, but I like/need a date window - guess I'm just accustomed to it and miss it on the watches without a date.  Yes the simple pieces with the amazing dials are best.

GS GMT SBGM221 

I haven't handled this one in person yet, but I think it is my favourite GS so far.

Hi Pascal,

OMG, I love my GS SBGJ249 (the GMT) and SBGH295.  Sometimes I just sit there, stare at them and grin.  No joke, they sparkle and shimmer like diamonds!  Another way to tell Grand Seiko's quality is to manually wind them.  GS winds so smoothly vs. many other brands can sometimes feel a little gritty.

The high beats definitely have a very smooth winding. (also have a SBGJ249).     However, the spring drive movements have a much different feel when you wind them.  Still smooth, but you get some feedback both through sound and feel.     Can catch you off guard the first time if you aren't expecting it. 

Sounds like a fun trip.   They look so different in person and in various lighting conditions so it's great you can get the in real life perspective.   

I received the SBGJ249 Shosho as a gift from family so it brings a bit more to my collection than just  the spectacular dial and polishing.   

Have since bought the SBGA413 Shunbun as my everyday with the 100m water resistance.   I've never been able to wear a bracelet until I tried titanium.  Wears so well I forget it's on my wrist.  And I have no issues with the power reserve on this watch.   Not that's it is a sports watch, but I find the reserve and date window make it wear a little more casual instead of a full dial of cherry blossoms.    

this shiny sparkle is for me a bit much^^ So I am more a fan of the not shiny Omiwatari. But Jan (who was with me) was more into the shiny Shosho. :)

The smooth winding is absolutely not a sign of quality, it is just a different architecture. I personally like more the Swiss architecture where you can feel the ratchet wheel.

the Shunbun was also very nice, especially that you could only see the very slight rose in certain angles. However the power indicator is not my cup of tea... as well as dates in general. 

Did you go to Juwelier Altherr? They're into their Grand Seiko, judging by their videos. Funny that I know they opened a branch in Berlin, seeing as the last time I was there there was still a wall.

I kind of wonder how Grand Seiko is doing in Europe. They've been doing a big marketing push in the United States over the last couple of years and made a big splash; they're president recently confirmed in an interview that they focused on the US. Are they raising their profile in Europe to? 

Here in New York we have an embarrassment of riches, two brand boutiques, several ADs, and probably because the Grand Seiko USA headquarters is in New Jersey, we get lots of events; I've eaten a lot of their sushi.

Which GMT are you referring to?

yes it’s Altherr. they opened their second branch in Berlin after having one in Cologne (west Germany). It is a really nice and modern boutique with a nice variety of brands except of Rolex. 

here in Germany is nothing going on with GS, I think we have one boutique in Frankfurt, but that’s it.

Wow

SBGJ249 Shōsho

This is a fun thread - and I’m enjoying the challenge to my Japanese!

Asa kage- morning shadow?  Or morning lighting?

Yu kage - same meaning but late afternoon or early evending?

I love the times and unique ‘micro‘ seasons evoked in the GS names.  Kishun and Shunbun are great

They are very old and traditional Japanese words .  And the passing of time is implied in the names in that those features are usually just present briefly n the real world.  

Maybe I’ll pop in again to the GS dealer here in Vancouver tomorrow 🤔😀

It is a timeless design IMHO. Plus for me, it is a strap monster as long as you could find you favorite straps in 19mm 😜