Should my next watch be the Tudor Black Bay Pro, or Grand Seiko SBGN027?

Hi Guys -

Next month I will be picking my next watch out, and I'm deciding between the BB Pro and the Grand Seiko SBGN027.  The GS is about $3300 (new), while the Pro is about $3800 used.  

I know the Pro seems like a sure-fire winner here, but my collection is almost entirely Rolex, Tudor and Omega toolwatches, with nothing that can be described as elegant.  The SBGN would be my first Grand Seiko, a brand I really want to add to my collection. The GS has crazy accuracy - +/- 10 seconds year year - and a 50 year service interval.  I love the monochromatic look, really want a high end grab and go watch.  

The Pro needs no introduction.  I really didn't care much for it when it first came out, but I became a believer when I put it on the wrist.  It wears so well, and everything comes together so well.  My collection currently only has one Tudor - a Black Bay Bronze.  I used to have a Pelagos and BB58, but traded them for a Rolex.  Adding the Pro would give me one Tudor back.  On the other hand, I'm anticipating what Tudor will release this year, and don't want to get the Pro only to have my attention move to a new release, making me regret the Pro.

What would you guys pick from these two?

Thanks!

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Given the background of your collection, I say the Grand Seiko. 

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TimeToRide

Given the background of your collection, I say the Grand Seiko. 

Thank you for the feedback!

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BB Pro for me. 

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On the one hand, you need smth a bit more elegant, accurate, grab and go and you dont have a GS, which is a brand you covet.

On the other you might add one Tudor to a collection that used to have 3, then down to 1, with the upside of maybe have 2.

Yeah. Get the GS. 

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Didier

On the one hand, you need smth a bit more elegant, accurate, grab and go and you dont have a GS, which is a brand you covet.

On the other you might add one Tudor to a collection that used to have 3, then down to 1, with the upside of maybe have 2.

Yeah. Get the GS. 

Thanks Didier and all who responded.

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Pro for me . GS seiko for you

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Remove yourself from the Watch Aficionado sphere for a moment. Don’t buy a watch for specs. Apple watch has that beat. Don’t buy a watch because other watch snobs say it is great. Grand Seiko and Tudor are only popular among us snobs. 
Put yourself in the shoes of yourself before you heard of WatchCrunch. In that person and with a $4000 budget, if you walked into ALL the conceivable watch brand boutiques in the world, what would you get? Another Black Bay? A better Seiko? Just buy what looks cool. Specs and Reputation should mean nothing in an obsolete industry.

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HoratioSanchez

Remove yourself from the Watch Aficionado sphere for a moment. Don’t buy a watch for specs. Apple watch has that beat. Don’t buy a watch because other watch snobs say it is great. Grand Seiko and Tudor are only popular among us snobs. 
Put yourself in the shoes of yourself before you heard of WatchCrunch. In that person and with a $4000 budget, if you walked into ALL the conceivable watch brand boutiques in the world, what would you get? Another Black Bay? A better Seiko? Just buy what looks cool. Specs and Reputation should mean nothing in an obsolete industry.

Great perspective, Horatio.  I do feel a pull to pick Tudor as the "right" answer here, but I think the GS looks cooler.

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GS

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Definitely the grand seiko. I have its smaller brother (the SBGX261) and it’s phenomenal. I love that it shows the exact same time to the second as my phone and my app controlled g shock.)

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Spartyfan6262

Great perspective, Horatio.  I do feel a pull to pick Tudor as the "right" answer here, but I think the GS looks cooler.

What do you mean by ”pull to pick Tudor”?

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Justingalore

Definitely the grand seiko. I have its smaller brother (the SBGX261) and it’s phenomenal. I love that it shows the exact same time to the second as my phone and my app controlled g shock.)

I find it really appealing to know that it will keep perfect time.

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HoratioSanchez

What do you mean by ”pull to pick Tudor”?

I mean that most enthusiasts would pick Tudor.

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The BBPro is a great watch. I don’t think Tudor will release an upgrade on it anytime soon as the specs are pretty strong. For GS I think they do much more interesting dials. 

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GS.  

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I was also deciding between the two watches and decided to go with the BB Pro. I went and try both and the pro connected better with me. I will try to reason why below.

For the GS, I was simply intrigued by the quartz movement: temperature compensation, "dual impulse", marker synchronization, sealed stress-free movement module.  As interesting as these function may be, I also felt that the price was a bit too high above what I would consider fair. This is because I became interested in the watch through its functions. Therefore, I view the GS purely as a tool.

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GeeMan

I would go for the GS SBGN027

As it appears you’ve already made the choice with the reason already!

I’ve just added a few classic quartz watches to my collection and love the “grab and go” moments, but also I can use them to set my mechanical watches to. The GS looks better and its dimensions look a lot more wearable. When I saw pictures of the BB Pro I liked it, but when I tried it on it was very underwhelming. I already have the BB GMT, and the BB Pro looked strangely small on my wrist at 39mm but with the same thickness as my 41mm GMT. 
 

How often is typically needed to replace the GS Quartz battery? Surely not 50 years!? 🤔 

3 years once for the battery change. The service interval is for the gears and other components inside. 

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Just a wee curveball but I also like HAQ so save some cash and go for this..

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My heart says pro because I own one and love it. But my brain says grand seiko for the diversification factor, which is how I collect. 1 watch per brand and each needs a different dial, complication, size, etc.

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BB Pro. 

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Tudor has better brand recognition. better longevity and value retention. Easier to get parts for after many years. 

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Considering the rest of your collection, the GS is an easy choice. 

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redwood

Considering the rest of your collection, the GS is an easy choice. 

Just tried on the Pro on a bracelet and it didn't quite connect with me.  Awesome watch at a great price, though.

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If it were odds, I'd go Grand Seiko, 'heavy.'

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Sluggo

If it were odds, I'd go Grand Seiko, 'heavy.'

Got the SBGN027 last night!

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Spartyfan6262

Got the SBGN027 last night!

Very nicely done, Sir! Happy wearing.

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Markell

Just a wee curveball but I also like HAQ so save some cash and go for this..

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The GS is an awesome watch. Cannot beat the value. Plus, it is somewhat unique. The smaller bezel makes it more versatile than the BB- dressy or sporty depending on the occasion. I’m a bit biased though…

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Grand Seiko for sure. Any model you can stare at all day!

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Nice one. Congratulations on your latest acquisition!

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I really want this one, SBGN 0027.