New Grand Seiko GMT….with LUME!!!
Over the past few weeks, I’ve come to realize that there was one watch in my collection that was not getting any significant wrist time. It also happened to be one of the first watches I acquired in my collection. It was my second luxury watch and my first Tudor. It was the Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue. The watch is no longer available to purchase new in the United States. (That little fact helped me immensely when it came time to sell her.) I walked into my AD on Tuesday 1/24/23 and wanted to talk to them about a custom jewelry pendant that I’ve commissioned in remembrance of my dog that passed away late last year. In conversation, I was told by one of my friends that works there that he was trying to get a new Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue but his Tudor rep wasn’t able to help him. I chimed in and told him that I had a virtually new condition Heritage Chrono Blue at home and could bring it in the following day for him to look at. He was off the next day- so the following day, I bring the watch in to the showroom for him to look at, and he was blown away. I even left the QR code sticker on the side of the case. It was MINT and he knew it. His eyes just lit up!!! He immediately started talking about how his wife is going out of town this weekend and how that’s the perfect time for him to squeeze it by without her making a fuss. 😝😅 He proceeded to ask me if I could return in a few days time and he would pay me in cash. I said, “No problem”. That plan didn’t last but a few short hours…… I’m sitting at a friends house playing Backgammon when I get a call from the Jewelry Store!! Of course it’s my buddy on the line asking me if we can meet tonight since his wife is ok with him buying my Tudor. 😂 So, I jump in the car and headed home to grab my watch and sell it to him in my driveway. This all happened Thursday. As a total watch fanatic I just knew I had to replace that missing Tudor. I thought I had convinced myself to buy a true blue dial watch but as I was going through the GS display case, I found myself completely captivated by the “Mist Flake” dial on the SBGE285 GMT. I found a really good description of the watch from an article on https://monochrome-watches.com/grand-seiko-mist-flake-sports-gmt-spring-drive-sbge285-hands-on-review-specs-price/
It says the following “And really, the new Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Sport “Mist Flake” benefits from the Evolution 9 treatment. First of all, the case has been revamped to bring more ergonomy and refinement. Surely, the look is immediately identifiable to Grand Seiko. But what the Mist Flake does is add a layer of comfort and elegance in an overall sporty context. The case is not the most compact but at 41mm in diameter, with a height of just below 14mm and a 48mm length, it plays in the same league as a GMT-Master II or a Submariner. And importantly, the case is here made of High-intensity titanium (equivalent to grade 5) meaning that it’s also relatively light. A good point though, it doesn’t feel too light like some other titanium GS watches. At about 120 grams on a bracelet, it feels just about right.
Design-wise and looking at the specifications, the Mist Flake SBGE285 is a perfect definition of an all-rounder, do-it-all sports watch. It has presence yet comfort, it comes with a comfortable 100m water-resistance, it has a screw-down crown, it features a practical (and real) traveller’s GMT function, its dial is framed by a fixed, relatively discreet brushed titanium 24h bezel, and it’s worn on a metallic bracelet.”
The dial reminds me of a more intense GS SnowFlake dial. More texture to it. Kinda like my Hi-Beat White Birch SLGH005. This watch happens to be my first GS with lume and I love how they used to different colors- green for the hour & minute hand and indices and then a nice blue for the GMT hand. The GMT hand stays blue in the natural light as well so it’s really easy to read. Super legible dial. A hallmark of GS. I’m thrilled to add this watch to my collection and can’t wait to start sharing pictures on WRUW. Cheers! 🥂
Welcome! I’m @TheHoroSexual, a passionate collector and connoisseur of distinctive horology. My journey began with a Rolex Yacht Master 37, which ignited a lifelong appreciation for Rolex’s design lan...
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This is a beautiful watch. Only two things keep me from considering it more strongly. I really value legibility and for this watch I prefer the black dial with the steel hands as I feel it is easier to read. Except the black dial version doesn't come with the textured dial, which I think is a shame. The second issue is the watch is titanium and for whatever reason, I don't like how light titanium feels on my wrist, and yes, I've tried this one on. If the black dial version had the textured dial, I think I could get over the weight. I think the watch is that good.
Miiiiiiistflake.
What a great trade up.
Congrats on the new watch. I was seriously considering that watch before I decided on the SBGE255 - mostly because I love the blue dial, and I own a Snowflake and didn’t want another white / grayish dial. I have a feeling that if I had tried on a SBGE285 on my wrist, however, I would have been convinced otherwise.
This is a beautiful watch. Only two things keep me from considering it more strongly. I really value legibility and for this watch I prefer the black dial with the steel hands as I feel it is easier to read. Except the black dial version doesn't come with the textured dial, which I think is a shame. The second issue is the watch is titanium and for whatever reason, I don't like how light titanium feels on my wrist, and yes, I've tried this one on. If the black dial version had the textured dial, I think I could get over the weight. I think the watch is that good.
Yeah, I don’t know why but legibility wasn’t a concern for me. I believe the Evolution9 grammar of design calls for slightly larger faceted indices and as such for me legibility has never been an issue, but I can understand your concern and desire for the high contrast black dial version. Also, I like the bezel on this watch and it’s Explorer II vibes with the larger numbers correlating to a nice long GMT hand. I believe that it’s much more legible than most of the GMT hands in Elegance collection, for example. Have a good evening!
GS is probably the brand I am most interested in that I don’t have. I did consider them for my collection. But I had a hard limit of 9 from the inception, and GS just didn’t fit. However, if I eventually decide to expand GS will be an acquisition.
Congrats on the new watch. I was seriously considering that watch before I decided on the SBGE255 - mostly because I love the blue dial, and I own a Snowflake and didn’t want another white / grayish dial. I have a feeling that if I had tried on a SBGE285 on my wrist, however, I would have been convinced otherwise.
Dude, I went in thinking I was gonna get a blue dial GS and went a completely different direction!! I just can’t pass up a chance to own a textured GS dial. They’ve spoiled me when it comes to dials. And I still need a blue dial watch. 🙈🙈
Wow beautiful watch! Congratulations!!!
I Love it, The dial is amazing! I'm looking forward to the day I pop on my GS! It will come
Yeah, I don’t know why but legibility wasn’t a concern for me. I believe the Evolution9 grammar of design calls for slightly larger faceted indices and as such for me legibility has never been an issue, but I can understand your concern and desire for the high contrast black dial version. Also, I like the bezel on this watch and it’s Explorer II vibes with the larger numbers correlating to a nice long GMT hand. I believe that it’s much more legible than most of the GMT hands in Elegance collection, for example. Have a good evening!
The black dial version, SBGE283, is, for lack of a better word, so boring compared to SBGE285, though. 😁
That is one great watch sir! Congratulations! 🤩
Fantastic trade up!
Congratulations watch friend! I recently pulled the trigger on the GS White Birch Spring Drive. I did consider that GMT, but I already own the Batgirl.
I love the lume on your new piece and the dial. I also like the brushed bezel. The Spring Drive is ridiculously accurate! GS are an amazing brand.
I was originally dubious about the bracelet. Although not as good as Rolex or Omega, it was no deal breaker. The movement, dial, finishing and Zaratsu polishing are amazing! I've ordered a handmade, Ostrich leather strap, with minimal blue stitching that will match the colour of the sweeping second hand 🔥
Mesmerising dials and finishing! 🔥🤓💪
Dude! GS Evo 9! Grade 5 Ti! Lume! Kick ass dial! Those are my magic words
Score on the quick turnaround from an unloved old tudor into a brand new world travelling Mist Flake.
I'm looking forward to see this one in person soon. 🤩
This is an absolutely fantastic watch, but it’s totally out of my budget. Con grats!!!
Nice parlay!
Saweeeet! Watch money stays watch money, the gift that keeps on giving!
Congrats. Beautiful watch. I think this must be too much of a coincidence, because I feel like two worlds just collided. You didn't happen to sell the Tudor to Jay did you?
If so, perhaps its destiny.
Congrats. Beautiful watch. I think this must be too much of a coincidence, because I feel like two worlds just collided. You didn't happen to sell the Tudor to Jay did you?
If so, perhaps its destiny.
It’s such a small world. How do you know Jay? Cause you’re right on the money!
It’s such a small world. How do you know Jay? Cause you’re right on the money!
HA! I knew it! I know Jay because I spend a lot of time in that AD and he’s a total watch nerd that talks to me all the time. I was in there yesterday picking up a replacement band for my recently acquired Tudor Chronograph, and he told me all about his new acquisition and showed me pics! I made him promise to call me if he gets tired of it because I love the retro 70‘s vibe of the heritage, but he says it’s not leaving his collection ever..!
Us Louisville area watch nerds should gather..
HA! I knew it! I know Jay because I spend a lot of time in that AD and he’s a total watch nerd that talks to me all the time. I was in there yesterday picking up a replacement band for my recently acquired Tudor Chronograph, and he told me all about his new acquisition and showed me pics! I made him promise to call me if he gets tired of it because I love the retro 70‘s vibe of the heritage, but he says it’s not leaving his collection ever..!
Us Louisville area watch nerds should gather..
We have a RedBar Louisville Chapter Hit me up on IG.
We have a RedBar Louisville Chapter Hit me up on IG.
I tried this Mist Flake recently and must say it is a beautiful piece. The smooth sweep of the second hand simply took my breath away. Perfect legibility and lume when I tried it at the AD. The bracelet was solid & in my opinion is as good, if not better, than those of Rolex/Omega. Although the tapering is not that great, that's just me being whiny. I've never owned a titanium watch and I know this is grade 5 equivalent, but others have spoken of oxidization and how scratches are more visible. How is your experience so far? I'm seriously considering this to be my first GS.
Their high intensity titanium is amazing. My daily driver is an SBGA413 and I have no scratches anywhere on its bracelet. Grade 2 titanium is susceptible to scratches and as an example, the Tudor Pelagos 39 can’t even be polished if you scratch it up. And I’ve never seen any oxidation issues with GS High Intensity Titanium.
I LOVE the look of the Mist Flake and got quite excited to see it. Recently, I had that chance and it was one of those "oh no! Maybe it isn't for me after all." I think it had to do with the fact that it is made of titanium and just felt too light on my wrist. It just seemed too ... flakey? Sorry, bad pun. Just not substantial enough. Having said that, I think it looks amazing and is, in fact, amazing, but I like a bit of heft and am just not ready for titanium I guess!
Congratulations, to you, though. I am always pleased when people enjoy something new.