NWA. First Grand Seiko. First Quartz

I've always thought about Grand Seiko but never made the leap. Maybe it was because the mind numbing challenge of keeping track of the number of models released in a year, maybe it's because they felt too shiny, a lot of them felt too big for or probably and mostly likely maybe it was just me.

That brings me to my most recent quest for a weekend watch. Something I can wear taking my daughter to gymnastics, going to the gym, having a drink with a friend. Thus began one of the best parts of this hobby... Reading reviews, watching YouTube reviews, scouring watch forums and of course going through Watchcrunch. This took 3 months and endless hours spent in deep contemplation. Pure happiness.

I narrowed the search to the Formex Essence 39 and the Grand Seiko SBGX341. Both have a similar vibe with a muscular case and a sporty feel. I decided against the Formex because I am waiting for a carbon version like that have with the Leggera which is too big for my wrist. Plus I don't have a Grand Seiko and I don't have a quartz so the GS ticked more boxes for me.

I got the watch last Thursday and these are my initial thoughts (I am deeply madly in the honeymoon phase so this is far from an objective review)

So here it is and why I am loving it: The Case The case has a balance between brushed and polished. There is the famous zaratsu polishing but not enough to worry that exposing the watch to the air will scratch that gorgeous mirror reflection. The vertical brushing on the bezel is awesome, shifting between silver and dark grey based on the light. The lug to lug is compact for my delicate wrists (40mm case and 44mm lug to lug) and the lug width is perfect at 20mm. The crown at 4 is a cool feature and almost tucks away in the case. The watch does feel a little heavier than my other watches but I haven't tested that on the scale. Will have to do that soon. The Dial That white matte dial is the perfect neutral backdrop to showcase GS craftsmanship with the hands, polished indices and that perfect splash of orange to create visual interest. Then there is the GS applied logo. The overall aesthetic is a stricking contrast between black and white with the playful orange highlights.

The Lume I've got mixed feelings about the lume. The green and blue lume on the dial and how it reflects against the raised chapter ring is crazy cool. But at my age I wish the minute hand had more lume area so that I know what time I am using the bathroom at night.

The Bracelet I don't wear bracelets. But the watch is a strap monster. The drilled lug holes making changing straps easy and so far loving changing straps every day. Feels like I bought 10 watches and not just one.

(Picture for the bracelet bros)

Definitely very happy with the NWA.