Is the GS9 club worth the cost of admission?

As a GS9 member who never attends any events, go second hand.

Save your cash, get one more later.

The only benefit is getting the inside scoop on some cool interviews and stories about the brand. If you don’t plan attending any of the events or care to read some of the insider articles, well that’s pretty much it, aside from getting a cool lapel pin and gs9 club magazines

If you live in an area where you can get access to Club GS9 special events, then yes, but if not, then eh... the free stuff they send to members in the mail are mediocre at best.

Here's photos from my first event in LA last year

I think it all depends on how many more watches you want from the brand. I know as a GS9 member, certain limited editions are only available through boutiques to GS9 members. So if you covet those types of timepieces, then it may be worth it to you. But if you are the type of collector who only gets one watch from each brand (like I am for any brand over $1,000), then no, it wouldn't be worth it for you.

I went the AD route because I traded some watches towards the GS. I joined it, but thus far don’t really see myself doing any of the events. If you can save a buck going another route I think you should.

https://www.sethandcowatches.com/

I got my Tudor BB58 from Seth under retail. He is a broker that has a network of ADs. I would reach out to him to see what he can do with pricing.

I say yes, GS9 club is worth it, got my SBGE263 at the boutique a few years ago...

Since then I went to a couple events, watch meetup with industry people, master watch makers from Japan flew in and put together a high beat... a free whiskey tasting, free sushi, hifi sound system... got to handle the $450k constant force tourbillion and Platinum Credor... I've gotten a bunch of swag in the mail randomly, hats, pins, loupe...

Always get emails about new releases way before they come out which is just cool, and they just sent invites to do a full factory tour in Japan with master watch makers and food etc, but you gotta get there yourself... I wish I could go

Plus they are really cool at the boutique, great guys, no other brand has this level of service, Rolex, Omega, all of them, they sell you the watch and that's the end of it...

Unless maybe your a huge spender getting your ass kissed spending 6 figures on a Patek or AP, no one can touch Grand Seiko's customer service

I think this is personal preference - there are some neat GS9 events, but the value available buying second hand is significant with GS. I own a bunch of GS but would never spend full retail (or even at a typical AD discount available on some pieces) for GS9 membership.

I have previously bought a GS at an AD in Japan, but was not able to join GS9 USA. That being said I sold that watch and am wanting to get another GS.

I would totally take a trip to Japan to get a full factory tour. I tried getting on a tour while I lived in Japan, but it was always booked.

I had a SGBX341 that I bought from the Wako Department store in Ginza, Tokyo. It was a watch I was never going to get rid of, but I sold it back in October. 😂 I have no issue paying full price at an AD for a watch, but at this point in collecting I am about half and half with my purchases either being full price from AD or going the second hand route.

I've been a GS9 since day one, with multiple GS's. Haven't gotten anything more than an email marketing subscription.

I suspect part of that is that I don't live near big GS meets being in CO, but yeah it isn't worth "buying admission" or whatever. Also my local GS dealer is hit or miss on being run by nice people; half of the staff are rude and snooty, the other half just want a fast sale and be done but at least are nice. Meh, pardon my rambling.

I get that! It doesn’t hurt to shop around. I don’t live close enough to where GS9 club does events and probably will never travel to one. Do you see yourself doing their events?

Go used as they depreciate hard in used market.

Nah, man, just go buy at market price from Seth, as @lla2891 pointed out, and save yourself several $thousand. If you want to go to a GS9 event, DM me, and you can always go as my +1!!!

If they did one in Las Vegas I would go, but they probably won't do one here.

Just a matter of time before they release a GS9 exclusive

Buy new and earn your patina. Grand Seikos are cheap as it is lol

I think you have me convinced.

It's nice if you're located close to their club events where you are able to attend every invitation. Unfortunately for me i am a plane ride too far and the 2 events ive been invited to i have not been able to go. At least they make efforts to do get togethers. Still waiting for them to mail me freebies if they ever do 🤪

🫡 You're welcome

I'd say it's worth it but I love Grand seiko too much to be a credible source don't listen to me 😬😂🤣

Save the cash and buy more watches. There’s tons of watch clubs out there that you don’t need to buy anything to join.

Is there free food at the events?

Nah, I don’t live anywhere near anything, I mostly spend more time deleting the emails.

They had one GS9 event in Kuala Lumpur recently and it was superbly done, with loads of great food and drink. That's not worth the price, although I got nearly 20 percent off from my AD, which I think made my GS good value. I think the reason to buy direct from an AD is the finishing is so out of this world from GS that you want one in mint condition.

Save your money, buy nearly new, and hopefully the previous owner didn't register for GS9! Then you can swoop in 🎉 honestly, I don't think they're checking even if it was previously registered. Just a hunch.

I bought a GS Snowflake on the second hand market and saved about $1800 (it was about 4 months old). If you’re interested I got it from Bernard Watch Company. They typically have a few on hand. Good luck with whichever way you go.

I will have to check them out.

I’d never join something that I had to buy an relatively expensive watch to join.