My Rolex Explorer Alternative - Grand Seiko SBGT037 - 37mm QUARTZ!
Some context - a promising Rolex AD conversation turned out to be bullshit and I was never going to get the new Explorer 40mm this side of retirement. I already have an Explorer 2 which I was happy to pay grey market prices for. But paying the best part of 10k for a used 36/39mm Explorer 1 wasn’t going to happen. I needed a plan B.
On a recent trip to California I stopped by an old friend who’s been into watches for +30 years. He’s lived for much of that time in Japan so has a thing for Seiko and especially Grand Seiko. He has an extensive collection. After an hour of going through it I came across the 37mm SBGT037. The stars aligned. The perfect size. Beautiful zaratsu polishing. Sparkling applied indices. Stealthy black/dark grey dial … but Quartz?? Turns out it’s no ordinary Quartz movement - the 9F83. This high grade GS movement is extremely accurate, with +/- 10 secs per year and a quartz oscillator that vibrates at 32,768 times per second. The battery lasts ~3 years. For more information on the 9F movement family see https://www.grand-seiko.com/uk-en/special/9f9s9stories/vol1/2
I wore a quartz watch for years before getting into horology but was then trained by YouTube ‘experts’ to turn my nose up at them in favour of auto or hand wound mechanical movements. I realise now that that’s nonsense. High grade quartz movements are far superior to most generic mechanical movements from the likes of ETA or Sellita and offer extraordinary value, particularly pre-owned. They also have the benefit of being very svelte allowing the SBGT037 to be less than 10mm thick.
So here is my latest acquisition from Japan - plan B. Long live high grade quartz!
Schnauzers, Allotment, Horology, Kubernetes
Interesting conclusion and indeed all movements have something to offer, depending on the person's tastes and openness to explore. Great acquisition! 🍻
I wish you the very best should you require servicing. You will undoubtedly be many months without your watch.
I wish you the very best should you require servicing. You will undoubtedly be many months without your watch.
That's a great point although I have plenty of others to tide me over.
Stunner! Congrats!
I have been eyeing this watch up as my first "luxury watch". I've not spent over 1k on a watch, yet.
How are you finding it?
I have been eyeing this watch up as my first "luxury watch". I've not spent over 1k on a watch, yet.
How are you finding it?
You should be able to find it used for ~$900 with papers but not necessarily original box on Chrono24. But remember to add VAT/duties if you’re importing from Japan. If you’re cool with all that, and you’re comfortable with a 37mm, I would highly recommend it.
Very very nice watch. I too have a stable of mechanical watches but I have a Rolex oyster quartz as my daily beater. It’s as tough as nails and recently bought a Jäger le Coulter Odysseus. Both quartz but with amazing mechanical parts also. Essentially hybrids.
You should be able to find it used for ~$900 with papers but not necessarily original box on Chrono24. But remember to add VAT/duties if you’re importing from Japan. If you’re cool with all that, and you’re comfortable with a 37mm, I would highly recommend it.
Thanks. I love a 37mm for daily wear. They're just more comfortable than a suacer of steel on my wrist all day. (Don't get me wrong, I've got some big watches. I'm just too weak to wear them for extended periods 😆)
That's a great point although I have plenty of others to tide me over.
There is a US GS service center, so I don't necessarily see that as a problem. It shouldn't be months.
https://grandseikoserviceusa.com/
There is a US GS service center, so I don't necessarily see that as a problem. It shouldn't be months.
I'm based in the UK but I'm sure there is something similar here. Anyway, its not something I'm going to worry about.
Very very nice watch. I too have a stable of mechanical watches but I have a Rolex oyster quartz as my daily beater. It’s as tough as nails and recently bought a Jäger le Coulter Odysseus. Both quartz but with amazing mechanical parts also. Essentially hybrids.
That's exactly my intention with the SBGT037. It makes little sense to travel around with $1000s worth of watches in your travel bag (as I did in the US recently). Its fun but not very sensible. In certain cities you're just asking for trouble. A high quality, accurate quartz watch that flies beneath the radar is what I was after.
This is my Datejust alternative.
Better watch than the date just. Nicer finishing by a country mile.
Those are amazing. I wish my SBGX bracelet had the polished accents. The Day-Date function is also quite nice. 10/10, one of the best watches on the market in my opinion.
Seems that the 9F movements are pretty awesome. Almost everyone that has one loves it. Must be that sweet bounceless tick.
Nice pickup! and I personally like it better than most of the basic Rolex models.
Better watch than the date just. Nicer finishing by a country mile.
I have a 1996 DateJust 36mm too, which I love. I think you might be right about the finishing but there is nothing like your first Rolex!
Seems that the 9F movements are pretty awesome. Almost everyone that has one loves it. Must be that sweet bounceless tick.
Nice pickup! and I personally like it better than most of the basic Rolex models.
I came to a similar conclusion…
This is a picture of an Explorer 1 from the same collection. The 36mm is beautifully proportioned but the finishing is unquestionably inferior to the SBGT037. That said, I’m sure I’ll add one to the collection at some point but the secondary market prices are way too high. The value isn’t there atm.
Seems that the 9F movements are pretty awesome. Almost everyone that has one loves it. Must be that sweet bounceless tick.
Nice pickup! and I personally like it better than most of the basic Rolex models.
Great video on the 9F calibre at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HDdOoufGlA
Love my GS gada too 👍
Good choice, mine gets more wrist time that the explorer
Love my GS gada too 👍
Good choice, mine gets more wrist time that the explorer
Ooh - 44GS case. Beautiful.
Ooh - 44GS case. Beautiful.
The roller is a nice watch, but it ain't finished like the GS
For 25% of the price
The roller is a nice watch, but it ain't finished like the GS
For 25% of the price
Exactly my point. Rolex are great watches (I have two) but GS offers much better value. That said, I had the experience the other day of my ‘watch muggle’ sister-in-law noticing my SBGY009 and saying “Ooh, is that a Rolex?” - when I said “No, it’s Grand Seiko” her eyes glazed over and she lost interest. Most watch nerds freak out over the SBGY009’s amazing case polishing, beautiful dial, and super accurate Spring Drive calibre.
But the brand equity and recognition of Rolex is unique. That’s what most people pay a premium for.
Exactly my point. Rolex are great watches (I have two) but GS offers much better value. That said, I had the experience the other day of my ‘watch muggle’ sister-in-law noticing my SBGY009 and saying “Ooh, is that a Rolex?” - when I said “No, it’s Grand Seiko” her eyes glazed over and she lost interest. Most watch nerds freak out over the SBGY009’s amazing case polishing, beautiful dial, and super accurate Spring Drive calibre.
But the brand equity and recognition of Rolex is unique. That’s what most people pay a premium for.
I think that's why a prefer GS
It's hellfire club, not jocks 😂