Does the Grand Seiko name affect your perception of the brand?

I am a huge GS fanboy.  Like, I have 11 GS at this point.  I'm the guy who always says...

...  and GS is cowbell.

However, my assessment is "It's still just a Seiko."  Seiko is a vertically-integrated watchmaker that leverages technology - including that from semi-conductor manufacturing - from across the conglomerate to make some of the best value watches in the world.  They're able to amortize all that fixed cost R&D across all the units they sell worldwide, which is why Seiko is such a great value!

So, whenever someone asks me what watch I have on my wrist, I always say, "Oh, it's a Seiko."  I'm proud of the fact that GS is "just a Seiko"!

Would people generally like Rolex any less if it was "Grand Tudor?"

I understand where people are coming from, but I'm in the camp of "Look at the finishing on that applied logo!!!" 😎

Interesting! ”It’s a Seiko!” is what I’ve found myself to say to non-watch enthusiasts when they ask about what I’m wearing. 
Thanks for the input coming from a GS fanboy… much appreciated!

Hear, hear! That’s one of the reasons why I fell in love with the brand. 

I object more to the Grand part myself. It makes me think that they are all too big, when possibly only most of them are.

Many normies already think Seiko is a nice watch…and by nice watch they think $500-1000.  GS is a good way to go under the radar. 

If only King Seiko would’ve won that battle 😅

And that is also one of things that I love about the brand!

Looks like the poll tells the tale,but we're watch people so we'know'. But maybe try selling the name(and the price) to Joe public,maybe a different story. But we know about the finishing,the movement and all that goes into this awesome collection of high horology. Definitely a sleeper brand that maybe only us watch people love,which is probably a good thing,a thinking man's (person's) watch.

That is absolutely part of its appeal, akin to JLC. 💯 

Well at the end of the day only real watch people know the difference. Sometimes it would be nice to look through the eyes of someone that doesn't know the difference we would all save a lot of money. But since that isn't the case I guess we will all go broke together 💪✌️

If you made it this far, you know it’s a point of no return 😆

I ticked the 'just a Seiko' box despite being yet another Seiko and GS fanboy.  And it's not a slam on GS - I'm been saving to buy a GS for frigging months.  

I think the Japanese do these multi tier companies for foreign markets that struggle with luxury and economy from a single brand.  In Japan there is no Lexus or Acura, just Toyota and Honda. Same models as rest of world, but domestic market just takes pride in the owning of a domestic brand.  

The buddy I made at the GS Shizuku Ishi studio is working his way up as a watchmaker in the company, by rebuilding Seiko movements.   Within the company there is way more integration than we see on our side.

Anyway - I know they put crazy levels of effort and pride into those builds which is why I want one!  

A very interesting take indeed 💯

I can totally see the difference in culture, and I think you hit the nail right on the head. 

Not going to vote as I view them Both as Iconic. My grail is a GS !

Both options are positives. Seiko is a brand that once made the Swiss cancel the chronometre tests due to their accuracy and design. And GS continues its legacy as its flagship luxury brand, all by just narrating fiction on nature. No need for one hit wonder rap stars or outdated movie and sports icons, or going through “rigorous tests” and AD hoops to solicit sale figures

I'm tending to option A, though I don't agree with the word "just". Having the name "Seiko" on the dial of a watch usually means that you own a piece of quality, it doesn't matter if there is a "Grand" in front of it or not. Seiko (in my eyes) stands for innovation since decades and offers amazing watches at almost every price point (unfortunately they don't offer a watch to compete with the F91W😉). So I don't really understand why collectors would be bothered by the name "Seiko", it's f*ing amazing and gives the name "Grand Seiko" even more value and heritage!

The way i see Grand Sseiko is the same way i see Lexus, sure Lexus is part of Toyota and many times shares technologies but it isn't the same thing, it's a much more refined car and just as reliable if not more, Grand Sseiko also shares some technologies with Seiko but it's a more refined Seiko, in movement and finish, just as reliable but just like Lexus had the LFA, Grand Seiko has the Spring drive, exclusive tech only they have so going for the TL:DR: Grand Seiko is part of the Seiko group but they are pretty much independent as they can get, so yeah, Grand Seiko is their own thing even tho they share technologies and knowledge from the rest of the group.

Oh dude!! You have the matcha!! cant find that anywhere !! Except chrono24 off course.. hmm matcha!!

i ain't here to change anyone's mind. just saying my personal opinion, based on my personal situation.

not having a GS Boutique within 100s of km is one of the bigger reasons ;)

Seiko kicks a$$,  so there's no such thing as "just a Seiko".

Grand Seiko is and should be proud of its relationship with Seiko.

What Seiko does is not easy to pull off, and I know relatively few brands that are able to do it. You have to show value across your product offering, no matter whether you are selling entry-level watches or luxury pieces, but also across markets with very different types of demand. Most other manufacturers will segment the offering into different brands.

While there are certain weak spots in some of Seikos offering, this generally seems to work for Seiko.

I chose neither. We need more choices. Grand Seiko is Seiko, but not "just a Seiko." I fully acknowledge the shared history, design language, etc. with Seiko, and I'm perfectly happy to own and wear a higher end, more finely built Seiko. I appreciate both how Grand Seiko and Seiko are similar and how they are different. I also appreciate plain old Seiko for what it is. 

to your latter point, when i see these seikos that are a few grand my initial thought is "that's a lot for a seiko that's not even a grand seiko" :)

For me GS is like the bastard love child of Jaeger-le-Coultre and Patek. Mega engineers who like to polish and fiddle with the finish. I love them and I think its only the beginning, I have a feeling we are about to see some serious complications next. 

The Seiko branded ones will end up being the collectors pieces hahaha I think I like them more!

Best answer by far. I love my seiko 5s as much as I love my GSs.

Agreed. I actually prefer the sbgx119 dial to the 319. More balance and I like having seiko at the top.

The 319 has the most over-engineered bracelet link connectors I've ever seen.

you left an option out for me to pick:

c. grand seiko is elevated by the association with seiko