The trouble with Grand Seiko
Let’s get this out of the way - I love Seiko and Grand Seiko. This is not a “GS” bashing, just a genuine dilemma that the community can, I’m sure, help me resolve.
You see, I really want to add a GS to the collection, specifically the Omiwatari. I love the case, the dial (subtle, clean, and classic GS) and the price seems… acceptable (let’s be honest, everything over £1000/$1000/€1000 is hard to justify to anyone other than a fellow watch nerd). It has all the hallmarks of being a classic / future grail. Oh, and it’s available to actually buy!!!
My dilemma is that I use my watches, sometimes bash my watches, never baby them. My Gshocks revel in the adventure, my Seikos laugh in the face of adversity, and my Swiss watches… well they end up in the repair centre more often than I like to admit.
But to take this cavalier attitude towards a GS seems disrespectful. Zaratsu polishing is sublime, the hand built movement, true craftsmanship. These dress GS aren’t beaters, they’re modern antiques.
So my question is - should I really buy a GS if I’m going to be such a hoodlum in my treatment of it? Will I want the scourn of the GS mafia if I start posting wristshots a watch scratched to hell? Will I still love the watch after I’ve scarred it so?
Welcome WCers honest views - especially those that are already proud parents of a GS.
Collecting for almost 20years and obsessed with watches for a lot longer. Not a flipper - more a buy and keeper. Not a huge collection - but they’re all much loved. Have more watches that I’m sure I c...
Honestly. I’m a firm believer in wearing your watches/tools.
If I’m doing something that I know will cause unneeded damage to the watch, such as working on my car, I’ll take it off. But otherwise. Wear your tools.
Scratches can be polished out. They can also tell stores.
Try and take care of it, but also, it’s a watch. Wear it.
Just my .02
If you have plenty of beaters already, why not make an exception for this wonderful piece and wear for those special occasions or days when you’re not juggling chainsaws etc?
Your money your watch. Do whatever you like. Don't let the expectations of others rule your judgement.
Any watch you buy, you should be comfortable setting it on fire. Obviously, you would be sad but it shouldn’t change your life. At that point the watch is owning you.
That point is different for everyone but once it gets there, it’s not worth it no matter how nice the watch is.
Use it and forget those who say otherwise 😁 The patina is part of the enjoyment!
Buy it buy it and if it gets scratched or damaged when you send it to service fix the bumps and scratches
When you pull up the website, it literally says 'Elegance Collection'. This isn't a tool watch. It's not even a sports watch. On the site, GS suggests that they are perfect for weddings. I think these are gorgeous watches. I think what they do with their dials is really cool. With my lifestyle, I can't justify one. Maybe when my kid gets engaged, I'll buy us a matching set for his wedding.
When I send my watches for maintenance, I make it very clear not to remove the scratches/marks, as they define my character and the history of the watch with me. Ergo, if you are a savage, may GS welcome you to the Jungle.
I often wonder about the point of such fine painstaking polishing on something you wear on your wrist?
And this is why I prefer tool watches.
I also belive in using watches for their intended purpose.
I'll take a dive watch for a pool party or a day at the lake or swimming in the river. Let it get wet and sandy and covered in lakeweed. Or just get Mexican lager spllied on it.
I'll take a field watch hiking and camping. Splash in streams, run through waterfalls. Let it get muddy and rained on and bashed against trees. Build a fire and get it sooty or have a run in with a falling roasted marshmallow.
A dress watch goes to fancy parties, friends' birthdays, to the ballet, and on dates. I let it keep time (or lose track of it for the evening) and if occasionally it gets a little whiskey dribble, that's OK too. But I don't take it where a field watch or a G Shock should go.
If you use a watch for its actual intended purpose, over time it will develop its perfect patina from the experiences and adventures it's accompanied you on. No more, no less.
So get the GS, a lovely dress watch, and use it the way it was meant to be used - as a dress watch. Not for working on the car or washing the dog or going to the gym. If you don't think it would get enough wrist time and you want to wear it for activities it wasn't meant for, maybe you don't actually have the need a dress watch in your life. Maybe those occasions come around too rarely. Or maybe you should spend less if you want to wear a dress watch everywhere. Either way, if you really use a watch the way it was meant to be used, there's no reason to go beating on a Grand Seiko.
Get one of the expensive Citizens that looks nearly identical :^) - same level of polishing and hand assembly, but they use a proprietary hardened titanium which is the most scratch-resistant material on the market.
😉 I think there is plenty of room in between babying a watch and having it hospitalised every few months.
When you pull up the website, it literally says 'Elegance Collection'. This isn't a tool watch. It's not even a sports watch. On the site, GS suggests that they are perfect for weddings. I think these are gorgeous watches. I think what they do with their dials is really cool. With my lifestyle, I can't justify one. Maybe when my kid gets engaged, I'll buy us a matching set for his wedding.
Hysterical and well said! 🌈
I also belive in using watches for their intended purpose.
I'll take a dive watch for a pool party or a day at the lake or swimming in the river. Let it get wet and sandy and covered in lakeweed. Or just get Mexican lager spllied on it.
I'll take a field watch hiking and camping. Splash in streams, run through waterfalls. Let it get muddy and rained on and bashed against trees. Build a fire and get it sooty or have a run in with a falling roasted marshmallow.
A dress watch goes to fancy parties, friends' birthdays, to the ballet, and on dates. I let it keep time (or lose track of it for the evening) and if occasionally it gets a little whiskey dribble, that's OK too. But I don't take it where a field watch or a G Shock should go.
If you use a watch for its actual intended purpose, over time it will develop its perfect patina from the experiences and adventures it's accompanied you on. No more, no less.
So get the GS, a lovely dress watch, and use it the way it was meant to be used - as a dress watch. Not for working on the car or washing the dog or going to the gym. If you don't think it would get enough wrist time and you want to wear it for activities it wasn't meant for, maybe you don't actually have the need a dress watch in your life. Maybe those occasions come around too rarely. Or maybe you should spend less if you want to wear a dress watch everywhere. Either way, if you really use a watch the way it was meant to be used, there's no reason to go beating on a Grand Seiko.
A beautifully crafted thought Reizer. You are absolutely right and a kindred spirit (but with a lot more self discipline !!!).
I had the same problem at the beginning of this year. Long story short, I bought the Omiwatari with the idea that I could have it polished by GS for 600 EUR even after wearing it for a long time with lots of scratches (if I wanted to). In the end, however, it became my watch for "special occasions". If I scratch it while wearing it, then so be it. When I wear the watch, I am always fascinated by the level of craftsmanship.
P.S.: If you are looking for a watch that is almost as beautiful with more water resistance, I can also recommend the SLGA021.
Funny - I am harbour both ‘fraidy cat mindset AND “f’it I wear it anywhere” with my GSs.
SLGA017 Blue glacier - I live in constant fear of scratching and have never been comfortable wearing it to work or play. Cuz like you, I seem to walk into walls frequently. It’s safe Queen life means I should probably sell sometime, but that idea also tortures me.
And my “I’ll never ever sell it no matter what” SBGA413 Sakura I wear anywhere with reckless abandon. Even bought a rubber strap for it so could wear swimming/running/hiking when it’s likely to be wet! For what it’s worth , GS grade 5 Ti seems hard to scratch (work, swimming, bike racing in the mountains are pics below)
Thoughts: 100m WR is re assuring, spring drive watches are far sturdier and shock proof than mechanical watches, if you’re keeping it forever then scratches don’t matter - I want the memories with my watch!
I had the same problem at the beginning of this year. Long story short, I bought the Omiwatari with the idea that I could have it polished by GS for 600 EUR even after wearing it for a long time with lots of scratches (if I wanted to). In the end, however, it became my watch for "special occasions". If I scratch it while wearing it, then so be it. When I wear the watch, I am always fascinated by the level of craftsmanship.
P.S.: If you are looking for a watch that is almost as beautiful with more water resistance, I can also recommend the SLGA021.
That’s a gorgeous watch!!! Apparently that movement takes the longest when building due to the excessive hand finishing and is under priced for what they put into it. 🥰. I should get one 🙄
Maybe the solution is buy 2 - one to worry and stress about, one heritage line model with a screw crown, that is pure GADA 😜
It's an interesting dilemma. I think the answer lies in what you want out of the watch. If you're comfortable with getting it beat up, and loving every minute of it, and every scratch and dent, fabulous! Buy it, wear it. Don't think twice. But if you want a GS because it's refined, and looks nice, and you want it to be a bit of a showpiece on your wrist when you wear it... but you know you're going to trash it... I'd think twice. It won't be what you want.
Any watch can be an everyday watch if you’re not precious about it. It’s more of a mental barrier you put on that first scratch or two. A watch can always be polished and refinished if need be. I personally think even very dressy watches should be in a regular rotation and not kept in a watch box or safe for just special occasions. Reminded of one of the A Man and his Watch essays about a chef beating the hell out of a Vacheron Constantin 1921 Historiques . . . And that’s like a 25k watch! Granted I’d prob be precious about that haha, but for this GS? Yeah go beat that Zaratsu up.
Granted my Shunbun from the heritage seasons collection is a very different watch and a bit more everyday in case and specs but its def a shiny watch . . . And I don’t care. I walk the dog with it, go hiking with it, garden with it etc.
That’s a gorgeous watch!!! Apparently that movement takes the longest when building due to the excessive hand finishing and is under priced for what they put into it. 🥰. I should get one 🙄
Absolutely true. I sometimes compare my watches under a macro lens and have to say that the GS has the best quality. Even my Rolex Datejust is not nearly as good finished (I am aware that Rolex is not one of the top watches in the luxury segment when it comes to workmanship).
Nothing looks better than a well worn "luxury" watch. It shows it's history which is always worth more than money.
Wear it. Love it. Share that love.
It's an interesting dilemma. I think the answer lies in what you want out of the watch. If you're comfortable with getting it beat up, and loving every minute of it, and every scratch and dent, fabulous! Buy it, wear it. Don't think twice. But if you want a GS because it's refined, and looks nice, and you want it to be a bit of a showpiece on your wrist when you wear it... but you know you're going to trash it... I'd think twice. It won't be what you want.
You’ve nailed the question I have - but much more succinctly. Thanks complication.
Funny - I am harbour both ‘fraidy cat mindset AND “f’it I wear it anywhere” with my GSs.
SLGA017 Blue glacier - I live in constant fear of scratching and have never been comfortable wearing it to work or play. Cuz like you, I seem to walk into walls frequently. It’s safe Queen life means I should probably sell sometime, but that idea also tortures me.
And my “I’ll never ever sell it no matter what” SBGA413 Sakura I wear anywhere with reckless abandon. Even bought a rubber strap for it so could wear swimming/running/hiking when it’s likely to be wet! For what it’s worth , GS grade 5 Ti seems hard to scratch (work, swimming, bike racing in the mountains are pics below)
Thoughts: 100m WR is re assuring, spring drive watches are far sturdier and shock proof than mechanical watches, if you’re keeping it forever then scratches don’t matter - I want the memories with my watch!
Great pics. Thanks Fieldwalker. First time I’ve seen a GS in the pool… genuinely awesome.
I had the same problem at the beginning of this year. Long story short, I bought the Omiwatari with the idea that I could have it polished by GS for 600 EUR even after wearing it for a long time with lots of scratches (if I wanted to). In the end, however, it became my watch for "special occasions". If I scratch it while wearing it, then so be it. When I wear the watch, I am always fascinated by the level of craftsmanship.
P.S.: If you are looking for a watch that is almost as beautiful with more water resistance, I can also recommend the SLGA021.
God it looks amazing!!
You’ve nailed the question I have - but much more succinctly. Thanks complication.
No worries. Having had some more time to think about solving the dilemma now, I think the only logical answer is, buy the watch if you think you can limit it to times you're dressed up, and wear it sparingly. If you can't (or don't want to) do that, I wouldn't buy it.
Otherwise, you'll just end up with another 'well worn' watch - but a watch that, by its nature, doesn't really suit being well worn. So it would become a disappointment.
Superb cool watch
Don’t overthink it! GS is more sturdy than you think. Go for it!