Grand Seiko SBGX261 vs SBGX061

I don’t have experience with either, but I agree with you that the dial layout of the SBGX061 looks more balanced

No idea but I would say the dual branding is weird. I’d go with the one on the left.

Yeah, what’s up with “Seiko Grand Seiko”?

It’s a nod to the Grand Seikos of the 60s

They should be the same thing. GS added 200 to their models going from “Seiko+Grand Seiko” on the dial to just “Grand Seiko”. In this case you’ve 261 VS 061 :). The most popular one would be the SBGA211 vs the SBGA011 (Snowflake).

The “dual branded” ones are actually how GS used to be, until they moved to displaying just the GS logo.

Yeah the older models are more balanced with the dual logos. Was a common complaint when the new ones with just the GS logo were released.

Some like the Seiko / Grand Seiko for their balance look, but for others. They don't really like the Seiko branding. I think it is really up to individuals.

I prefer the model on the left.

It‘s like Bond:

I’m Seiko, Grand Seiko!

I prefer the dual branding but unfortunately they are going the way of trying to convince the public that a Grand Seiko is in fact not a Seiko... despite hard evidence of the contrary in the form of these dual branded but otherwise seemingly identical watches.

The one on the left looks cleaner. Less is more

I have no clue regarding your questions either but don’t like either as I feel the Grand Seiko brand should be on the top and the bottom should also have some kind of texts as well!

Remember, this is a 37mm watch. A smaller dial means the blank space feels less empty. Go to a GS AD or boutique and try one on and see how actual light plays off the dial.

I would say left looks cleaner, the Seiko in my eyes detracts from the overall cleanness of the watch.

I love a double logo. I think it makes the dail more balanced and it’s unique. I believe they only made it for a few years. My first GS will definitely be a double logo GMT spring drive.

I had the SBGX261 until I recently "swapped" it for the SGBP005 (different animal in several ways). The 261 has a very flat black dial. (I can't speak for the older 061, never having been hands on with that one). The SGBP005 has a sunray finish, albeit very very deep blue such that it looks black until studio light or sunlight hits it. From pictures the SBGP003 has a very flat black finish like the 261. The SGBP's have the 44GS case and larger diameter (40mm vs the 261's 37mm) as well as the dressier indices. I know this doesn't address the exact two you are looking at but it might give a piece of the puzzle.

Identical watches other than the logos—a few years ago, the decision was made to take SEIKO off the dial and move the GS logo up and they assigned new reference numbers to all of their watches to indicate the changeover. Personally, I dig the older models with Seiko at the top—kinda shows you were there before the hype and that you care more about the quality of the watch than telling other people how much you paid for it. We all have our hangups, but to me, part of the joy of wearing those early Grand Seikos was people thinking you only spent a few hundred bucks on your watch and smiling to yourself when someone said “it’s just a Seiko”…

Thank you all your insight! This is my first post, and I’m really excited about this WC community.

I think visually, both of these dials are bit awkward. I think it’s a matter of which awkwardness is more charming to me. I like simple watches, but I also when things are a bit bizarre.

I’ve tried the 261 at the flagship here, but since the 061 is discontinued, I haven’t been able to compare them…

One thing I didn’t get from just the photos… I really didn’t realize how shiny zaratsu polishing is. It actually twinkles. Especially against that flat black dial. It looks like I have star filter glasses on. 🤩

I was obsessed with the SBGX261 until I went to the dealer to try it. In real life I found it too small, although I usually quite like smaller watches. I tried the 40mm version and found it a much better fit to be honest (the attached picture is of the 40mm version, sorry I forgot what exactly it is called. My wrist is 17cm).

The other problem I had was that it was just too boring and bland for me in real life. I'm a bland and boring person, so I prefer my watches to be the same but this GS was a bit too much of it.

Edit: Sorry I just realized my post was off-topic. I have no insight on the differences between the two watches. I will not delete the post now, maybe there is some useful information in there for someone.

One is an older model from when Grand seiko and King seiko were lines not separate sub-brands

I vote: GS on top

I like dials with less text

I have the older branding on mine and had the updated version in hand I couldn't spot or tell any differences apart from the obvious branding differences so I should imagine same on the quartz,keep them feel the seiko branding on the top will be a plus not a negative in the future