The Citizen VS Grand Seiko: a battle of entry level high accuracy quartz movements

I would choose the Citizen, I prefer the looks, and I'd rather wear a Citizen than a GS. 

That's a gorgeous watch!  I'm so happy that Citizen is really upping their game and coming up with some really remarkable timepieces.  The more high quality stuff like this, the more we collectors benefit!

If Grand Seiko becomes too well-known, even though I'm a fanboy, I think I might choose the Citizen.  That way, if anybody notices the awesome finishing and asks, "Hey, what's that?" you just say, "Oh, it's a Citizen," and it flies completely under the radar. 

They both tell time but one of those will be around a lot longer with retained value. There are cheap Casios that have good specs too. Its like oats.... you can buy them before the horse or after...

i am a huge GS guy. but you hit all the points, of why I would lean towards the citizen. especially when my wife asks..I’ll just say “its just a citizen“

Ha!  I love that!!!   That's exactly right.  At this point, my wife knows what GS is.  But, she would have no idea what that Citizen is!!!

If you don't sell your watches "retained value" means nothing, and uniqueness is more important. 

I feel like The Citizen is scratching the surface of becoming the secret Grand Seiko once was. 

I love how GS has managed to position their brand in the luxury market, they are doing such a good job in terms of brand image that I wouldn't even consider the Citizen. 

Citizen makes very good watches, and don't get me wrong, their high end watches are very good, but I still see the brand as an entry level brand (even though that piece is very far from being entry level and you can consider that Citizen to be a 100% a luxury piece). 

But always, always, always, go check them out in person. That visit to the AD would make you choose the right one, I just hope that you can find high end Citizens in your country, at least to be able to see a similar model. 

Grand Seiko is one of my fav. brands (like one of my top 5 personal favs, and it's based on how they make their watches relative to value) but I would pick "The Citizen" between these two. 

The Citizen is kinda underrated for now, and they might have the capabilities to make more great watches if they start to adapt more things from their Ateliers deMonaco watches and kinda merge them somehow.

The Citizen. It has the same level of polishing/finishing as the GS, it's cheaper, more accurate (on paper at least), has a perpetual calendar, and is light powered so you don't have to change the battery every 3 years.

The case shape and that blue dial also bring it one step above in my eyes. Disclamier: This Citizen model I have only seen in video.

The GS I have seen IRL. With the display of other GS models and a The Citizen on my wrist I found this GS very underwhelming.

Going to Japan and trying both, would of course be the best way to decide.

The Citizen. 

I would LOVE to go back to Japan and have the chance to try on the Citizen. Ain't happening any time soon lol 

No Longines VHP?

Neither. Certina DS Action quartz chronometer. +-10 seconds/year. 200m wr. 

My choice would be the Citizen as it would have Eco-Drive and would'nt need a battery change in about 15-25 years.

Well I have been more interested in the Citizens lately, I prefer the GS. From a design, visually the GS appears like theres more effort. Maybe it's a false perception just based on the font not being plain like the Citizen. I think Citizen needs to differentiate from budget and luxury pieces like Seiko and Grand Seiko.. not mentioning Seikos own "up market" efforts. I think they are both "under the radar" time pieces though. 

I faced exactly that choice, and settled on a Citizen. I've tried on Grand Seiko quartz, and a few Chronomasters at the Citizen boutique in Times Square (is there anywhere else you can get them retail in the United States? With the the solar powered movement and perpetual calendar, I figured it would make for the ultimate set it and forget it grab and go everyday watch (though I ended up with a rather blingy one on a strap, so not quite so utilitarian). I will say that the Grand Seiko design and fit and finish are better and more refined (but more expensive), but the utility of the Citizen won out.

I don't get it. The Citizen boutique in Times Square has a tiny selection of Chronomasters. But they have to fight for stock, and they won't let them have any of the desirable washi paper ones. Then don't seem to want to even try to sell them in the US.  

Have owned at least three GS 9F watches, one tuned by GS to <5 seconds/year, these are models with a gold star on the dial. 
 

Won't buy another GS but a Washi dial Citizen Chronomaster is on my short list for a retirement watch. 

I’m surprised the citizen at the time square even had a chronomaster in stock! 

Hi - I love both. My Chronomaster is dear to my heart and my GS is drop dead gorgeous. If you can: get both!!!

i have the titanium version of the GS. It’s a fantastic watch. I don’t have experience with the Citizen. 

Pick the two 😊

they are both excellent choices but I know in my heart if I bought the Citizen I would long for the Grand Seiko. If I bought the GS I would probably forget all about the Citizen. This is totally irrational as they are both great but I just know it… 

Three weeks ago, not aware of these great solar powered high end Eco-Drive quartz movements and gorgeous Washi paper dials, I bought a (very nice and sligthly more expensive) Grand Seiko SBGN003.

Now, honestly, I'm not sure I would buy the GS.

Dude I have the sbgn003 as well. I love it. But also want this high end citizen.

Eyeing one of those titanium zaratsu ones. Which GS hasn’t achieved yet.