The best value luxury watch in the World…Change my mind - Grand Seiko SBGX261 Review

I have a Longines Conquest VHP, accurate to within 5 seconds a year according to spec. It's not a GS, but I'd take it over most mechanical /automatics I've seen. Quartz is so undervalued.

That’s a fabulous watch! I love it - a great choice in luxury quartz!

Great post, I can tell when I am reading the thoughts of a guy who is a true apologist for an object doesn’t matter whether the subject is cars, watches, or perfect sushi. I was picking up another watch( not quartz) at Bandiera here in Toronto a few months ago when I noticed a mature Japanese gent waiting for his new watch to be adjusted. If there is a safe place to totally geek out about my hobby has to be a multi brand shop operated by one of two brothers of the owners who are honest, and also enthusiasts. The new customer and I were the only two customers so I decided to check out what he was buying as well as the timepiece he was wearing. He had on a mint condition 20 year old Rolex Datejust white gold and steel, I moved on from Rolex a long time ago for deeply personal reasons but imo the Datejust remains the top model in the Rolex catalogue. After the adjustments to his new Grand Seiko watch were ready he slipped the quartz watch on, I own several GS but not curious about quartz so I did not note the reference. We chatted further, he is an avid collector, the Datejust will be gifted to his grandson, the new quartz watch is a concession to his age, he recommended I open my mind, lol. I said that I might be the most agreeable git he will meet in any cohort of watch people. I totally respect quartz technology but a great part of the enjoyment that I receive from my harmless hobby is the setting, winding daily interaction with my mechanical toys. He said that when I finally get to his age, I will sing a different tune. Haha, my hair is still mostly black but my beard is white, I am already 6 years his senior. Thx for your post, I admit that I am more intrigued now than before I read your review. 👍

Much as I love a good automatic, I made a conscious decision back in early 2022 that my new 'entry-level luxury' daily wearer was going to be a properly waterproof quartz. This was for everyday practical reasons - much as I enjoy winding/setting a watch sometimes, to me a daily wearer should be as 'grab and go' friendly as possible. I've applied the same logic to my cheapest RW 'beater' work watch. I have no real desire to own any more quartz pieces, but am very satisfied with the useability of the two that I have. A bonus is that unsurprisingly this brace are the most accurate watches I currently own...

I'm a fan of HAQ (High Accuracy Quartz). My Seiko diver has a 8F35 movement accurate to +/- 20 seconds per year. And it has a perpetual calendar. But we don't want everyone knowing about them. 😉

The SBGX059/061/063 (and 259/261/263) are my boilerplate answer on the subreddits, WUS, and here when the “what’s the best single watch I can get for below $2500” question arises. And if you’re willing to go even a bit older… there are plenty of sub-$1000 neo-vintage Grand Seiko quartz references. Incredible value.

Love that GMT - I nearly bought one of those too. I wear my watches. Dents, scratches, I don’t care! They add character 😉

First off, great watch, no denying that and for the price it’s great value for all the reasons you mentioned.

Now, allow me to play devils advocate for a sec, since you requested…. 😈

I recently purchased the “upscale version” of this watch. The SBGA467.

Primary differences:

spring drive, power reserve, automatic.

Purchased for a little above $2500, so a premium, but still a great deal for what it is.

The question is: Are those features worth a relatively slight premium? For me, they are. So I would argue that mine is also a great value. Greater? Totally subjective of course.

Short answer: You got a great deal on an incredible watch. Grand Seiko Quartz? Ohhhh yeah. 😎👍🏼 when you know you know. I have a few GS quartz on my short list.

Absolutely! The one I own is the SBGX009.

I'd recommend looking at The Seiko Guy's overview of the 9F61 (no date) and 9F62 (date) movements at these links, respectively:

https://www.theseikoguy.com/grand-seiko-9f61/

https://www.theseikoguy.com/grand-seiko-9f62/

Scroll down on each page and you'll see every known model to have contained those movements. The older double branded ("Seiko / Grand Seiko") models tend to be more affordable, and you can keep an eye on the usual suspects like /r/WatchExchange on reddit, WatchUSeek forums, Chrono24, and eBay if there's a certain model you're on the hunt for.

I'm so glad to see that used bracelet and know that you actually wear the watch. That's how it should be.

I love my SBGN003 as well as my SBGA211 and the bracelets show how much I really love these pieces.

Wear it in good health, always! 🤜🏻🤛🏻

Once the accuracy is established, the rest of the value is just luxury - design, taste, history, craftsmanship, and brand status.

I love it when people point out what they enjoy about their watch, bring up new perspectives, or notice certain details or history. There are many ways to enjoy this hobby, and I like hearing about them. I have no doubt that you enjoy this watch.

But you did say "The best value luxury watch in the World…Change my mind."

First when comparing the Type-R vs a Porsche the comparison is not correct. The Honda is not a luxury car. That is like saying a G-Shock outperforms your Grand Seiko.

Second what defines value? If you mean a measurement of specs, this watch is way too expensive. Any luxury item is too expensive.

If you mean objective value, that is simply defined by market value.

When you say best value, you are just saying you would have have paid more for this watch than it's market value. Since this is your own judgement this means YOU are the outlier, not the watch.

This isn't unusual. If you gave any WatchCruncher a bag of money and said they had to get rid of their collection and buy new watches, every single one of them would come back with the watch (a bag of watches) that they considered the best value.

So... what is the watch with the best value? I'd say the watch with the greatest number of prospective buyers among people who have done some thinking about the watch. So that crown has to go to either the Steel Rolex Daytona or Pepsi at retail.

I am into the market for my first entry level luxury and this seiko was in my list, but somehow I still think that I prefer an automatic as first around 2k Watch. I don't know!

Maybe one day I will buy this SBGX 261, but right now I’m in love with this older 005 😎

Hahaha, I love this reply! You’ve put some thought into it and I totally respect that.

I guess where I was going with this is that the thing I love (and you’re right) this is purely my opinion. Is that Grand Seiko allow you to enter their world at a really interesting price by offering quartz, but not just any quartz. It’s grown, refined, tested and hand built. You get the same cases, hands, quality etc. For a great entry price.

I’d also love to see more high end brands offer quartz.

If you get a chance, pop into Grand Seiko and take a look at one. I think you’ll like it 😀

Enjoy whatever you wear and it’s a pleasure to chat to you - we’re a fickle lot in this watch World! 🤣.

I love GS! I own two, the Minamo and the Snowflake. Actually wearing the Minamo now they are among my favorites.

I bought the Minamo because I vowed to buy a Spring Drive without a power reserve if they ever made one. (got it though the CEO of Grand Seiko BTW) Then I decided I like the PR indicator and I bought the Snowflake.

I enjoy discussing watches. If someone said they inherited this watch from their father and it is just the best thing ever made, I wouldn't argue. But it looked like you were a rarin' for a discussion, so I jumped in!

Was that 9 11 your buddy bought a 1999? Last year for the air cooled motor. Those are going for a ungodly amounts of money now.