Review of the Grand Seiko SBGN005
As a wedding gift (from me to me), I wanted a higher quality watch, not necessarily a statement piece, but something that would always be treasured and eventually passed down to the next generation.
I was between Tudor BB58 (used), Nomos, Longines, used Omega Aqua Terra and used GS mechanicals. Needless to say I perused Chrono24(/7) endlessly.
My youtube channel of choice over the years has always been Watchfinder (thank you @AndrewMorgan ) and seen so many GS and how they were shown under the macro, I was enamoured with the brand.
Enter the SBGN005...
Was I a mechanical snob (with my cheap ass collection)?, for sure. Hmmm quartz they said. But that quartz, when I saw the pictures of the movement, and how this electronic piece is decorated, maybe why not. Plus its beyond accurate.
Did i want to follow the trend and the BB58 was DA THANG at the time (still is), of course but this one and the proportions felt just right.
Went over ALL the material available for that piece (youtube, reddit, chrono24, watchuseek) and took a chance because I live in Mauritius 🇲🇺 and no AD here, so no trying. Saw a good price and a reputable seller and clicked order...
I waited for that moment i would open the box and see the acclaimed zuratsu polishing in real life... and boy was I impressed.
The lines, the curves, that deep blue dial, that GMT red... i was in love. The seller was nice enough to size the watch to me and I wore it straight away...
The proportions felt just perfect....
The finishing was just perfecf.....
The ticking hitting those markers dead on...just perfect
The bracelet where most people complain..just perfect...
The confidence that watch gave me of a milestone piece.. well I'll let you guess the rest
Then came the day, i got married and the GS was part of my life forever... also got a wife..
We got a few kids along the way...
But what if the bracelet is a bit too blingy and rubber/ sailcloth is the trend
(Thank you @Artemstraps )
Yeah that works, but what about natos...
(Thank you @BarkandJack )
But that zuratsu, that higher quality it is know for. Must be trick photography from the youtube channels with golden samples of the watches... so i bought a macro attachment for my phone to be sure!!
Yep clean
Not bad, but lets see closer still...
Ok ok the quality is on point!! Well done Grand Seiko
Ok quality's good, it's a strap monster, what about my daily life as an islander in the tropics....
In 1½ years, she's been a trusted companion and only lost 5 secs.
Looking back at all i wrote and pictures i posted (thank you watchcrunch for not capping the post), this is more a love story than a review. I love my SBGN005, my wife knows i love her (oh boy you're taking pictures again, im not wearing bangles you can hold my hand with your watch side, she understands the bond). I still baby her, there are hardly any stratches (life nearly stopped when i gave her her only scratch).
I spend most my time admiring her, polishing her, catching the light from all angles... shes perfect to me.
Review of the Grand Seiko SBGN005
Yes
No
- The finishing, just perfect
- Accuracy 5secs in 18months
- The deep blue of the dial
- Perfect size and lug to lug
- Scratches easily so need to baby it
- Lose most my time staring instead of working
Love watches, loving vintage more and more
Ok I didn’t read it all of it yet but your photos alone got me sold!! Been really really trying to decide if I want one of these and when I saw your photos ok!! Especially the one with Artem Straps!! Ultra Sexiness!!! .. 🍻🔥
What a great review. Its a grail watch for me, and I have a couple of good uns, but as my first watch ever a Seiko I have a soft spot. Not nocking the mechanics but I would get quartz also, especially after researching the movement. Not to sure what you do for a living but you change career to a photographer quite easily.
Certainly a watch on my radar and your photos are way to convincing. I had the pleasure of trying one on, as well as a none tool GS GMT (cant remember the reference but its the cream/butter faced one that YourTerrific did a review on). the choices are currently between a BB pro (thick but COSC), Spirit Zulu (thinner but larger case size) and also considering some FC and CW pieces.
So cool that you find a piece for you you can trust, take care of, love and conect with your wedding at the same time. What do you wand more as a watch nerd. 🤷♂️😄
I wish you all the best and new journeys with your watch.
Amazing photos, beautiful timepiece.
Well played.
Congratulations on finding your soulmate…and your wife too. Jealous of the island life.
Excellent choice and a very well written review..Thank you for sharing
I absolutely LOVED my SBGN005. That reliable 9F and the blue dial with red GMT always did it for me. I had a navy blue strap for it as well that shared equal wrist time.
I don't regret selling it but I do want to add another GS to my collection at some point. I just want to buy and enjoy as many watches as I can but to stay within my budget I have to sell pretty much everything at some point.
I'll never not comment on a SBGN005 post because man did I love that watch. Love the review and hope you continue to enjoy for many many years to come!
Great watch and photos!
Ok I didn’t read it all of it yet but your photos alone got me sold!! Been really really trying to decide if I want one of these and when I saw your photos ok!! Especially the one with Artem Straps!! Ultra Sexiness!!! .. 🍻🔥
Previously unseen footage 😂😂 not trying to push you over the edge 😇😇
What a great review. Its a grail watch for me, and I have a couple of good uns, but as my first watch ever a Seiko I have a soft spot. Not nocking the mechanics but I would get quartz also, especially after researching the movement. Not to sure what you do for a living but you change career to a photographer quite easily.
Totally worth it (thank god as it would have been an expensive mistake had it gone wrong, being on the other side of the earth 🇲🇺 ). I am a part time photographer. Some of the pictures are actually from my proper camera.
Thanks for the compliment ☺️
Certainly a watch on my radar and your photos are way to convincing. I had the pleasure of trying one on, as well as a none tool GS GMT (cant remember the reference but its the cream/butter faced one that YourTerrific did a review on). the choices are currently between a BB pro (thick but COSC), Spirit Zulu (thinner but larger case size) and also considering some FC and CW pieces.
I used to have a couple of thick divers, and I have an alpinist (13mm) as a 'beater'.... one reason i rarely wear it now and gravitate towards vintage is a slim and light watch. At some point it just gets heavy and you just want it on and not feel its one.
I LOVE the CW offerings these days and the 36mm watches looks magic. Before i recently pulled the trigger on a vintage longines , I was eyeing a CW, a khaki mechanical, stowa 36mm flieger and farer. The farers are a slim 36mm (also in larger sizes) and the pop of colors. Anywyay my point is, thick and large are cool are visible, but my 2 cents are that thin and moderate are a great wear 24/7 (and less chance of catching a door handle or countertop!)
So cool that you find a piece for you you can trust, take care of, love and conect with your wedding at the same time. What do you wand more as a watch nerd. 🤷♂️😄
I wish you all the best and new journeys with your watch.
Thank you . Watches come and go, but there are ones that just hold that special spot in your heart ❤️
Congratulations on finding your soulmate…and your wife too. Jealous of the island life.
It's hard but someone has to do it! Visit us in Mauritius one day and enjoy that tropical time. Little push, it's winter now at a chilling 29deg Celcius
I absolutely LOVED my SBGN005. That reliable 9F and the blue dial with red GMT always did it for me. I had a navy blue strap for it as well that shared equal wrist time.
I don't regret selling it but I do want to add another GS to my collection at some point. I just want to buy and enjoy as many watches as I can but to stay within my budget I have to sell pretty much everything at some point.
I'll never not comment on a SBGN005 post because man did I love that watch. Love the review and hope you continue to enjoy for many many years to come!
She'll make her way back to you someday 🤩. I feel the same, getting new stuff requires moving old friends. Hope to also someday get a GS spring drive (any would be my grail).
Previously unseen footage 😂😂 not trying to push you over the edge 😇😇
@rar133 are you working in coffee as a professional? 🙂
Thank you . Watches come and go, but there are ones that just hold that special spot in your heart ❤️
Absolutely…i have never sold one watch so far since I started buying as a adult watches. I keep them because I connect the pieces with memories/ special days. But even then there are pieces there are talking more to you then users.
Ok I didn’t read it all of it yet but your photos alone got me sold!! Been really really trying to decide if I want one of these and when I saw your photos ok!! Especially the one with Artem Straps!! Ultra Sexiness!!! .. 🍻🔥
>> Artem Straps
Thx for name 👍 will try it some day.
@rar133 first time looking on your photos I've start doubt is black (SBGN003) was the right choice 🤣 Good job 👍
That is one classy, classic and stunning strap monster you've got there. That's a watch to make a lifetime of memories with, if there ever was one!
@rar133 first time looking on your photos I've start doubt is black (SBGN003) was the right choice 🤣 Good job 👍
Thanks. Although the sbgn003 has a color matched date wheel. Does my head in sometimes 🤔
@rar133 are you working in coffee as a professional? 🙂
Nahh just enjoy a good cup of coffee. Trying new techniques
Nahh just enjoy a good cup of coffee. Trying new techniques
Ok i see. I worked in coffee for few years and thought that’s looks kind of a cupping table.
Seems like if got into something you like to do it the right way 😁
Ok i see. I worked in coffee for few years and thought that’s looks kind of a cupping table.
Seems like if got into something you like to do it the right way 😁
Yes indeed. If we do it, we do it proper. Plus I was pleasantly suprised to find a couple of roasters here and have a quite decent selection of single origins.
Yes indeed. If we do it, we do it proper. Plus I was pleasantly suprised to find a couple of roasters here and have a quite decent selection of single origins.
I feel you you 😄
That’s cool. I love visiting roasterys 😅 … always fun.
What is the style they roast. More on the classic side or bit lighter?
I feel you you 😄
That’s cool. I love visiting roasterys 😅 … always fun.
What is the style they roast. More on the classic side or bit lighter?
Mostly light roasts here (tbf there are only like 3 local roasters here, for now as it's gaining momentum)
But the one has colombian, rwanda, kenya, costa rica, brazil, Ethiopian single origins. All brought in raw and roasted and package within a week. So always fresh and foamy on the pour over.
From time to time I'll have people coming over from abroad to bring in a few new varieties to try
What a beautifully written & photographed review.
You sir , are a man of taste.