Jumping down the Seiko Rabbit hole!
I found myself sitting in a bar at Seattle SeaTac Airport a few weeks back. I was waiting for a connecting flight enjoying a drink when I noticed a glint from across the room. You know that thing we watch guys seem to be drawn to. I got a glimpse of the amazing white dial teasingly exposing itself from beneath this gentleman's blazer and was instantly drawn to it. For the next hour I tried not to get caught staring at it until finally the gentleman noticed me staring at his wrist and he laughed.
Would you like to see it?
Absolutely!
I have been obsessing over that Grand Seiko ever since. I can't seem to get the image of the Spring Drive SBGA465 out of my head. I have found myself lying in bed at night tossing and turning, dreaming of that gorgeous textured white dial, peeking out beneath the cuff of my shirt, seeing the mesmerizing sweep of the 9R65.
Now I know this has happened to all of us, but the odd thing is, I've never even owned a single Seiko, let alone anything other than a Swiss or Italian diver. Even today, while wearing my Rolex Submariner, I found myself thinking about the GS! I can't seem to fathom wearing anything with a case smaller than 40mm , thickness less than 12mm and a with a strap smaller than 20mm.
That all being said, rather than jumping head first down the GS rabbit hole, I thought it was best to purchase a watch from the Seiko line first, something with respectable movement, decent power reserve and close to the GS specs "size wise". Don't forget, a white dial is a must!
After days of comparing specs, dials, collections and models, I decided on the Presage Sharp Edge SPB165 with its hemp leaf motif gloss white dial of the Heian Period "a symbol of growth and prosperity" 😱 LumiBrite hands and stick markers, with those gorgeous sharp angles and edges and don't forget the sapphire crystal.
I Purchased it new from Chrono24 US for $800 shipped yesterday afternoon.
Specs comparison
Seiko
11.1mm thickness
39.3mm diameter
47.2mm length
20mm lug width
Caliber 6R35 w/70 hr power reserve
10 bar
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Grand Seiko
12.3mm thickness
40mm diameter
46.6mm length
20mm lug width
Caliber 9R65 w/72 hr power reserve
10 bar
I know some of you will say that I could have purchased a better watch for $800 however I wanted a Seiko to be able to get a feel for the Grand Seiko without having to spend over $1,000. I considered the King Seiko SPB369 with it's 6R55 movement but didn't think it was worth the additional RP just to gain 2hrs of power reserve and that King Seiko hood ornament.
Specs
King Seiko
11.9mm Thickness
39mm Diameter
46.1mm length
Caliber: 6R55 w/72 hr power reserve
10 Bar
This has been my 1st post and I hope you've enjoyed the read!
Thanks
Jr
-----Update-----
Watch received 12/07
Grandfather, Vet, fly fisherman, Custom knife collector, Porsche guy and Watch Nerd.
Nicely done, post some pictures of the watch on your wrist!
Nicely done, post some pictures of the watch on your wrist!
Will do once it's arrived
You have a great deal of restraint. Congratulations.
You have a great deal of restraint. Congratulations.
15 yrs ago I would have ordered the GS 😂 but at the age of 48 I've learned to control myself 😂😂
You have a great deal of restraint. Congratulations.
Don't get me started on knives 😂
Nice. Personally I would’ve just jumped into a GS and skipped Seiko given you’ve a Sub already and may expect a certain level of quality. But good luck, GS are great but in a different way than Subs and other Swiss brands 👍
Hard to catch the pattern on a photo but it is a stunning Watch for the money 👍🏻
Who dare say that! The watch is lovely.
One thing I really appreciate about Seiko Presage line is their WR (usually 100m). The line is dressy watch, but the WR (and workhorse like movements) allow them to go places and do things. It's fun to dress them down for traveling or light hikes or pool party.
Most other brands would have only 30-50m wr on dressy watches. It's sufficient for office and more formal events, but not as fun to dress down. To get higher resilience, you need to switch to "sporty dress" style, which isn't as fun to me.
Seiko rocks, IMHO
Hard to catch the pattern on a photo but it is a stunning Watch for the money 👍🏻
Very nice👊🏽
Who dare say that! The watch is lovely.
One thing I really appreciate about Seiko Presage line is their WR (usually 100m). The line is dressy watch, but the WR (and workhorse like movements) allow them to go places and do things. It's fun to dress them down for traveling or light hikes or pool party.
Most other brands would have only 30-50m wr on dressy watches. It's sufficient for office and more formal events, but not as fun to dress down. To get higher resilience, you need to switch to "sporty dress" style, which isn't as fun to me.
Seiko rocks, IMHO
Absolutely, I didn't want to sacrifice WR either.
The GS is a gorgeous piece. Sometimes mine looks white, and in other light it’s a shimmering silver. A real beauty!
The GS is a gorgeous piece. Sometimes mine looks white, and in other light it’s a shimmering silver. A real beauty!
pic?
pic?
For sure, when it’s next on the wrist
I bought the black dial and ended up buying a GS later 😅 Great watch!
I bought the black dial and ended up buying a GS later 😅 Great watch!
Good to know! It should be on my wrist Thursday 😉
pic?
Gorgeous
The Seiko is available