Grand Seiko SBGC247

Go to the AD and try on a smaller watch. Which size looks more pleasing on your wrist?

Try on a few watches of different case diameters and thicknesses. Then you can see which you prefer. Take your time. If you end up more confused after that, just go home and sleep on it and go back to try again another day.

Thanks for your reply.

So I did try on the Black Bay Chrono Panda, the Cherry Blossom Grand Seiko, and I liked them both. I've also since tried on the Breitling Navitimer B01 43mm in various colours, which I also liked.

I think my issue is I like most things, there are very few watches I try on and dislike, (although I didn't like the Aqua Terra too much, it just didn't appeal) so I find it hard to discern one piece over another.

Thinking on this further, I wonder if I'm partly indecisive because I'm craving something outside the norm, I don't want another Rolex (I've had 5 digit subs and a ceramic Daytona in the past) and I feel like want something a bit left field. Omegas/Breitlings, etc are great, but I feel like I want something kind of odd (if that makes any sense), but £7.5k is a lot to scratch that itch.

I know watch purchase decisions are just for me, and I'm comfortable enough in my own skin not to feel like I need validation from anyone else - BUT - there's so little out there in terms of YouTube content and images, just a bit of feedback from an owner would be nice.

I'm sure I sound like a crazy fool right now!

I have tried various GS timepieces on waiting to try the new Tentagraph just for fun. I have definitely purchased my share of chronographs,( Tentagraph is quite expensive) but am not comfortable with the after sales service which most likely is in Japan for spring drive chrono or New Jersey. After the global pandemic serving is months and months for routine servicing cannot imagine the delay for any spring drive problems. Sounds like budget is not a concern or an impediment. I am looking at a few of the newer spring drive models from GS that are not chronographs,hoping they are less prone to require servicing.

Very interesting re: servicing. I've only had to use service once, that was with a Black Bay GMT I had for the dreaded date wheel issue, and frankly Tudor was a bit crap too. My feeling is that the pandemic has upset a lot of standards here, I hear lots of Breitling owners complaining too, so if they're _all_ a bit rubbish, is it something I'd really avoid going elsewhere? It's an interesting question...

This pies is way to busy for me..also I would have hard time reading it. Same with the 'SnowFlake dial that I sold.. JMO..enjoy the hobby

I suppose for me my Navitimer Cosmonauts with a very busy 24 hour dial is just about legible for me, so this piece is no issue!

Sorry never tried any of the GS chronographs as I find them too chunky for my 6.7' wrist, I'm more at the smaller end of the scale from 36 mm to 40, so here is a suggestion, there is an old collection from JLC that can still be found on the secondary market, just like the version shown in my picture I let go a few months ago. JLC's more recent catalogue has some gems too. Either way good luck with the search.

That’s a handsome and I’m sure real quality watch, however don’t you think those pushers are a bit on the large side….,

Truth be told they don't really bother me, in fact I kind of like them, they form part of the character of the watch....I won't lie though, I am concerned that the total overall width of the watch with the pushers might make this uncomfortable over a longer period

You can also find this spring drive chronograph in the Seiko Ananta line, now discontinued but available preowned. I own a Spring Drive Ananta GMT and the chronograph was an option when I got mine (2009).

My Tudor BB GMT arrived from the factory flawed but I assumed that Rolex Canada which has an office here in Toronto would be up to the problem and thanks to my ad’s staff the watch was repaired on warranty in very timely fashion. I am always comfortable buying any Breitling here in Toronto because of the head office and extremely efficient service centre connected with the office. My regular ad sells a lot of Grand Seiko watches but is honest with his insights about repair centres for the myriad brands that they retail at two busy boutiques here in the GTA. I assume Journe, Laurent Ferrier, Moser and Czabeck as well as Parmigiani might be more challenging to service quickly. I was so engrossed in writing about my servicing concerns that I neglected to mention that I have tried on the GS chrono that you are interested in, it is fine, the pushers are an obvious design feature that is loved or not, I am fatigued with chronographs mostly due to the expense to service in combination with the time element. My Breitling Navitimer 1461 4 year annual calendar required a full service just weeks after even the extended warranty offered by the seller ad ran out, just bad luck and timing for me. The watch was shipped to Switzerland, an examination and appraisal was emailed back to Canada for approval which I allowed including replacing the scratched crystal. It was less than 6 weeks from dropping off the watch at the service centre before my credit card was charged for the pre authorized service, very different from the 6 months that a Cartier Santos belonging to a friend was away for a service. I have declined buying a Zenith Chronomaster Sport again for servicing concerns but I am sure that you have concerns different from my own that GS Chronograph will certainly make a statement. Good luck.

Hello good sir! I own the SBGC249, and I EFF'ING LOVE IT!!!

It's HUGE, it's unapologetic, and it's irresistibly sexy-ugly. It is the Steve Buscemi of watches...

The great news is that the titanium construction makes it supremely light and comfortable. I love it on bracelet, but love it even more on leather straps.

As for size, I have a 6.75" wrist. And my next watch is gonna be even bigger!

I've said this before, and I'll say it again, but my $0.02 is that the whole move to smaller watches is just a way to trick people into buying more watches. Gotta make the big watches we all bought unfashionable, so that we all upgrade.

My take is that with the advent of modern manufacturing, and the use of modern materials like titanium, you don't want small watches - you'd want big dials and legibility. And the titanium ensures that the watch is light enough and comfortable enough to enable that size.

Good luck, OP!

I used to own an SBGC201 and it was my daily watch for over a year. I absolutely love the watch but it's thickness was a bit of a bother. I knocked it on stuff more than any other watch I've owned. Which might explain why all of a sudden, the chronograph hour hand fell off and was rattling between the dial and crystal.

I sent it into GS for repair and the watch was returned 6 months later. Then within 48 hours, the same hand came loose again. The turnaround for its second repair was 2 months and then I sold it.

That experience left a bad taste in my mouth for the GS chronos. I have purchased an SBGA415 since with no complaints.

You don't, follow your gut feeling

And welcome aboard Watchcrunchers!

👍👍👏

@TOwguy and @akonwi - your insights on servicing and repairs are very duly noted. I'm a big believer that after sales service is a reflection on how brands treat their customers, and this has not just given me pause, but has seriously dented my desire for these watches. I realise much of what we read online, although certainly not untrue, may not be a true representation of the overall customer experience. BUT - I have since read so much crap about GS service that I now do not feel hugely comfortable with a purchase from them at this price point given I want to keep this watch forever and hopefully hand it down.

Also the fact that it will likely catch on everything - in my haste that hasn't crossed my mind.

I wanna thank you all for your input - @Mr.Dee.Bater - I'm so glad you love your watch and are happy with it enough to move on to the newer model! I guess if this was a less heirloom purchase for me I'd be happy to buy (and may still do so in the future) - but given my requirements as a lifelong purchase, I'm gonna pass for now.

Look out for a new thread for my next idiotic conundrum!

S