Rolex 16570 v Grand Seiko SBGN003 - The Most Controversial Grand Seiko?

There have been a lot of opinions that the Grand Seiko SBGN003 is too similar to that of the Rolex Explorer 16570. Your eyes don’t fool you: There are similarities but once you look beyond a glance, there are many differences.

Listing a few:
1) The GS hands are dauphine, Rolex has a Mercedes hour hand with lollipop seconds hand.
2) The GS has baton hour markers, the Rolex adopts its classic Submariner hour markers.
3) The GS GMT hand is orange whilst the Rolex GMT hand is red.
4) Color matched date wheel on the GS, and cyclops on white date wheel for Rolex
5) Half-dial 12-hr rehaut on GS, Rolex brand rehaut on the Explorer II
6) 39mm dial, 19mm twisted lugs vs 40mm dial and 20mm straight lugs
7) High Accuracy Quartz vs Mechanical
8) USD 3200 RRP for the GS, USD 10,000 for the discontinued Rolex on the grey market

If you ask me, there’s enough differences here to be a whole new watch.

So here’s my question: If you could buy one with your OWN MONEY and can NEVER SELL IT, which would you choose? And why?

PS: I'm running a short one-day poll on my IG too so I'd share the results when the poll is over there too.

Reply
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16570 all day.  The GS has a 'dressier' feel that doesn't do it for me.

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GS for me. Because the thought of a stranger approaching me to ask, “Is that a real Rolex?” makes me shudder with disgust. I mean, if I wanted to interact with random strangers, I would have chosen to become a street performer. If I’m standing here filling up my car with gas, it is not an invitation for a conversation about the authenticity of my watch!

It‘s like Seinfeld says: “People… they’re the worst!”

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This is a very hard one but I think Id probaly agree with ds760476
While Im not a fan of the Explorer 2 personally but if I had to choose id go for the Rolex because the GS does have a slightly more dressier feel. 

I kinda like how the Rolex feels like it could be a beat up watch and you would like it that way but the total opposite for the GS. 

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I almost bought the sbgn003, ultimately decided there was too much overlap with my oak and oscar Humboldt 12 hr even tho they are completely different. Definitely prefer it to the rolex tho

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These watches are not that similar… you might as well argue that all black-dialled GMT divers are the same. This is an artificial shoot-out.

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GS for me.  I think it can be dressed up or down easier. Also when I see a GS in the wild I assume the wearer is a watch enthusiast. When I see Rolexes I assume the wearer is a wealth enthusiast.  I understand that there are a great deal of Rolex owners who appreciate the horological aspects of the brand, but there are also a lot of Rolex owners who are all about the flex.  Which is fine, but from a position of what is a better "time piece" the GS has vastly higher accuracy, and the double-pulse with no back lag, temperature compensation, and other amazing innovations  of the GS 9F quartz is next level. Especially for 1/3 the price. 

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So many people call the SBGN003 a Rolex homage  Like you pointed out they share one design detail and similar functionality, but otherwise are completely different designs. That is like saying the Sinn 556a is an explorer homage. Yes it has 3-6-9 numerals and a black dial, but otherwise is very different. 
 

Anyways to your point, I owned the SBGN and really loved it. I sold it because I found I just don‘t need a GMT complication, but I would definitely rebuy it before getting an explorer II. The prices they go for now just don’t seem to be worth it. There are a lot of other really cool watches I would spend 10k on

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TimNich

GS for me.  I think it can be dressed up or down easier. Also when I see a GS in the wild I assume the wearer is a watch enthusiast. When I see Rolexes I assume the wearer is a wealth enthusiast.  I understand that there are a great deal of Rolex owners who appreciate the horological aspects of the brand, but there are also a lot of Rolex owners who are all about the flex.  Which is fine, but from a position of what is a better "time piece" the GS has vastly higher accuracy, and the double-pulse with no back lag, temperature compensation, and other amazing innovations  of the GS 9F quartz is next level. Especially for 1/3 the price. 

I love it!  "Wealth enthusiast"!!! 😂

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Mr.Dee.Bater

GS for me. Because the thought of a stranger approaching me to ask, “Is that a real Rolex?” makes me shudder with disgust. I mean, if I wanted to interact with random strangers, I would have chosen to become a street performer. If I’m standing here filling up my car with gas, it is not an invitation for a conversation about the authenticity of my watch!

It‘s like Seinfeld says: “People… they’re the worst!”

Spot on.

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Easy, the GS because I already own it and love it. It's one of my favorite case shapes and wears incredibly well on my small wrist. The Explorer II is a non-starter for me, it's just too big, so why lust over it?

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GS for me. I love the brand. There are watches in the Rolex catalog I would consider buying but the Explorer II isn't one of them. I'm the outlier. I like Rolex's dressier pieces like the OP, DateJust and Skydweller.

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Grand seiko would be my choice,not a Rolex fan.

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i owned that GS for a little while & moved on.  the style just didn't fit me.  so i don't think i'd get either.  but they both look awesome.

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People are way to quick to see Rolex everywhere. OMG, green diver, Hulk! Tricompax chronograph, Daytona! GMT with numbers on the bezel, Explorer!

And I would pick neither. Those bezels are unappealing, especially if they don't rotate.

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ds760476

16570 all day.  The GS has a 'dressier' feel that doesn't do it for me.

This is an interesting angle - as the actual owner of the GS, I have never felt it as dressy - in fact, it is my Go Anywhere Do Anything (GADA) default, especially if I have to pick up a watch and go and didn't give myself the time time to wind / set the time / date of a mechanical piece!

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For me, the GS just looks better, and is more versatile in design and size.  

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I just walked out of my AD with SBGN003, and couldn't be more satisfied. 

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GS.  I got an sbgn005.  Thewatch is lovely, robust and accurate.  I think it is near perfect as can be for me.   

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I’ve the exact same model, great choice & you won’t be disappointed. Enjoy

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Jeremy

For me Rolex, because GS makes absolutely horrible bracelets. That's why my GS is on a strap.

Any recommendations for straps for GS?

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kznszn

I just walked out of my AD with SBGN003, and couldn't be more satisfied. 

Congratulations!

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watchaddictwt

Any recommendations for straps for GS?

I wish I had a recommendation. I just have it on the strap I bought from the mall kiosk. 19mm lugs really reduces your choices. 

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Jeremy

I wish I had a recommendation. I just have it on the strap I bought from the mall kiosk. 19mm lugs really reduces your choices. 

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looks good though - that's what matters!

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GS for me, made my choice as you can see below.  I appreciate the super accuracy of the GS. I‘ve also got a bias, as I’m not a fan of the date magnifier, which makes Rolex sports watches a tough choice for me. I don’t think the GS looks too dressy, I’ve worn almost always as a casual wear. 

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Robcollects

GS for me, made my choice as you can see below.  I appreciate the super accuracy of the GS. I‘ve also got a bias, as I’m not a fan of the date magnifier, which makes Rolex sports watches a tough choice for me. I don’t think the GS looks too dressy, I’ve worn almost always as a casual wear. 

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Wear it well and in good health! I too don't quiet like date magnifiers but I do realise that probably as my eyesight starts failing as I age, I'd appreciate it more. For now, I'm going to pretend I'm very young and don't need any magnifiers!

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I've seen both, honestly the polish on the Grand Seiko looks exquisite compared to the Rolex. Excellent contrast and beautiful shimmer throughout!

The GS 9F movement, despite being a quartz, also has a unique character if you look close enough. At first I knew nothing about the movement, I felt as if the seconds hand ticked very "gently" compared to the quartz watches that I'm used to. Later with research I found that it actually moves at 2 half-ticks at a time, and there's a damping mechanism to prevent the second hand from overshooting. Very small detail but it's worth a look.

In any case, it's the Rolex which will hold its value over time.

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As another alternative, I would pick up Rotary Henley GMT. I haven't gotten one yet but I've read that quality is pretty good for the price (less than £200 sometimes). Of course, if you are just into mere design of the watch.

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If you want a GMT get the Seiko, if you want to go playing in caves get the Rolex ,both were made for different purposes 

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I guess any watch with a fixed steel 24 H bezel and a black dial may look like an Explorer II from a distance.

I recently bought the SBGN003 and can tell you it feels and looks nothing like a Rolex on the wrist.

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I've made my choice a long time ago