Grand Seiko SBGN029

There is no clasp I know of with micro-adjust holes for this watch.  Though, I will say that GS'es look awesome on straps!

Also a tip for buying anything Japanese at the moment: buy from Japan! The USD to JPY conversion rate is extremely favorable for Americans. For example: you can buy a brand new SBGN029 from Sakura Watches for $2400 USD. Compare that to MSRP of $3300! I recently purchased my SBGX261 from them for $1600 vs $2200 MSRP. 10/10 would highly recommend.  I’m sure @HotWatchChick69 will chime in about this topic.

https://www.sakurawatches.com/grand-seiko-sport-collection-sbgn029

I was very concerned about the bracelet as well. It comes with 2 half links. I measured the links with my calipers and this is what I found.

Full link: 9.8mm

“Half link”: 6.4mm

Gap between links: 0.4mm

The customizability worked pretty well for me. Let’s take a look at your options.

X = baseline of whole links to get the bracelet pretty close to the proper size, minus a few half links or full links.

1. X + 23.4mm with 1 full, 2 half links
2. X + 20mm with 2 full links
3. X + 16.6mm with 1 full, 1 half link
4. X + 13.2mm with 2 half links
5. X + 9.8mm with 1 full link
6. X + 6.4mm with 1 half link

As you see, with 2 half links you can achieve the same customizability as having 3.4mm micro adjust holes.

The micro adjusts on my other watches are 2.5mm, 3.0mm, and 3.5mm (measured from my Rolex and StrapsCo bracelets). 3.0mm is the most common micro adjust in my collection.

I found that after playing with the bracelet for a while, it suited my wrist very well as if it had micro adjusts.

After these findings, I’ve come to the conclusion that people are too harsh on Grand Seiko for their bracelets. Grand Seiko has effectively delivered to us a very slim, sleek clasp with 0 micro adjust holes that can still be adjusted in 3.4mm increments. That’s pretty impressive if you ask me. As a guy with slim wrists, I really appreciate a sleek clasp on a bracelet. Lots of adjustability is great, but it’s not without the trade off of a chunky clasp. Some folks might like that though.

Let’s compare to the other clasps of my watches. From left to right:

1. Fake Rolex Submariner that’s actually pretty damn good. 36.6mm long, 8mm thick. 3 micro adjusts, 3.5mm each. The clasp looks nearly identical to me, but maybe somebody with a genuine Sub can chime in. FYI, I don’t wear this anymore. I leave it as “thief bait” on my nightstand.
2. Rolex Datejust 16013. 28.3mm long, 6.4mm thick. 7 micro adjusts, ranging from 2.5mm to 3.5mm.
3. StrapsCo beads of rice bracelet. 29mm long, 7.5mm thick. 3 micro adjusts, 3.0mm each.
4. StrapsCo oyster style bracelet from my Islander Watch. 29mm long, surprisingly 8.0mm thick. 3 micro adjusts, 3.0mm each.
5. Grand Seiko SBGX261. 16.8mm long, 6.0mm thick. 0 micro adjusts.
6. For shits and giggles: my fiancée‘s Bulova. 11.0mm long, 5.4mm thick. 0 micro adjusts.

Lol, I told you I have slim wrists. Don’t bully me. 😂

In conclusion, Grand Seiko bracelets get too much hate. They’re pretty damn fitted, and the clasps are way better looking and comfortable than the competition.