Ofcourse, the Grand Seiko…
Kucimo wrote me an e-mail about two weeks ago, stating that I shouldn’t forget about Grand Seiko, after my negative rant on collecting Seiko or other Japanese watches.
On the one hand I think he is absolutely right. Look at this picture below, which Kucimo attached to his e-mail, this looks perfect. You can see that Seiko put a lot of work in this to reach perfection in a watch. Everything on this watch ‘fits’ and every detail is probably discussed for hours at the Seiko R&D meetings. On the other hand, who is going to pay 5.000 USD for a Seiko. The money a Grand Seiko costs, easily buy you a great Swiss watch as well. It is like having a lot of money and spending it on a Honda (in the US Accura I think) NSX sportscar instead of a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe or other similair priced European crafted sportscar. Okay, so the Grand Seiko isn’t just any Seiko, as the NSX isn’t just any Honda. But I am sure you’ll catch my drift. It is all ‘between the ears’, I know 
November 24th, 2004 at 00:54
On the one hand, I think you’re right. I would never pay that much for a Japanese watch, and I would never spend money on a Japanese car if I could spend it on a European one.
On the other hand, I don’t agree with you on the fact that this watch looks perfect. It may have a bracelet with solid links and a nice finish and all that, but it still breathes “Japan” all the way. I don’t know what the problem is.. Japanese can make great stuff: traditional Japanese clothes, swords and food are the finest in the world. But their “modern stuff” like cars and watches just look fake.
Just look at the font they use to write “Grand Seiko” on the dial. Absolutely tasteless.
November 29th, 2004 at 13:20
A grand seiko can’t compare with a rolex or an omega, it is just another middle of the range watch with upgraded components nothing more.
August 18th, 2005 at 00:46
I’m from Europe and a Rolex fan all the way. I must admit though that I’m facinated by the Grand Seiko. It does look Japanese, that’s right, but IT IS Japanese. I like the quality look of it and the mix of very low profile design and high quality, kind of more like Lexus than Honda.
September 19th, 2005 at 06:00
From a horological perspective, Seiko is absolutely on par with Rolex and the Swatch Group (Omega, ETA, etc.). Seiko , along with Swatch Group, are one of the few companies that produce entirely their own components. And the modern Grand Seiko movement was designed by Davis, just like the Co-Axial movement used in modern Omegas. However, I think what most of the unwashed masses respond to is marketing, and Seiko has not been as good at that as their European counterparts, the most obvious mistake being using a single brand identity for all watch lines — something the Swatch Group clearly learned not to do. But for those who care about form, function, fit, and finish more than bling bling, in other words, those who are more into watches than jewelry, the best Seikos rightly rate alongside the best Swiss watches in the world.
September 6th, 2006 at 13:53
I have been experiencing difficulty in viewing the current Grand Seiko range either on a website or here in Bangkok and should like assistance in locating a website in English. I am the owner of a Seiko Spring Drive & impressed by the quitely understated quality of the Seiko Grand Seiko. I own the latest Rolex Datejust Diamond in pink gold and am embarrassed by its garish appearance compared to the Grand Seiko.
Regards
Martin Carter
October 15th, 2006 at 23:50
The great wonder of the auto range of the GS is the bettering of the Swiss acc test which I believe is +6\-4 a day. But the GS autos are +4/-2 a day. If the standard bell curve of swiss movements were able to match this they would could lower the COSC standard. Having personally seen many GS in person, Their quality is the same or better than the swiss, but I would rather have a rarer watch. But, most people dont know much about watches and only Rolex will inpress the average joe, so why buy anything else right. I would buy the watch for my own pleasure not to impress everyone who just wants to see the name.
November 12th, 2006 at 19:42
I’ve owned my Grand Seiko for over three years and I love it. Although my watch will never have the resale of a Swiss watch, which is not a reason I’d buy a watch, I enjoy having a timepiece that is truly rare, well made and low profile. Although not everyone has the level of appreciation I have for Grand Seikos, when I meet a WIS that has knowledge of higher-end seikos, because they have identified my watch, I feel like I’ve met a true timepiece Connoisseur.
Swiss watches are great and I own several nice examples- But to down play Japanese achievements because they are not Swiss is a loss for the true WIS.
From my experience the Grand Seiko is everthing that Seiko claims it to be-
November 15th, 2006 at 16:28
When choosing a car the brand is just a badge on the outside. It’s very superficial and not very logical to judge a car by its brand. For example, what some people do is take a list of cars and look for one variable they are interested in. My friend is interesting in power to weight ratio. He got his list of cars and sorted it according to power to weight ratio. Then he took this power to weight ratio and divided by the price to see which car had the best bang for you buck. The same goes for watches.
November 29th, 2006 at 01:36
The price to value comparison of an Acura NSX compared to Porsche Carrera is a fair example. Another would be the Honda S2000 compared with a Porsche Boxster or a BMW Z4.
A wristwatch to a watch enthusiast is a very personal thing. I find no problems with those who choose Swiss. How can I counter that argument? However, I for one would love to own Grand Seiko. It’s my personal appreciation of the ‘little Japanese company’s best efforts to make an awesome piece.
The same could be said of the Honda’s. I would be appreciative that the NSX was developed by Honda’s top engineers with Ayrton Senna personally involved; or the S2000 with its engine developed by Honda’s World Championship-winning Mclaren-Honda F1 engine team members.
December 28th, 2006 at 03:50
I have seen many Grand Seikos, and every one surpasses the Rolex for fit , finish, and reliability.
If marketed properly in the US, I believe its understated elegance would outsell the Rolex steel Oysterdate.
February 11th, 2007 at 15:54
Casey is 1000% right. I own the SBGR023 pictured and it is MILES ahead of the Rolexes and Omegas that I have owned. Some years ago I unloaded my Explorer II and Datejust because I had grown so disillusioned with their mediocre quality. (E.g., the case finish - ever notice how darn sharp the Rolex lugs are and how embarassingly flimsy the Rolex bracelet clasp is? The latter would be a joke on a watch costing $500, let alone $5k.) I know we are all supposed to believe mindlessly the Rolex marketing machine — and I am the first to admit that I too did for a time — but facts are stubborn things and the fact is that Rolex makes just okay watches. Sure they will be noticed by people who know nothing about fine watches, but that doesn’t make it a great watch. And don’t get me started about Omega; I’ve had two and each one spent more time in the shop than on the wirst. By contrast, my Grand Seiko and Marinemaster 300M exude quality, finesse and reliability (each runs about +/- 2 secs/day, well within COSC specs). I’ve kept my Jaeger Master Control (really great watch) and an Omega (not because it’s a keeper, but because it was my first “high-end” watch and I am a litle sentimental about it), but I have decided to collect high-end Seiko’s going forward on account of their exceptional fit, finish, value for money and understatedness. (And to you Georges, please examine a few Grand Seikos in person before making such bald assertions. I am sure you’ll see the light if/when you do, unless you’d rather believe what others want you to think.)
February 23rd, 2007 at 10:22
Hi- I own an SBGR001 (same as the pic but silver dial) and I have to say that it’s probably best described as the ultimate refinement of a steel datejust. I wondered lots before buying because I had always owned low end Seiko and wanted a ‘nice watch’ at last- my initial choice was an Explorer II, really i wanted a PP Aquanaut but couldn’t justify the now ridiculous price- my GS and indeed all GS’s I’ve seen are on a par with the very finest Swiss or German Watches and the SBGR001/023 ARE design classics. One thing to note is that GSs’ have that fine watch hand finished sparkle that mid range brands just can’t achieve- at a street price of around £1100 the SBGR001 is a bargin.
March 6th, 2007 at 07:26
Grand Seikos. I can’t wait to own one. Regardless of what everybody else says, I want it. If I want a watch is not so I can be recognized by every person I meet, but because it is what “I” want. Unfortunately many of the people that have shared their comments above, simply want to own a watch that will give them status (regardless of the marketing you receive, I am sorry to inform you that this wont do the trick). I have done this in the past with a swiss piece, and I could have not been more dissappointed. If a Rolex or an Omega makes you happy, please buy it. But don’t put down the Grand Seiko simply because it is Japanese. Don’t be ignorant..
April 24th, 2007 at 02:52
Well, Seiko has to change the brand name instead of just adding “Grand” to it just like what Toyota did when they introduced the luxurious Lexus line.
June 7th, 2007 at 05:15
I have recently purchased my first Grand Seiko and I concur completely with some of the other contributors,simply the best quality wrist watch I have owned and compared to my nearly double the cost Rolex 50th An. SM the GS is superior in every respect, the only good thing to be said about the Rolex is that it has a decent resale value so I am able to off load it without loosing to much, I have owned many Rolex watches, the best was one of their earlier Daytona models when Zenith used to make their movements, the modern version with their so called in house ( ETA ) movement is crap, pure and simple, but even the Zenith movement Daytona model was barely within COSC standards whereas my GS exceeds that standard.
I am now looking for a GS GMT no daubt it will also be far superior to the Rolex and other Swiss GMT’s.
For those who feel that a name around their wrist is important, why not buy a replica, the cases and bracelets are every bit as good or bad as the original and in two recent China replicas I saw where the rolex movement is copied exactly, they are just as accurate as the real thing which should make some out there think, if you can produce a replica for $ 350.00 (ex factory china)which competes favourably with the real thing how can you justify $ 10,000.00 for the real thing??? I have yet to see a replica GS.
June 17th, 2007 at 15:25
Buy the Rolex to impress others, the Grand Seiko to impress yourself.
August 5th, 2007 at 08:36
I would like to own a Grand Seiko. It looks great! However, I do not plan to buy one as it is too expensive! I have Omega and Rolex. I love Omega speedmaster most. It is practical (with date), useful, easy to use the chronograph (unlike Rolex), the screw down is not important as I never saw anyone wearing a Rolex Daytona and swimming at sea or in an indoor pool. Omega Speedmaster is also water resistant and its price is highly reasonable unlike Roles. Grand Seiko has its attractiveness but it has to do more promotion. If not, all my friends will think I wear a cheap Seiko. They won’t believe I spend $5000 or more on it!!! This is too bad!
March 14th, 2008 at 09:24
I have recently purchased Grand Seiko 9S55 SBGR017J Model and, after collecting swiss high end watches for most of my life I honestly say that this watch is uncomparably better in finish, precision and quality to any Rolex I have ever owned. Water resistant to 200m, screw in crown, accuracy exceeding COSC standards by 25% makes this watch an absolute bargain at $4,500 (You can get it for around $3,000 street price), Uncomparably better than Submariner.
April 11th, 2008 at 14:42
having worked on both swiss and japanese watches for over 30 years i can only conclude that the majority of swiss made watches are nothing more than “dial names” designed to lure the illinformed into spending $ to impress there equally illinformed friends foolsfoolsfools ! seiko is the only watch company on this planet that does everything in house from r&d to polishing of the hands (on the high end models)dont get me wrong rolex pateck vacheron piaget are all fine pieces but as for being a practical classic no one builds a more refined time piece than a grand seiko lookout watch snobs you are about to see just what japanese superiority means cheers
May 10th, 2008 at 22:49
most of the Rolex owners like me appreciate all brands including the Grand Seiko which is really comparable to Swiss watches and the quality is impeccable and also with standards higher than COSC(+6/-4 secs a day) Grand Seiko (+5/-3 secs a day) so a Chronometer can’t pass the GS test due to +1/-1 second differential. most owners like the owners of Omega always compare and compare but they don’t realize that Omega is own by SWATCH. Omega is using SWATCH ETA movements slightly modified but STILL a SWATCH. Swatch watches can be seen in the department stores like the Seiko 5 and they are cheap and too cheap so bottom line is Seiko creates high end watches like Grand Seiko and Swatch has the Omega. Rolex has Rolex only. Have a great day!
May 16th, 2008 at 18:27
My Grand Seiko SBGX009 is in the shop - hour hand jammed two months after purchase new. I’ve owned the Oysterdate though and was just as dissappointed with that so I don’t know what I think now!
June 25th, 2008 at 22:04
The way I see it, Seiko has a grate looking line of watches with the GS, they seem to be well finished (I said “seem to be” because I hadn’t the oportunity to hold one in my hands), they should be very accurate over time(more then the Swiss high-end watches) , they have an history or pedigry, there are not a lot of them around (is this right???, in Europe I don’t even know if they are on the market), they run very smooth and they are said to be less vulnerable for shocks (thanks to the spring drive)
BUT
A lot of people don’t even have heard of Grand Seiko, they will only see the name SEIKO (not a name that is associated with luxury or class because), they are relativaly expensive (not if you really compare them with watches of similar kind.
Personally, I am intrigued and I want to know more of these watches. If the watches are what people wrigth about them, then why should I pay more for a similar swiss watch (omega or rolex) that runs less accurate, is more fragile and is not so good finished. Rolex and omega are produced in mass.
July 1st, 2008 at 16:46
i’ve been collecting for 15 years and owned over 100 Omegas and about 400 watches in total. i now own several very high end watches and also own 7 grand and king seiko’s from 1964 to the present day.
a grand seiko can and does compare very favourably with Omega,Rolex and many other swiss brands for build quality and accuracy. they are better finished than any rolex i have ever seen and my 1964 King Seiko 44 calibre manual wind is accurate to less than 1 second a day which is better than any swiss watch i have ever owned.
the new grand seiko line make Rolex look a bit pathetic in comparison.
until you have owned a GS or KS you cant be in a position to comment so i’m afraid to say that georges has just shown himself to be ignorant beyond belief,
also anyone comparing japanese watches to japanese cars should do the same and own one before makeing a comment. my Honda accord 2.4 ivtec tourer is the most reliable car i have ever owned including a string of european cars from mercedes(whose build quality is diabolical), through bmw to citreon. the honda S2000 is regularly voted the best roadster in the world and makes a cayman look ridiculous and over priced.
i am a member of the puristspro watch forum where many members own watches worth a huge fortune, but none of them would write off a japanese watch without first looking at it, researching it and listening to other peoples opinions on it. thit, i think, is the difference between true collectors and people who just wear to impress.
July 4th, 2008 at 15:28
I don’t have the money to buy a Grand Seiko or Omega or Rolex but my Seiko Black Monster is an amazing watch for the price. Fairly accurate and built like a tank.
Remember if it wasn’t for Acura there would be NO market at all for your precious European Sports or Luxury car. All those Euro brands, no matter how much cache they carried, really sucked. Acura challenged everyone to up their game back in the 80’s. Hmm come to think of it I haven’t seen a late model BMW on the road older than the length of its warranty. I’m not kidding.
August 4th, 2008 at 16:48
i own a mercedes 600sl roadster and a lexus sl430.the lexus is the car to drive.the mercedes cost almost $140,000.the lexus about $58,000 but there is no comparison.
i also own a rolex in 18k gold , a day date model. the watch is an oyster quartz president.i own a seiko dolce which cost about $450. the dolce is accurate to +_10 seconds per year.it performs beautifully.the rolex ,which makes no claims for accuracy,loses about 8 seconds per month.
i am going to buy a grand seiko.when i have worn it for a while,i shall relate to you my thoughts.
thank you,
paul h. collier,esq.