A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

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nbg
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A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

Post by nbg »

There was a time when I spent about a few hours a day commuting to London. Fortunately I now only visit at more civilised times and always try to fit in trying on a few watches, before meeting friends (watch “research” being off the menu if Mrs nbg is with me).

Yesterday afternoon I called in at the Seiko Boutique to try on a few GS.

I particularly wanted to look at Spring Drive that used the 44GS case, as the cases are different to the 41mm case that is often used for SD models. I also wanted to checkout the quartz GMTs, although they didn’t have any of the Explorer II look alike ones in stock.

A few pics that illustrate the wide variety of case shapes used by GS.
8F214083-BF1C-41FD-B01C-3BD24B6DCA79.jpeg
82C1592F-FA9C-4595-9EF6-AC0056A1245D.jpeg
D8DE4A36-5102-4171-81EE-781BB63AE6BC.jpeg
0A493BDF-C910-4EAD-BE5B-47F2AD38E217.jpeg
715E407B-7EB7-452C-AA9E-3742000AA1D0.jpeg
4BF20A1A-FAA4-4BFC-B0B3-B0D0ACBFD2CD.jpeg
9B3D75C5-1E19-4A73-96B9-A72292511996.jpeg
My favourite was the spring drive, the dial was a fantastic shade of blue, that changed dependant on lighting, although I don’t think any of them looked their best under the harsh AD lighting.

Very friendly staff and worth a visit if in London.

Neil
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Re: A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

Post by albionphoto »

Was this the seiko boutique just a few yards away from Harrods?
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Re: A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

Post by nbg »

albionphoto wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 12:40 pm Was this the seiko boutique just a few yards away from Harrods?
Yep that’s the one.

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Re: A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

Post by Mikkei4 »

Shame they didn't have any of the Exp.II look-a-likies as I would have been interested in opinions.
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Re: A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

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Mikkei4 wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 1:50 pm Shame they didn't have any of the Exp.II look-a-likies as I would have been interested in opinions.
I tried the LE on last year, along with some others. Might as well add them to the thread.

I thought it was typical high end GS fit and finish. A good size, just like wearing a 16570 Explorer II. Being quartz also slimmer than SD, which is itself slimmer than the bloated Hi-Beat models.
19C91864-3D8F-481D-BF76-8CB101DDE013.jpeg
4739FD96-F88F-4FC6-9105-3A39C5A6991E.jpeg
3F12903D-B72E-4F95-A58D-FBD9975ACF47.jpeg
C6546E6C-E3FB-4415-B900-554790AAEF79.jpeg
50136BC8-4A1A-483D-8F87-57BF19975822.jpeg
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Re: A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

Post by albionphoto »

It looks like a fun day out in Knightsbridge. Did any of them take your fancy? Do you need to re-write your wish list?
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Re: A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

Post by nbg »

albionphoto wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 2:27 pm It looks like a fun day out in Knightsbridge. Did any of them take your fancy? Do you need to re-write your wish list?
The blue SD in the first pic is the one I would go for if I went for another GS. :)

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Re: A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Pornographia Horologica! :anmachen:

Very nice, Neil. Thanks for sharing.
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Re: A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

Post by StrappedUp »

nbg wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 3:28 pm The blue SD in the first pic is the one I would go for if I went for another GS. :)
What I read ...

"The blue SD in the first pic is the one I am going for when I buy my next GS. :) "

Agree, that SD is simply outstanding.

I'd seen the green 9F GMT LE, but not the blue dial you photo'd.
Lovely colour, but sadly let down by a rather tall looking bezel.

Thanks for posting these :thumbup:
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Re: A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

Post by Thegreyman »

Interesting to see the variety of GS's Neil, thanks for the photos. I must be honest, a lot of the GS models don't do much for me. I did really like the SBGX059 HAQ that I used to own, lovely case, beatiful dial and amazing polished angled hands. Not to mention unbelievable accuracy. The only thing that made me sell was it just felt a little on the small side to me @ 37mm.

Image

The other model of GS that was probably my favourite was Richard's SBGM021 GMT which had an amazing cream coloured dial and at 39.5mm would have been perfect. Alas I didn't have any cash in the watch fund coffers at that time and it got away.

Image
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Re: A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

Post by StrappedUp »

Thegreyman wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 10:55 pm I did really like the SBGX059 HAQ that I used to own, lovely case, beatiful dial and amazing polished angled hands. Not to mention unbelievable accuracy. The only thing that made me sell was it just felt a little on the small side to me @ 37mm.

Image
Dare I say the SBGV would be perfect for you then Patrick. Same case, slightly different markers and 39mm.

Like this SBGV225 for example ...
Image
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Re: A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

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Thegreyman wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 10:55 pm Interesting to see the variety of GS's Neil, thanks for the photos. I must be honest, a lot of the GS models don't do much for me. I did really like the SBGX059 HAQ that I used to own, lovely case, beatiful dial and amazing polished angled hands. Not to mention unbelievable accuracy. The only thing that made me sell was it just felt a little on the small side to me @ 37mm.
Whilst recognising that all GS have high quality dials, indices and those signature hands, the key for me is the shape of the case. I tend to favour the more complex cases, as they tend to give the watch a more sporty look. Whilst I can appreciate them I don’t think I would ever end up wearing enough what I identify as a dress watch GS.

For me this means I am more drawn to the so called 44GS cases, albeit that the one I already have isn’t a 44GS! :lol:

Think I will wear mine to the GTG. It would be a bit obvious to wear a decent dive watch and then spend time comparing its bezel action to a Trident Mk 3. :)

Looking forward to trying on your PAM. :wink:

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Re: A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

Post by Thegreyman »

StrappedUp wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 11:11 pm
Thegreyman wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 10:55 pm I did really like the SBGX059 HAQ that I used to own, lovely case, beatiful dial and amazing polished angled hands. Not to mention unbelievable accuracy. The only thing that made me sell was it just felt a little on the small side to me @ 37mm.
Dare I say the SBGV would be perfect for you then Patrick. Same case, slightly different markers and 39mm.

Like this SBGV225 for example ...
Image
Ryan, possibly if there is a version in a white face as I'm not sold on the blue, lovely as it is. Size wise though, definitely in the sweet spot :thumbup:
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Re: A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

Post by Thegreyman »

nbg wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 7:53 am
Thegreyman wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 10:55 pm Interesting to see the variety of GS's Neil, thanks for the photos. I must be honest, a lot of the GS models don't do much for me. I did really like the SBGX059 HAQ that I used to own, lovely case, beatiful dial and amazing polished angled hands. Not to mention unbelievable accuracy. The only thing that made me sell was it just felt a little on the small side to me @ 37mm.
Whilst recognising that all GS have high quality dials, indices and those signature hands, the key for me is the shape of the case. I tend to favour the more complex cases, as they tend to give the watch a more sporty look. Whilst I can appreciate them I don’t think I would ever end up wearing enough what I identify as a dress watch GS.

For me this means I am more drawn to the so called 44GS cases, albeit that the one I already have isn’t a 44GS! :lol:

Think I will wear mine to the GTG. It would be a bit obvious to wear a decent dive watch and then spend time comparing its bezel action to a Trident Mk 3. :)

Looking forward to trying on your PAM. :wink:

Neil
Well Neil, I had briefly contemplated which watches to bring and the PAM is on the shortlist, so you never know!
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Re: A grand time trying on Grand Seiko

Post by StrappedUp »

Thegreyman wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 1:21 pm Ryan, possibly if there is a version in a white face as I'm not sold on the blue, lovely as it is. Size wise though, definitely in the sweet spot :thumbup:
Strangely, they do the champagne, black and blue dials as per the SBGX, but no white :?
Ryan
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