Is Zaratsu polishing really that much better?

[Guppydriver]

***Disclaimer***** I love GS. I own GS. *****This is a question, not a criticism!!!!**********Don’t cancel me GS lovers!

I remember getting my first GS (SBGM221) and being mesmerized by the mirror like finishing. I mean, everywhere I looked on the internet I read about the art of Zaratsu and the amount of time it takes a tradesman to learn the technique.

Don’t get me wrong, the polishing on my watch is incredible beautiful.

This past week, I’ve had the pleasure of wearing my friends new “shiny black” Aqua Terra (it’s an awesome watch BTW). My point is, I’ve had a chance to compare the two, and to be honest, I can’t tell any difference in the polishing finish between the two watches.

Which leads me to my question:
(TL;DR)

Is a Zaratsu polished GS really significantly better polished than a high end Swiss watch? If so, is it noticeable without really close inspection?

[samson66]

I think the polishing they do on the CURVED sides of the cases is the best I've ever seen. It just looks flawless. It's one thing for a machine to polish a relatively flat surface effectively, but hand polishing a pillow shaped case is just on another level.

Sure some of it is marketing, but it really is spectacular to look at and realize someone did that by hand.

[dchang81]

I mean it's just a Japanese pronunciation of zallas polishing. Not really different than mirror polishing from other brands. They do a nice job polishing markers and indices etc but I don't think its anything beyond a marketing term.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

***Disclaimer***** I love GS. I own GS. *****This is a question, not a criticism!!!!**********Don’t cancel me GS lovers!

I remember getting my first GS (SBGM221) and being mesmerized by the mirror like finishing. I mean, everywhere I looked on the internet I read about the art of Zaratsu ...

Although Zaratsu sounds like some age-old Japanese art form . . .

[jcdevoe26]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

***Disclaimer***** I love GS. I own GS. *****This is a question, not a criticism!!!!**********Don’t cancel me GS lovers!

I remember getting my first GS (SBGM221) and being mesmerized by the mirror like finishing. I mean, everywhere I looked on the internet I read about the art of Zaratsu and the amount of time it takes a tradesman to learn the technique.

Don’t get me wrong, the polishing on my watch is incredible beautiful.

This past week, I’ve had the pleasure of wearing my friends new “shiny black” Aqua Terra (it’s an awesome watch BTW). My point is, I’ve had a chance to compare the two, and to be honest, I can’t tell any difference in the polishing finish between the two watches.

Which leads me to my question:
(TL;DR)

Is a Zaratsu polished GS really significantly better polished than a high end Swiss watch? If so, is it noticeable without really close inspection?

I love GS as well...with that said, I own Rolex, Omega, Patek and the polishing all seems the same to my normal average Joe eyes...for me what sets GS apart is the overall design/execution of their cases. I think the series 9 cases are gorgeous along with some of the more simple classic cases...If they could just improve on the bracelet/clasp I would add a White Birch in a heartbeat.

[IS2000]

The reflections on Zaratsu polishing are definitely less distorted than polished parts of my Omega 3861 and any of my Rolexes. There was a time when I was at a Christmas lights show and the reflection off my GS was amazing. I tried it the next day with my Daytona with polished bezel and it was much different.

[subtona]

Beautiful and durable finish in my experience.

[WatchEater666]

My only issue with it is how fast it shows scratches.

[In-N-Out]

I own 3 pieces. I think the polishing is really nice and very well done. But it’s mostly just a marketing gimmick. Many other brands have this level of mirror finishing. But all things considered, GS is an excellent value at current gray market prices

[joli160]

There are not many brands able to produce such incredible indices and let alone a distortion free polish. Imho GS is in its own league compared to Rolex or Omega.
Not to mention their creations from the micro artist studio which are incredible.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by joli160

There are not many brands able to produce such incredible indices and let alone a distortion free polish. Imho GS is in its own league compared to Rolex or Omega.
Not to mention their creations from the micro artist studio which are incredible.

Those are indeed something special

[Little machines]

Agreed Brian ! GS is in a league of their own! Great dials ,finishing around the case ,hands, indices etc, the movements are great to look at and the craftsmanship /engineering .I have always admired these horological pieces from vintage Grand seiko's to present!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Little machines

Agreed Brian ! GS is in a league of their own! Great dials ,finishing around the case ,hands, indices etc, the movements are great to look at and the craftsmanship /engineering .I have always admired these horological pieces from vintage Grand seiko's to present!

[Dirt]

Firstly, tbey are craftsmen or artisans rather than tradesmen with the quality of their work being quite magnificent.

Critical things to consider when evaluating the polish job on a watch.
Reflectivity.
Clarity of any reflections seen in the polished surface.
Distortions of the reflected image in the polished surface, with any distortion being undesirable.
Crisp corners.
And finally, uniformity overall.

IMO, nobody does it better than GS, especially on the scale they are doing it. They even polish the underside of their hands which can be seen in the reflection off the top of the hands below.
Make no mistake. They have mastered it.
Now the real test, is going to be whether they can replicate it on a Zaratsu polish job when combined with their watch service back at the mothership in Japan

[77T]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Although Zaratsu sounds like some age-old Japanese art form . . .

Great context Adam.

I think the results that Japan's master polishers produce are a testament to assiduous training, a laser-sharp focus on quality, and QC/QA inspection intolerance of anomalies in craftsmanship.

In seeking to learn how other watch case workmanship measures up, for example others who also work on lapping machines, I found this article which I hope helps us understand how hard it can be for a watchmaker here in USA to restore an original finish. https://wornandwound.com/meet-the-on...ish-at-a-time/


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