Grand Seiko SBGA029 : Initial Thoughts and a Pictorial

[nishant]

It feels good to have a Grand Seiko back in the stable !

PRECISION, ELEGANCE and RELIABILITY are the three words that represent to me what a Grand Seiko stands for .. A Watch made with some of the highest orders of Japanese Craftsmanship .. and with all the reading that went into my purchase of my now-gone GS GMT SBGE001, I can be sure that I have come to expect a lot out of a Grand Seiko ... And
The GS Diver SBGA029 does not disappoint.





In some ways, I seek to identify with what a Grand Seiko seeks to achieve when made available to watch-enthusiasts and collectors in competition with more mainstream luxury brands in the West. To Kick Higher and To Kick Better !!
As the story behind GS mentions, the concept of a Grand Seiko came into being at Seiko Corp. to prove their ability to manufacture the time-keeping instruments of the highest quality. Pretty much like a point needed to be proven. To be accepted beyond a mere manufacture producing watches for masses ... Not that It Really Matters ...
As an outsider in high-end watch market, I believe Seiko Corp. has accomplished that. Beyond Doubt. with GS and with Credor.











Here are some initial impressions :
- A lot of thought went into this timepiece and I do not mean this lightly.
- The design is conservative yet the watch is beautiful. Lays an impression of a beautiful dress watch that could in every way be as capable as a tool diver.



- The 44.2 by 14 mm case is exceptionally designed. It angles with the wrist nicely and wears a touch smaller for its size.



- The alternating bevelled, polished and brushed finish to the case and the dial has been performed in a signature GS style.
- The way light bounces off the case and the watch-hands as well as hour markers makes them appear like true works of art.
- Level of finish on the case, hands and dial is immaculate .. Using macro-shots and magnification, it is common to find some discrepancies in a watch dial. My two JLCs and the two GSeikos are the only exceptions till date.



- As you will notice in the pictures, the text and numbers have been printed on the dial perfectly.
- I absolutely love the font of 'SEIKO' on the dial .. Yes, It may not be much different that a million other watches they produce .. and that I feel is precisely why. I probably would not buy the watch if it said GRAND SEIKO in bold.
- While I agree that using GS and Grand Seiko in smaller font is a bit redundant, it seeks to preserve the balance to the dial IMO. Leaving that space blank would look more inappropriate.



- The PR indicator may be a cosmetic problem for some but I love it ! The level of finishing on the indicator hand itself is worth staring at ..
- Operating the bezel is a watch lover's dream .. [ I mean it ] and the lacquered bezel ... Delicious !



- The GS-signed crown is sized just right for the case and operates with no play at all.



- The bracelet is a big improvement from MM300, MM600 or even the GS GMT. It is thicker and supports the watch head very well.
- Thank Heavens for the Micro-Adjustment on the clasp. Fits like a Charm !
- After seeing the watch in person, I am not so sure if I would wish for a ceramic bezel on the GS Diver anymore. It is pretty just the way it is :)
- The only one gripe and some thing I knew going into the purchase is the design of the clasp and the diver's extension that could have been improved upon.



A wrist shot :



All in all, this Grand Seiko SBGA029 comes extremely close to being a perfect dress diver. At its price point, It certainly is the perfect dress diver. PERIOD. Comparisons with the Sub and DSSD are inevitable. It is my opinion that GS Diver is a 'FINE' watch : Fine Like JLC. Fine like BPFF. Something I would like to cherish .. wear to meetings and conferences. I may not wear it daily. Rolex Sub and the DSSD however look like they can take a beating .. Despite being more expensive that the GS SS Diver, the finishing on the Sub/DSSD is certainly a notch below GS.. We already know that nothing mechanical quite beats the SD 72 hour PR in accuracy ... The bracelet is probably the only area where Rolex divers beat out the GS IMHO .. [ Even ceramic can scratch .. I have learnt .. and No, I do not think I will dive below 200m in my life time ]. If you wish to get the highest value for your dollar under 7500 USD, this watch is my recommendation.

Hope you liked the pictorial and my thoughts ..
Cheers,
nishant

[PanosI]

Great pictorial of a very beautiful watch. Congrats and enjoy

[dysondiver]

great review , fantastic pics showing the great detail . many thanks for taking the time , its a watch i doubt i will ever see in real life , so thanks again.
good health to wear it.

[HL65]

Very nice and great write up! Cheers,

[6306]

Great review and one which comes close to mirroring my own thoughts.

[GradyPhilpott]

[Marrk]

A very handsome watch.

How's the accuracy?

[nishant]

Originally Posted by Marrk

A very handsome watch.

How's the accuracy?

Insane Hasnt lost a second in the last week ...

[hdrazor251]

Now I want one even more. Thanks for the review.

[Psmith]

Great review and photos - thanks

[Marrk]

Originally Posted by nishant

Insane Hasnt lost a second in the last week ...

To refresh my memory on the Spring Drive, I went back to the Seiko site. It's a hybrid (mechanical + quartz).

http://www.seikospringdrive.com/flash.html

I think I would go with the Calibre 9S Series, rather than the Spring Drive. Not as accurate, but closer to the original Grand Seikos that began in the 1960s (pre-quartz revolution of the 1970s). But that's just me. (I don't like hybrid cars either.)

[6306]

Originally Posted by nishant

Insane Hasnt lost a second in the last week ...

Mine didn't lose or gain a second in 6 months!!!

[financeman]

Great write up and pics. I just ordered a seiko as well. They are great watches for the money. I think every collector should have at least one.

[Mockingbird]

Spectacular. I've been lusting after a GS myself lately, may have to spring for one to use as a daily wearer seeing as my Mark XVI was recently stolen.

[caryyee]

Great pics! I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for GS's, I hope to acquire one one day!

[newmedia]

That is one sick watch...I have GMT SEIKO springdrive dress watch, love it.

[vman]

Hey man, where did you buy the watch? There is only one AD in the U.S. Did you stick with them or did you go international?

[nishant]

Originally Posted by vman

Hey man, where did you buy the watch? There is only one AD in the U.S. Did you stick with them or did you go international?

Bought from Dan@Timeless Watch Exchange in TX. There are a few ADs in US : Timeless, AZFT and WorldLux being the ones I know of.

[kilyung]

Very cool watch!

[incontrol]

Great wrote up on a fantastic piece! Enjoy it Nishant and thank you for your review! I am always amazed at my GS! I had a friend recently compliment my GS GMT and he asked what it was. I told him a Seiko and he said "amazing watch for the money!" Lol! He of course had no idea!

[eagle_lex]

I really need to see one of these in person someday.... it has been on my radar since the day it came out.

[threemonkeys]

Beautiful watch and nice review. I've been eyeing the GS on Seiya's website and would love to have one.

[nishant]

Thanks for all the compliments, gents !

BTW .. If you wish to pull the trigger, pull it now since the prices of GS timepieces are scheduled to increase 7-9% in Jan 2013. This GS diver SBGA029 will go from MSRP 7500 to 8100.

[Frogman4me]

Incredible! Grand seiko watches are absolutely stunning

[Maxtor]

Very thoughtful review. Thanks for sharing.

[never2late]

A very nice watch indeed. I purchased my first Grand Seiko watch back in 1981 several years before even imagining I'd ever own a Rolex. It was a beautifully unique and reliable watch that I sincerely wish I still had to day.

[psv]

Great review/input, Nishant.

[Kevin.S]

Top shelf !! Big congrats :)

[topcat30093]

What an excellent review.

Your photos are great and with excellent clarity :)

I have a sentimental spot for Seiko pieces.

And the GS range imo, is in many ways equal if not better to many Swiss brands

[Passionata]

Great writeup,don t like SD movements ,but the watch looks great.


Best
George

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