Looking to buy my first GS watch

[Prideinmyevo]

I’ve been looking at buying a GS snowflake SBGA211 for about a year now but have no idea where to buy one for the best price/value. I checked my local shop and they were asking for around $7300 cdn which seems a bit steep compared to online boutiques, is it much cheaper just buying one from Japan?

Has anyone purchased one from Japan recently and know the prices over there? Was thinking of taking a trip soon and wasn’t sure if the prices and duties would make it more expensive or not.

If anyone bought a GS in Japan recently please share your experiences with me 😁ty

[Spartan36]

I do not think they are cheaper in japan, i think they are more expensive actually. There is new ones in the sales forum here for like 5K USD and under.

[Jack T]

I’m still getting familiar with the GS line; always like the Seiko brand, despite their myriad models and indecipherable nomenclature. I have a 40 year old self winder, have my eye on a Prospex model here and want to get a GS piece, but still in the check out phase. Not sure about the Spring Drive, but the HiBeat movements are interesting and the King Seiko looks nice. It will take me a while but I think I see one in my future.

[Prideinmyevo]

I thought people were saying it was 15-20% cheaper to buy one in japan. But then again, duties coming back would be another 12%

[Old Expat Beast]

Generally, Grand Seiko and Seiko are cheaper in Japan than North America, UK and Europe if you buy there as a tourist and avoid the sales tax, which is normal. Hong Kong can be even cheaper as there is no sales tax here and AD's offer good discounts (up to 25%). But it depends what you are looking for, i.e. JDM models, etc. Snowflake SBGA211 can be had in Hong Kong for much less than in UK and North America, but you have to be here to buy, or find a HK dealer on eBay, and they will mark up and you'll have to pay import duty/tax.