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George Ab · 7 April 2011, 03:25 PM

I have been fascinated with the Spring Drive technology as it addresses many of the limitations of conventional mechanical movements by replacing the traditional escapement (controls timing function) with a IC controlled electro-mechanical break. How Spring Drive works courtesy of the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute and Timezone:
http://www.timezone.com/library/rdnotebook/200509073623

The watch is extremely refined. Examples include brushed stainless hands, ceramic bezel, and finish work that is in line with Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger LeCoultre watches I’ve owned. With all the refinement it still comes off as a bad ass sport watch. Nice size and feel on the wrist; 43.5mm in diameter and 14.7mm thick and nearly 180 grams. The lume is sick! Note the bezel’s 24 hour markers are lumed. Seiko maintained some of the classic Japanese watch touches such as slopping the sides of the case toward the back of the watch. Seiko also threw in a complication, in this case in the form of a power reserve indicator. Power reserve is 72 hours, about 24 hours more than most single barrel watches.

Bracelet is refined and traditional. Adjustment is with links and a half link, and is performed by removing screws on both sides of link and pin slides out.

The watch is not cheap with an MSRP of $7,200. I saw a picture of this model in a Paris boutique with a 5,900 Euro ($8,400) price tag. Distribution in the US is limited with four dealers in the US. You are not going to see this watch everyday.

cyglee · 7 April 2011, 03:32 PM

Wow!! George, I really like that lume shot. Another one to put on the "someday" list. Thanks for the report.

sleddog · 7 April 2011, 03:33 PM

Looks great George.

The lumed Bezel is superb, Rolex could use a lesson on that!

lorsban · 7 April 2011, 04:43 PM

Beautiful! I've been interested in Spring Drives ever since they first came out - one of the rare few innovations in watchmaking in the past few decades.

That's a pretty substantial case at 43.5mm! But it looks great on your wrist.

everose · 7 April 2011, 06:22 PM

What a stunner !!!

With respect, the bezel is not ceramic.
It is made of sapphire crystal, like the IWC Aquatimer 2000m,newer Omega PloProf, and Bremonts Supermarine.

The lumed bezel is a fantastic benefit.

I actually prefer a sapphire bezel over the present trend towards ceramic at the higher end.
I saw one of these at the first UK GS AD a few months ago...absolutely stunning finishing.

Big Congrats on an absolutely gorgeous watch

learningtofly · 7 April 2011, 06:27 PM

Fantastic watch - I'm a huge GS fan (having owned a gorgeous '68 vintage for a while) but we only have one AD here in the UK.

It'll be interesting to see how successful Seiko are in taking on the Swiss in other territories over the next year or two, which is their declared strategy!

mtrunner · 9 April 2011, 06:59 AM

It is a stunning watch.

lorsban · 9 April 2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by everose

What a stunner !!!

With respect, the bezel is not ceramic.
It is made of sapphire crystal, like the IWC Aquatimer 2000m,newer Omega PloProf, and Bremonts Supermarine.

The lumed bezel is a fantastic benefit.

I actually prefer a sapphire bezel over the present trend towards ceramic at the higher end.
I saw one of these at the first UK GS AD a few months ago...absolutely stunning finishing.

Big Congrats on an absolutely gorgeous watch

Sapphire bezel? Amazing. I like how the Japanese can take a classic theme and still manage to make it original.

SEK John · 11 April 2011, 09:56 AM

That is one beautiful watch and the lume is amazing. Curious, does this model have a true sweeping second hand, or does it make the small jumps like a Rolex?

mdtddd2007 · 11 April 2011, 02:29 PM

nice...congrats...was thinking of adding one day a GS.

George Ab · 12 April 2011, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEK John

That is one beautiful watch and the lume is amazing. Curious, does this model have a true sweeping second hand, or does it make the small jumps like a Rolex?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHF9WfcEGb0 In the video a vintage Rolex Sub with an extremely nice maxi dial before in first shown in comparison to the seamless sweep of the second hand in the Spring Drive.

Seiko could use some marketing hype such as, "Time stops for no one".

witch watch · 12 April 2011, 05:04 AM

Now i'm willing to bet this feels like a multi ££££ watch, but sorry it does not look from the photo's anyway like a multi thousand pound watch and all the writing on the dial is too much. And although i love the idea of Spring Drive the main downside is no tick it's a bit like a Ferrari without the engine noise if you ask me.

Thing is a do like the look of some of the GS'

spuds · 12 April 2011, 06:14 AM

Su. Bloody. Perb.!!!!

My Sincere Congratulations.....

SEK John · 12 April 2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by witch watch

and all the writing on the dial is too much.

Funny you should mention that. The one thing I don't like about my Submariner is all the text on the dial. Personally, I'd do away with the "superlative chronometer" "officially certified" lines. To me, they seem to clutter the dial, making it look like an ad. I'm sure this is blasphemy

, but, hey, I bought it anyway. I prefer the limited text on my Omega GMT.

Dan Pierce · 12 April 2011, 12:11 PM

That's a damn good looking GMT.
dP

dalip · 12 April 2011, 12:12 PM

Great looking watch...!

learningtofly · 13 April 2011, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by witch watch

Now i'm willing to bet this feels like a multi ££££ watch, but sorry it does not look from the photo's anyway like a multi thousand pound watch and all the writing on the dial is too much. And although i love the idea of Spring Drive the main downside is no tick it's a bit like a Ferrari without the engine noise if you ask me.

Thing is a do like the look of some of the GS'

I suspect you'd change your mind if you tried one on - it's a stunning watch in the metal.

Deyn Man · 21 May 2011, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by witch watch

Now i'm willing to bet this feels like a multi ££££ watch, but sorry it does not look from the photo's anyway like a multi thousand pound watch and all the writing on the dial is too much. And although i love the idea of Spring Drive the main downside is no tick it's a bit like a Ferrari without the engine noise if you ask me.

Thing is a do like the look of some of the GS'

i suspect the words "Seiko" and "Grand Seiko" bothers you?

i bet if they were deleted and replaced with some town in Europe, you'd probably like it better

mitchy · 27 May 2011, 11:34 PM

thats a sweet watch

i really want to add a GS or a SD(spring drive not Sea Dweller

) to my collection soon, they are so nice and comfortable, have tried on a few, they have a less than great resale value, which is why i want to pick one up secondhand.
thanks for the writeup and review

vukotab · 28 May 2011, 01:37 AM

I just saw this thread! Man that`s a beauty and great watch by any means! I`m totally fascinated with Spring Drive technology and I think that it`s one of the groundbreaking moments in watchmaking history.
And let me repeat that GMT Grand Seiko looks fantastic, subtle and prestigious!

drockadam · 28 May 2011, 07:41 AM

Very beautiful watch! The only this I don't like is where the crown is. Love that red/orange GMT hand!

larrysb · 28 May 2011, 09:58 AM

Really like that watch. If I start itching for another watch, that will likely be it.

How long does the lume last? Pretty much like any other super-luminova, one would guess.

I have a Seiko GMT quartz in titanium (a Japan domestic only model). Fantastic watch, extremely accurate, 10 year battery life. It keeps time to about 10 seconds a year.

Mockingbird · 1 June 2011, 05:35 AM

Truly an amazing piece.

Frogman4me · 1 June 2011, 09:30 AM

Grand seiko watches are amazing, I love the GMT thanks for sharing this review

STEELINOX · 1 June 2011, 09:55 AM

Thanks for a great review, George

I really am diggin the "lumed bezel" too

And the fonts on the bezel, is what ROLEX used to use, I like that too !

ohfivepro · 16 June 2011, 09:44 PM

I really love that GS and if I didn't already have a GMT2 with the black insert it would be on my list of watches to try and buy someday. Fortunately there's other GS's I love so I'm sure I'll get one eventually - just not sure whether to go for a Spring Drive, Mechanical or a Hi-Beat. So many great watches but never enough £ to go around

gwalker · 19 July 2011, 03:09 AM

Thats a really good looking watch. I have always really like Seiko's since my dad had a Seiko Automatic diver when I was a kid and he let me wear it around the house.

dddrees · 19 July 2011, 05:32 AM

Good looking watch, thanks for the info George.

Sarajevo · 19 July 2011, 10:26 PM

Beautiful watch and very interesting and impressive technology. I still have a problem with paying such a huge amount of money for a Seiko. I know it is wrong, and I hate myself for it, but I just could not do it.

speedo · 22 July 2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarajevo

Beautiful watch and very interesting and impressive technology. I still have a problem with paying such a huge amount of money for a Seiko. I know it is wrong, and I hate myself for it, but I just could not do it.

i know what you mean. i feel the same way too.

7 April 2011, 03:25 PM	#1
George Ab "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: George Location: Seattle Watch: One of Them Posts: 6,924	Grand Seiko GMT SBGE001 I have been fascinated with the Spring Drive technology as it addresses many of the limitations of conventional mechanical movements by replacing the traditional escapement (controls timing function) with a IC controlled electro-mechanical break. How Spring Drive works courtesy of the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute and Timezone: http://www.timezone.com/library/rdnotebook/200509073623 The watch is extremely refined. Examples include brushed stainless hands, ceramic bezel, and finish work that is in line with Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger LeCoultre watches I’ve owned. With all the refinement it still comes off as a bad ass sport watch. Nice size and feel on the wrist; 43.5mm in diameter and 14.7mm thick and nearly 180 grams. The lume is sick! Note the bezel’s 24 hour markers are lumed. Seiko maintained some of the classic Japanese watch touches such as slopping the sides of the case toward the back of the watch. Seiko also threw in a complication, in this case in the form of a power reserve indicator. Power reserve is 72 hours, about 24 hours more than most single barrel watches. Bracelet is refined and traditional. Adjustment is with links and a half link, and is performed by removing screws on both sides of link and pin slides out. The watch is not cheap with an MSRP of $7,200. I saw a picture of this model in a Paris boutique with a 5,900 Euro ($8,400) price tag. Distribution in the US is limited with four dealers in the US. You are not going to see this watch everyday.

7 April 2011, 03:33 PM	#3
sleddog TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Rob Location: Nearby. Posts: 24,930	Looks great George. The lumed Bezel is superb, Rolex could use a lesson on that! __________________ He who wears a Rolex is always on time, even when late!! TRF's "After Dark" Bar & Nightclub Patron-Founding Member..

7 April 2011, 04:43 PM	#4
lorsban "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Philippines Posts: 1,199	Beautiful! I've been interested in Spring Drives ever since they first came out - one of the rare few innovations in watchmaking in the past few decades. That's a pretty substantial case at 43.5mm! But it looks great on your wrist. __________________ Rolex TT Datejust, Panerai PAM 312, Omega Connie C-Shape, Anonimo D-Date II, Squale 20 Atmos Blue Ray, Concord Impresario Triple Date Chrono Seiko SKX007, Monster Tuna

7 April 2011, 06:27 PM	#6
learningtofly 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Real Name: Tony Location: London, England Watch: Hmmm... Posts: 2,483	Fantastic watch - I'm a huge GS fan (having owned a gorgeous '68 vintage for a while) but we only have one AD here in the UK. It'll be interesting to see how successful Seiko are in taking on the Swiss in other territories over the next year or two, which is their declared strategy! __________________ Tony

11 April 2011, 09:56 AM	#9
SEK John "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kansas Posts: 38	That is one beautiful watch and the lume is amazing. Curious, does this model have a true sweeping second hand, or does it make the small jumps like a Rolex? __________________ *John* from South East Kansas

7 April 2011, 03:32 PM	#2
cyglee "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Gordon Location: California Watch: Gmtll,LV,SD,GV,etc Posts: 627	Wow!! George, I really like that lume shot. Another one to put on the "someday" list. Thanks for the report.

7 April 2011, 06:22 PM	#5
everose Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: World Citizen Posts: 593	What a stunner !!! With respect, the bezel is not ceramic. It is made of sapphire crystal, like the IWC Aquatimer 2000m,newer Omega PloProf, and Bremonts Supermarine. The lumed bezel is a fantastic benefit. I actually prefer a sapphire bezel over the present trend towards ceramic at the higher end. I saw one of these at the first UK GS AD a few months ago...absolutely stunning finishing. Big Congrats on an absolutely gorgeous watch

9 April 2011, 06:59 AM	#7
mtrunner 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Gary Location: Bozeman, MT Watch: 126508 Paul Newman Posts: 7,835	It is a stunning watch.

11 April 2011, 02:29 PM	#10
mdtddd2007 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: U.S Watch: Rolex, PP, AP, GS Posts: 5,785	nice...congrats...was thinking of adding one day a GS.

12 April 2011, 05:04 AM	#12
witch watch "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scotland Watch: Milgauss GV Posts: 1,201	Now i'm willing to bet this feels like a multi ££££ watch, but sorry it does not look from the photo's anyway like a multi thousand pound watch and all the writing on the dial is too much. And although i love the idea of Spring Drive the main downside is no tick it's a bit like a Ferrari without the engine noise if you ask me. Thing is a do like the look of some of the GS'

12 April 2011, 06:14 AM	#13
spuds "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Dan Location: Essex, UK Watch: West Ham! COYI!! Posts: 7,941	Su. Bloody. Perb.!!!! My Sincere Congratulations..... __________________ Onwards & Upwards Rodders...... Onwards & Upwards. Life is not about how fast you can run or how high you can climb........... It's about how well you can bounce!! TRF HALL OF FAME JANUARY 2010

12 April 2011, 12:11 PM	#15
Dan Pierce 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: D'OH! Location: Kentucky Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3 Posts: 36,189	That's a damn good looking GMT. dP __________________ TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club

12 April 2011, 12:12 PM	#16
dalip "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Dalip Location: Mumbai and Perth Watch: Rolex PAM Omega Posts: 18,656	Great looking watch...! __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------ *"The liar's punishment is not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe anyone else." George Bernard Shaw*

27 May 2011, 11:34 PM	#19
mitchy "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: Mitch Location: . Watch: 116710LN Posts: 2,495	thats a sweet watch i really want to add a GS or a SD(spring drive not Sea Dweller ) to my collection soon, they are so nice and comfortable, have tried on a few, they have a less than great resale value, which is why i want to pick one up secondhand. thanks for the writeup and review __________________ Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted John Lennon

28 May 2011, 01:37 AM	#20
vukotab "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Real Name: Vukota Brajovi Location: Belgrade,Serbia Watch: ing movies! Posts: 3,812	I just saw this thread! Man that`s a beauty and great watch by any means! I`m totally fascinated with Spring Drive technology and I think that it`s one of the groundbreaking moments in watchmaking history. And let me repeat that GMT Grand Seiko looks fantastic, subtle and prestigious! __________________ My fashion blog and Instagram: https://stylebyvukota.com/ https://instagram.com/vukotabrajovic/

28 May 2011, 07:41 AM	#21
drockadam "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Adam Location: Ontario, Canada Watch: Pepsi. Posts: 5,749	Very beautiful watch! The only this I don't like is where the crown is. Love that red/orange GMT hand! __________________ - Adam Instagram: @GMTSUBTIME

28 May 2011, 09:58 AM	#22
larrysb Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California Posts: 155	Really like that watch. If I start itching for another watch, that will likely be it. How long does the lume last? Pretty much like any other super-luminova, one would guess. I have a Seiko GMT quartz in titanium (a Japan domestic only model). Fantastic watch, extremely accurate, 10 year battery life. It keeps time to about 10 seconds a year.

1 June 2011, 05:35 AM	#23
Mockingbird "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: -- Posts: 2,097	Truly an amazing piece.

1 June 2011, 09:30 AM	#24
Frogman4me Banned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,268	Grand seiko watches are amazing, I love the GMT thanks for sharing this review

1 June 2011, 09:55 AM	#25
STEELINOX 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Sink-O! Location: a praire in AZ Watch: ROLEX-less atm... Posts: 14,021	Thanks for a great review, George I really am diggin the "lumed bezel" too And the fonts on the bezel, is what ROLEX used to use, I like that too ! __________________ *Positive Waves Baby* Lug Hole Loyalist / Chamfer Line Inspector INFORTHE WIN SUB-MAH-REEEN-ER ~ !

16 June 2011, 09:44 PM	#26
ohfivepro "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Scotand Watch: Too many :o) Posts: 262	I really love that GS and if I didn't already have a GMT2 with the black insert it would be on my list of watches to try and buy someday. Fortunately there's other GS's I love so I'm sure I'll get one eventually - just not sure whether to go for a Spring Drive, Mechanical or a Hi-Beat. So many great watches but never enough £ to go around

19 July 2011, 03:09 AM	#27
gwalker "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Real Name: Gunter Location: AL/NJ Watch: DSSD; 116610LN Posts: 5,509	Thats a really good looking watch. I have always really like Seiko's since my dad had a Seiko Automatic diver when I was a kid and he let me wear it around the house.

19 July 2011, 05:32 AM	#28
dddrees "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2010 Real Name: Dan Location: USA Watch: This N That Posts: 34,253	Good looking watch, thanks for the info George. __________________ When it captures your imagination, that's when you know you have found your passion. Loyal Foot Soldier of The Nylon Nation. Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

19 July 2011, 10:26 PM	#29
Sarajevo "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: The Netherlands Watch: 16600371701 Posts: 1,271	Beautiful watch and very interesting and impressive technology. I still have a problem with paying such a huge amount of money for a Seiko. I know it is wrong, and I hate myself for it, but I just could not do it.

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