Incoming! SBGE253 GMT

[samson66]

Just picked up this mint condition pre-owned SBGE253 yesterday. Been lusting after this watch for quite a while now. I was torn between the three color options and tried on all three at different times. Finally settled on good old versatile black.

Really enjoying it so far. Wanted a sport travel GMT watch that could dress up just a bit when needed. This one really does the trick. The polished edges of the bracelet and center links along with the perfect use of zaratsu polished vs brushed surfaces on the case by Grand Seiko give this sports watch just enough bling to double as a dressier watch when needed.

Loving the beautiful glossy ceramic bezel and dial. Just looks really sharp against the silver indices, red 24 hr hand, and silver/black day/night scale on the rehaut. The hands are perfectly sized and have that classic GS sharp sword like quality. The diamond cut indices are stunning as well.

This is a fixed bezel. While that can certainly be seen as a negative, one big positive of this design is it allows all the numbers on the bezel to be upright in orientation. No more reading upside down numbers to figure out your home time!

Of course this watch comes with the amazing 72 hour power reserve 9R spring drive movement. A lot of folks knock the PR indicator on the dial but I really like it. It's fun to use and it has become sort of a GS signature design element.

And lastly this watch addresses my two biggest Grand Seiko complaints. Yes indeed folks, it has a four position micro adjust clasp AND adds lume to the hands and cardinal indices.

Very happy with this piece. Now for some pictures!













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[-dustin]

These are on my very short list...just debating between black and blue. Can you throw up a pic of it next to other pieces you've got? I've had a hard time getting a feel for actual size.

[ap1]

Congrats, those are lovely

[samson66]

Originally Posted by -dustin

These are on my very short list...just debating between black and blue. Can you throw up a pic of it next to other pieces you've got? I've had a hard time getting a feel for actual size.

Not sure if this helps or not because I don't really own any watches significantly smaller in size

First pic is with my SBGA001 which also measures about 40.5mm

Second pic is next to my 44.25mm Moonphase

I really like the size. Very close to any other 40mm sports watch you may have tried. I would say it wears very close to its stated 40.5mm diameter, but the thickness gives it a little more wrist presence.

Oh and the blue is terrific looking. Really only only reason I didn't go with blue is because I already have the blue dial moonphase pictured below. Black is the more versatile color and it gives the sharpest contrast between the indices, numbers and 24 hour hand. But the blue is just a stunning color and I guess more interesting look. I like the light blue 24 hr hand on that one a lot. Can't go wrong with either. I would say get whatever fits better with your current collection. Another thing to consider is pre-owned the black runs about $1K cheaper than the blue.





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[fmc000]

It's an EXTREMELY beautiful watch, huge congrats! It may be a one-watch collection for almost everyone.

[Rrpdc]

Congrats, Looks good.

[JayHantz]

Huge congrats! Great acquisition!

[samson66]

Originally Posted by ap1

Congrats, those are lovely

Originally Posted by fmc000

It's an EXTREMELY beautiful watch, huge congrats! It may be a one-watch collection for almost everyone.

Originally Posted by Rrpdc

Congrats, Looks good.

Originally Posted by JayHantz

Huge congrats! Great acquisition!

Thanks guys

Trying to work up the nerve to resize the bracelet myself We'll see...

[Cru Jones]

Big congrats! Great watch. I really like your GS duo.

I'm also with you on the PR indicator. I love it on the dial.

[Reelandy]

Congrats on the pick-up. I’ve got the green version SBGE257 and love it.


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[TimeLord2]

Very nice! It never made sense to me that some of the models did not have lume on the hands and cardinal points but this one definitely hits all the high notes, plus being sporty and elegant. Well played…

[-dustin]

Originally Posted by samson66

Another thing to consider is pre-owned the black runs about $1K cheaper than the blue.

Hadn't realized that. Was too focused on looking at the blue. Good to know. I really, really dig this piece.

[Moondoggy]

Great pick up well done.

[dnslater]

Nice pickup. I have the green. Wears even better in the strap.

[GolfJunkie]

Congrats Mike!! I really like that.

Didn’t know these had micro adjustment on the clasp. Can you share some pics?

[1William]

Congratulations.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

Congrats Mike!! I really like that.

Didn’t know these had micro adjustment on the clasp. Can you share some pics?

Here you go Eric, and thanks for the comments. It's the old style micro adjust but literally takes me about 10 seconds with a toothpick.





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[samson66]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Big congrats! Great watch. I really like your GS duo.

I'm also with you on the PR indicator. I love it on the dial.

Thanks! Yeah it's fun winding that thing up and it's nice to know when you can STOP winding too!

Originally Posted by Reelandy

Congrats on the pick-up. I’ve got the green version SBGE257 and love it.


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I tried on the green version and it's a real stunner. I like that they used a deep forest green for that one. Thanks!

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

Very nice! It never made sense to me that some of the models did not have lume on the hands and cardinal points but this one definitely hits all the high notes, plus being sporty and elegant. Well played…

I can see it on some of the dressier models but on the sports and hybrid sport/dress models I think lume would be appreciated and wouldn't take away from the look. Wish they lumed all the markers but beggars can't be choosers. Thanks for the comments

Originally Posted by -dustin

Hadn't realized that. Was too focused on looking at the blue. Good to know. I really, really dig this piece.

Yeah in some cases over $1,000 less for the black. Check out any of the trusted sellers that are selling both and you'll see what I mean. Personally I'd consider going new if blue or black because the pre-owned discount is not all that great. Black you can get nearly 1/3 off retail.

Originally Posted by Moondoggy

Great pick up well done.

Thank you

Originally Posted by dnslater

Nice pickup. I have the green. Wears even better in the strap.

Again I really dig the green as well. Truly cannot go wrong with any of the three color options. Yours looks great on that strap

Originally Posted by 1William

Congratulations.

Thanks William

[Ichiran]

Looks great! Congrats!!

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Looks great! Congrats!!

Thanks buddy

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[Slimpee]

Nice! Does the movement have an independently-adjustable local hour a la the 9S67 in the SPGM245 and 247?

My initial research says that with the 9R66 the GMT hand is adjustable.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Slimpee

Nice! Does the movement have an independently-adjustable local hour a la the 9S67 in the SPGM245 and 247?

My initial research says that with the 9R66 the GMT hand is adjustable.

Yes it does. You can cycle the hour hard forward or backward without stopping the movement, even across dates.

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[Brny11]

Nearly a perfect watch!

Congrats and enjoy!

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Brny11

Nearly a perfect watch!

Congrats and enjoy!

Thanks Brian

[train-time]

Nice watch Mike. I really like the PR indicator on it and the Spring Drive is the best. I prefer nothing over 42mm so this one is definitely a possibility down the road. Gotta convince my local guy to get this line -- they have pretty much everything else.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by train-time

Nice watch Mike. I really like the PR indicator on it and the Spring Drive is the best. I prefer nothing over 42mm so this one is definitely a possibility down the road. Gotta convince my local guy to get this line -- they have pretty much everything else.

Thanks!

I still love it 3+ weeks later. Honeymoon continues. If you are looking for one of these check the pre-owned market first. You can still find these at a nice discount used, particularly this black dial variant.

[train-time]

Originally Posted by samson66

Thanks! Yeah it's fun winding that thing up and it's nice to know when you can STOP winding too!



I tried on the green version and it's a real stunner. I like that they used a deep forest green for that one. Thanks!



I can see it on some of the dressier models but on the sports and hybrid sport/dress models I think lume would be appreciated and wouldn't take away from the look. Wish they lumed all the markers but beggars can't be choosers. Thanks for the comments



Yeah in some cases over $1,000 less for the black. Check out any of the trusted sellers that are selling both and you'll see what I mean. Personally I'd consider going new if blue or black because the pre-owned discount is not all that great. Black you can get nearly 1/3 off retail.



Thank you



Again I really dig the green as well. Truly cannot go wrong with any of the three color options. Yours looks great on that strap



Thanks William

Mike, I am thinking you meant to say "blue or green" to consider if going new. Am I right?

After a lot of looking and getting accustomed to understanding the popularity of the Spring Drive movement, I am leaning towards the green version. It's so cool and I have many black and blue dial sport watches, but no green.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by train-time

Mike, I am thinking you meant to say "blue or green" to consider if going new. Am I right?



After a lot of looking and getting accustomed to understanding the popularity of the Spring Drive movement, I am leaning towards the green version. It's so cool and I have many black and blue dial sport watches, but no green.

Yes, you are correct. The pre-owned discount on blue or green is not all that substantial. I'd consider buying new for either, especially if you can squeeze any sort of discount out of the AD.

I've tried on the green and it's terrific. It's more of a deep forest green and can almost look black in certain light. You'll love it, I'm sure. Good luck!

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[Reelandy]

Originally Posted by samson66

Yes, you are correct. The pre-owned discount on blue or green is not all that substantial. I'd consider buying new for either, especially if you can squeeze any sort of discount out of the AD.

I've tried on the green and it's terrific. It's more of a deep forest green and can almost look black in certain light. You'll love it, I'm sure. Good luck!

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I can vouch for the green. Definitely on the darker side


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[Greglaw]

Mike that watch is awesome wear in good health!!