Talk me out of...or in to...an SBGW297/299

[puma1552]

I'm in love with this watch. It feels so nice on the wrist and it's gorgeous. Initial discount offered is 10% off, but I haven't countered yet. Would need to see a larger discount. MSRP is $5600.

ONLY thing giving me pause, is wondering if this is the year the bracelets get completely redone and unveiled at W&W in April. I have no evidence to suggest that IF the bracelets are getting redone, they will even be unveiled at W&W. GS tends to release stuff whenever - these watches were released in November 2023, for example.

I think the bracelet is really nice looking on this watch. I like the design, and it's 18mm all the way through with no taper. Having gone to look at the watch a second time, the lack of taper is completely fine since it's only 18mm...it's basically a design decision that splits the difference of Rolexes 20mm --> 16mm taper design decision. I like both.

I wear my watches slightly loose and my wrist doesn't swell much. My current old watch this is replacing is also not only 18mm all the way through, but it has no microadjust and it's never been a problem. I've never extended my easy link on my Rolexes. I am pretty sure I can find a good fit on the bracelet on this GS given the two 2/3 links they include, but I'm also guessing I'll need to use at least one of those 2/3 link to do so, which isn't as clean looking as just using full links.

Where the reservations come from: It's not so much the lack of microadjust, but I keep seeing reports of bad end link fitment due to weak/bent spring bars (and just not great end link fitment in general), and I've seen some reports of the end link at the clasp getting a strange kink in it. Naito is also on record from quite a while ago now saying microadjust is coming, so is W&W 2025 the time to finally introduce it? The microadjust probably doesn't bother me, but it really seems like we might be on the verge of a step change in bracelet quality that may fix the other issues as well. But if there is microadjust, then we can probably also get a good fit without resorting to the less clean looking 2/3 links...

I'm ready to pull the trigger and counter offer the AD, but looking for thoughts on this. Obvious answer is to wait until April and see what if anything happens, but I don't know - there's always a chance they introduce an ugly bracelet too. Kinda wanting to pull the trigger, assuming I can get a good fit.

What complicates this is I'll be in Japan in February, where this watch goes for about $4200 out the door brand new. I don't expect the AD here to match that price, but if they can close the gap considerably from the $5500ish out the door they are currently offering, then I'm tempted to just pick it up here so I don't have to spend part of my trip watch shopping. February obviously also comes before April/W&W, though I'll likely be back in Japan in September.

Thoughts? Would you pull the trigger or hold off?

[rolehex]

Well if it was me...I would actually buy the watch in Japan. Would make the trip much more special IMO. Are you thinking about going on the GS tour?

[Trailboss516]

Buy it in Japan so you can experience the whole customer service song and dance :)

[pandrew6l]

Buy in Japan, experience the song and dance by the SA, and spend the $1,200 difference on a night out in Ginza!

[puma1552]

Definitely enjoy the Japanese customer service experience, it's second to none having lived there and returned many times over the years (wife is Japanese). I won't have time to go on the tour as I'm not really going to Japan as a normal tourist per se - I'm there to visit my wife and son who have been living there shortish long term so as soon as I land in Haneda I'm heading west to Kobe. Not to say I won't have a day or two to myself to venture out to Kobe/Osaka and make a purchase...

So what I'm hearing is I should buy it...?

[ink3027]

My wife surprised me with a cousin of these watches, the SBGW311 and I absolutely love it. The size is wonderful, it's very comfortable, and I wear it almost daily because of that. Highly, highly recommended if you're on the fence.

The photo below is not mine but is taken from a Time and Tide Watches article.

[Bazil]

I’m only going repeat what everyone else is saying, buying it in Japan will be a special moment, I love Japan and hold fond memories, their culture is incredible ..
I also love GS, GMT is on my little list …
Good luck whatever you decide …

[IS2000]

I saw a few of these watches “brand new” selling in Tokyo dealers last week. Housekihiroba in Shibuya got the 299 for around JPY540K tax free price.

[Fleetlord]

Buy it the cheapest way you can. No reason to pay USA retail for any GS

[puma1552]

Yeah, WoS wouldn't budge from 10% off, so that killed that.

I'll either pick one up in Japan in early February, OR I'll wait and see what happens with GS at Watches and Wonders and pick one up in September in Japan, when I will be going again.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by puma1552

Yeah, WoS wouldn't budge from 10% off, so that killed that.

I'll either pick one up in Japan in early February, OR I'll wait and see what happens with GS at Watches and Wonders and pick one up in September in Japan, when I will be going again.

Apparently GS ADs are not supposed to discount - but nice to hear WOS offered one.

Though you will save on VAT buying in Japan, you can get clipped for duty heading home…which will cut into a at discount.

[Zarina99]

Originally Posted by puma1552

Yeah, WoS wouldn't budge from 10% off, so that killed that.

I'll either pick one up in Japan in early February, OR I'll wait and see what happens with GS at Watches and Wonders and pick one up in September in Japan, when I will be going again.

ok, sir, and thank you for sharing very good information I love this........Thnks for Lot.

[Zarina99]

hi

[Zarina99]

Originally Posted by Speed

Apparently GS ADs are not supposed to discount - but nice to hear WOS offered one.

Though you will save on VAT buying in Japan, you can get clipped for duty heading home…which will cut into a at discount.

hyhyhyh

[Zarina99]

Originally Posted by Speed

Apparently GS ADs are not supposed to discount - but nice to hear WOS offered one.

Though you will save on VAT buying in Japan, you can get clipped for duty heading home…which will cut into a at discount.

yuyuy

[Zarina99]

Originally Posted by puma1552

Yeah, WoS wouldn't budge from 10% off, so that killed that.

I'll either pick one up in Japan in early February, OR I'll wait and see what happens with GS at Watches and Wonders and pick one up in September in Japan, when I will be going again.

uyuyuyuyuy

[Zarina99]

Originally Posted by puma1552

Yeah, WoS wouldn't budge from 10% off, so that killed that.

I'll either pick one up in Japan in early February, OR I'll wait and see what happens with GS at Watches and Wonders and pick one up in September in Japan, when I will be going again.

ihthth

[Zarina99]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Buy it the cheapest way you can. No reason to pay USA retail for any GS

hhgghghg

[brandrea]

If you buy in Japan, don’t forget to factor in and applicable takes and duties.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by puma1552

Yeah, WoS wouldn't budge from 10% off, so that killed that.

I'll either pick one up in Japan in early February, OR I'll wait and see what happens with GS at Watches and Wonders and pick one up in September in Japan, when I will be going again.

10% off is already pretty good, IMHO. If I truly wanted the watch, a difference of a couple hundred wouldn't stop me when talking amounts of around 5K. If that couple of hundred were to make a difference, then I would tell myself I didn't really want the watch.