"New to me" Spring Drive Incoming!

[samson66]

I've been interested in the spring drive technology since I first heard about it here on this board. I'm fascinated how Seiko/Grand Seiko was able to combine the old school mechanical watch technology with modern quarts precision. After countless YouTube videos and many articles read I determined I MUST have a spring drive in my collection.

After searching through all the amazing watches with incredible dials, the sports model, GMT's, chronos, 4 seasons heritage models the one I kept coming back to was the one that stated it all, the SBGA001/SBGA201.

I didn't have any silver or gold dialed watches. 41mm is my sweet spot for diameter. I already had a GMT and a chrono and probably a few more sports watches than I really need. After looking through all the heritage models it was that sometimes champagne / sometimes silver dial and simple three hands that really did it for me.

So after looking all over for pre-owned models I decided the SBGA001 was the one I wanted. Not only does it have everything I want, it was the very first GS spring drive movement for sale to the public (correct me if I'm wrong). Additionally I was able to source one at what I feel was a very good price from WatchBox. In fact it was Tim's as always great video of this exact watch that really had me hooked.

I present my new to me Grand Seiko SBGA001. When I called I found out this had gone through a complete service at Grand Seiko Japan just two months ago. This thing looks immaculate. If someone told me this was brand new never worn I'd believe them. Looks amazing. On to some photos and a link to Tim's video

Now I just have to suffer through the weekend because I can't get over to my AD to size it until Monday

[chel]

Congrats.

[sensui]

Beautiful watch.

[Old Expat Beast]

Looks great!

[1William]

Congratulations. I like it a lot.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by chel

Congrats.

Originally Posted by sensui

Beautiful watch.

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Looks great!

Originally Posted by 1William

Congratulations. I like it a lot.

Thanks guys

I'm impressed with it so far. Just wish I could size it myself. Watched a couple videos and man those are some tiny screws. I think I'll let the experts handle it on Monday over at the GS AD.

[Cru Jones]

Congrats, nice score. Enjoy!

[stateman]

Congrats on the new GS - they're mesmerizing...find myself staring at the dial and indices more so than other watches. Enjoy!

[alllexandru]

Congrats! Beautiful dial.

[Ichiran]

Lovely incoming. Congratulations!

[fskywalker]

Congrats!


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[Pattymac]

Very nice!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by samson66

Thanks guys

I'm impressed with it so far. Just wish I could size it myself. Watched a couple videos and man those are some tiny screws. I think I'll let the experts handle it on Monday over at the GS AD.

Assuming your band is similar as on my SBGT235, the screws aren't as fiddly as they look, they're just really short. I've sized mine a few times (lost a lot of weight in the last three years) and it's pretty easy, especially as the screws are slightly recessed in the hole, so easier to get a purchase than on a Rolex. I use the same screwdriver as I do for Rolex, too. Just be sure to do it on a towel, cloth, or some other surface where the screw won't go far if you drop it.

[brandrea]

That’s really beautiful Mike. Congratulations, enjoy it

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Congrats, nice score. Enjoy!

Originally Posted by stateman

Congrats on the new GS - they're mesmerizing...find myself staring at the dial and indices more so than other watches. Enjoy!

Originally Posted by alllexandru

Congrats! Beautiful dial.

Originally Posted by Ichiran

Lovely incoming. Congratulations!

Originally Posted by fskywalker

Congrats!


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Originally Posted by Pattymac

Very nice!

Originally Posted by brandrea

That’s really beautiful Mike. Congratulations, enjoy it

Thanks for the comments and compliments guys

I keep finding myself gazing for extended periods of time at that dial. Not sure anybody does a better dial than GS. The sunburst champagne dial is so much more intricate and involved than you can see in photos. You can really tell the time and effort they put into these. The hands, indices, dial all look flawless. The diamond cut hands/indices really sparkle. Sort of glad they didn't lume this dial because it might take away from that look. The size and thickness are perfect for a hybrid dress watch. So glad they included a display case back so I can see that incredible movement doing its thing.

I would say the bracelet is sort of meh. It looks really good and the brushing on the links looks terrific, but it feels a little flimsy, particularly the clasp. Wish they had included micro adjustments, but at least they included two half links. As long as I get a good fit when they size it I can live without micro adjustments, but its hard to believe these days every premium watch doesn't have it.

At this price point at just over $3K pre-owned this is an amazing watch. Very impressed so far with this piece

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Assuming your band is similar as on my SBGT235, the screws aren't as fiddly as they look, they're just really short. I've sized mine a few times (lost a lot of weight in the last three years) and it's pretty easy, especially as the screws are slightly recessed in the hole, so easier to get a purchase than on a Rolex. I use the same screwdriver as I do for Rolex, too. Just be sure to do it on a towel, cloth, or some other surface where the screw won't go far if you drop it.

That's good to hear. If I wasn't off work Monday and didn't have a GS AD nearby I'd probably get up the courage to give it a try. In the video I watched that screw looked like a flea in the guy's hand LOL.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by samson66

Thanks for the comments and compliments guys

I keep finding myself gazing for extended periods of time at that dial. Not sure anybody does a better dial than GS. The sunburst champagne dial is so much more intricate and involved than you can see in photos. You can really tell the time and effort they put into these. The hands, indices, dial all look flawless. The diamond cut hands/indices really sparkle. Sort of glad they didn't lume this dial because it might take away from that look. The size and thickness are perfect for a hybrid dress watch. So glad they included a display case back so I can see that incredible movement doing its thing.

I would say the bracelet is sort of meh. It looks really good and the brushing on the links looks terrific, but it feels a little flimsy, particularly the clasp. Wish they had included micro adjustments, but at least they included two half links. As long as I get a good fit when they size it I can live without micro adjustments, but its hard to believe these days every premium watch doesn't have it.

At this price point at just over $3K pre-owned this is an amazing watch. Very impressed so far with this piece

The hands and indices are what really stand out to me Mike.

I had a chance to visit a GS boutique a while back and couldn’t get over their attention to detail.

Enjoy that beauty in good health

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by samson66

That's good to hear. If I wasn't off work Monday and didn't have a GS AD nearby I'd probably get up the courage to give it a try. In the video I watched that screw looked like a flea in the guy's hand LOL.

You might also find this useful, if not now then later if you need to resize again: https://www.plus9time.com/blog/2021/...eiko-bracelets

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

You might also find this useful, if not now then later if you need to resize again: https://www.plus9time.com/blog/2021/...eiko-bracelets

That is useful, thanks for posting

[214270Explorer]

My Spring Drive blows me away with its quality and technology.
Everyone should have at least one GS SD.

One has to be VERY careful with those tiny little collars inside the bracelet.

[cop414]

Congratulations, great looking watch. The spring drive has always intrigued me.

[JakeK]

Congrats. I really like the subtleness of that champagne dial. Really looks great.

[Rebel]

Stunning.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by 214270Explorer

My Spring Drive blows me away with its quality and technology.
Everyone should have at least one GS SD.

One has to be VERY careful with those tiny little collars inside the bracelet.

Originally Posted by cop414

Congratulations, great looking watch. The spring drive has always intrigued me.

Originally Posted by JakeK

Congrats. I really like the subtleness of that champagne dial. Really looks great.

Originally Posted by Rebel

Stunning.

Thanks

I'm really enjoying it so far. Nice to have the simplicity of a three hander but one that is done so well. The dial is a stunner but I'm equally impressed with the hands and markers. They just sparkle and look so precise. It's the only non-lumed watch I own and I sort of like that. It's good to see the beauty of those hands and indices without super-luminova coated all over them. And of course the sweep of that second hand is hypnotic

[Urosfan]

Congrats


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[RoscoPico]

Originally Posted by samson66

I've been interested in the spring drive technology since I first heard about it here on this board.

congrats on an absolutely beautiful piece, and welcome to the club !

[swish77]

Man, GS champagne dials are gorgeous! Congrats!

[Everbillz]

Love the outlook. Congratulations congratulations

[shaunylw]

Such a sweet watch, congrats!


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[orangeguy]

Really nice! I just got my first Grand Seiko as well. I’ve only had it two days, but I’m really liking it so far.


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