BBGMT or GS SBGM247

[Guppydriver]

So...quick recap.. and yes, I know this is forum is biased, but still curious.

First of all, I absolutely love and actually use the GMT complication (especially travellers).

I'm just coming up on two years waiting for a BLNR or BLRO, and I'm thinking it's not happening anytime soon. Just the reality with my modest purchase history, and I'm OK with that.

My orginal (naive) plan was, whilst waiting, I would find an very affordable GMT to hold me off until my call came. I went through a Zodiac and Oris BP, sold them due to a desire to have a jumping hour and eventually settled on a Seiko Presage Sharp Edge LE with a jump hour. I tried, but after 3 months, I'm just not feeling the Seiko.

Which brings me to now. I realize a GMTII isn't likely in my near future, so I think I am just going to go with a nice entry level luxury piece that I can enjoy. The Oreo PO is a bit too thick, and I don't know much about the Ball Roadmaster Pilot GMT, so I had pretty much made the decision to go with the Tudor. I've heard some rumors that the date wheel might not be as remedied as we thought, but I still think it's a wonderful piece I'd be happy with.

Then I saw this latest GS release and I was very intrigued with the green dial and it has some solid pros. Great size at 40.5mm, GS Seiko quality, Standard auto movement (not SD), sold by a great dealer in Toppers, relatively affordable. No date wheel history. True GMT.

The are some cons as well. No rotating Bezel, not a high beat, about a $1500 premium to the BBGMT, doesn't augment my purchase history at my Rolex AD. Not Swiss made (perhaps less brand cachet).

I love both watches, but all of a sudden I find myself not as sure as I was abot the Tudor. How do you think these watches compare and am I crazy for considering the GS when I was all but certain to pick up the Tudor? Opinions welcome.

Here are some pics of the GS:
sbgm247---lifestyle.jpg

Grand-Seiko-Automatic-GMT-SBGM247-3.jpg

[woodsworth]

GS is in a different realm lol.

Go with the GS in this case.

[denmanproject]

That GS is killer

[stark1]

There's nothing entree level about that GS. It's beautiful and should be worthy of consideration above the Tudor. That said, I wouldn't make any decisions before seeing it in person and trying it on. I find many GS's to be must-see in person, as they appear different, in particular the dials.

[cerendigit]

No, if you want a batgirl or a Pepsi, don’t spend money on something else to “help you wait”.


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[PBJ1925]

Between those options GS for sure

[Wcdhtwn]

I’d choose that GS over the Tudor.

[Guppydriver]

Originally Posted by cerendigit

No, if you want a batgirl or a Pepsi, don’t spend money on something else to “help you wait”.


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I appreciate that....I get it...

But if I got "the call", I'd still get the Rolex. This wouldnt preclude me from that at all. I just love watches and prefer something more than nothing and the $1000-$1500 range just wasn't something enough.

[Rollieo]

I have a BB58, the GS SBGE257, and a Batman. So a fan of Tudor, GS, and of course Rolex.

So a few thoughts:

1. The GS is heads above in terms of finishing as compared to the Tudor. It’s not even comparable. For a $1500 premium, it’s well worth it.

2. Sounds like you really like the GMT complication. After having the SBGE257 and the Batman, I personally think a non-rotating bezel is a useless GMT. The jumping hour hand marginally is useful for “quick setting” the time when you travel. But the real ability to easily track other time zones is setting the second time zone to GMT time, and then moving the rotating bezel. When you’re at home, what will you set the 2nd time zone too? Only one other fixed time zone. Then what happens when you travel? You can’t easily change that second time zone and it’s stuck on it, and you can just move the jumping hour hand. In the end, I ended up putting my SBGE257 second time zone as just using it as a 24 hour clock - which is basically how the Explorer II meant to use it to be able to tell the difference between day/night if you’re in a cave.

3. The Tudor GMT is THICK. It’s nearly 15mm. My SBGE257 is 14.7mm thick as well.. but long story with the Zaratsu polishing I’m OK with it.

So depends on what you’re looking for. Unfortunately there really just aren’t comparable options of having the best of all worlds outside of the Rolex GMTs. If you don’t care much for the functionality that comes with the rotating bezel though, I’d definitely go GS over Tudor. If you can swing a bigger watch (though it sounds like you like the 40mm size range), then the SBGJ237 is incredible.

[Doood]

Is the Explorer 2 an option? I was looking at a similar GS, the SBGJ237, but went Exp2 polar. It is now my favorite watch. It does wear larger though. The black wears a little smaller, and the new black model, for better or worse, feels less tool and more dressy.

I bought a BLNR back when they were in the case. It is an awesome watch, and a tad dressier, but the Explorer 2 is such a fun watch to wear. Very masculine and flies under the radar, which is also nice for travel. GMT for UTC is a must for me, and if going by your avatar, probably a must for you.

[Stevec14]

Grand seiko all day and it’s not close - albeit I’d go for the blue one.

It’s a good point above about the lack of rotating bezel, but I’m not sure I’d call it a useless gmt - just less useful than those with rotating bezels. When I had my 16710 I didn’t use the bezel once. Hour hand on local time and gmt hand on home time/ a work time I was tracking was just fine for me - but everyone is different in that respect.

[Heff]

I have the BBGMT, but the GS intrigues me. It’s like a cross between the Sarb017 and Explorer II. I like it.


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[JC316]

As a person who was in your shoes, I'll share my 2 cents. Rolex GMT was unavailable so I narrowed my search down to BBGMT or a GS. I ended up getting the BBGMT as I loved the look and the fact that it was a dive watch, with a GMT complication, and a rotating bezel.

I use the rotating bezel all the time, usually for counting the time, like I would with a dive bezel.

My GMT itch has been scratched but I am planning to add a GS GMT to my collection in the future. Because I already have a GMT with a rotating bezel, I'm not too concerned if the GS offers it as a feature.

If I'm able to purchase a Rolex GMT at retail, then cool! If not, then it's all good too! There are lots of GS GMTs to choose from! I don't think you'll regret it either way! I love my BBGMT but am super excited about adding a GS to my collection.

As many have already previously mentioned, make sure you try it on wrist before you decide! Good luck!

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[Ichiran]

That GS is gorgeous.

[Romi-Omi]

Not sure if it'll scratch your itch for BLNR or BLRO though, but that's definitely a fine looking GS for sure.

[Moony17]

GS gets my vote here. But the Tudor is the safer choice if you’re looking to flip it in the future.

[samson66]

That's a tough one. I really love the look of the GS, especially the blue dial. But I wish they had gone with the spring drive in this new GMT. Nothing at all wrong with the automatic but when I think Grand Seiko I think spring drive.

The other big drawback for the GS is the lack of a rotating bezel. That means you can't track a third time zone and you can't use the bezel as a counter or timer.

For that reason I think the Tudor is still the better choice in terms of functionality. I probably prefer the aesthesis of the GS but I really love the Tudor as a close-to-perfect travel watch. And for the price the Tudor is a bargain!

[Pw92676]

IMHO I’d pass on both and keep saving and waiting patiently. These two just don’t do it. The BB GMT is a lovely watch but I think it looks better on paper than on my wrist. I’d consider an ExpII and VC overseas dual time (both the prior iterations in good condition from secondary market mind you) over these two, and they are a little more obtainable than BLRO or BLNR. And if you still need to scratch the itch, a modded Seiko.

I’d also keep your name on the list for what you want.

[jaySL350]

GS,,,,all day and night long,,

[1William]

Neither. You want a Rolex BLNR or BLRO. So go find the best example of the watch you want at the best price from one of our Trusted Sellers. Negotiate, pay and have the watch by lunch tomorrow. Start the ownership experience and see. Stay on the list at the AD and if and when the watch shows up buy it and sell the other. You may make some money on the one you sell from the Trusted Seller as these watches are not getting any cheaper. I own the BB GMT and think it is a great watch and a strap monster but it is no substitute for my BLNR or BLRO. I have been down the Rabbit hole with GS and appreciate and admire the watches and the quality but am lost in a sea of models and options. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

So...quick recap.. and yes, I know this is forum is biased, but still curious.

First of all, I absolutely love and actually use the GMT complication (especially travellers).

I'm just coming up on two years waiting for a BLNR or BLRO, and I'm thinking it's not happening anytime soon. Just the reality with my modest purchase history, and I'm OK with that.

My orginal (naive) plan was, whilst waiting, I would find an very affordable GMT to hold me off until my call came. I went through a Zodiac and Oris BP, sold them due to a desire to have a jumping hour and eventually settled on a Seiko Presage Sharp Edge LE with a jump hour. I tried, but after 3 months, I'm just not feeling the Seiko.

Which brings me to now. I realize a GMTII isn't likely in my near future, so I think I am just going to go with a nice entry level luxury piece that I can enjoy. The Oreo PO is a bit too thick, and I don't know much about the Ball Roadmaster Pilot GMT, so I had pretty much made the decision to go with the Tudor. I've heard some rumors that the date wheel might not be as remedied as we thought, but I still think it's a wonderful piece I'd be happy with.

Then I saw this latest GS release and I was very intrigued with the green dial and it has some solid pros. Great size at 40.5mm, GS Seiko quality, Standard auto movement (not SD), sold by a great dealer in Toppers, relatively affordable. No date wheel history. True GMT.

The are some cons as well. No rotating Bezel, not a high beat, about a $1500 premium to the BBGMT, doesn't augment my purchase history at my Rolex AD. Not Swiss made (perhaps less brand cachet).

I love both watches, but all of a sudden I find myself not as sure as I was abot the Tudor. How do you think these watches compare and am I crazy for considering the GS when I was all but certain to pick up the Tudor? Opinions welcome.

Here are some pics of the GS:
Attachment 1254091

Attachment 1254092

OP FYI…
https://www.takuyawatches.com/produc...2021-full-set/

[watchwatcher]

I really like the aesthetics of the GS, the shade of green and the steel bezel. Wasn't even aware such a combination existed. If it had when I was picking up my BBGMT, it might have been a different story.

Anyway, to the question posed by the OP. I think the Tudor will put you closer to the look and feel of the 5 digit version of the Rolex GMT, if that means anything. Looks to me like the GS would compete more in the EXP2 range?

A final thought. If you're spending money on something that's going to serve as filler until you get what you want, it only works if you're actually open to owning, appreciating, and wearing another brand besides Rolex. If you're going to be looking at your wrist the whole time and thinking, "man, I wish it was a Rolex," then...you're throwing your money away. Just my two cents.

[peterp]

I don`t know how in US but in Europe GS service is not good. Would never buy GS because of this.

[Driver8]

No one else bothered by the HIDEOUSLY asymmetric, unbalancing and all-round nasty 4:30 date position on that GS then? Just me I guess!

Lose the date altogether, or put it at 3 or 6, and it'd be a very beautiful piece (and obviously GS's quality is fantastic). As it stands though, the 4:30 date (which doesn't even have a tricompax chrono layout to excuse it) is like drawing a moustache on the Mona Lisa IMO.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Driver8

No one else bothered by the HIDEOUSLY asymmetric, unbalancing and all-round nasty 4:30 date position on that GS then? Just me I guess!

Lose the date altogether, or put it at 3 or 6, and it'd a very beautiful piece (and obviously GS's quality is fantastic). As it stands though, the 4:30 date (which doesn't even have a tricompax chrono layout to excuse it) is like drawing a moustache on the Mona Lisa IMO.

LOL at first it bothered me too but after wearing a watch with this configuration for a little while you forget about it pretty quick. The crown location is sort of a plus too. The big advantage for this watch is that it allows for 6, 9, 12 AND 3 to be lumed.

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[Driver8]

Originally Posted by samson66

LOL at first it bothered me too but after wearing a watch with this configuration for a little while you forget about it pretty quick. The crown location is sort of a plus too. The big advantage for this watch is that it allows for 6, 9, 12 AND 3 to be lumed.

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Yes, 4:30 dates are just a pet hate of mine. I’ve railed against them for years on the forum I moderate! I don’t even like them on tricompax chronos, which is kind of limiting TBH!

Funny thing is I don’t mind 4:30 crowns - weird huh?

[Jerrocop]

Like them both, personally, I'd go with the BBGMT primarily because of the rotating bezel and vintage look. Don't think you'll be disappointed either way.

[stockae92]

GS, not even close.

[Little machines]

GS all day !!!

[RampageWatch]

Am considering the bb gmt, but tried this on as an option. Quite nice detail and high finish quality for sure!



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