I have had this same problem that you demonstrate in your video with two of my watches and I finally figured out how to resolve it. It is extremely important that the buckle is centered exactly on the flat of the underside of the wrist. If not, the watch will not stay in ideal position and will move around as you wear it as the buckle seeks centering trough your movements. This is especially prevalent with taller and heavier watches. The solution is to make the 6 o'clock side shorter than the 12 o'clock side until the buckle sits absolutely flat on the underside of the wrist. Assuming that the fit of the bracelet is correct, swap links, one at a time, from the shorter 6 o'clock side to the longer 12 o'clock side. As you swap links, use the micro adjustment of the buckle to make sure you have an exact fit and then try to see if the problem is resolved while wearing the watch for awhile as you go through normal movements. This process will be different for all watches and depends on the length of the buckle and links. Once you achieve the proper ratio between the short and long sides, the watch will not move around and it will stay in your ideal position.
Thanks for the comment maybe this will work for some people reading this. I didn’t cover it in the upload but I moved links around and even tried it on different straps. I have reviewed hundreds of watches in the channel and only two have wore so poorly as this one did for me.
hahaha i did same for my seiko to find correct position exactly like you suggested else. watch is not sitting balanced in your wrist and that mentioned problem occured
You make a good point. I’ve got a cheaper 880 dollar brand new limited edition Bruce Lee seiko with black leather strap. Either it was too tight or slightly loose. When slightly loose it wouldn’t centre on my hand and tight felt like strangulation. But I put up with tight and after a few months it’s now centred on my hand near perfectly. I’ve viewed a lot of the Grand Seiko and I’m not exactly enamoured. But I still love my Hamilton Khaki Army watch immensely. Not always is an expensive one better if ya get my drift. As long as a watch keeps good enough time and it’s appealing to me, that’s all I care about. And I love the immense choices and varieties of Hamilton. Cheers NZ.
At the end of the day it’s a very personal thing. In my opinion you should always try on a watch before buying. As for people saying seiko or grand seiko is just seiko …. Not really sure they know what they are talking about. A lot of people seem to have opinions but not very well informed ones. Too much watch snobbery on Swiss brands I feel…Most Swiss brands are great but Grand Seiko is in my opinion GREAT too.
I have a SBGJ255G in titanium. 44GS case. Extremely comfortable! I was super precious about scratches at first, but then I read a story about a man who wore his Rolex every single day for about 50 years. He loved the watch and wore it! That’s what a nice watch is for!
And that Rolex man can get that Rolex serviced for 300 bucks and sell it for at least what he paid for it if not more, totally the opposite of a grand seiko.
Haha. You're probably right, but I'll never sell this watch because it has sentimental value, is pretty rare, and feels like a piece of art on my wrist.@@sergiogarcia9822
I was the same way when I first got my Speedmaster. I brushed every little scuff that I got. Now 4 years later I've worn it every day and it's been beaten up. You gotta just wear them like they're meant to be worn and not care.
I would never buy a watch with the expectation of a great return value. For me, it would just feel like I bought it as an investment not because I liked it and wanted it. Great watch though, I love Grand Seiko.
The first moral of this sad story is always try on a watch, especially if you've never really worn one before and the second lesson is that sometimes man maths can be painful. Let's hope the next GS is more to your liking. Fingers crossed.
I've got this watch for my boys 1st birthday to pass on to him on his 18th birthday. It is Top heavy on the bracelet but i found the solution in swapping out the bracelet for a rubber strap and it fits like a glove now. Its a fantastic watch!
You bought this watch for yourself. Do you really think your son will want the watch after you have worn it for 17 years ? Maybe when he reaches 18 buy him a watch that he wants, not your cruddy cast off.
I sold a troublesome Batman and bought one of these with the profit. It fits me like a glove, it's accurate and flies under the radar a bit. Best of all, its not a Rolex!
If you think five and $6,000 is too much for a spring drive, then you simply do not understand and appreciate what it is. The new 9RA2 is beyond amazing as well!!!
My grand seiko fits perfectly and it’s really comfortable. Have not got a clue what the dude is on about . The polishing still looks fantastic after a year of use .
I’ve got many Seikos. Their movements are workhorses and usually are way more accurate than their specs. I have vintage 6309s and 7626 divers that run less than 5 seconds per day with a beat error close to 0.0. I had to regulate them, but the potential definitely there.
my Grand Seiko is 2 years old now.. and while i dont use it hard or heavily, its got nothing near that level of scratching, but i agree. i think you need to baby it to keep it pristine. but its hard to notice the tiny scratches it does have in normal use. the shine overshadows them
Love Zeiratsu polishing but dread scratches until i looked into tegimented Sinn's. They aren't totally scratch proof but very scratch resistant, even in black and with their bracelets. Accuracy = a spring drive, and resale strong.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I have a Grand Seiko SGBW231 (paid full retail at $4300) and I know I would lose at least $1k if I sell. I have had it for years now, still love it and so if I did sell, I look at that loss as the cost of enjoying it for years. It sucks when you know immediately it wasn't the right watch for you. But your willingness to share helps us all!
Not really a rant, just a good tale of sensible advice. My issue is I have an 8 inch wrist ! Many watches I'd like are just too small for me. A 40mm is as small as I go if that's nearly all dial but a bezel kills it. Just about get away with my Longines Big Eye. My sweet spot is probably 42 or 43mm. Always try a watch on if you can you may be surprised what you can and can't wear. Have been thinking about a GS myself. Good warning about that high polish issue, it does scream Scratch Magnet!
The GMT 9F SBGN003 is a truly cracking watch. Perfect for the smaller wrist, beats the claimed accuracy of 10 seconds per year and flies under the radar when you don’t want to draw attention on your wrist gear.
I have a GS Black Diver - titanium strap and case and the strap (because it's titanium) is too light for the watch - it feels insubstantial and the watch does tend to slide to one side. My solution is to wear it on a silicon strap - better for a "wet" watch anyway and more comfortable on the wrist. It also preserves the titanium bracelet in pristine condition for if I ever want to sell the watch - which I don't plan to do but "just in case". Spring Drive is superb btw.
sorry to hear that. I think this has also happened to a good portion of us here. It is part of the journey and we learn. And yes, the watch market has slowed down significantly and you are right to say that postings hardly get a sniff in nowadays. The market really was red hot from the tail end of COVID, rose further through 2021 and peaked at 2022. Theres a sharp drop this year.
Great video, bravo. In East Asia (Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea), new GS is retailed at about 70% to 75% of list price, depending on the model. A mint, used one, at about 60% to 65% list is about right. You didn't overpay for your GS, at US$4,000. But when you re-sold shortly after initial acquisition, you should expect to get 55% to 60% of list price (minus dealer margin if you go for a trade-in), for a near-mint item. You did alright re-selling it at US$3,500, excludign tax and platform fees.
I have been collecting watches for a long time and aside from a couple of crazy years just passed when new watches all seem to have vanished and used ones selling for unreal prices, preowned watches took big hit on resale. Even Rolex models today with only a handful of exceptions lose substantial money on resale especially when you consider the sales tax you paid and the 13% commission eBay takes.
Well obviously, it's a current model so try it on before you buy. Not every watch is for every wrist. As for value retention, buy a rolex or pp a brand with cachet if that's important to you. At least do your homework first. In any case, a marque that doesn't hold value doesn't matter so much if you plan to buy another pre owned watch from the same marque. OP is clearly a knowledgeable guy, but I think his gripes here are unfounded ded.
Hi Duncan, I have a Rolex in the collection, I was planning on keeping this watch not selling it. I lost money because I wanted to sell it quick. It’s easier said than done trying on a Grand Seiko. I made an assumption that a GS would wear as well as a seiko. I have reviewed hundreds of watches on the channel, only 2 have ever felt so poorly designed as this case was. So the odds that it wouldn’t fit me well were likely 1 in 100. So I honestly thought it would fit. I don’t think thats unfounded would you say?
Also the zaratsu finishing isnt polishing its a case finishing technique that gives zero distortion, which leads to being able to polish it to a mirror finish, look at other cheaper brands and as much as you polish it the image will still be distorted, minor scratches will polish out with a jewellers polishing cloth,
1st video I've seen from your channel. I like the production style. I have a similar model Grand Seiko (just different colorway) and love it. Fits me great on the original bracelet or on a fabric strap (how I normally wear it). It's one of my favorite watches. I suppose it comes down to how it fits you, which is a very personal thing. Sorry you did so poorly on the trade. I keep my watches so don't really get concerned with trade values.
Hey Patrick, thanks for watching. It was a great watch and in a little jealous of the people who have commented that it fit them well! Welcome to the channel and thanks for watching!
I am wearing this exact watch as I watch this. It's one of my favorites, and I bought it new in Japan tax-free with the $ strong against the yen. Best bargain in a long time. I bought mine at Yodobashi Camera in Kyoto on sale at original yen price -10%.
Ouch, hard lesson for sure. It seems far more difficult to sell watches these days. Last year in Chrono24 I was able to sell quite easily. These days, selling the same caliber of watch, as you say, doesn’t get a sniff. Lots looking, but just low ballers. Anyway, best of luck on your new GS! Great vid 😎👍🏼
I have had success selling on Chrono24 but you have to be realistic. As a private seller you need to be at least 1k less than lowest price from a dealer. It hurts but that’s the reality. Take your loss and move on. I tried on these GS GMTs at an AD, didn’t like any of them, seem a bit fussy design language in person.
The economy is on a downward trend. Inflation is hitting people hard. The people who bought watches prior to the pandemic are probably all trying to sell their watches now because they need the money. China especially is hit hard by poor economy
Why don't they put lume on their hands. Have you bern in a situation where you actually needed to know the time in pitch black? GS watches are a piece of art snd it myst be seen in the light.
The eBay authentication program is a great initiative for the prospective buyer, but its clear the seller is paying for the service through inflated selling fees. Sadly, outside of the holy trinity and Rolex, its inevitable most popular brands will depreciate markedly on the secondary market, irrespective of the condition and value for money being offered. This is especially true with the economy as it and the watch market down. Great video which will hopefully earn you a few quid to offset against your unfortunate loss.
Thanks for the review! I miss having Lume on my GS. But at the same time the rainbow reflection coming off those insanely polished hands would be diminished with lume, so I get it. In low light it’s highly visible, but in very low light or no light it is not visible at all.
Very interesting video to me indeed because I am looking to buy a Gran Seiko for my 50th birthday (I use that as an excuse). I am thinking an entry level 39mm sub 5k I tried one on last year it fits good. But some concerns I had like scratched up zaratsu, servicing, and maybe reselling if I actually don't like it. Also considering 9f quartz watches also. I'm interested to see what you think of the quartz Grand Seiko.
Ouch, wow and thank you. GS and spring drive are a grail for me so really helpful to have that insight before I trip over esp. as they are a little out of reach for me just now (which may have helped me from tripping over w/o seeing this). Like you I have a vintage GS (6246) which I love but I have been hankering after a new one so really helpful to hopefully learn from your experience. Here’s hoping the one you have in the pipeline lives up to your expectations.
I have a small wrist 6.75...mine fits great/comfortably...was the clasp centered on the underside properly? I have no slippage what so ever....I'll never part with it....scratch free....mirror polish still today.
Same size wrist here., 17.0 cm or 6.75"... SBGE255 (blue dial). I kind of had the same problem until I re-sized and centered it. It took me a couple weeks of messing with the links and micro adjust to get it just right, but I love it now. I don't buy watches as investments, but it sure is disheartening to hear about the loss in value after just a couple weeks.
Spring drive. Great technology. Seiko and Grand Seiko amazing company, excellent finishing etc. Good at everything. But... the GS watches are so boring lmao. I have to say I think you probably picked the most interesting one. And this is coming from someone who loves (and owns) regular Seikos.
I bought an SBGW269 last Decemeber. It has stunning faceted indices. They shimmer like diamonds, absolutely stunning. That is a massive part of their design language and aesthetic. I have plenty of watches with lume, which has never been anything close to reliable for me. My completely un-lumed Grand Seiko is very easy to read in the most faint light where any other watch with typical lume, is as likely to be unreadable. Just the light off a distant tv screen in an otherwise dark room - no problem. No, you cant read it in absolute darkness, but its extremely rare i can do that with lumed watches. My Ball Nightbreaker with tritium tubes is the champion in pitch dark, but it's almost never on my wrist. I would argue that their aesthetic, which isn't for everyone, it's at its best with zero lume. Their manual wind offerings be it mechanical or spring drive are the ticket in terms of proportion.
This is how I feel when I look at the dimensions of a lot of Grand Seikos. They're stunning, but they're too bulky. I have the SBGN005, the predecessor the SBGN029, and I adore it. It's light and small enough that I can easily forget it's on my wrist. And it's best grab and go watch I own as it never loses or gains significant time. Hope you really enjoy it!
All of those big watch resellers lowball like crazy. I inquired about selling my SBGA407 which is in excellent shape and retails for $5,800, their offer was also $2,500. That seems to be the generic response for them. I said no and I’m glad I did as I love the watch and wear it quite often. I let go of a different piece and got a great price on Chrono24. Actually double what my AD offered to buy it back for. Hope the quartz works out for you!!
Great video. I was looking at GS for ages - I tried a 37mm on at the watch store and it really wore incredibly well - went to chrono24 and bought a 37mm immediately and haven’t taken it off! I originally wanted a 39mm gmt quartz - which itself was amazing. I do understand issues with bigger watches being oddly weighted sometimes, though I think big watches are getting an unfair bad rep right now.
Interesting comments about Seiko movements. One area I never seem to hear criticisms about mid range Seiko’s is being in regards to their movements being bad. On the contrary they always seem deemed as solid workhouses. Why are they less robust then a Sellita? Do they have inferior parts? Construction? I know they are lower beat movements and are generally less accurate than their ETA counterpart. But the reliability data of the 4R over the past 10 years seems pretty solid. Why are they more prone to magnetize? I tried looking up comparisons online and while there seems to be pros and cons with each movement none seemed to be observed as particularly bad in any way and all seem very reliable long term. 🤷♂
I have made a few uploads on this. Its the timing in my opinion. Their positional accuracy is all over the place. You will hear countless people say 'mine performs to COSC standards'... what I say to those people is... turn the watch on its side. Seiko care less about the timing accuracy of their watches than I think just about any other major brand. Thats why they give crazy tolerance of +20/-15 or whatever.
@@CasualWatchReviews Oh that is definitely interesting! I just stumbled on your channel the other day so I will go find those videos and check them out. Thanks!
It’s really cool you have been honest and admitted your mistakes. People are very quick to judge in general and as humans we all make mistakes. I’ve lost lots of money on lower value watches I’ve brought and ended up hating. It’s easily done. Guess each time we just try and learn and attempt to not do it again lol. I’m a new subscriber enjoying the content.
Thank you for sharing your views. I've always heard people saying GS is not the most comfortable watch, but I have yet to see a good explanation. Today I finally know the reason.
Super useful review. Your shots of the polishing and scratches validated my concerns. I am looking for the very same quartz GMT. Now I know what I should be paying for it used. Thanks again
Great video. It seems to be a common curse with expensive watches that they have low resale value. Could you do a video that discusses all the reputable places you can buy a second hand watch?
Hi, thanks for watching. We cover the preowned market a lot on the channel. Here is one we specifically did on buying vintage Vintage Watches, What, Where, When & How th-cam.com/users/liveprB9CIuuT0w?feature=share
Great points. I went through the same journey looking for a spring drive and noticed how bad the weight balance was. In the end, went with the GMT grand seiko quartz and it was perfect
Thank you for honest feeling and cost about owning a spring drive. I have a chance to buy a new SNR051 at good discount but I guess I can hold out for an even better deal on secondary.
I'm a GS fan and have several. I got my first one lightly used from the AD through a partial trade (two Seamaster 120's and four basic Seiko's) and that taught me they can be a great deal on the secondary market so don't pay retail. For future reference, there's an AD in the suburbs of SF that likely would've done a straight swap (except sales tax) for the one you were after and usually has a great selection of lightly used GS.
I bought a Grand Seiko watch that I didn't try on and regretted it and then proceeded to buy another Grand Seiko watch that I didn't try on. Great to learn from You Tube watch experts!
Very informative and useful review. I think wear is so subjective as everyone's wrist is different. Some pieces feel heavy to some people and not others. Appreciate the honesty and the educational video Sam. Great job!!
Thank you, what a brutally honest review of your journey as a buyer. We have all made mistakes buying watches or cars, thank you for you honest reflections. Thank you for sharing your watch buying journey. 👍
How it wears is one of the most important things (IMO), especially something that is meant to be worn as essentially a "tool watch". That is a tough lesson to learn. But nice that you aired your mistakes and hopefully someone will learn to try them on even before purchase. I appreciate your channel, subscribed!
Excellent video and thank you very much for being honest about it without coming across as whining about your own poor decisions, you owned up to it and told the story and it happens to a lot of us
Yep! I messed up for sure, lesson learned! Thanks for watching! I’m amazed at how this story has gone viral (almost) for the channel. A negative experience turned into a positive.
So true, I visited the boutique in Paris and tried the different cases they had. The only ones that fit comfortably was the 44gs and the thinner quartz and manual wind options. I would never had the chance to try them all out before buying at home. Definitely, try them out before you buy !😊
I did the same thing and the watch I bought in the boutique was completely different to one that I thought I wanted from looking online and in catalogues.
I'm not 100% in the same boat as you when it comes to Seiko movements compared to Sellita movements. I have a Seiko SARB033, it's over 6 years old at this point, never serviced, it works as it did in the first day. Flawless and within spec. I recently, 3 months ago, purchased a Sellita powered Swiss watch by a very popular brand and it stopped working after 3 months. 3 months! I'm currently in the warranty process, hopefully it will work fine, but essentially my $300 Seiko works a lot better than my over $1k Swiss watch.
I have had maybe 4 seikos where something has gone wrong with the moment. Bizarrely I think the NH35a is better. I have uploads on the channel covering issues I had with a PADI 62Mas style. I also find their accuracy is all over the place even if they do mechanically work well. It’s my obviously limited and unscientific experience! Thanks for watching!
GS always looked beautiful in photos, in person they always felt and looked meh to me. Several times I have gone with the intent of purchasing, seeing it in person, changed my mind. Just too many great brands in the price range for me, some costing less that impressed me more.
You've said in this video a few times that you wanted to get the quartz version of a grand Seiko. You can't get away from the fact that a spring drive at its heart is a quartz. Seiko spring drives are very expensive quartz watches. I liked your video though. 👍👍👍👍
This is interesting, not to defend Grand Seiko here. The quartz part is only used to alter the regulation of the balance wheel, it doesn’t power the watch like a traditional quartz watch. The heart is still an automatic watch.
The case sizes of many GS's always concerned me a bit. This was a very instructive and unbiased review. Good job! Maybe the right choice for GS buyers is to go for the more formal, dressy and not so bulky watches...
I have the SBGE257 for more than 18 months. I do not have issues wearing it. The bracelet has multiple half links for adjustment. One needs to understand the thickness is limited by the height of the movement, water resistance capability etc., The SBGE257 is about the same height of Rolex Millgauss. The date at 4 o'clock is keeping to the tradition of where the date window should be, i.e. next to the crown. The crown at 4 is to protect it. Power reserve is a handy feature but it could be better positioned. My Grand Seiko does not have scratches on the case yet. I always put the watch down on the side with a piece of tissue underneath it. BTW, I own watches from other brands. The SBGE257 is not the best, but it is good for an everyday watch, especially if you travel frequently.
@@CasualWatchReviews Watching your video, the grief apart from not fitting is the low resale value of GS. Most GS have low resale and so are most other watches. The only GS that seems to retain value is the SBGM029. Keep up the good work in making more video.
I have had my GS for 8 years now. I wear it a great deal and the polishing still has zero scratches. It looks like whoever owned yours before is very heavy handed in how he or she wears their watches! As for lume I rarely if ever find any benefit from it. When it's sunny it charges if you have a short sleeve shirt but once night comes the lume fades very quickly and I have Lumed watches that are noted for their excellence in lume. If I wear a watch in the dark I wear my Marathon tritium watch.
Just bought a Shunbun and boy is the bracelet uncomfortable. I resized the bracelet 20 times by now and no matter what I do: the clasp digs into my wrist - no matter if worn loose or snug. No matter if the clasp is centered or leaning to the 12 o clock side. Never had that before, not even with a 500 Seiko. What do I miss?
Sorry to hear that… if you need cheering up just make a TH-cam upload about it and have countless people tell you you’re just wearing it wrong like I did here 🤣
I wear titanium cased GS watches, and they are all very comfortable. It’s hardly noticeable. The difference in weight between the stainless steel and titanium watches can make so much difference?
There's nothing wrong with the 4 and 6 series movements. I certainly haven't seen or heard of them failing as is being implied here. Most in my experience come out of the factory running with a 6 to 10 second per day discrepancy which is acceptable. I had a Powermatic 80 running at +45.
Hey! I did actually get one but also didn't really warm to that one either. I talked about it on the livestream and I'm working n a video for it now! Thanks for checking!
"Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want". Interestingly, I just bought a Squale 101 ATMOS 2002 Heritage model and find that it wears top-heavy and wobbly on my wrist. But here's the thing: I like that about it because I don't ever want to forget I'm wearing it. (Fortunately, there's no issue with the crown biting into the back of my hand.) The off-balance feel is a constant reminder to admire the watch and then roll my wrist 10 or 15 times to keep it wound. It's like being around a person you find attractive to the point of distraction or driving a car with such a great exhaust note that you miss what's on the radio. It takes all sorts to make a world.
The thing with GS is they arent still well known to the masses, watch enthusiasts love them because of the quality and craftsmanship, give it a decade and it will be vastly different on the pre-owned market, its a good time to jump on the GS as they will increase in price.
I have the black version SBGE253 for a couple years now and really like it. I won't deny that it is a bit top heavy and can do some traveling on the wrist. That doesn't bother me but I can certainly see how it may bother others. But I love the look of it and the spring drive movement is just insanely accurate. I use it as my travel watch. Beautiful watch that doesn't get the unwanted attention that comes with the crown. As for the price ... you paid too much to start with. Should have shopped around a little more and picked one up in the $3,000 -- $3,500 range. At nearly $4,500 you set yourself up for getting stung on the resale. Anyway good video as always. Sorry it didn't work out. It happens...
I have this watch with the black dial and bezel. Got it for almost a 18% discount. I love it. I have a large collection of watches and feel this was a good addition.
There is something to the heritage of a brand and I'm honestly more drawn to Seiko. Like it seems apt to get a accurate quartz movement from grand seiko and have an exemplar of the craft of watchmaking and fusion of engineering and sculpture
Your experience is what I dealt with my Grand Seiko's. They just don't wear very well with the thickness and odd balancing plus a subpar bracelet with no on the fly micro adjust. Every watch except the Evo 9 series and their quartz models are too thick. Grand Seiko resale value is pure robbery too. I sold my SBGJ203 after a year of ownership for $3,200 and it stickered for $6,300. I bought it from my local AD for $5,700 and to lose $2,500 in a year really hurt. Per my AD, they aren't allowed to offer discounts anymore on any new Grand Seiko in their store which is asinine. With GS upping their prices to above Rolex, especially the Evo 9 series, I think they're going to take a big hit in sales. $9,100 for basically a Grand Seiko equivalent Rolex DateJust is pure insanity. Yes, the finishing is awesome, the Japanese engineering is second to none and they're just different in style and tech vs the Swiss. But, you gotta be competitive vs the Swiss in regards to bracelet quality and pricing. I used to be a GS fanboy and now I probably wouldn't buy another for the foreseeable future.
I really appreciate you adding your experience here. I know I have rubbed a few people up the wrong way with this but I’m sure the vast majority of those commenters have never seen the watch in person.
Disagree about Seiko mechanical movements. The ETA 2824 and Selita version movements suffer from a design flaw on manual winding. The reverser gears lock up if wound manually regularly. If you are a collector this can be a problem. Seiko movements are more reliable if regulated properly.
Yep I actually disagree there but appreciate the comment. I don’t think seiko are more reliable, not the new ones, not in my experience. I have a Vintage seiko that is rock solid. But not the new movements. I have never had one issue with an ETA or Selitta, if you check my library of review you will see me talking about multiple issues I have had with Seikos. I still like Seiko but it’s not correct to say they are more reliable, not from my experience and the number I have reviewed.
I have the opposite problem. I bought the gmt sport spring drive because it wore so comfortably, unfortunately it doesn't fit my vibe and I don't enjoy wearing it. I bought it for 5400 plus tax. So far it's been on chrono24 for 7 months at $3200 as like new or very good condition and the one offer I received was for $2500. The dealer I bought it from wouldn't even make me an offer.
Your video is the most honest and useful review on TH-cam. Really appreciate it. I can also feel that you really love all watches even if some of them don't work well for you.
The problem with trying a watch on in the shop is that you can't really ask them to size it, remove links etc. So if you are particular with how a watch will wear that would be a problem. Personally I have probably owned over 100 watches just the last couple of years as I am selling semi-professionally. But I have rarely had a watch that I don't like to wear, generally that would be watches that are very large and also very thick, over 15mm. Anyway hope the new GS will work out for you, but the cases look a bit similar to me? Hopefully they are not...
You have a Datejust. What a lot of people don’t realise is that the Datejust has been honed over decades to absolute perfection as a wearing experience. Perfectly balanced 41mm case, super low profile, wider 21mm bracelet with taper. Wears like a dream on the wrist. Then you strap on a fugly thick heavy Seiko. Guess what? Your brain now knows what wearing perfection and balance feels like. Total refinement and sophistication to a bulky boy with zero refinement in the wear. It’s like driving a Mercedes then hopping into a Seat. Four wheels and some seats but that’s where the comparison ends.
I had that problem with the lume on a Tissot watch I bought and returned it. Nice looking watch but I thought it was unacceptable that at night or in a poorly lit area that I can't see the lume clearly. From then on I promised myself that the next watch is going to have great lume. I bought a Luminox, and that fixed my problem😏, nice video.
I think GS makes the most boring looking cases and bracelets in the industry. Its so hard to actually like a GS watch, even though the watch journalists and youtubers cant stop gushing about it.
Great vid and thanks for the info. I have only recently got into watches. I was looking and researching for 3 months. Before I bought my first watch it is a Sekio 5 srpd63. It was a comfortable watch to wear and at a good entry price point in my opinion. I also own a timex scout which is my daily work wear. I continue to look at different watches and vids of reviews. I think my next watch will be more of the dress style. Thanks again for your video
I understand your experience but to try to sell anything immediately after you have bought it is to ask for a kick in the rear! That's life! There is definitely a lesson to be learned over the 'fit' and I have certainly made the mistake of not trying a watch on the wrist prior to parting with the cash. We all have different wrist shapes and sizes. I discovered that several of the Grand Seiko models just looked bulky on my wrist type. However, after some time in a local showroom I discovered that a GS quartz black dial SBGX261G @ £2,000 37mm hugs my wrist like an old friend. I put this down to the lugs which dip down below the actual case back. It looks and feels wonderful . The quartz movement by it's nature is also significantly slimmer. (I have a Cartier de Santos (mechanical) which is equally brilliant on my wrist . The square case of the Santos is curved and so is the crystal which not only looks sophisticated but it is also very comfortable...particularly on the croc strap). I like the metal Bracelet strap on my GS, it is not tapered, but it is silky and secure. I find the clasp neat and nothing like as hideous as the celebrated Rolex clasp. The GS does not extend . Temperature extremes are not a problem in the UK - at least not yet! I have a Rolex Explorer 36mm which is great, it is two tone, and I bought it this year from my local AD at RRP. There is some online chatter concerning how the 'Tool' nature of the watch is subverted by the addition of Gold. Yeah right - how precious some people are! Mine is unlikely to be challenging the slopes of Kilimanjaro any time soon. So this old tool will carry on wearing it - in rotation of course!
I have the same watch and I love it. Does NOT feel top heavy at all to me. So accurate. I'm not a big guy either. My wrist size is 6.5". Purchased in Japan.
It’s good at the end of the video you admitted your mistakes. You should have gone into your local shop to try on, I don’t see a problem. Also on GS’ you can get discounts. Suggest you try the watch in person before purchasing. I hope the GS quartz turns out better.
I dunno about the original poster but nearest Grand Seiko dealers are 8 hours away (Phoenix or Denver from central New Mexico, USA). It's not just a matter of popping 30 minutes down the road.
nice review. i just bought a grand seiko spring drive for under 4k with tax included USD. unfortunately, unlike Rolex and Omega's, the cost of a new grand seiko drops precipitously in price; I would say at minimum 20 percent once you wear a brand new/unworn one. I think in this case, going pre-owned is the way to go.
Wow, what an eye opener. Thanks for sharing - I know it's hard to share lessons we aren't proud of - but I'm sure you saved many people money and pain.
I just purchased a G-Shock GMW-B5000RD-4, it is a deep burgundy color. Any scratch on that will stand out like a sore thumb. I've just seen a S.Korean company called "Watchshells". It is film kit that you apply all over the watch including the bezel, crystal and a metal strap. They do kits for all the major luxury brands. Could you have been too picky with the watch and that you could have got used to it over time? That was an expensive exercise. I'm pleased I only like digital watches, they are a much cheaper indulgence.
The problem with being a watch enthusiast who peruses and purchases online is that you don’t know how it looks & feels on your wrist until after you’ve already paid for it. I’ve lost track of the nicer Seiko dive watches that I acquired just to put them on eBay when they didn’t look as I’d hoped. It’s all part of the fun though - the thrill of the hunt.
Thanks for your honesty. Helped me and I’m sure others. I wanted GS GMT spring drive too. Loved the tech. The finish and brand are heavily marketed. But in showroom I felt jingly meh with it on wrist. And hard to read. Zeratsu obsession is overrated. Dealer prices too high. I fear gs Brand identity is all over the place now. I was disappointed and went for a Pepsi. Which is everything I wanted.
Man buys watch he's never tried on and complains about the fit afterwards. 🙄
Do you think that title would have worked better?
@@CasualWatchReviewshahahah 😂
Too cynical of a comment for the earnestness and lack of whining in the video.
Great video and very informative.
He works for Rolex maybe
I have had this same problem that you demonstrate in your video with two of my watches and I finally figured out how to resolve it. It is extremely important that the buckle is centered exactly on the flat of the underside of the wrist. If not, the watch will not stay in ideal position and will move around as you wear it as the buckle seeks centering trough your movements. This is especially prevalent with taller and heavier watches. The solution is to make the 6 o'clock side shorter than the 12 o'clock side until the buckle sits absolutely flat on the underside of the wrist. Assuming that the fit of the bracelet is correct, swap links, one at a time, from the shorter 6 o'clock side to the longer 12 o'clock side. As you swap links, use the micro adjustment of the buckle to make sure you have an exact fit and then try to see if the problem is resolved while wearing the watch for awhile as you go through normal movements. This process will be different for all watches and depends on the length of the buckle and links. Once you achieve the proper ratio between the short and long sides, the watch will not move around and it will stay in your ideal position.
Thanks for the comment maybe this will work for some people reading this. I didn’t cover it in the upload but I moved links around and even tried it on different straps. I have reviewed hundreds of watches in the channel and only two have wore so poorly as this one did for me.
You pick the cheap one than comfortable....
I solved the problem of proper fit by wearing the watch on my foot.
hahaha i did same for my seiko to find correct position exactly like you suggested else. watch is not sitting balanced in your wrist and that mentioned problem occured
You make a good point. I’ve got a cheaper 880 dollar brand new limited edition Bruce Lee seiko with black leather strap. Either it was too tight or slightly loose. When slightly loose it wouldn’t centre on my hand and tight felt like strangulation. But I put up with tight and after a few months it’s now centred on my hand near perfectly.
I’ve viewed a lot of the Grand Seiko and I’m not exactly enamoured. But I still love my Hamilton Khaki Army watch immensely. Not always is an expensive one better if ya get my drift. As long as a watch keeps good enough time and it’s appealing to me, that’s all I care about.
And I love the immense choices and varieties of Hamilton.
Cheers NZ.
I don’t agree about what you say about the watch. Mine wears perfectly fine and I would recommend it!
Why don't you make a upload about it giving the counter argument then? Happy to link it to this one?
@@CasualWatchReviewsvery passive aggressive
@@Y0UTUBEADMIN Quite bitchy I'd say. lol
At the end of the day it’s a very personal thing. In my opinion you should always try on a watch before buying.
As for people saying seiko or grand seiko is just seiko ….
Not really sure they know what they are talking about.
A lot of people seem to have opinions but not very well informed ones.
Too much watch snobbery on Swiss brands I feel…Most Swiss brands are great but Grand Seiko is in my opinion GREAT too.
I actually totally agree! Grand Seiko is good, I'm in that camp!
I have a SBGJ255G in titanium. 44GS case. Extremely comfortable! I was super precious about scratches at first, but then I read a story about a man who wore his Rolex every single day for about 50 years. He loved the watch and wore it! That’s what a nice watch is for!
I bet titanium would be perfect!
And that Rolex man can get that Rolex serviced for 300 bucks and sell it for at least what he paid for it if not more, totally the opposite of a grand seiko.
Haha. You're probably right, but I'll never sell this watch because it has sentimental value, is pretty rare, and feels like a piece of art on my wrist.@@sergiogarcia9822
I was the same way when I first got my Speedmaster. I brushed every little scuff that I got. Now 4 years later I've worn it every day and it's been beaten up. You gotta just wear them like they're meant to be worn and not care.
That Speedmaster is a beautiful watch! @@jski718
I would never buy a watch with the expectation of a great return value. For me, it would just feel like I bought it as an investment not because I liked it and wanted it. Great watch though, I love Grand Seiko.
Yep I never buy a watch expecting to make money or break even, was not expecting to lose so much on this one however.
Gs isnt a investment is luke buy and never sell it since second hand price is horroble low
The first moral of this sad story is always try on a watch, especially if you've never really worn one before and the second lesson is that sometimes man maths can be painful. Let's hope the next GS is more to your liking. Fingers crossed.
Yep!
I've got this watch for my boys 1st birthday to pass on to him on his 18th birthday. It is Top heavy on the bracelet but i found the solution in swapping out the bracelet for a rubber strap and it fits like a glove now. Its a fantastic watch!
I tried it on a rubber and still didn't work for me. It is a beautiful watch no doubt about it!
You bought this watch for yourself. Do you really think your son will want the watch after you have worn it for 17 years ? Maybe when he reaches 18 buy him a watch that he wants, not your cruddy cast off.
@@ET-cj8jo Well said.
Lol
I sold a troublesome Batman and bought one of these with the profit. It fits me like a glove, it's accurate and flies under the radar a bit. Best of all, its not a Rolex!
If you think five and $6,000 is too much for a spring drive, then you simply do not understand and appreciate what it is. The new 9RA2 is beyond amazing as well!!!
6k is too much for a spring drive, I understand it.
My grand seiko fits perfectly and it’s really comfortable. Have not got a clue what the dude is on about .
The polishing still looks fantastic after a year of use .
Which dude?
@@CasualWatchReviews I thought he'd misgendered you also.
I’ve got many Seikos. Their movements are workhorses and usually are way more accurate than their specs. I have vintage 6309s and 7626 divers that run less than 5 seconds per day with a beat error close to 0.0. I had to regulate them, but the potential definitely there.
I also have a vintage seiko! Love them
7 Reasons Seiko Will NEVER Make a Watch this Good Again!
th-cam.com/video/gu447AqRlHw/w-d-xo.html
my Grand Seiko is 2 years old now.. and while i dont use it hard or heavily, its got nothing near that level of scratching, but i agree. i think you need to baby it to keep it pristine. but its hard to notice the tiny scratches it does have in normal use. the shine overshadows them
seiko garbage
Love Zeiratsu polishing but dread scratches until i looked into tegimented Sinn's. They aren't totally scratch proof but very scratch resistant, even in black and with their bracelets. Accuracy = a spring drive, and resale strong.
@@anteneupitra You're misinformed my friend!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I have a Grand Seiko SGBW231 (paid full retail at $4300) and I know I would lose at least $1k if I sell. I have had it for years now, still love it and so if I did sell, I look at that loss as the cost of enjoying it for years. It sucks when you know immediately it wasn't the right watch for you. But your willingness to share helps us all!
I would like to say "I'm not a number'"... but in this case I was... and it was less than I wanted to be 😂
@@CasualWatchReviews Ha! :)
Not really a rant, just a good tale of sensible advice. My issue is I have an 8 inch wrist ! Many watches I'd like are just too small for me. A 40mm is as small as I go if that's nearly all dial but a bezel kills it. Just about get away with my Longines Big Eye. My sweet spot is probably 42 or 43mm. Always try a watch on if you can you may be surprised what you can and can't wear. Have been thinking about a GS myself. Good warning about that high polish issue, it does scream Scratch Magnet!
Man! 15 minutes of negativity? I bought a Longines Big Eye a couple years ago and it just didn't wear well for me so I traded it and moved on.
For some reason people love this, have you seen the views! I do a load of positive reviews and livestreams, no where near the views this one got.
The GMT 9F SBGN003 is a truly cracking watch. Perfect for the smaller wrist, beats the claimed accuracy of 10 seconds per year and flies under the radar when you don’t want to draw attention on your wrist gear.
I have a GS Black Diver - titanium strap and case and the strap (because it's titanium) is too light for the watch - it feels insubstantial and the watch does tend to slide to one side. My solution is to wear it on a silicon strap - better for a "wet" watch anyway and more comfortable on the wrist. It also preserves the titanium bracelet in pristine condition for if I ever want to sell the watch - which I don't plan to do but "just in case".
Spring Drive is superb btw.
I would like to test out a titanium Grand Seiko watch. Thanks for watching Simon!
sorry to hear that. I think this has also happened to a good portion of us here.
It is part of the journey and we learn.
And yes, the watch market has slowed down significantly and you are right to say that postings hardly get a sniff in nowadays.
The market really was red hot from the tail end of COVID, rose further through 2021 and peaked at 2022.
Theres a sharp drop this year.
Yep! Totally right
Great video, bravo.
In East Asia (Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea), new GS is retailed at about 70% to 75% of list price, depending on the model. A mint, used one, at about 60% to 65% list is about right. You didn't overpay for your GS, at US$4,000. But when you re-sold shortly after initial acquisition, you should expect to get 55% to 60% of list price (minus dealer margin if you go for a trade-in), for a near-mint item. You did alright re-selling it at US$3,500, excludign tax and platform fees.
I have been collecting watches for a long time and aside from a couple of crazy years just passed when new watches all seem to have vanished and used ones selling for unreal prices, preowned watches took big hit on resale. Even Rolex models today with only a handful of exceptions lose substantial money on resale especially when you consider the sales tax you paid and the 13% commission eBay takes.
Yep, it was for sure a hit! I probably could have held out for more but once I feel funny about a watch it has to go. Less mental stress 😂
I get it! For me, after beauty and quality, it’s all about fit and comfort.
100%
Well obviously, it's a current model so try it on before you buy. Not every watch is for every wrist. As for value retention, buy a rolex or pp a brand with cachet if that's important to you. At least do your homework first. In any case, a marque that doesn't hold value doesn't matter so much if you plan to buy another pre owned watch from the same marque.
OP is clearly a knowledgeable guy, but I think his gripes here are unfounded ded.
Hi Duncan, I have a Rolex in the collection, I was planning on keeping this watch not selling it. I lost money because I wanted to sell it quick. It’s easier said than done trying on a Grand Seiko. I made an assumption that a GS would wear as well as a seiko. I have reviewed hundreds of watches on the channel, only 2 have ever felt so poorly designed as this case was. So the odds that it wouldn’t fit me well were likely 1 in 100. So I honestly thought it would fit.
I don’t think thats unfounded would you say?
Also the zaratsu finishing isnt polishing its a case finishing technique that gives zero distortion, which leads to being able to polish it to a mirror finish, look at other cheaper brands and as much as you polish it the image will still be distorted, minor scratches will polish out with a jewellers polishing cloth,
1st video I've seen from your channel. I like the production style. I have a similar model Grand Seiko (just different colorway) and love it. Fits me great on the original bracelet or on a fabric strap (how I normally wear it). It's one of my favorite watches. I suppose it comes down to how it fits you, which is a very personal thing. Sorry you did so poorly on the trade. I keep my watches so don't really get concerned with trade values.
Hey Patrick, thanks for watching. It was a great watch and in a little jealous of the people who have commented that it fit them well! Welcome to the channel and thanks for watching!
I am wearing this exact watch as I watch this. It's one of my favorites, and I bought it new in Japan tax-free with the $ strong against the yen. Best bargain in a long time. I bought mine at Yodobashi Camera in Kyoto on sale at original yen price -10%.
Ouch, hard lesson for sure. It seems far more difficult to sell watches these days. Last year in Chrono24 I was able to sell quite easily. These days, selling the same caliber of watch, as you say, doesn’t get a sniff. Lots looking, but just low ballers. Anyway, best of luck on your new GS! Great vid 😎👍🏼
Yep very hard to sell now! Thanks for watching Doug!
I have had success selling on Chrono24 but you have to be realistic. As a private seller you need to be at least 1k less than lowest price from a dealer. It hurts but that’s the reality. Take your loss and move on. I tried on these GS GMTs at an AD, didn’t like any of them, seem a bit fussy design language in person.
So true I sold around 55 watches last year yet so far this year I have only managed to sell 13 watches.
The economy is on a downward trend. Inflation is hitting people hard. The people who bought watches prior to the pandemic are probably all trying to sell their watches now because they need the money. China especially is hit hard by poor economy
Why don't they put lume on their hands. Have you bern in a situation where you actually needed to know the time in pitch black? GS watches are a piece of art snd it myst be seen in the light.
Plenty of times I have needed lume in low light conditions... why do you think I mentioned needing it?
The eBay authentication program is a great initiative for the prospective buyer, but its clear the seller is paying for the service through inflated selling fees. Sadly, outside of the holy trinity and Rolex, its inevitable most popular brands will depreciate markedly on the secondary market, irrespective of the condition and value for money being offered. This is especially true with the economy as it and the watch market down. Great video which will hopefully earn you a few quid to offset against your unfortunate loss.
Great points and thanks for watching!
Thanks for the review! I miss having Lume on my GS. But at the same time the rainbow reflection coming off those insanely polished hands would be diminished with lume, so I get it. In low light it’s highly visible, but in very low light or no light it is not visible at all.
Very interesting video to me indeed because I am looking to buy a Gran Seiko for my 50th birthday (I use that as an excuse). I am thinking an entry level 39mm sub 5k I tried one on last year it fits good. But some concerns I had like scratched up zaratsu, servicing, and maybe reselling if I actually don't like it. Also considering 9f quartz watches also. I'm interested to see what you think of the quartz Grand Seiko.
Hey! Yep I will try and do a review for next week of the new one
Ouch, wow and thank you. GS and spring drive are a grail for me so really helpful to have that insight before I trip over esp. as they are a little out of reach for me just now (which may have helped me from tripping over w/o seeing this). Like you I have a vintage GS (6246) which I love but I have been hankering after a new one so really helpful to hopefully learn from your experience. Here’s hoping the one you have in the pipeline lives up to your expectations.
Thanks Graham and thanks for watching!
I have a small wrist 6.75...mine fits great/comfortably...was the clasp centered on the underside properly? I have no slippage what so ever....I'll never part with it....scratch free....mirror polish still today.
Same size wrist here., 17.0 cm or 6.75"... SBGE255 (blue dial). I kind of had the same problem until I re-sized and centered it. It took me a couple weeks of messing with the links and micro adjust to get it just right, but I love it now. I don't buy watches as investments, but it sure is disheartening to hear about the loss in value after just a couple weeks.
I have the same watch and it is my favorite. It wears better than my Omega Moonwatch .
That’s cool! Yep, for me they are totally opposite, my speedmaster wore like a glove,
Spring drive. Great technology. Seiko and Grand Seiko amazing company, excellent finishing etc. Good at everything.
But... the GS watches are so boring lmao. I have to say I think you probably picked the most interesting one.
And this is coming from someone who loves (and owns) regular Seikos.
I bought an SBGW269 last Decemeber. It has stunning faceted indices. They shimmer like diamonds, absolutely stunning. That is a massive part of their design language and aesthetic. I have plenty of watches with lume, which has never been anything close to reliable for me. My completely un-lumed Grand Seiko is very easy to read in the most faint light where any other watch with typical lume, is as likely to be unreadable. Just the light off a distant tv screen in an otherwise dark room - no problem. No, you cant read it in absolute darkness, but its extremely rare i can do that with lumed watches. My Ball Nightbreaker with tritium tubes is the champion in pitch dark, but it's almost never on my wrist.
I would argue that their aesthetic, which isn't for everyone, it's at its best with zero lume. Their manual wind offerings be it mechanical or spring drive are the ticket in terms of proportion.
Thanks for watching and sharing your view on this watch. I have no regrets selling it but love hearing from people who do love theirs.
This is how I feel when I look at the dimensions of a lot of Grand Seikos. They're stunning, but they're too bulky. I have the SBGN005, the predecessor the SBGN029, and I adore it. It's light and small enough that I can easily forget it's on my wrist. And it's best grab and go watch I own as it never loses or gains significant time. Hope you really enjoy it!
I'm liking mine so far... I will try and do the review for next week!
It's a shame since vintage GS were basically perfect.
All of those big watch resellers lowball like crazy. I inquired about selling my SBGA407 which is in excellent shape and retails for $5,800, their offer was also $2,500. That seems to be the generic response for them. I said no and I’m glad I did as I love the watch and wear it quite often. I let go of a different piece and got a great price on Chrono24. Actually double what my AD offered to buy it back for.
Hope the quartz works out for you!!
Thanks! So far so good!
Great video. I was looking at GS for ages - I tried a 37mm on at the watch store and it really wore incredibly well - went to chrono24 and bought a 37mm immediately and haven’t taken it off! I originally wanted a 39mm gmt quartz - which itself was amazing. I do understand issues with bigger watches being oddly weighted sometimes, though I think big watches are getting an unfair bad rep right now.
Yep I do also. I had a massive Breitling B1, it worse amazing, much better than this seiko.
Interesting comments about Seiko movements. One area I never seem to hear criticisms about mid range Seiko’s is being in regards to their movements being bad. On the contrary they always seem deemed as solid workhouses. Why are they less robust then a Sellita? Do they have inferior parts? Construction? I know they are lower beat movements and are generally less accurate than their ETA counterpart. But the reliability data of the 4R over the past 10 years seems pretty solid. Why are they more prone to magnetize? I tried looking up comparisons online and while there seems to be pros and cons with each movement none seemed to be observed as particularly bad in any way and all seem very reliable long term. 🤷♂
I have made a few uploads on this. Its the timing in my opinion. Their positional accuracy is all over the place. You will hear countless people say 'mine performs to COSC standards'... what I say to those people is... turn the watch on its side. Seiko care less about the timing accuracy of their watches than I think just about any other major brand. Thats why they give crazy tolerance of +20/-15 or whatever.
@@CasualWatchReviews Oh that is definitely interesting! I just stumbled on your channel the other day so I will go find those videos and check them out. Thanks!
It’s really cool you have been honest and admitted your mistakes. People are very quick to judge in general and as humans we all make mistakes. I’ve lost lots of money on lower value watches I’ve brought and ended up hating. It’s easily done. Guess each time we just try and learn and attempt to not do it again lol. I’m a new subscriber enjoying the content.
Hey Anthony, welcome to the channel and agree with your comment!
Thank you for sharing your views. I've always heard people saying GS is not the most comfortable watch, but I have yet to see a good explanation. Today I finally know the reason.
Thank you I may do a few more like this.
Super useful review. Your shots of the polishing and scratches validated my concerns. I am looking for the very same quartz GMT. Now I know what I should be paying for it used. Thanks again
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!
Great video. It seems to be a common curse with expensive watches that they have low resale value.
Could you do a video that discusses all the reputable places you can buy a second hand watch?
Hi, thanks for watching. We cover the preowned market a lot on the channel.
Here is one we specifically did on buying vintage
Vintage Watches, What, Where, When & How
th-cam.com/users/liveprB9CIuuT0w?feature=share
Great points. I went through the same journey looking for a spring drive and noticed how bad the weight balance was. In the end, went with the GMT grand seiko quartz and it was perfect
Thats what I ended up doing! And I feel the same! Thanks for watching!
Thank you for honest feeling and cost about owning a spring drive. I have a chance to buy a new SNR051 at good discount but I guess I can hold out for an even better deal on secondary.
I'm a GS fan and have several. I got my first one lightly used from the AD through a partial trade (two Seamaster 120's and four basic Seiko's) and that taught me they can be a great deal on the secondary market so don't pay retail. For future reference, there's an AD in the suburbs of SF that likely would've done a straight swap (except sales tax) for the one you were after and usually has a great selection of lightly used GS.
Thats good to know for future. I don't get out to SF too often anymore however.
Which suburb? Do tell.
To have several 😮
Which suburbs? I live in SF
I bought a Grand Seiko watch that I didn't try on and regretted it and then proceeded to buy another Grand Seiko watch that I didn't try on. Great to learn from You Tube watch experts!
I’m certainly not a watch expert! The second one worked out much better
Very informative and useful review. I think wear is so subjective as everyone's wrist is different. Some pieces feel heavy to some people and not others. Appreciate the honesty and the educational video Sam. Great job!!
Looses his shirt on a Grand Seiko, sells it and buys another one. Brilliant!
Thank you, what a brutally honest review of your journey as a buyer.
We have all made mistakes buying watches or cars, thank you for you honest reflections.
Thank you for sharing your watch buying journey. 👍
How it wears is one of the most important things (IMO), especially something that is meant to be worn as essentially a "tool watch". That is a tough lesson to learn. But nice that you aired your mistakes and hopefully someone will learn to try them on even before purchase. I appreciate your channel, subscribed!
Thanks, yep, I totally agree. Only ever owned two watches that wore this poorly on my wrist!
Excellent video and thank you very much for being honest about it without coming across as whining about your own poor decisions, you owned up to it and told the story and it happens to a lot of us
Yep! I messed up for sure, lesson learned! Thanks for watching! I’m amazed at how this story has gone viral (almost) for the channel. A negative experience turned into a positive.
So true, I visited the boutique in Paris and tried the different cases they had. The only ones that fit comfortably was the 44gs and the thinner quartz and manual wind options. I would never had the chance to try them all out before buying at home. Definitely, try them out before you buy !😊
Yep, I actually tried a few of the new ones on in Tokyo, not this model, however! thanks for watching!
I did the same thing and the watch I bought in the boutique was completely different to one that I thought I wanted from looking online and in catalogues.
I'm not 100% in the same boat as you when it comes to Seiko movements compared to Sellita movements. I have a Seiko SARB033, it's over 6 years old at this point, never serviced, it works as it did in the first day. Flawless and within spec. I recently, 3 months ago, purchased a Sellita powered Swiss watch by a very popular brand and it stopped working after 3 months. 3 months! I'm currently in the warranty process, hopefully it will work fine, but essentially my $300 Seiko works a lot better than my over $1k Swiss watch.
Sorry to hear that!
Thanks@@CasualWatchReviews
I have had maybe 4 seikos where something has gone wrong with the moment. Bizarrely I think the NH35a is better. I have uploads on the channel covering issues I had with a PADI 62Mas style. I also find their accuracy is all over the place even if they do mechanically work well. It’s my obviously limited and unscientific experience! Thanks for watching!
GS always looked beautiful in photos, in person they always felt and looked meh to me. Several times I have gone with the intent of purchasing, seeing it in person, changed my mind. Just too many great brands in the price range for me, some costing less that impressed me more.
You've said in this video a few times that you wanted to get the quartz version of a grand Seiko. You can't get away from the fact that a spring drive at its heart is a quartz. Seiko spring drives are very expensive quartz watches.
I liked your video though. 👍👍👍👍
This is interesting, not to defend Grand Seiko here. The quartz part is only used to alter the regulation of the balance wheel, it doesn’t power the watch like a traditional quartz watch. The heart is still an automatic watch.
The case sizes of many GS's always concerned me a bit. This was a very instructive and unbiased review. Good job! Maybe the right choice for GS buyers is to go for the more formal, dressy and not so bulky watches...
Im going to explore more of the line and try on some of the dressier ones for sure! Thanks for watching
I have the SBGE257 for more than 18 months. I do not have issues wearing it. The bracelet has multiple half links for adjustment. One needs to understand the thickness is limited by the height of the movement, water resistance capability etc., The SBGE257 is about the same height of Rolex Millgauss. The date at 4 o'clock is keeping to the tradition of where the date window should be, i.e. next to the crown. The crown at 4 is to protect it. Power reserve is a handy feature but it could be better positioned. My Grand Seiko does not have scratches on the case yet. I always put the watch down on the side with a piece of tissue underneath it. BTW, I own watches from other brands. The SBGE257 is not the best, but it is good for an everyday watch, especially if you travel frequently.
I’m glad and a bit jealous it fits you so well, it is a great watch!
@@CasualWatchReviews Watching your video, the grief apart from not fitting is the low resale value of GS. Most GS have low resale and so are most other watches. The only GS that seems to retain value is the SBGM029. Keep up the good work in making more video.
Great review Sam. Enjoyed the story… sorry for the hit to the wallet.
And where's the review on tge quartz GS that was on the way? Would lile to see on your wrist!
I got the "quartz version", and tried the spring drive multiple time : le quartz is way, way thinner, and way more confortable to me.
I think your right! My new quartz arrived!
I have had my GS for 8 years now. I wear it a great deal and the polishing still has zero scratches. It looks like whoever owned yours before is very heavy handed in how he or she wears their watches! As for lume I rarely if ever find any benefit from it. When it's sunny it charges if you have a short sleeve shirt but once night comes the lume fades very quickly and I have Lumed watches that are noted for their excellence in lume. If I wear a watch in the dark I wear my Marathon tritium watch.
Definitely a good example of needing to try it on before you make any changes that could damage the watch.
This is one of the most interesting videos about watches I’ve seen maybe this year. Thank you for sharing this experience
I think I will try and do more of these 'tales of watch collecting'. Thanks for watching
As a dress watch I love GS. But their sports watches blow. Omega or Tudor all the way.
Just bought a Shunbun and boy is the bracelet uncomfortable. I resized the bracelet 20 times by now and no matter what I do: the clasp digs into my wrist - no matter if worn loose or snug. No matter if the clasp is centered or leaning to the 12 o clock side.
Never had that before, not even with a 500 Seiko. What do I miss?
Sorry to hear that… if you need cheering up just make a TH-cam upload about it and have countless people tell you you’re just wearing it wrong like I did here 🤣
@@CasualWatchReviews haha. Good one. If anyone actually had a suggestion, I’d love to hear it …
I bet it would look good on a leather strap? I think someone does make an integrated rubber for some of the grand seiko watches
Thank you for sharing the story, the new GS looks much much more elegant and hopefully you fall in love with it.
I wear titanium cased GS watches, and they are all very comfortable. It’s hardly noticeable. The difference in weight between the stainless steel and titanium watches can make so much difference?
There's nothing wrong with the 4 and 6 series movements. I certainly haven't seen or heard of them failing as is being implied here. Most in my experience come out of the factory running with a 6 to 10 second per day discrepancy which is acceptable. I had a Powermatic 80 running at +45.
Excellent point of view. Few people talk about how the watch actually wears on your wrist.
I wish they had on the few videos I had watched on this! Thanks for watching!
Wondering when are you supposed to receive the other Seiko quartz model? I didn't see it in your video list.
Hey! I did actually get one but also didn't really warm to that one either. I talked about it on the livestream and I'm working n a video for it now! Thanks for checking!
"Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want". Interestingly, I just bought a Squale 101 ATMOS 2002 Heritage model and find that it wears top-heavy and wobbly on my wrist. But here's the thing: I like that about it because I don't ever want to forget I'm wearing it. (Fortunately, there's no issue with the crown biting into the back of my hand.) The off-balance feel is a constant reminder to admire the watch and then roll my wrist 10 or 15 times to keep it wound. It's like being around a person you find attractive to the point of distraction or driving a car with such a great exhaust note that you miss what's on the radio. It takes all sorts to make a world.
Damn. I felt the “My wife is gonna kill me” vibes vicariously through listening to your story.
The thing with GS is they arent still well known to the masses, watch enthusiasts love them because of the quality and craftsmanship, give it a decade and it will be vastly different on the pre-owned market, its a good time to jump on the GS as they will increase in price.
Uh…you realise the Spring Drive has been a thing since the late 90s and early 00s right? It’s been 20+ years.
I have the black version SBGE253 for a couple years now and really like it. I won't deny that it is a bit top heavy and can do some traveling on the wrist. That doesn't bother me but I can certainly see how it may bother others. But I love the look of it and the spring drive movement is just insanely accurate. I use it as my travel watch. Beautiful watch that doesn't get the unwanted attention that comes with the crown. As for the price ... you paid too much to start with. Should have shopped around a little more and picked one up in the $3,000 -- $3,500 range. At nearly $4,500 you set yourself up for getting stung on the resale. Anyway good video as always. Sorry it didn't work out. It happens...
I have this watch with the black dial and bezel. Got it for almost a 18% discount. I love it. I have a large collection of watches and feel this was a good addition.
There is something to the heritage of a brand and I'm honestly more drawn to Seiko. Like it seems apt to get a accurate quartz movement from grand seiko and have an exemplar of the craft of watchmaking and fusion of engineering and sculpture
I thought the same!
Your experience is what I dealt with my Grand Seiko's. They just don't wear very well with the thickness and odd balancing plus a subpar bracelet with no on the fly micro adjust. Every watch except the Evo 9 series and their quartz models are too thick. Grand Seiko resale value is pure robbery too. I sold my SBGJ203 after a year of ownership for $3,200 and it stickered for $6,300. I bought it from my local AD for $5,700 and to lose $2,500 in a year really hurt. Per my AD, they aren't allowed to offer discounts anymore on any new Grand Seiko in their store which is asinine. With GS upping their prices to above Rolex, especially the Evo 9 series, I think they're going to take a big hit in sales. $9,100 for basically a Grand Seiko equivalent Rolex DateJust is pure insanity. Yes, the finishing is awesome, the Japanese engineering is second to none and they're just different in style and tech vs the Swiss. But, you gotta be competitive vs the Swiss in regards to bracelet quality and pricing. I used to be a GS fanboy and now I probably wouldn't buy another for the foreseeable future.
I really appreciate you adding your experience here. I know I have rubbed a few people up the wrong way with this but I’m sure the vast majority of those commenters have never seen the watch in person.
Disagree about Seiko mechanical movements. The ETA 2824 and Selita version movements suffer from a design flaw on manual winding. The reverser gears lock up if wound manually regularly. If you are a collector this can be a problem. Seiko movements are more reliable if regulated properly.
Yep I actually disagree there but appreciate the comment. I don’t think seiko are more reliable, not the new ones, not in my experience. I have a Vintage seiko that is rock solid. But not the new movements. I have never had one issue with an ETA or Selitta, if you check my library of review you will see me talking about multiple issues I have had with Seikos. I still like Seiko but it’s not correct to say they are more reliable, not from my experience and the number I have reviewed.
I have the opposite problem. I bought the gmt sport spring drive because it wore so comfortably, unfortunately it doesn't fit my vibe and I don't enjoy wearing it. I bought it for 5400 plus tax. So far it's been on chrono24 for 7 months at $3200 as like new or very good condition and the one offer I received was for $2500. The dealer I bought it from wouldn't even make me an offer.
Sorry to her that, $3,200 for this watch is a good deal. I just sold the replacement for this watch on chrono24, didn't take too bad a hit!
Sam, I feel so bad that you didn't like the fit. It looked soo good on your wrist. I hope the replacement fits more comfortably.
I bought this because I could not afford the prices. Absolutely love this piece and the quality is insane for the price
Your video is the most honest and useful review on TH-cam. Really appreciate it. I can also feel that you really love all watches even if some of them don't work well for you.
I appreciate that, thanks for watching!
The problem with trying a watch on in the shop is that you can't really ask them to size it, remove links etc. So if you are particular with how a watch will wear that would be a problem. Personally I have probably owned over 100 watches just the last couple of years as I am selling semi-professionally. But I have rarely had a watch that I don't like to wear, generally that would be watches that are very large and also very thick, over 15mm. Anyway hope the new GS will work out for you, but the cases look a bit similar to me? Hopefully they are not...
Yep, I think even if I had tried it on in the shop I wonder if I would have tried to convince myself I would get used to it?
You have a Datejust. What a lot of people don’t realise is that the Datejust has been honed over decades to absolute perfection as a wearing experience. Perfectly balanced 41mm case, super low profile, wider 21mm bracelet with taper. Wears like a dream on the wrist. Then you strap on a fugly thick heavy Seiko. Guess what? Your brain now knows what wearing perfection and balance feels like. Total refinement and sophistication to a bulky boy with zero refinement in the wear. It’s like driving a Mercedes then hopping into a Seat. Four wheels and some seats but that’s where the comparison ends.
I had that problem with the lume on a Tissot watch I bought and returned it. Nice looking watch but I thought it was unacceptable that at night or in a poorly lit area that I can't see the lume clearly. From then on I promised myself that the next watch is going to have great lume. I bought a Luminox, and that fixed my problem😏, nice video.
I think GS makes the most boring looking cases and bracelets in the industry. Its so hard to actually like a GS watch, even though the watch journalists and youtubers cant stop gushing about it.
Agreed. I like the movement, but can't justify paying that amount when any cheaper watch i own looks more interesting.
Great vid and thanks for the info. I have only recently got into watches. I was looking and researching for 3 months. Before I bought my first watch it is a Sekio 5 srpd63. It was a comfortable watch to wear and at a good entry price point in my opinion. I also own a timex scout which is my daily work wear. I continue to look at different watches and vids of reviews. I think my next watch will be more of the dress style. Thanks again for your video
Thanks for watching!!!
I understand your experience but to try to sell anything immediately after you have bought it is to ask for a kick in the rear! That's life!
There is definitely a lesson to be learned over the 'fit' and I have certainly made the mistake of not trying a watch on the wrist prior to parting with the cash.
We all have different wrist shapes and sizes. I discovered that several of the Grand Seiko models just looked bulky on my wrist type. However, after some time in a local showroom I discovered that a GS quartz black dial SBGX261G @ £2,000 37mm hugs my wrist like an old friend. I put this down to the lugs which dip down below the actual case back. It looks and feels wonderful . The quartz movement by it's nature is also significantly slimmer. (I have a Cartier de Santos (mechanical) which is equally brilliant on my wrist . The square case of the Santos is curved and so is the crystal which not only looks sophisticated but it is also very comfortable...particularly on the croc strap).
I like the metal Bracelet strap on my GS, it is not tapered, but it is silky and secure. I find the clasp neat and nothing like as hideous as the celebrated Rolex clasp. The GS does not extend . Temperature extremes are not a problem in the UK - at least not yet!
I have a Rolex Explorer 36mm which is great, it is two tone, and I bought it this year from my local AD at RRP. There is some online chatter concerning how the 'Tool' nature of the watch is subverted by the addition of Gold. Yeah right - how precious some people are! Mine is unlikely to be challenging the slopes of Kilimanjaro any time soon. So this old tool will carry on wearing it - in rotation of course!
Thanks for adding all that Bob, interesting read!
I appreciate your honesty and integrity.
I have the same watch and I love it. Does NOT feel top heavy at all to me. So accurate. I'm not a big guy either. My wrist size is 6.5". Purchased in Japan.
That’s cool! I wish I had liked it more honestly!
I have the predecessor of your incoming GS, the SBGN005. It has an amazing fit on my 6.5 inch wrist, so you should really enjoy it.
It has arrived and I do like it so I think your right!
I’d prefer the hands of zaratsu than any lume hands unless if it’s a diver. lol
It’s good at the end of the video you admitted your mistakes. You should have gone into your local shop to try on, I don’t see a problem. Also on GS’ you can get discounts. Suggest you try the watch in person before purchasing. I hope the GS quartz turns out better.
You're right! And not to spoil the next review... but so far so good.
I dunno about the original poster but nearest Grand Seiko dealers are 8 hours away (Phoenix or Denver from central New Mexico, USA). It's not just a matter of popping 30 minutes down the road.
nice review. i just bought a grand seiko spring drive for under 4k with tax included USD. unfortunately, unlike Rolex and Omega's, the cost of a new grand seiko drops precipitously in price; I would say at minimum 20 percent once you wear a brand new/unworn one. I think in this case, going pre-owned is the way to go.
Wow, what an eye opener. Thanks for sharing - I know it's hard to share lessons we aren't proud of - but I'm sure you saved many people money and pain.
I'm an open book... but a few people have been trying to rip at my pages 🤣
I just purchased a G-Shock GMW-B5000RD-4, it is a deep burgundy color. Any scratch on that will stand out like a sore thumb. I've just seen a S.Korean company called "Watchshells". It is film kit that you apply all over the watch including the bezel, crystal and a metal strap. They do kits for all the major luxury brands.
Could you have been too picky with the watch and that you could have got used to it over time? That was an expensive exercise.
I'm pleased I only like digital watches, they are a much cheaper indulgence.
Informative story. I find that my Sinn 104 fits my wrist, in particular the top of my wrist, better than any other watch I've owned.
Im still yet to get a sinn in the collection!
The problem with being a watch enthusiast who peruses and purchases online is that you don’t know how it looks & feels on your wrist until after you’ve already paid for it.
I’ve lost track of the nicer Seiko dive watches that I acquired just to put them on eBay when they didn’t look as I’d hoped. It’s all part of the fun though - the thrill of the hunt.
Thanks for your honesty. Helped me and I’m sure others. I wanted GS GMT spring drive too. Loved the tech. The finish and brand are heavily marketed. But in showroom I felt jingly meh with it on wrist. And hard to read. Zeratsu obsession is overrated. Dealer prices too high. I fear gs Brand identity is all over the place now. I was disappointed and went for a Pepsi. Which is everything I wanted.