I love that you tell us exactly how you got the watch. You tell us what buyee gives you when you mention them in the video and how that turned into this watch. I just really appreciate the 100% transparency. So many people dont do that.
If Chronomaster/Grand Seiko are outside of your budget, do yourself a favor and look for watches with the Seiko VH31 movement, which has a 4-ticks per second "sweeping" second hand and generally fairly good accuracy, even for a quartz.
It’s an interesting movement but only +-15 seconds per month accuracy is promised, though over a wide range of temperatures, -5C to + 50C (23F - 122F). I assume they’re not doing the usual thermocompensated quartz tricks, or not all of them.
I recently picked up an SBGV245 and I am loving the 9F movement. It is incredibly accurate and the second hand hits its mark flawlessly every single time! And it has good lume! It truly is spectacular!
Congratulations on the purchase. The only other difference apart from the colour with your GS 9F quartz regulated to +/- 10 seconds per year is the GS SBGN007 9F quartz is regulated to +/-5 seconds per year and hence the one star. Enjoy!
I’ve got the basic 3 hander 37mm gs quartz. Took me way too long to get the bracelet right but it’s nice now. I enjoy it more and more as the days go by.
I've also bought second-hand Japanese watches, in Japan as it happens, and was highly satisfied with both the condition (which was absolutely mint) and the price. Enjoy that Grandie Jody! Cheers!
Congratulations! I bought an SBGE001 a couple years ago because I always wanted one, and I'm not disappointed either! I actually prefer the old double-branded dials because that's what their vintage Grand Seiko dials in the 60s and 70s looked like.
Lovely watch. I had a nerve wrecking "will the bracelet fit" hour with my GS. Understanding that two half links are slightly bigger than a full link helped.
Congrats and welcome to the Cult! We happen to join roughly at the same time, I got myself earlier this month a SBGX261, which is supposed to be my only purchase for the year. GS just hits differently. It is such an intentional piece, so carefully engineered for precision, legibility and comfort. It just becomes one wirh my wrist and I just can’t rip that thing off!
I love this watch. I almost purchased this instead of my SBGN019 with the same movement. I’m glad I purchased mine. Mine has been discontinued from the US market.
"The Schwartz is with The Quartz", and Seiko makes some of the very best, when it comes to accuracy! I have all these watches, most with Seiko/TMI/SII quartz movements, that keep time wonderfully, just like my Invicta Pro Diver, that runs only 3 seconds fast after a month, and a Skagen that runs ONE second fast after 40 days! I also have a 35 year old absolutely beautiful Pierre Cardin analogue quartz watch I bought at Woolworth's here in USA, near Olympia, Washington, on the West Coast, and just found it again in an old box. I know, many will sneer at "fashion" watches, but pieces like it are literally not made anymore, with its small and super flat, slightly ornamental, polished and sand blasted surface gold case in the shape of an 80s television saucer space ship and fitting metal band. It reminds me a bit of the motherships in "V, The Visitors". I used to wear it all the time, until a few more watches came along. So, I put a new battery in it last Christmas Day, and it runs again! It has a Seiko PC21A caliber, which is still accurate to 15 seconds a month! That may not make it a high accuracy watch, but it is better than many watches on the market now, is far better than specs for most of today's modules/calibers, and certainly better than a Rolex :) It also cost only 25 dollars, rather than a few thousand. Many of the older quartz crystal forks were actually more accurate than today's, and my newest Casio digital, a W800, is a wee disappointing. Then again, I also just got a JDM Casio WVA-M630, which tunes in to atomic transmitters and just sets itself perfectly :)
I did the same. A Seestern S446 with black dial and NH34 movement for about US$215. As far as GMT's are concerned, the Grand Seiko SBGM221 is strikingly similar in design to my Seestern.
@@harryh536 I don't...wonder. For sure, the GS mechanism, polishing, and dial cannot be beat. However, as a daily wear watch, the Seestern has too many marks in the PLUS column to be ingnored. As for IP issues...legally, that dog doesn't hunt.
Congrats. I had a SBGN003 and sold it last year, but I'm kinda regretting it. The one thing I didn't love was the mismatch of the sportier case and dressy hands. Might look into one of these bezel-less models. I think the design is a bit more cohesive.
I love that this has the old school GS hands: flat with the polished, beveled edges. The half polished/half brushed hands are clever, but this here is what a GS is supposed to look like.
Hey, I must have great taste! I just purchased an extremely clean used one of these. I love it. It's truly grab and go, and every time I look at it the dial is amazing!
If I would buy my GS SD again I would go for titanium because for the steel one I feel the weight that is related to spring drive movement being thick. I also feel sad with every scratch it gets.
Congrats Jody! That's a lovely GS and the combination of classy looks, practical quartz and the added functionality of the GMT complication (and how that GMT hand pops) make it a worthy grail piece. Wear it in good health!
Congratulations , enjoy. A lot of what you say makes perect sense. I have a couple of nice Seiko quartz in my box I put them right when the clocks go back/forward and change the batteries every few years but rarely take them out, usually its an auto.
Lovely champagne dial! I had picked up a Citizen Chronomaster first and eventually also acquired a Grand Seiko quartz. Both models you have are great and bring something different to offer.
Nice! I picked up the low-end spring drive a few years back. It’s like a souped-up SARB033. You’re so right about the bracelet though… The only other thing that would make it better is a perpetual calendar feature.
That ‘low end’ spring drive you picked up was the best value / best dimension spring drive grand Seiko ever in my opinion. Gutted I never pulled the trigger when I was offered a 20% discount at my AD a few years back. Enjoy your watch
Congratulations! Wonderful piece of Art! As a owner of a SBGN005 with a 9F86 i absolutely know what it means to have a absolute accurate GS! I thought of the more simpler one you got, but the 24 bezel on mine just gives the watch e sportier look i wanted😎
I used buyee to get two vintage king seikos last year, both under $200. Definitely recommend! Just do your research and know what youre getting into if you go the vintage route!! Amazing grand seiko! Hoping for my first GS this year as well.
The dial is called sunburst. It has to be seen to really appreciate the beauty. It's a chameleon; looks white then silver then champagne depending on the angle. The fit and finish is unreal, a real sparkler. Great piece.
I picked up the SBGN027 on a recent trip to Tokyo, welcome to the club Jody (even though you bought the wrong GS Quartz GMT). 027 is $4900 in Aussie vs $3600 AUD brand new from Seibu department store on Sibuya.
Happy for you mate, it's a beauty and one I've often admired. You're right about having at least one Quartz - my Phoibos GMT is incredibly accurate and I've really learned to value that compared to my autos that I love for different reasons !
My goodness, what a stunner. I used to have the same opinion of GS but also have done a 180. I don't really do GMTs or dressy but I'm now off to Buyee to search for one of those....or a hat
Great choice Jody - I picked up exactly the same model a couple of years ago!!! Just love it and will never part with it until I am pushing up daisies... Enjoy - and strangely enough - I am also a big fan of Citizen and I am going to pick up your "Grail Citizen" someday - likely next year... Good on you again Jody!
I have two Grand Seikos that have their share of scratches as daily wearers. Doesn't detract from my enjoyment. And the indices are still brilliant. That's where the polishing really pops IMO
Another great video, thank you! Have been following you for a couple of years now. I’m a Seiko fan and own two of their divers watches with automatic movements. Both 1960’s recreations and “Made in Japan”, making both time pieces all the more special. In a few days I turn 50 and am wanting to shout myself something special. I have been eyeing off a Grand Seiko SBGX261 as an entry level luxury watch and alternative to an automatic chronometer. Had never really appreciated the accuracy of a quartz movement until I started researching Grand Seiko’s offerings. I live in Brisbane and will be sure to check out the website you mentioned in your video.
Congrats on the purchase! I didn’t want to like this. As it’s a quartz and I just lust over the hi-beats and spring drives. But even the second hands on these have a way about them. Great looking watch. And not at all overpriced in this case. 🎉
You can’t see it but the second hand ticks twice per second and also has an anti backlash mechanism so that there is no wobble as it ticks. Looks amazing huh.
Congrats! This is why we like this channel so much. Your grail is a $2,000 GS Quartz. First the home, now the watch. Sounds like a vehicle purchase may be coming up. When you get your 911 GT3, I would recommend the Touring. Same performance without the giant wing. 😉 Congrats again!
@@linvesel Seestern just dropped a pretty good copy of this watch if you’re not too bothered by Homages/Clomages. I drove my Corolla for 16 years. God bless the Japanese Cars and Watches…
@@adk7962 as you can tell, I am very much bothered by everything. The Corolla you drove was the kind that was very well built and built to last-NOT the kind of Corolla I’m interested in. I meant I want to pay the Porsche GT3 price for a modern Corolla with massive piston ring gaps, the kind that burns 1 qt of oil every 1500 miles from new, with cheap plastic interior and overall engineered to be scrapped within 150k miles.
@@linvesel Ha! I hear you. Yeah. Your money doesn’t go too far these days. Also the people who are worrisome are the ones who are bothered by everything, and thinks they are not. You Sir are at least self aware.
Welcome to the 9F86 crew Jodi. As a (not so new now) parent, I have done a complete 180 of quartz, especially, high end quartz. I appreciate nothing more than picking up my watch and date/time is spot on and ready ago. And the 9F86 are very very spot on. Agree it's a shame about no clear caseback. From my recollection, there is only one quartz GS with a clear caseback sadly
Congrats. Champagne dial is on my radar. But you pt out the huge issue: GMT hand does not pop. Like you I have too many blk dial watches - offer this with a gold, yellow, red, or orange GMT hand and it’s an easy buy.
The links aren't half links they are 2/3 links, allowing adjustment in thirds not half. Fit the bracelet with full links only and then check the fit. To tight take 1 full link out and add two 2/3 links to increase it overall by a third. It the bracket is to loose take out a full link and add a 2/3 link taking it down by a third and you then get a great fit
I bought my Omega Speedy from Japan a couple of years ago Jody. It was actually an eBay purchase, but was listed as a mint 2002 model. And yes it was mint on arrival! I have bought a number of really nice 2nd hand watches out of Japan & have been more than happy! Having said that I did join Buyee some 6 months ago but to date, have not bought there… ⏳🤔 Nice purchase mate!👏🏼
Congratulations on obtaining one of your grails. For me, I define a grail as a watch I will never be able to obtain. Fortunately for me, I have the mini grail. These are watches I love but can obtain. At the moment, I have all my mini grails so I feel pretty good about that.
Ridiculously accurate but impossible to tell the time unless the light hits it right! Still a gorgeous piece and a great choice - these HAQ Grand Seikos are the perfect dress watches.
High end Japanese quartz watches are a category of their own. I own both the Citizen Chronomaster AQ4091-56L and the Grand Seiko SBGN003. The tech, the finishing, the accuracy and the fact that no one has a clue what these watches are and how much they cost bring me an awful lot of satisfaction.
Ey Jody, I'd flip the bracelet around. The GS would be upside down but you wouldn't notice the gap anymore. I've done that several times on watches with this issue. Cheers!
Aragon sometimes will put a display back on some of their watches with the ETA Quartz movement to show it off. Unfortunately, sometimes they have some Invicta like leanings wing likes to build 50 mm, but when he goes and builds a smaller watch, it’s usually outstanding Good quality at a good price
Congrats on the GS! I didn't consider it at the time, but, I guess I picked up a grail watch a few months ago... Something that was on my wish list for a while and expensive to get. But, I finally got an older GS dive watch with a 9F movement. The last time I reset the watch was to Fall back on 11/18/2023. Since then, it has not deviated at all.. ok.. my app says it's averaging +0.01 s/d. Out of my current watch collection, the only watch that rivals in accuracy would be my Casio G-Shock with Bluetooth and Radio synchronization. But, the GS is totally self-reliant in keeping its accuracy without any outside checks and references to maintain its outstanding accuracy. If I'm not mistaken, the service interval for a 9F may be 50 years. Of course you do the battery change every 2 years or so. But, the 9F quartz movement is basically completely sealed with quality parts and assembly. And, the parts are supposed to last about 50 years before one should ever need a replacement or servicing of its components. At least that's what many people seem to say about them.
Enjoy it, Jody. The 9F quartz is supposed to be one of the most accurate quartz movements on the planet. I do not understand for this price range why they have no micro adjustments and they should have on-the-fly micro-adjustments for this price. It is a lot heavier than I thought it would be being quartz. I guess that bracelet adds a lot of weight to the watch. It is stunning, I have seen only a couple in person. Most of my friends are not into watches besides one and he has collected a bunch of King Seiko watches and those are not cheap either. He uses that service in Japan you mentioned buyme or something like that.
Thanks for the video. Buyee is a great service. I got an awesome deal on a Seiko Astron last year when Buyee had a 20% off coupon. I read somewhere that the Seiko Astrons are made in the same factory as the Grand Seikos and it wouldn't surprise me because the quality of the Astrons is superb. Please consider reviewing an Astron - there are plenty of models to choose from.
Congrats on picking up your grail watch, very nice indeed. Well done Jody for championing Quartz, I have autos that need baying morning and night , it can be a pain. Solar Quartz is so difficult to argue against, it just works.
Congrats! BTW: what about a Video which Casios have the most and best third-party watch straps? I'm somehow into orange and this limits which watches to choose from...
Beautiful watch, and great to see a total lack of quartz snobbery however ironically if I was spending that much money on a watch I think it would have to be mechanical
I think my grail I’ve been lusting after for a couple years is the Hamilton khaki king with the ivory dial I should just take the plunge. But I need to start selling some of my unused watches because I’m having a storage issue and too many watches are not getting wrist time.
Hrmm... nice. VERY nice. Much like the Citizen, I thought to myself, 'That is a VERY nice watch - a perfect watch - that I would probably never actually buy!' Not sure which I prefer. I like the dial of the Citizen but the hands of the Seiko. The indices are about equal. I don't know that I'd demand lume on a watch like this so that's a wash but I definitely prefer the branding on the Grand Seiko. Decisions decisions. Think I'd go for the Citizen. I really like that dial. Two very nice watches, my friend.
Massive congratulations Jody, a real milestone in the collection. I have wanted one for years but the date still bugs me and not keen on the GMT either on that one. However I have a SARB 035 so I have my champagne dial. The Chronomaster therefore I prefer too plus I forgot it never needs a battery, hmmm maybe I could live with the date who knows 🤔Anyhoo just chuffed to mintballs for you 🥂
Congrats Jody. Welcome to the club. Personally I love more colorful GS dials. For example, I picked up the green bamboo US version GMT SBGJ259 last year. From an AD which was offering 30%+ off MSRP. 🎉😊 So a win win from my viewpoint.
Congrats, I love quartz as well. Wearing my Casio Tiffany Blue with the reliable Miyota 2115 Quartz at the moment. 👌🏼 My grail for 2024 is the Tissot Courtier Quartz as Tom Hiddleston wore in the show “The Night Manager” My only automatic atm is a Steeldive 1953 Submariner homage with the Seiko NH35 movement. You should pick up a Tissot Courtier Quartz, very similar to both the GS, and Citizen.
Love the 9F movement! A 9F GMT is absolutely on my grail list! As time goes by I do find myself preferring quartz more and more. While there do seem to be excellent quartz pieces at the high end of the market, I very much wish there were more quartz + sapphire offerings at the low end.
Have one of the double branded quartz models from a while back. Don't think I've worn anything else outside of a few days at the beach since i got it last year
Did you notice how the 9F second hand has a smoother sweep than the Chronomaster? That's because the 9F beats twice a second, which to the eye looks like a single, fluid once-a second-sweep.
I’m glad you bought a GS. I’ve long wondered what you thought of them. Superb quality aside, it’s the nature themed dials and the spring drive movement that make a GS for me. No other watch movement has that mesmerising secondhand glide. Like you, I’m not a fan of the bracelet. I have a bunch of quality leather straps in various colours, all with QD spring bars (except for the stingray strap, which can’t be cut that finely they tell me).
Congratulations mate I have two grails a Longines Conquest Heritage dress watch or Stowa Marine 36 with centre seconds, no date, handwound decorated movement. Grand Seiko are the only great part of Seiko at the moment.
I also own a stowa and hate it because it’s too cheap and not quartz. I cannot respect a non-quartz watch that is reasonably priced, which does not leave me homeless.
Love it....this is a real grown up watch. Ditch the others! Maybe not the erebus.... ive gone over to hi end quartz in the last few years plus my accutron. Cant be bothered with mechanicals anymore. Great review!...loved how you tried to find differences between this and the citizen😂. Youre not fooling anyone! So what if theyre similar
Just bought this watch from a Japanese AD at a great price. I love it. It does weigh exactly 140 grams sized for my 7.25 inch wrist.
I love that you tell us exactly how you got the watch. You tell us what buyee gives you when you mention them in the video and how that turned into this watch. I just really appreciate the 100% transparency. So many people dont do that.
YES! That's my watch! I love it and I'm wearing it right this very minute! The champagne dial is a killer.
I just got my first GS. A champagne dial spring drive model. It is the most incredible watch ive ever seen in person, let alone owned.
I bought this very same watch two weeks ago! It's a beauty. The best quartz gmt money can buy. Hooray for us.
That champagne dial... perfection. I'm a sucker for a beautiful champagne dial. And that blue GMT hand looks so nice in contrast. I'm envious.
If Chronomaster/Grand Seiko are outside of your budget, do yourself a favor and look for watches with the Seiko VH31 movement, which has a 4-ticks per second "sweeping" second hand and generally fairly good accuracy, even for a quartz.
Any model recommendations?
@@stevenkelby2169 AliExpress has quite a few, if you can stand wearing an homage
That's a wonderful inexpensive movement.
It’s an interesting movement but only +-15 seconds per month accuracy is promised, though over a wide range of temperatures, -5C to + 50C (23F - 122F). I assume they’re not doing the usual thermocompensated quartz tricks, or not all of them.
Congrats! I now have two 9F GS's (SBGY019 and SBGX033) and absolutely love them.
I recently picked up an SBGV245 and I am loving the 9F movement. It is incredibly accurate and the second hand hits its mark flawlessly every single time! And it has good lume! It truly is spectacular!
Congratulations on the purchase. The only other difference apart from the colour with your GS 9F quartz regulated to +/- 10 seconds per year is the GS SBGN007 9F quartz is regulated to +/-5 seconds per year and hence the one star. Enjoy!
I’ve got the basic 3 hander 37mm gs quartz. Took me way too long to get the bracelet right but it’s nice now. I enjoy it more and more as the days go by.
The new one? Please make a video of it❤
I've also bought second-hand Japanese watches, in Japan as it happens, and was highly satisfied with both the condition (which was absolutely mint) and the price. Enjoy that Grandie Jody! Cheers!
I love Grand Seiko GMTs. They really are the best in the business. That dial is gorgeous.
Congratulations! I bought an SBGE001 a couple years ago because I always wanted one, and I'm not disappointed either! I actually prefer the old double-branded dials because that's what their vintage Grand Seiko dials in the 60s and 70s looked like.
Congrats Jody! You deserve it!
Lovely watch. I had a nerve wrecking "will the bracelet fit" hour with my GS. Understanding that two half links are slightly bigger than a full link helped.
I removed 1 large link and 2 small links from the bracelet to obtain a perfect fit on my 7.5" wrist.
Congrats and welcome to the Cult! We happen to join roughly at the same time, I got myself earlier this month a SBGX261, which is supposed to be my only purchase for the year. GS just hits differently. It is such an intentional piece, so carefully engineered for precision, legibility and comfort. It just becomes one wirh my wrist and I just can’t rip that thing off!
I love this watch. I almost purchased this instead of my SBGN019 with the same movement. I’m glad I purchased mine. Mine has been discontinued from the US market.
Nice pickup!
My grail was an SBGE205; same champagne dial, GMT numbers are out of the way, and Spring Drive. Love it to death!
"The Schwartz is with The Quartz", and Seiko makes some of the very best, when it comes to accuracy! I have all these watches, most with Seiko/TMI/SII quartz movements, that keep time wonderfully, just like my Invicta Pro Diver, that runs only 3 seconds fast after a month, and a Skagen that runs ONE second fast after 40 days! I also have a 35 year old absolutely beautiful Pierre Cardin analogue quartz watch I bought at Woolworth's here in USA, near Olympia, Washington, on the West Coast, and just found it again in an old box. I know, many will sneer at "fashion" watches, but pieces like it are literally not made anymore, with its small and super flat, slightly ornamental, polished and sand blasted surface gold case in the shape of an 80s television saucer space ship and fitting metal band. It reminds me a bit of the motherships in "V, The Visitors". I used to wear it all the time, until a few more watches came along. So, I put a new battery in it last Christmas Day, and it runs again! It has a Seiko PC21A caliber, which is still accurate to 15 seconds a month! That may not make it a high accuracy watch, but it is better than many watches on the market now, is far better than specs for most of today's modules/calibers, and certainly better than a Rolex :) It also cost only 25 dollars, rather than a few thousand. Many of the older quartz crystal forks were actually more accurate than today's, and my newest Casio digital, a W800, is a wee disappointing. Then again, I also just got a JDM Casio WVA-M630, which tunes in to atomic transmitters and just sets itself perfectly :)
I did the same. A Seestern S446 with black dial and NH34 movement for about US$215. As far as GMT's are concerned, the Grand Seiko SBGM221 is strikingly similar in design to my Seestern.
Hmm... I wonder why the Grand Seiko is so similar to your Seestern🤔
@@harryh536 I don't...wonder. For sure, the GS mechanism, polishing, and dial cannot be beat. However, as a daily wear watch, the Seestern has too many marks in the PLUS column to be ingnored.
As for IP issues...legally, that dog doesn't hunt.
Congrats. I had a SBGN003 and sold it last year, but I'm kinda regretting it. The one thing I didn't love was the mismatch of the sportier case and dressy hands. Might look into one of these bezel-less models. I think the design is a bit more cohesive.
Congrats on the purchase. That's a lovely watch.
I love that this has the old school GS hands: flat with the polished, beveled edges. The half polished/half brushed hands are clever, but this here is what a GS is supposed to look like.
Hey, I must have great taste! I just purchased an extremely clean used one of these. I love it. It's truly grab and go, and every time I look at it the dial is amazing!
Congrats, enjoy it.
I want one spring drive from years ago, maybe one day.
If I would buy my GS SD again I would go for titanium because for the steel one I feel the weight that is related to spring drive movement being thick. I also feel sad with every scratch it gets.
It would have been nicer if they made the case thinner. I mean they have about 2-3 mm from hands to crystal!
Congrats Jody! That's a lovely GS and the combination of classy looks, practical quartz and the added functionality of the GMT complication (and how that GMT hand pops) make it a worthy grail piece. Wear it in good health!
Congratulations , enjoy. A lot of what you say makes perect sense. I have a couple of nice Seiko quartz in my box I put them right when the clocks go back/forward and change the batteries every few years but rarely take them out, usually its an auto.
Lovely champagne dial! I had picked up a Citizen Chronomaster first and eventually also acquired a Grand Seiko quartz. Both models you have are great and bring something different to offer.
Nice! I picked up the low-end spring drive a few years back. It’s like a souped-up SARB033. You’re so right about the bracelet though…
The only other thing that would make it better is a perpetual calendar feature.
That ‘low end’ spring drive you picked up was the best value / best dimension spring drive grand Seiko ever in my opinion. Gutted I never pulled the trigger when I was offered a 20% discount at my AD a few years back. Enjoy your watch
@@hammalamiri12Agree! It looks good without being flashy and that engine…
🙏🏻
Congratulations! Wonderful piece of Art! As a owner of a SBGN005 with a 9F86 i absolutely know what it means to have a absolute accurate GS! I thought of the more simpler one you got, but the 24 bezel on mine just gives the watch e sportier look i wanted😎
Congrats! I have the SBGN005 9F GMT. It’s my favorite watch in my collection. I gained a single second in 5 months.
I used buyee to get two vintage king seikos last year, both under $200. Definitely recommend! Just do your research and know what youre getting into if you go the vintage route!!
Amazing grand seiko! Hoping for my first GS this year as well.
I would prefer a dark dial for better readability. Nevertheless a great time piece. Congrats!
The dial is called sunburst. It has to be seen to really appreciate the beauty. It's a chameleon; looks white then silver then champagne depending on the angle. The fit and finish is unreal, a real sparkler. Great piece.
I picked up the SBGN027 on a recent trip to Tokyo, welcome to the club Jody (even though you bought the wrong GS Quartz GMT). 027 is $4900 in Aussie vs $3600 AUD brand new from Seibu department store on Sibuya.
Congrats! I hope to buy this myself in 2024. I have the SBGX263, but I really miss the GMT function. Bdw, do you know the glass opening diameter?
Happy for you mate, it's a beauty and one I've often admired. You're right about having at least one Quartz - my Phoibos GMT is incredibly accurate and I've really learned to value that compared to my autos that I love for different reasons !
Cheers, Jody! That GS is stunning! A true grail if there ever was one. When will we see you in the new digs? We miss that handsome mug o' yours!
My goodness, what a stunner. I used to have the same opinion of GS but also have done a 180. I don't really do GMTs or dressy but I'm now off to Buyee to search for one of those....or a hat
Great choice Jody - I picked up exactly the same model a couple of years ago!!! Just love it and will never part with it until I am pushing up daisies... Enjoy - and strangely enough - I am also a big fan of Citizen and I am going to pick up your "Grail Citizen" someday - likely next year... Good on you again Jody!
I have two Grand Seikos that have their share of scratches as daily wearers. Doesn't detract from my enjoyment. And the indices are still brilliant. That's where the polishing really pops IMO
Another great video, thank you! Have been following you for a couple of years now. I’m a Seiko fan and own two of their divers watches with automatic movements. Both 1960’s recreations and “Made in Japan”, making both time pieces all the more special. In a few days I turn 50 and am wanting to shout myself something special. I have been eyeing off a Grand Seiko SBGX261 as an entry level luxury watch and alternative to an automatic chronometer. Had never really appreciated the accuracy of a quartz movement until I started researching Grand Seiko’s offerings. I live in Brisbane and will be sure to check out the website you mentioned in your video.
Congrats on the purchase! I didn’t want to like this. As it’s a quartz and I just lust over the hi-beats and spring drives. But even the second hands on these have a way about them.
Great looking watch. And not at all overpriced in this case. 🎉
You can’t see it but the second hand ticks twice per second and also has an anti backlash mechanism so that there is no wobble as it ticks. Looks amazing huh.
Great watches!
Congratulations on picking up the GS, stunning watch.
But I honestly like the Chronomaster better.
Congrats! This is why we like this channel so much. Your grail is a $2,000 GS Quartz. First the home, now the watch. Sounds like a vehicle purchase may be coming up. When you get your 911 GT3, I would recommend the Touring. Same performance without the giant wing. 😉 Congrats again!
My grail is a $17.5k Casio quartz. I am also in the market for a Corolla Hybrid, but ONLY if I can pay GT3 money for it.
@@linvesel Seestern just dropped a pretty good copy of this watch if you’re not too bothered by Homages/Clomages. I drove my Corolla for 16 years. God bless the Japanese Cars and Watches…
@@adk7962 as you can tell, I am very much bothered by everything. The Corolla you drove was the kind that was very well built and built to last-NOT the kind of Corolla I’m interested in. I meant I want to pay the Porsche GT3 price for a modern Corolla with massive piston ring gaps, the kind that burns 1 qt of oil every 1500 miles from new, with cheap plastic interior and overall engineered to be scrapped within 150k miles.
@@linvesel Ha! I hear you. Yeah. Your money doesn’t go too far these days. Also the people who are worrisome are the ones who are bothered by everything, and thinks they are not. You Sir are at least self aware.
@@adk7962 All my sarcasm aside, have you had any experience with Seestern or San Martin in terms of which is higher quality ?
congrats Jody! i like this way of looking at it. instead of a "one and done grail watch" having a grail per year is a great idea.
Can you make a review on Edox Watches. I like them a lot but don't know if I'm paying to much or if it 's at a good value.
Welcome to the 9F86 crew Jodi. As a (not so new now) parent, I have done a complete 180 of quartz, especially, high end quartz. I appreciate nothing more than picking up my watch and date/time is spot on and ready ago. And the 9F86 are very very spot on.
Agree it's a shame about no clear caseback. From my recollection, there is only one quartz GS with a clear caseback sadly
Congrats. Champagne dial is on my radar. But you pt out the huge issue: GMT hand does not pop. Like you I have too many blk dial watches - offer this with a gold, yellow, red, or orange GMT hand and it’s an easy buy.
The links aren't half links they are 2/3 links, allowing adjustment in thirds not half. Fit the bracelet with full links only and then check the fit. To tight take 1 full link out and add two 2/3 links to increase it overall by a third. It the bracket is to loose take out a full link and add a 2/3 link taking it down by a third and you then get a great fit
Perfectly stated. I removed 1 large link and 2 small links from the bracelet to obtain a perfect fit on my 7.5" wrist.
Come on now, Jody... This was the real christmas present to yourself, wasn't it? 😄
GS make some gorgeous watches, very nice purchase you've made
I bought my Omega Speedy from Japan a couple of years ago Jody. It was actually an eBay purchase, but was listed as a mint 2002 model. And yes it was mint on arrival! I have bought a number of really nice 2nd hand watches out of Japan & have been more than happy! Having said that I did join Buyee some 6 months ago but to date, have not bought there… ⏳🤔 Nice purchase mate!👏🏼
They are both absolutely gorgeous! I love high quality quartz watches.
Congratulations on obtaining one of your grails. For me, I define a grail as a watch I will never be able to obtain. Fortunately for me, I have the mini grail. These are watches I love but can obtain. At the moment, I have all my mini grails so I feel pretty good about that.
My goodness she's a SPECTACULARLY GORGEOUS watch!
Congratulations on the purchase. 👊🏼
Ridiculously accurate but impossible to tell the time unless the light hits it right! Still a gorgeous piece and a great choice - these HAQ Grand Seikos are the perfect dress watches.
Not true. I can read my wife's SBGX347 from across the room in low light. I have to push on my light button to read my G Shocks.
I have this watch. No problem to tell the time but difficult to see the second hand.
High end Japanese quartz watches are a category of their own. I own both the Citizen Chronomaster AQ4091-56L and the Grand Seiko SBGN003. The tech, the finishing, the accuracy and the fact that no one has a clue what these watches are and how much they cost bring me an awful lot of satisfaction.
I prefer the cream one myself, but this is a beauty. I am also on a quartz kick too, I need more.
Ey Jody, I'd flip the bracelet around. The GS would be upside down but you wouldn't notice the gap anymore. I've done that several times on watches with this issue. Cheers!
Hi Jody, I have the 37mm 3 hander champagne dial. It's a beautiful watch and it's gained less than 3 seconds since I got it in June last year.
So on my teeny tiny budget, my Seiko 5 SNXS73 silver dial will do just fine. Bought 2 years ago for $70 on Amazon warehouse (like new condition).
Aragon sometimes will put a display back on some of their watches with the ETA Quartz movement to show it off. Unfortunately, sometimes they have some Invicta like leanings wing likes to build 50 mm, but when he goes and builds a smaller watch, it’s usually outstanding Good quality at a good price
Congrats on the GS!
I didn't consider it at the time, but, I guess I picked up a grail watch a few months ago... Something that was on my wish list for a while and expensive to get. But, I finally got an older GS dive watch with a 9F movement.
The last time I reset the watch was to Fall back on 11/18/2023. Since then, it has not deviated at all.. ok.. my app says it's averaging +0.01 s/d.
Out of my current watch collection, the only watch that rivals in accuracy would be my Casio G-Shock with Bluetooth and Radio synchronization. But, the GS is totally self-reliant in keeping its accuracy without any outside checks and references to maintain its outstanding accuracy.
If I'm not mistaken, the service interval for a 9F may be 50 years. Of course you do the battery change every 2 years or so. But, the 9F quartz movement is basically completely sealed with quality parts and assembly. And, the parts are supposed to last about 50 years before one should ever need a replacement or servicing of its components. At least that's what many people seem to say about them.
Very beautiful watch, a true gentleman watch. Congratulations
Enjoy it, Jody. The 9F quartz is supposed to be one of the most accurate quartz movements on the planet. I do not understand for this price range why they have no micro adjustments and they should have on-the-fly micro-adjustments for this price. It is a lot heavier than I thought it would be being quartz. I guess that bracelet adds a lot of weight to the watch. It is stunning, I have seen only a couple in person. Most of my friends are not into watches besides one and he has collected a bunch of King Seiko watches and those are not cheap either. He uses that service in Japan you mentioned buyme or something like that.
My new grail is Bulova Lunar Pilot Meteorite. Being limited edition, price will keep going up, doubt Ill ever get one 😢. Congratulations!!
Congratulations Jody, beautiful watch 👍🏽
Thanks for the video. Buyee is a great service. I got an awesome deal on a Seiko Astron last year when Buyee had a 20% off coupon. I read somewhere that the Seiko Astrons are made in the same factory as the Grand Seikos and it wouldn't surprise me because the quality of the Astrons is superb. Please consider reviewing an Astron - there are plenty of models to choose from.
ahhhhhhh nice. business is good! as a tokyo resident i drool over these in showcase windows all the time.
Well done Jody. My GS sbgn007 is one of my favourite pieces. Plus it's hotroded to 5 seconds per year. In practice the 9F is set and forget.
Congrats on picking up your grail watch, very nice indeed. Well done Jody for championing Quartz, I have autos that need baying morning and night , it can be a pain. Solar Quartz is so difficult to argue against, it just works.
Congrats om acquiring your grail watch !!!!!!
Wear it in healt and prosperity
Congrats! BTW: what about a Video which Casios have the most and best third-party watch straps? I'm somehow into orange and this limits which watches to choose from...
Congratulations, Jody! That’s a stunner of a watch! Nice choice!
Beautiful watch, and great to see a total lack of quartz snobbery however ironically if I was spending that much money on a watch I think it would have to be mechanical
I used to own that Chronomaster and I still own the non-GMT, 44GS version of that Grand Seiko (SBGP001). Nobody does quartz like Japan!
I think my grail I’ve been lusting after for a couple years is the Hamilton khaki king with the ivory dial I should just take the plunge. But I need to start selling some of my unused watches because I’m having a storage issue and too many watches are not getting wrist time.
Hrmm... nice. VERY nice. Much like the Citizen, I thought to myself, 'That is a VERY nice watch - a perfect watch - that I would probably never actually buy!' Not sure which I prefer. I like the dial of the Citizen but the hands of the Seiko. The indices are about equal. I don't know that I'd demand lume on a watch like this so that's a wash but I definitely prefer the branding on the Grand Seiko. Decisions decisions. Think I'd go for the Citizen. I really like that dial. Two very nice watches, my friend.
Massive congratulations Jody, a real milestone in the collection. I have wanted one for years but the date still bugs me and not keen on the GMT either on that one. However I have a SARB 035 so I have my champagne dial. The Chronomaster therefore I prefer too plus I forgot it never needs a battery, hmmm maybe I could live with the date who knows 🤔Anyhoo just chuffed to mintballs for you 🥂
Congrats Jody. Welcome to the club. Personally I love more colorful GS dials. For example, I picked up the green bamboo US version GMT SBGJ259 last year. From an AD which was offering 30%+ off MSRP. 🎉😊 So a win win from my viewpoint.
Me too yesterday a GS SBGJ273 Yuka Momiji. I can't wait!!
Nice. I love my Seiko Dolce SACM151, with a Gerard Perregeux strap. In my mind my little baby GS.
I agree with old Jody.
Never been a fan of Grand Seiko and that price…for a quartz!
Give me a Momentum Sea Quartz any day.
Congratulations Jody! It’s a beautiful piece.
Congrats, I love quartz as well. Wearing my Casio Tiffany Blue with the reliable Miyota 2115 Quartz at the moment. 👌🏼 My grail for 2024 is the Tissot Courtier Quartz as Tom Hiddleston wore in the show “The Night Manager” My only automatic atm is a Steeldive 1953 Submariner homage with the Seiko NH35 movement.
You should pick up a Tissot Courtier Quartz, very similar to both the GS, and Citizen.
Love the 9F movement! A 9F GMT is absolutely on my grail list! As time goes by I do find myself preferring quartz more and more. While there do seem to be excellent quartz pieces at the high end of the market, I very much wish there were more quartz + sapphire offerings at the low end.
Congrats on the grail! So good to get it early and enjoy throughout the year
Congrats Jody. Got yourself a real beauty.
Have one of the double branded quartz models from a while back. Don't think I've worn anything else outside of a few days at the beach since i got it last year
My "Grail" watch is the Bulova Accutron Vintage 214 Spaceview , hard to find an original one for a affordable price .
Did you notice how the 9F second hand has a smoother sweep than the Chronomaster? That's because the 9F beats twice a second, which to the eye looks like a single, fluid once-a second-sweep.
I’m glad you bought a GS. I’ve long wondered what you thought of them. Superb quality aside, it’s the nature themed dials and the spring drive movement that make a GS for me. No other watch movement has that mesmerising secondhand glide.
Like you, I’m not a fan of the bracelet. I have a bunch of quality leather straps in various colours, all with QD spring bars (except for the stingray strap, which can’t be cut that finely they tell me).
A dark grey sailcloth strap or a brown nato would look amazing on this one.
Very nice indeed. Wish you well to wear it, Jody. My GS goal for the collection is the Heritage Collection Shunbun
Never thought I would be interested in a GS. There is a tiny spark there after your vid. Merci!
Congratulations mate I have two grails a Longines Conquest Heritage dress watch or Stowa Marine 36 with centre seconds, no date, handwound decorated movement.
Grand Seiko are the only great part of Seiko at the moment.
I also own a stowa and hate it because it’s too cheap and not quartz. I cannot respect a non-quartz watch that is reasonably priced, which does not leave me homeless.
Love it....this is a real grown up watch. Ditch the others! Maybe not the erebus....
ive gone over to hi end quartz in the last few years plus my accutron. Cant be bothered with mechanicals anymore. Great review!...loved how you tried to find differences between this and the citizen😂. Youre not fooling anyone! So what if theyre similar
Looks stunning. Congrats on a great purchase!