Best Watch I’ve Owned (It Made Me $1,500) | Watchfinder & Co.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ต.ค. 2024
- Since discovering them some twenty years ago, I have been privileged to not only handle and enjoy but also own some incredible watches. From the Rolex Submariner to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, each one has brought a different kind of pleasure-but none more so than this, my very own Grand Seiko SBGV245. Here are five reasons why this watch is the best I’ve ever owned.
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Grand Seiko SBGV245
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One of the best things about this already great channel is that it does feel a lot more personal these days. Fantastic watch. Thanks for all the great content perfect hands man
I agree
@@mohammedshezaadboots1934 yes
Agreed! Pick out a random old video and it’ll seem so bland in comparison to what we get now!
I’ve had mine for a year. I’ve owned 200+ watches. This is the best money I’ve ever spent on a watch (dead serious). I paid around $2300 from Seiya Japan last January/February. I was going to make a video a similar to this...but now I’ll have to change the title a bit 🙂
Agree. I have less watches than you, 170 in total. I have 12 GS and another dozen vintage gs/ks. Though, l don't buy watches as investment, l would like to correct some misinformations out there. Like all regulars, l bought all if mine with good discounts. None of them lost money. In fact, many appreciated in price. The peacock, the grand cocktail sbgy003 not only have doubled in price but, very few available, unlike my rolexes. I see that my sbgh047 is now not available. The sbgk005 is also disappearing. Even the non limited sbgr017 is not difficult to find. The new gen GS with 9SA5 Movement is really limited in stock. So far, my dealer only managed to get two and it's gone before he displayed on the shelf. Now, more difficult to get discount.
@@canonyeo4286 nice collection!!
@@tententock tks, yours too.
$2300 is a steal, it goes above 5K nowadays
Seiya Japan.... highly recommended.
We need an audiobook and a playlist with this guy.
Yah offcourse
So true. I watch his videos just to listen to him talks.!
he probably need to have a new recording booth and mic first so his audio quality can go back to the way it was but yeah agree
Just put on loop to get me to sleep... 😏
he writes books, actually, fiction, several are for sale on amazon ;-)
Finally saw my first Grand Seiko watches in person this past weekend. The hands were so sharp you would've thought they'd cut you like a razor. Astonishing finishing, especially on the clear case back models I was able to see.
The Tudors next to them were literally no comparison.
I've never seen a GS in person, but I was seriously underwhelmed when I saw the Tudor in the shop window
An Oris looks and feels better in person than a Tudor imo. And GS is head and shoulders above both in finishing
Was that possibly at Hyde Park Jeweler in Scottsdale AZ(fashion square)? When I got my GS the Tudor display was directly to the left.
This watch gets the most wear out of my collection. Ultra accurate, doesn't need to be set again, looks stunning.
I prefer a watch that runs a little fast. Stops me being late!
You're so lucky to own this masterpiece!
I only miss an independently set hour hand, DST or travel across timezones can really mess up the accuracy measurement 🤣
@@ferlikster gs also has gmt quartz too
Same
Honestly Andrew, I will never tire of this channel - the moment I get a notification, I find myself 10mins to sit down, relax and enjoy the stories. The videos with a personal touch are always my favourite.
You know what's mad? This is one of the most beautiful watches I've ever seen, and I've never heard of it before. Any Grand Seiko I've seen was Spring Drive, I've never seen something that's 100% quartz from them. A great reminder for people to never get snobby about quartz, especially when it's completely in house and looks so well.
I don't think I could ever take this watch off my wrist.
The 9F quartz pieces from Grand Seiko are up there with their Spring Drive models. Amazing what they can do, even with their quartz!
I mean they're the quartz race winner back in the 60s, nearly decimated the Swiss with it. So if you're gonna spend 4 figures on a quartz it's hard to beat Seiko even with tough competition from Citizen and Bulova
From a time telling perspective and what making is all about, the 9F is arguably the greatest movement ever conceived. Incredibly accurate, durable, repairable like a mechanical, wont require a service for decades and is finished better than most watches costing 3 times as much!
exactly, the 9f is objectively one of the best watch movements ever made.
Yet that second hand ticking drives me nuts, it needs to sweep
@@ekimandersom4478 Yeah, no matter how accurate ... It wouldn't feel good
@@ekimandersom4478 Exactly, my only problem with quartz watches. Why no one can make a smooth quartz second hand even if the battery would last half as much?
The Citizen A060 and A010, check out then report back ;-)
A high end quartz movements such as Citizen caliber 0100 and Grand Seiko 9F shall be more appreciated, high end quartz watch with open case back is something that I really want to see more often.
Yea. I love my old quartz Rolex. Don’t know if it’s that high end though
They are still selling in good prices.
@@j0nnyism oyster quartz has a very high end quartz movement
Lol...nope
I almost spit out my tea when I heard that Jawa. Well played, sir.
Thanks to your video a year ago I too purchased my first Grand Seiko. It was the same watch SBGV245. It’s as close to the perfect watch I have ever found. Major congrats to you and your SBGV245. This one is in my collection forever.
A clever fellow once said "Perfection in design is achieved not when nothing remains to be added but when nothing remains to be taken away". I always felt that really applies to Grand Seiko totally.
The GS'es we see here to me always look like they have been stripped back to exactly what they need to have, no more and no less. If the hour markers are raised it's because that is what they need to match the overall design, and never to be blingy.
They need to "take away" the power indicator that mars an otherwise perfect face. It's like a hare-lip on La Gioconda.
As the second hand sweeps over the hour hand , You can see the ridges on the underside of the second hand. I love that over the top style of finishing. on something that'll never get seen.
From the way the second hand ticks, you know this 9F movement is literally something else
loved this watch ever since I've seen the articles by wornandwound and hodinkee, glad someone else is also appreciating this underrated GS
Another model that should win more plaudits is the GS SBGX341. One of my favorites. The omission of the date window is an improvement.
Just ended this week with purchasing my second GS 9F. With Citizen joining the super accurate quartz movement game, I sense the second coming of quartz popularity and what I term as “The Quartz Renaissance!”
You are 100% right!
Rhoi Carpena which two watches of grand seiko do you have bro ?
Exactly - the elegance of GS quartz exceeds any smart watch, and it's simplicity and purity of function means it will outlast any fandangled wrist computer.
Oh please let’s NOT have a quartz renaissance; it’s good that they’re there but lack soul, skill and fascination. If accuracy and craftsmanship aren’t necessary then an F91W is all we need!
@@KevinR3i I have one too; a place for everything! 👍 Just not a renaissance 🤞🙏
I have the pretty rare sbgx343, it shares the same case but comes on a bracelet and the antimagnetic 40000 a/m, it was literally love at first sight, i didnt know about the model untill i saw it in the ginza boutique, its my forever watch.
Three years ago, I watched this video and told myself I will own one. I am proud to say I finally get to own this beautiful watch!
I just ordered the SBGX061 you had in stock last week (and pending getting a link polished to get it to my wrist size) I’m even more excited about receiving it after seeing this. Great video!
@@MT-kx2uc even more excited now! I wanted to get rid of one of my unworn Rolexes and found it on the website and couldn’t help getting this as part of the deal. I’ve been told by a mate who is a horologist that I absolutely won’t be disappointed by the quality. Can’t wait for it to arrive
Excellent choice! Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy it very much.
@@watchfinder The moment I saw it I knew it was coming home with me. (Delivered I guess!). The service I’ve had so far has been exemplary and I couldn’t be happier. Keep up the great content!
I have the sbgx053, aren’t they amazing!?
The even texturing on the underside of the seconds hand alone speaks volumes about how head and shoulders above so many big name watch brands Grand Seiko is.
7:34
that's not always the case. seems to be luck of the draw or something (as usual with Seiko. not even the low volume higher end is immune to the Seiko QA curse). you can find examples of it if you care enough
@@praetor47 I don't doubt it, but when nearly every Rolex featured on this channel has a seconds hand that looks like it was finished on Bring Your Child to Work Day, it's tough not to see the positive contrast.
It is so beautiful, and finishing is something that could be considered "out of this world ". And best of all, it is a in house quartz movements, and one of best ones in the world. Congratulations on having this amazing watch
I actually had this piece on my wrist on a trip to GS in London. I was tempted but did not pull the trigger on it and I don't know why, it looked fantastic but I'd missed the opportunity to get my first GS Quartz. I did however return some time later to pick up the limited edition SBGP015 and it's a stunning Quartz watch. However I still have a little niggle that I missed the SBGV245.
The sharpness of those hands is beyond everything!
This is my daily watch. I've not owned it for long, however I recently came to test its time keeping. Perfect. Literally perfect. I also picked up a bracelet for it from SeiyaJapan (who I highly recommend) and it's hard to pick another watch when I come to choose one in the morning.
This is the best quartz watch ever made in my opinion. Great value for money, the highest quality in the finishing and the most accurate movement; everything you could expect from the perfect quartz timepiece. 🙏🏼 Thanks Grand Seiko
It's definitely up there, but the Citizen caliber 0100 is more accurate at ±1 sec/year
@@quadZ_z You are quite right about the accuracy of the Citizen, but as a complete package (I know this is subjective) Grand Seiko steals it for most people. Including me :)
I have the black dial version. I bought it in tokyo on a whim for my bday at yodabashi and wasn't a fan of the strap so changed that and it gets alot of wear as I'm not worried about riding my motorcycles with it. Great watch, beautiful case.
''Sand to a Jawa (UTINI!!)'' - I alway enjoyed your videos, but this one bumps my appreciation to 11 (maybe 12). Cheers, MC
I own this watch and I absolutely love it, looks amazing with nearly any strap you put on it as well. I set the time on mine to an atomic clock just over 5 months ago and it hasn't lost or gained a second since. These 9F movements are no joke!
Do you wear it in a variety of temperatures even going inside to air conditioning and outside to heat a few times per day? I do and found in real world wear it is fast about one second per month. I think the 10 seconds per year is if you keep it in a watch box at a constant temperature (or so it seems in my experience).
I just purchased two 8j56 8030 from Japan and I cannot stop looking at them. The price was ridiculous in terms of affordability. I'm lucky and grateful to have gotten them and plan on holding on to them for quite a while. Thank you for the amazing work you continue to provide all of us. I truly mean it.
My 25 year old Pulsar V736 is Quartz too. Accuracy is phenomenal. Best watch of My 65 years. It was included in a "Promotion " from work. Free to me!! I've gone thru 10 straps with the next coming in the mail. Thank you Watchfinder!!
I am not even a watch person, yet I love watching your videos! I might even buy a watch now. Bloody hell!
Kudos to the work you do sir. Love listening to you and love listening, especially, to the background music- so subtle, yet so impactful.
I purchased a grand seiko and I can say its the best watch I've ever owned and I've been into watches for 40+ years. I have a mild form of OCD and so I'm into perfection and never found it. I can't fault the grand seiko and I've tried. Think they will catch on and the price will rise.
I just bought an SBGE255 a few weeks ago and I agree with you....I don’t even care if the prices rise....because now I want more of them.
@@frankmastromauro5630 I know the feeling would love another now I've seen the quality.
What GS did you buy?
@@OBWAT Hi beat sbgh201
@@cryptoengineer9930 Awesome. Love the hi-beat pieces
I recently added an SBGE255 to my collection and I can’t stop wearing it - sometimes even to bed.
Ahh crap now the price will skyrocket before I can finish saving for one :0
Honestly if you have to save up for one I’d wait until you don’t. Mortgage should be a much higher priority. Boring I know
its discontinued to begin with.
@@j0nnyism wise words.
must remain grounded as this passion is not an inexpensive one.
Is the market that soft that a video will make the price increase?
@@j0nnyism Give me a watch over a house / apartment any day! :D
Never seen a Grand Seiko with anything other than an impeccable finish. Stunning, even tho it's quartz 😉
Thanks Mr Hands 👍🏻👍🏻
The finishing on the dial and hands is flawless. No specks of dirt, and no rough edges like we see on some high-end Swiss brands showcased on this channel.
SBGV243 owner here! I was lining up to get the SBGV245 but that never materialized, so I got the black one instead. Well it's more like charcoal really, with vertical brushing as opposed to the horizontal brushing on the gray dial. It has a very cool yellow second hand and yellow numbers on the minute track. Still keeping my eye on the 245 just in case one comes up for grabs, wouldn't mind owning both.
Buy a Rolex to impress others... buy a Grand Seiko to impress yourself. (Your GS is a beautiful watch...)
You can't buy a Rolex... At least not MSRP prices, but at double or triple on the gray market. Thank you Rolex, and thank you AD's.
@@hex8387 That's crazy...
Haha impressed?
Mans listens to Half Moon Run! Respect 👊🏽
What a tribute to GS! Well done, sir!
I loved this video. Not least the Jawa reference at 5:50. "N-TEUDEE!!!"
that's what it was, for me it's at 5:57 ;)
This was also an impulse buy for me too when i was in Japan about 16 months ago. This watch has everything. Nice solid case with amazing finishing, super accurate, nice lume and 200m WR.
It doesn't have everything. It's the older 9f movement without the jumping hour hand.
This man feels like my family member - full of analytical analysis, thoughtfulness, sharp eyes, patience and class
you have Quite a family member
Well, I must have seen this video two dozen or more times. It hypnotised me, I found an excellent condition pre-owned example of this watch and pulled the trigger. As you said, “The wait was, therefore, horrid!” You we’re not wrong…
Now it is on my wrist though, it has all been worth it. Such a versatile watch! I do not really get on (yet) with the standard strap, but I’ve sewn up a few of my own and am amazed by how well it suits not just greys but greens, blues and reds too! Leather, rubber, canvass? The world is the mollusc of your choice!
Keep up the great videos and keep well :-)
The finish, ahhh the finish on a GS
Remember the Snowflake on this here site where we saw in the reflection on the hour hand the underside of the minute hand and in THAT mirror finish reflection we could read the Grand Seiko logo.
Who polishes the bottom of the hands to the same standard as the top? Thats on par with permanent on the bottom of the train bridge where only watchmakers ever seen it
Thank you for your efforts, love the videos and the dialogue, such a soothing voice and great knowledge, the best watch videos ever
The ultimate watch/quartz I have ever owned is the SBGF021 (or 019, 017) with the 8J56 movement, independent hour adjust with 5 year battery life. It´s the movement Seiko doesn´t want you to know about because it is way better than the 9F but more expensive to produce
watchfinder is testament to how 'untraditional' watch collectors can get❤️
As a watch snob, I never thought someone could sell me on a quartz watch. I stand very corrected!
Rocking my SBGN003 right now. There is nothing that compares at this price. And for accuracy. +0s since I set it when I got it in November. Love, love, love it!
Great content! love how personal the video was.
Absolutely beautiful watch. Never seen one before. Quartz, mechanical, who cares when the aesthetics are this good. First and foremost I buy a watch for its looks. Great video.
2:16 exactly! I feel all of Grand Seiko's watches look so much better in person or other people's photos/videos than the official ones. Wonder what's up with their taste/direction in those official content?
Thank you for the information on the 9F, I had disregarded it, because... quartz.... but understanding some of the level of detail they put into a quartz movement.... I will have to take a second look. The movement of the second hand is so crisp, and I had no idea it was a double beat. Thank you!
I totally understand the allure of a GS - plus the AD’s are fantastic, the watches are generally available and there’s no bollocks about buying Seiko to buy a GS .
It basically says "Yes, I like luxury watches, but the Rolex racket is bullshit. I got this Snowflake on Amazon."
Japanese finishing is absolute perfection
Thanks Korea
The 1st non-racist Korean complimenting Japanese.
Finally.
I have been wearing an SBGN005 for two years. +1 second per YEAR accuracy. 100% stunning.
No Lange advertisment at the end?? Proud of Andrew for this one 👍
Great watch. I have one. The strap is the weakest point on this watch (as with most GS). This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though as it is an absolute strap monster!
@Watchfinder & Co. i could tell you for hours why a Renault clio 1 litre engine in a Maybach is enough ... it actually also discribes my feelings about the GS with quarz movement ...
I wasn’t into watches when these came out.
That said, in a similar sentiment, my Casio Oceanus (quartz) is one of my absolute faves, and it lives with an Orient Star, a Vostok Europe, and soon a Grand Seiko.
There's no doubt that GS has exquisite finishing, and that's a beautiful watch with a quartz movement that is a cut above . That being said , personally, I could never rationalize spending that kind of money on a quartz watch of any kind . Obviously, that's just a personal opinion, but I'm just drawn to automatic and mechanical movements so much more . I bought my first GS over 45yrs ago . A GS 5646-8000 grey linen dial with braclet and a hi-beat movement. It's one of a handful that I've kept as I've bought, sold and traded over the last 50yrs. I sent this watch to Japan for factory service, but no polishing. It's pristine, and although I'm big on my Swiss watches, this GS is certainly a grm in my collection. Great, informative video. Thanx !!!
Mine arrived from Crown & Calibre to the UK a week ago - essentially new and a bargain. It's truly stunning.
Nice. If I walk past my GS SBGA254, have to stop and look at it for awhile, if not put it on, the special occasions I put it on for the day, I cannot stop my self looking at it all the time, so I understand you position.
One of the few watches I look at and can’t think of one thing I’d want to be different about it. Superb.
No surprise. That’s a fantastic watch. It’s one I’d buy, but I think a spring drive piece will be next to go with my SBGN003.
Finishing of this watch is impeccable.👍👍
I've wanted a Grand Seiko for a lonnng time. I love yours, sir. 👍
Now thats what I call a very well done watch review. Thank you 🙏
Loved this video, so what else is new, all your videos are stellar. I own a Grand Seiko and it’s my favourite. It’s mechanical with a circuit board but no battery. Accurate but not nearly as accurate as yours. Anyway thanks 🙏 & STAY SAFE
Phenomenal piece and I love mine. I'm lucky to live in Tokyo and be able to choose from a plethora of GS examples.
Superb video and great detail. Thank you!
The finish on a GS is always the craziest thing about it to me, went to see the quartz gmt one and was staggered at how good it really is
it's something you need to see in person to truly appreciate
You can't even tell unless you carry around a loupe. I was rather underwhelmed when I looked at them in person.
Please review a Citizen Chronomaster ( model AQ 4020 - 54Z ). I heard its accurate to ± 5 Seconds per year.
Great review and insight... the Jawa reference made me laugh out loud. Love your videos. Cheers,
"Harder than selling sand to a Jawa" (Insert Star Wars Jawa sound) .... priceless!
Superb content. This video outclasses itself. Thank you
What a great video ! I have bee looking at this watch for a while now, sad to see it discontinued, I have a hard time spending that much on a quartz watch.
I wish GS would replicate this case design for its 36mm offerings. That would be an instant purchase.
I’ld love to see an ultra slow-mo of the snowflake second hand, or any spring drive.
I just keep coming back to this video to look at this watch. Absolutely stunning
The new 60 anniversary tough quartz edition with the blue ceramic bezel SBGP015 is becoming rare for similar reasons. It’s a very high quality easy to wear piece.
I had the black dial version. I regret selling it, its a great quality watch. Perfect daily wearer.
I owned this a year ago, 3 months ago I contacted the guy I sold it to and bought it back 😅
I bought the sbgn007 at a good price. Can't seem to find them under 3k now... Grand seiko prices are rising too much.
I'm glad you are showing off the quartz. My automatics just sit in a watch box since I bought my quartz.
Love the 245. I have the 243 and I love it but the bezel is a dent magnet.
What a video. Very well put and personal, love it!!
Beautiful piece. I'd love to own it. But at Kohl's before xmas, I bought a watch in the Clearance bin that is beautiful, quartz but within 10 sec accuracy a year, with a sweeping second hand smoother than any Rolex, and only cost $118. A Bulova Precionist 252 HZ. There are great bargains everywhere, if you look.
Cool story bro
Beautiful piece. I'd love to own it> But at Koh;s before xmas, I bought a watch in the Clearance bin that is beautiful, quartz but within 10 sec a year, with a sweeping second hand smoother than a
Simple, Properly Sized and Beautiful. $1,500 cause is a Quartz movement. Put a High Beat or a Spring Drive movement and the price goes up by $5K.
Somehow, I feel that superior quartz movements such as this one, are slowly gaining more and more attention. What do you think?
If people would just stop putting them in giant watches. Longines has an interesting vhp movement. Unfortunately it's inside a toaster.
Aw man Hodinkee's take on the caliber ?0100? +/-1s per year is insane. I just think that any watch quartz or mechanical that is seriously made with care is impressive. Certainly this Grand Seiko is no different
@@NimsChannel I own the Longines Conquest VHP (blue dial on blue rubber strap). I agree that the movement isn't to the standard of the GS 9F, however, it's like 1/4 of the price? I paid 600$ for mine, brand new! And I also own a SBGX261 (9F62). Both amazing movement at their respective price points. The L288 is currently Switzerland's most accurate HAQ currently in production.
@@buzzrenren Yup! My SBGX261 does 4s/year.
@@El1988Che I have the sbgn007. I think the vhp is great movement wise. The toaster comment was referring to the case size. Looks like a villain from the animated ninja turtles.
A bit of a shame about the lume on the 12 I clock marker. I get that it's very hard to get that absolutely perfect because of the design of the markers, but that would look amazing had it been perfect. Like an infinity pool of lume.
But then, I doubt anyone would find a better finished undersides to a second hand on any watch even thrice the price. Absolutely amazing finishing.
I bought this in japan from bic camera in 2019, it's my perfect watch.
Great review of a great watch.
I would like to see your review of the Sinn Damaszener 1800. I think it’s a lovely watch.
Subbed
Beautiful timepiece... First time I've considered buying a GS
I just bought my first ..... It's incredibly beautiful
The only finishing flaw i could find was the underside of the seconds hand still had machining marks, which in my opinion shouldn't have been there. It should be smooth. I saw it when i saw a reflection of the underside on the mirror shine finish of the minutes hand.
Thank you for another great video.
Really like the design and color template. Wishing it came with an auto movement.. or can anyone point me in the right direction?
I’ve finally found the sound that soothes and puts my newborn to sleep almost instantly. Your voice. Not joking.
Everything comes together. Truly a handsome watch.