Grand Seiko SBGH257 Saturation Diver Review

As soon as this watch was announced at baselworld 2017 it peaked my interest. It was not the same feeling as the SLA017 that I knew I had to have but more of a “that looks awesome and especially in blue”. Now when I saw the price I immediately thought wtf? What is Seiko thinking pricing a diver more than a submariner?! At least in my eyes a Rolex sub is what I compare any dive watch to. For me it’s the perfect combination of utility, quality and value for the money. More importantly worry free daily wearability.

So when my local AD started carrying GS I was the first to see what models they would initially display. When I saw this diver in the flesh, my opinion changed to wow, I must have this! All of a sudden the sticker price meant nothing as the quality far exceeded anything I have seen before on this category.

After handling the watch it was apparent that GS did it right. They had created a saturation diver with the correct proportions and weight distribution. They created a case that hides a 47mm body. The high intensity titanium is finished like nothing I have seen before. It’s compete perfection. The dial plays with the light, it looks black in some conditions and a dark navy blue in others.

Everything’s perfect up until the claps! This is something Seiko needs to address with they want to compete in the higher price category. They need to stop reusing parts from their less expensive divers, mainly the marinemaster 300 which to a degree has an identical clasp with the same stamped metal! It was really something that stuck out like a sore thumb on such a high quality piece. The buckle is to say the least cheap feeling. It scratches easy and I don’t foresee it taking a beating like a clasp from Rolex or even Omega to a degree. This is my biggest complaint!

The 9S85 high beat is easily the most accurate mechanic movement on the market. This being my second GS that uses this and as always +/- 1.5 seconds after 5 days of wear! The watch gains a little during the day and loses a little during night time. It’s the most perfect movement and suits this diver well. I have to say there is nothing like it on the market.

The watch also comes with a rubber strap. Now similar to the SLA017 it’s a dust and lint magnet. I was kind of surprised that this was the case but it is what it is. The point goes to what I said either. GS needs to revamp their clasps, bracelet with push pins and the quality of their rubber.

Overall this is an amazing piece. Is it expensive yes! Should it be pieces lower? I would say yes. I would say GS is not there yet but it’s a fairly simple thing to fix. The watch wears big but light. It wears much more comfortably than it’s direct competitor the Rolex deepsea. The bracelet is well proportioned and the watch doesn’t shift from side to side on the wrist! It’s not too heavy.

If I missed a point of interest let me know! I would love to answer it!