A stroll through the Seiko Boutique in Frankfurt

Unlike our colleagues in Asia more generally or Japan specifically, we are hardly spoiled for choice when it comes to more exciting Seikos here in Europe. For a long time it seemed that the brand is intent on preserving the choicier morsels for markets closer to home but it appears that this is changing fast.

As I have been on a business trip to Frankfurt today, I decided to quickly drop in at their Boutique to see to what extent this approach might have changed in the meantime. And after the experience, I can say that change is certainly did.

Before I even get to the watches, allow me to lose a word or two about the sales person. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, not overbearing or intruding, getting to grasp the likes and dislikes very fast, suggesting similar or related products with easy, not getting flustered if you used model numbers - all you want a watch sales person to be, in all honesty. So homework number one definitely successfully completed!

Here are some of the many watches I have tried. Starting with the SBDB015. At 47mm it looks massive when looked at in the shop window. And one imagines a mini boat anchor in terms of weight. In fact it is feather light - I did not have my Breitling Aerospace (also titanium) with me for comparison, but I would say it is about the same weight, in spite being mechanical, larger and a lot thicker. It is the watch related to the Seiko Space Watch and the functionality is the same (design is very, very similar). It has been worn on some relatively interesting mountaineering adventures, too. And if you want interesting features, the caseback has specific areas for etching in your blood type, name and other personal details.

A Spring Drive, with a GMT complication, a supremely comfortable bracelet, light weight - in sum many components you would want a leisure watch to have. Still a bit uncertain about the size, though...

Next a SBGC005. Also in titanium and also very light. Sadly, the colour combination is not my favourite and they do not sell SBGBs, which appeal more to me optically...

At 50mm this was the largest watch I tried. And you know what, it is light and does not feel like 50mm on the wrist. Too large for my taste and I do not dive but if I did, it would work in principle, even on my puny hand

Finally, an SBGM027 - a classical looking GMT watch from GS. Sits nicely on the wrist, is of an excellent size (although quite a bit heavier, compared to its larger titanium brethren), supremely legible, all a classical GMT travel watch needs to be. It even has lume on the dial and the hands, something few GSs otherwise have. A Grand Seiko indeed.

Also tried many more, from a Snowflake, to a humdrum SBDC033. All have their charm and it is really amazing to see the breadth of offering. Forgot to ask about the SARX019 with the enamel dial (they do Japan specials and have this one, for instance) but there is always a next time... In the end I left without a watch - none were really planned at the moment - but with lots of positive impressions and the promise that should I change my mind, they will send it to me (so I do not need to return to Frankfurt for it). Will make the sleeping over it a bit more difficult, knowing that one of these could be with me very, very soon