bernard cheong
7182
Hello friend. My initial reaction was "YIKES".
But the people behind this "commando unit", which was probably set up to learn the best from Opus, MF&F and Goldpfiel, and YET to keep it within the roof, so to speak...is well worth watching!
After now, the 2nd day, I have had more people with positive than negative responses.
Which is very different from the days of Opus. Especially Vianney's Goldpfeil, which had almost zero positives, until later...10 years later.
These GALANTES, in limited edition form, are the Opus division of SEIKO.
They sort of split into (1) high end editions, which remain in constant form, for the last 5 years.
(2) annual production of 30 to 62 pcs of one design, they all have variations of the same case.
Now, before jumping off the deep end, I would say that at the price of $7k, I know, it is not to mention price here, but to save your time...it is on the web....it is EXPENSIVE. But it is consistently outperforming Opus in sales...ie..it sells out to the end user in weeks.
Now that I own one, after finding out last month of their existence...just in time!!!!
I am VERY happy.
More later!!!
SEIKO sets up an independent! A TRUE Japanese culture AHCI. (part 33 of33)
In the year 2009, I was summoned to visit SEIKO. After an INCREDIBLE good 7 day trip..first class...I had NO IDEA..that SEIKO had already a new CEO, and it was Shinji Hattori, who, as the new CEO who created this trip for me, and 7 others. We saw SEIKO, t...
Thank You for Sharing this watch with us...
The more I look at it, the more I'm beginning to like it, my initial reaction was not very positive but as I look at it more, I'm discovering more and more, would love to see your other Seiko's please and if possible to talk more about the AHCI style Seik...
Hi..the bracelets are handmade in Japan, and NOT a part of steelux which makes most
of what we see. And once we/you have touched the luxury of a hand finished japanese urushi pen or a piece of jewelry/sword...the dragon's claw is meaningful. I HIGHLY recomend, but with a sense of ADVENTURE, to get a piece, but you will have to wait till ...
Hello friend. My initial reaction was "YIKES".
But the people behind this "commando unit", which was probably set up to learn the best from Opus, MF&F and Goldpfiel, and YET to keep it within the roof, so to speak...is well worth watching! After now, the 2nd day, I have had more people with positive t...
I can't agree that Galantes is the Opus series of Seikos!!!
Until they start producing cases besides round ones, and start producing complications both functional and user interface. I would like to see it the next time we meet, I need to feel, taste, bite into it!! Best, Horo
SALMANQ8 I forgot..the caseband n crown isjust a work of love
I wanted to use the word ART, but the fit and the individual polish... Is extreme. The choice of alloy, which I was allowed to examine, at Grand Seiko, and which being experienced with eye and orthopod prosthesis, is of superlative medical grade...which i...
The Finishing of the dial is very interesting and how it changes color..
in different light, fantastic, what is the material used at the center of the crown, reminds me of the gadgets from the old sci-fi shows in the 60s and 70s S
never had any experience with seiko
no doubt the quality has improved but the legacy just isn't there to justify a premium. idk haven't seen any seikos irl tho
I used to think about heritage. However, Urwerk, MBF, Kari, and...
everyone needs to start. SEIKO has 150 years of uninterupted heritage, matched only by the ones of Rolex, Omega and Patek. RM would not have had a chance too ....and he was from of all places...SEIKO. I had not been back to Japan since the 90s, and after ...
Seiko has great history and record in the Observatory Chronometer Competition in 60s
It was already at pinnacle of mechanical watch in late 60s (Google "Observatory Chronometer" "Neuchatel"). Sure, in the quartz era, Seiko got lazy on mechanical department and had to be resuscitated in late 80s to early 90s to "come back" to the scene. So...
Bernard, Seiko is or was an under appreciated brand, here...
can you post pictures of other models that do not have the date in that position. BTW, what is the weight of your watch and how will it fit on a small wrist?
Ronald...I will surely post pictures. I am leaving for London
soon, and will be back by next week. But before I go...look carefully at this hi re pic: Can you see the hand applied lines that run along the index?...
Ronald..2 pictures
Even as I support DEVON and more SWISS makers than ones from Japan or the USA, I come from a trading outpost, I think of a scene from Starwars, the first one....
The Design and Aesthetic reminds me of...
The 40s and 50s, Hot Roding, Tattoo Culture and Custom Bikes...very Von Dutch, this watch would look great on DonD's wrist S Pics Source: Google Images...
Bernard have safe trips and respond when you have the time...
Perhaps we need a PuristS factories trip to Japan? I wonder if anyone in the US owns any of these watches?
You are absolutely right, Bernard...
Seiko is a brand to be reckoned with at all levels and with the technological chops; Kinetic Drive, Magic Lever winding, Spron mainspring, Spring Drive movement, that most manufactures cannot match. After having just seen a Grand Seiko in the metal, I can...
I hope so..because this seems to offer a new start for the world
prices of the artistic creations have soared..and this is good, but only for the ones who have means. I am, being a doctor, very concerned that this hobby, which is HEALTHY for the mind and for making friends be MORE accessable to ALL...and yet remain HIG...
Not my coup of tea
Thanks for sharing your passion with us, Bernard. The finish looks good - I have no doubt that it is as good as you describe. The design however....not my taste. But we can't argue over taste anyway. Have a safe trip to Europe then. Best, Stefan
I need better ones...but here are 2
I made a BIG mistake thinking I could use under by 3 stops and PS to balance!!! ARRRGHHH. I would rate movt decor as high to a drop to above average...this is the ONLY weakness. I think SEIKO made a mistake to think that AHCI collectors go mainly for look...
Here..I took these about a 10 mins ago.
The attention to COMFORT..is I can tell you..EXTREME. I have over 10 Patek and 1 Lange and 1 AP bracelet to compare...made between 2000 to 2009. There is NO fight. Forget Rolex...not a fight.Not in the same league. For comfort...but it must be my wrist. I...
Thanks for the quick turnard Bernard. Just a quick glance and the movement deco is not
what most folks would be expecting from AHCI. There would be room for improvement like you said. But the Katana hands and the "moon sabre" seconds hands are quite nicely done. I was just browsing the Galante website and they have quite funky designs not n...
My favorite piece..
All sold out. I was 2 years late!!! The white rose pattern is great....
Seiko Galante: sorry but I didn't understand it.
Well Bernard, I'm one of the few guys here in Europe who had the opportunity to wear a Galante. And even if I have a lot of respect for Seiko, for the innovation, the broad range of high quality watches available... I consider that the Galante is one of t...
These designs are not for European Tastes or Aesthetics..
so it is understandable you won't find it appealing or understand it. "C'Est La Vie" as they Say S
You are so right :-)
.. And the interest is also about people have different taste and opinions Best Hans
Chuckles..I wore that watch last year in Paris. and...
my wife screamed that it was for a woman. But I like it. I guess because (1) it makes people ask what it is. (2) I am asian (3) SEIKO only sells this in Paris, besides Japan. They understand some of the french. But it is not for the west. NOT yet. But if ...
A very interesting post and watch!
Thanks for calling our attention to this piece, Bernard -- fascinating indeed. Great photos, too! The design of the case is not to my personal taste (in particular the columns at the corners) but many of the features, including the indices and hands, are ...
Apologies for causing so much disscussion.
Here is a shot I took a few mins ago. The SEIKO has the weird case elements. New movement. New dial technique. New, maybe unacceptable looks. And, by today's standards..round but yet square, aesthetic. Could be off. Could be in. I will get 2 more, than a ...
It says a lot
...that you display the Seiko with these treasures! I will look forward to your additional impressions once you have lived with the watch (and perhaps others!) for a little while. Best, Gary G
Thanks Gary..it is a strange watch reallly.
Also...it CANNOT look good at all on a leather strap..the bracelet is part of the whole thingy. WEIRD.
Bernard, I like this post.
The watch has a lot of details on the bracelet, dial, hands and especially the case. Thanks for posting this stunning Seiko - it is a beast. Regards Ling
rare...not too expensive, and very well made..and lets non collectors in
I am even having a hard time getting these, which are also are..these have a standar bezel....
Love/Hate
Couldn't agree more - Seiko have so much potential and I'm content to not love the watches shown in your post. It is really gratifying to see Seiko walk on the wild side even if just for a few steps!
Galante for the shy Purist
Hello Bernard, I'm delighted and not surprised that you have latched on to that incredible piece of wrist art. It's much more than a watch. I've had a brief Galante dalliance, but my watch was much less flashy than the one you've landed. Nevertheless, it ...
well
The quality, materials and workmanship may be top notch; but this thing is an absolute monstrosity. Looks like a kid's toy watch, simply unwearable.
Yes...quite, I would say. Looking like..
I totally agree. In fact, it is my naturally, born, adventurous persona...in some ways. I don't dare jump bungee for example...but we digress. The Galante is SO damned well made..from a purely surgical pov...when I examine a knife or a blade...I look for ...
This model is a VERY powerful example!!!!! white ROSE
I found a version of this, the sbla061 and I have already bought it to analyse. The rose and the index and the glass/crystal is of exceptional order. Now..these level of TOP finish is VERY hard to define, and requires a Nikon Field BINOCULAR microscope wh...