apropos
39
Hmm... a few questions
I would respectfully like to clarify a few parts of your review:
- you did not examine the movement past manufacture-provided photographs
- you cannot see much through the back because of the full rotor
- you did not examine the perlage
- you acknowledge there is no anglage
- the dial-side finish is rudimentary
- majority of jewels seen in manufacture photos=non-chamfered setting
IMO you did JLC and GO a disservice with that offhand comparison - perhaps a better comparison would be to IWC.
2. is the case really "forged"? Forging means to be hammered or other adopt a shape because of localised compressive forces. This is in all likelihood cast, machined, and then polished, but not forged. Tempering is not the same as forging. Would be glad to be corrected if the case is indeed "forged".
3. is the case really "as good if not better as any Patek I've handled" - really? A Patek? Aside from the fact that you're comparing a SS Seiko to a PP in SS (how many have you personally handled?), it is not difficult to achieve a "mirror" finish - as anyone any Tissot or Swatch Irony owner knows.
It is however difficult to achieve sharp case edges (c.f. old dog leg Constellations), a pleasing balance of brushed and polished surfaces with clean boundaries between the 2 (c.f. some Langes), and a unique case design which is appealing to the eye. All of which this watch does not have.
4. the dial is a design-wise, a dog's breakfast. 4 or 5 different fonts crammed onto a dial with 2 chapter rings, and all on a <40mm watch with a thicker bezel. I agree the colour is nice. Dust on a dial is not acceptable IMO in a $6000 watch.
Part 2/2: Review of Grand Seiko SBGM031 (SBGM021/SBGM023): The watch!
Part 1 outlined the technical aspects of the movement: I've had the GMT strapped to my wrist nearly every day for over 2 months now and it's time for a proper review. It's the only watch I've worn for the past 2 months and I've travelled with it. Retail ...
Nice review
Thanks for covering so many details. As I have many GS watches myself, I have to say I agree completely with you on the two extremes of the watch experience: + the marvelous crystal and - the very uncomfortable buckle design Keeping enjoying it! Cheers, C...
The crystal really is something,
I can't think of any other brands that use anything even similar.
Marvelous review ...
I enjoyed the two parts like a fine book. If Seiko had a better distribution channels for the GS, it could be a hit here. In respect to the buckle, welcome to the club. I believe that is the part that most of the manufacturers fail. Thank you and enjoy yo...
I've found that clasps are a difficulty
with many deployants having some sort of sharp edge that annoys my wrist. Tang buckles are usually more comfortable to me, but tang vs deployant is a dead horse that needs no more beating. Thanks for your compliments!
Thank you for such an excellent review :)
Though I am yet to bite the bullet & get a GS. I am impressed by the overall positive comments that I have read over the years regarding the GS. Seiko, remains today one of my favourite brands.
Splendid
Wasn't Seiko fan but after PuristS influence mainly G99 and Tyler (still dreaming that GS from Paris) and now your review I become believer :) Cheers D
Haha, thank you. They have minor improvements
but I think the GS is a great buy overall.
Hmm... a few questions
I would respectfully like to clarify a few parts of your review: 1. would be interested to hear how you arrived at the conclusion that the "technical finish of the movement is similar to what you would find in a Jaeger LeCoultre or Caliber 39 Glashütte Or...
Please, let's not be quite so hard on each other
It is true that we make claims for our watches that we might not be completely able to sustain empirically, but some of the observations you make in return are a matter of taste and not measurements. These sorts of comparisons and resulting reactions just...
Thanks Mike, I posted some more "evidence"
but your photos are still some of the few (if any) pieces of real life photos of the movement.
Evidence for my case
In JLC, I did of course not meant their grande complication watches but rather calibers like the 899 or even the 859. Glashutte cal 39 is really quite similarly finished. I've attached a photo of a cal 39 and 859 which you can compare to Cazalea's photos....
Here are a few new GS photos for evidence
I apologize for the poor lighting. What's good for the technician is not necessarily good for the camera! We start with this one. Nice dial, hands and markers. Typical GS back with gold medallion inset in the case. Caseback from the inside Yes, this is qu...
Thanks for the photos, it's interesting
to see the gold medallion from the inside, looks like it's no longer glued/cemented like the vintage pieces.
Great review!
Thorough and candid, like a real review should be. Great pics! I have the blue dial GMT LE on bracelet. It has become one of my most worn watches. I love the domed crystal too! I agree it would be nice to see more of the movement, however, I had a GS with...
I was debating between the two actually
but I still think that both are superb pieces. The sport version has a less cluttered dial which I like, but I preferred the zaratsu polished case.
Thanks for your
succint and comprehensive review---you've captured most of what i like about this watch. I'm enjoying mine for the past six months and would have liked to see more of the movement through the back. Unlike you,i'm fairly comfortable with the deployent clas...
excellent review Ed and a lovely watch
i had the earlier version with black dial and really liked it. i have no idea why i ever sold it now as the build quality is superb as is the accuracy. glad you like the watch and hopefully one day i may get another. best Graham
Thanks for the great review.
I like your style daring to sport a nato strap. Which by the way looks pretty good if I may say so. I will have to dig in a little more... Thanks Bill