De Grisogono Otturatore vs. Seiko Galante Comparison

Bernard Cheong presents a thought-provoking comparison between the De Grisogono Otturatore and the Seiko Galante, challenging conventional notions of luxury and value in watch collecting. His analysis delves into the unique complications, price points, and 'snob appeal' of these two distinct timepieces, inviting readers to reconsider what defines a 'conversation piece' in high horology.

OK. Speaking ONLY for myself, there are times when I buy a watch for a certain aesthetic.

Meaning "fashionable conversation piece" and "reasonably conventional"...meaning no way out stuff.

My choices for the first fight out for "budget no limits" will be these 2.

Do not, for ONE moment assume that the $12,000 usd Seiko is "cheap", it is far from that. It can fight and take on the $72,000 usd Otturatore.

Steel versus solid gold.

Japanese versus Swiss.

GMT spring drive, 100% hand assemble versus revolving dial with internal auto rotor and uber complicated spring loaded trigger complication.

Both are unique complications. Both will be overkill for "simple" on the surface looks, with super attention getting dimensions, thickness, and completely opposite snob appeal.

Here is one perspective:

First, an incredibly attention grabbing steel watch that looks and weighs in at 243gm, it feels like solid white gold. It has impeccable finish...look at the last picture of how the index is finely grained with parallel lines, and the white flower is superbly finished with the classic lines on the surface. Then see the word SEIKO...not even Grand Seiko. But SEIKO. Then the unavoidable question: $12,000 usd!!!!! Are you MAD? It is reverse snobery? That one will and can spend $12,000 on a SEIKO? Or are we looking at a Pilot pen evolution to Namiki market attack?

Then, the DeGrisogono. It is what it looks like...EXPENSIVE. Depending on pov, it can be seen as "understated", but then it is chock full of firsts...the hidden trigger activated 4 functions. The incredibly cool hidden rotor. The cool, very cool, complex soul ridden, completely filling the watch movement that is superbly executed. I will NOT hesistate to buy this watch...not at all...until $72,000 usd is mentioned...but...it will never surprise anyone..the price is actually "realistic" and well...good value.

Both will be conversation pieces at any kind of party.

Both are at the TOP of their Sopranos uber watch for the BOSS.

Both are not names which the common man will associate with...especially the SEIKO at $12,000.

Well:

Prepare next for IWC versus SEIKO.

Then Panerai versus SEIKO.

I am taking each one of my own watches to compare.

Here..who is the winner? If I can only pick ONE?

ANSWER:

It is a 100% draw. Because BOTH will be rare. I think after 3 years, you will not find either easily.

There may be 30 to 50 of the De Grisogono made...and surprise..there are only 30 of the SEIKOs.

In fact, this one was made in 2009. And the resale? The SEIKO has a zero loss...and my speculative take is that it will go "Namiki".

The De G ? It may fetch more...but at $73,000..it is already expensive, and players will be few.

Can China play here? NO.

The Chinese will not play ball with Japan, and it will support the Swiss. That is the way history will play its role.

Because of China, Seiko's upward roll will depend on the west's more developed tastes and on EDUCATION...the USA will be smart enough, and savvy enough, to collect the SEIKOs...as they are ALREADY doing.

In Australia, the Galante is selling more than well..it is selling better than Panerai. My parameter is volume...versus branding. The Australians surprised me that they are NOT easily fooled by branding and adverts...they are much more of "show me the stuff" guys...and I am SUPER impressed.

If we look at the uber expensive SEIKO spring drive and Pro Diver watches, they are selling super well, and that is taking ROLEX on its home ground!

These SEIKOs are VERY expensive...the spring drives are more expensive than Rolex.

And yet...the USA buyers are leaving a "no stock" and buy from Japan situation!

If you talk to retail, you will get mixed messages. My data is not perfect, not flawed,...but I talk to owners, and most of all...divers..like Gerald Lim, record holder in the early 2000s, of the free dive.

They buy SEIKO. Expensive ones that costs more than Rolex. WHY..because of the Seiko's obsession with functional accuracy and that the company BELIEVES that their watches are used for diving. Rolex, I am SURE, and feel free to blast me....are sure that 90% of their diving watches will not be on wet suited men/women. NO MATTER what their adverts say.

I am a ROLEX fan...I buy Rolex. I don't just write about Rolex. WHY? Because Rolex makes me FEEL good. And Seiko still cannot do that....not yet.

But the Galante and the Grand Seiko and the Spacewalk do.

Fact...I am now almost complete in my Explorer collection, from 1982 up to 2012. And complete in my GMT and Sub, from 1982 to present.

So...I love Rolex. But on a forum with this level of quality, I cannot be anything but BLUNT and truthful, without being rude. as far as possible.

Rolex will never need to worry. It has crossed over from watch to commodity, that is how far it has grown. No brand is at that level...not Patek, even if they think they are. Try pawning a patek complication...afterall, that is a Patek strong hold...it performs at auctions...after TONS of groundwork to get buyers to bid.

Rolex can sell on its own...it is solid cash, made into a watch. That is the HIGHEST compliment.