A GRAND end to 2007
Stunning JX, thanks for the pics! GS puts many of the Swiss ...
Fantastic finishing !!
Will need to plan for one myself
Kong
Nice way to finish off the year>>>
Specs
larger because of the light coloured dial, narrow lugs (19mm) and thin bezel.
Water resistance is 100m, although it has no screw down crown.
Thanks a lot ! Here are a few shots I took.
Great finishings ! The GMT with its ivory dial is beautiful. My fav GS !
Fr.Xavier
That's the other automatic GMT GS
Thanks for the photos, Francois. The watch in the centre is the other GMT model Grand Seiko. Admittedly it looks similar to the Explorer II but the finish on the case and bracelet is leagues better than the Rolex. The only drawback is that particular model is a "Master Shop" exclusive, so it's only sold at selected stores and Seiko showrooms. I assume you took those photos in the Paris Seiko centre?
- SJX
Yes, in the Seiko Center in Paris !
Fr.Xavier
Fr - lovely threesome there...
I have been a closet GS fan for years and only recently I outed myself.
After having seen the GS watches in the flesh being inspired by the images from SteveG's site, I came to the conclusion that these watches are for those who are interested in the product and not the brand. I fear that these watches are a lot like MacDonald Fries - ONE IS NEVER ENOUGH!
Cheers
Harry
SJX, thanks so much for the comments.
It is indeed truly a high quality timepiece that put most of the watches bear "swiss made" to shame.
It is a purists' watch.
Regards
Ling
Indeed it is purist's watch
The quality and attention to detail are absolutely amazing. Some are discouraged by the brand, that really shouldn't matter.
- SJX
Nice way to end 2007 indeed.
Thanks!
This watch is definitely worthy of more photographs. Would be nice if it had a display back.
- SJX
Congrats on your FIRST GS!
I saw this watch more than a year ago at the local Seiko AD and it was just too expensive at list. But having seen it, it haunted me for a long time. The Cream/Ivory dial is very alluring and at some angles, it looks almost translucent. Looking from an extreme angle it looks almost like enamel (it may be for all I know!). Its not a big watch but the case is probably the largest that GS currently produces - maybe its for the smaller wrists for the Japanese?
No matter, this model for me is a must get. I think its a wonderful first GS. The problem SJX will face is whether he can stop there as the quality is just - addictive.
Congrats JX!
personally i like the middle one best, but true to form its hardest to find
i'd rather have it on my wrist than an explorer II, GMT Master or Seamaster GMT(although the Omega is cheaper).
i've been looking at the Orient range over the last couple of weeks and it seems that the Royal orient, if you can find one, has very similar build quality to GS. although Seiko have 52% stake in Orient, all the mechanical movements are built in house, the only seiko movements used are quartz (which we dont want to talk about here do we).
like seiko they have 3 or 4 ranges starting with the orient, then the sapphire, the orientstar which is one i may well plump for as the case and dial qualities are very good, and finally the Royal orient which is cheaper than GS, but not by much, accuracy is stated as same as GS -2/+3 secs.
as i only got the phantom last week i will have to wait........a little while or until wife is back at Uni
Love the GS's so one day......
Orient Star
and it is one of my favourite watches. The dial work is very good for a watch
for the price. That being said, while Orient does indeed make nice watches,
their quality is not up to par with the Grand Seiko or Credor, neither is Orient
as expensive too.
SJX, i appreciate that it wont stand up to a GS, but i think thats
what the royal star is for, for the money the orient star looks to be extremely good. the model i have my eye on is a power reserve with date. pics make it look like it knocks a seiko 5 into a cocked hat for finish, with 23 jewel movements. if its lasted you for several years it cant be bad.
Graham
The Top Class from Orient is...
not "Orient Star" but "Royal Orient" that may compete to GS to a large extent (for an only time-and-date dress model).
Joe
Grand Seiko is in a different league
Orient and Orient Star Royal is not on par with the Grand Seiko, especially
in terms of hands, case and bracelet.
Grand Seiko starts at 350,000 yen for the basic automatic model, all the way up
to 500,000 yen and more, while the Orient ranges tops out at 300,000 yen. For
that price bracket Orient offers very attractive products - that's why I
own one - but it is not more than that.
Well, it may not be a Grand Seiko, but I think . . .
. . . if only because he wore it for over forty years before passing it down to me. The watchmaker that restored it commented that the owner "was a hard-working man", presumably because of the wear and tear on the movement. Dad used to wear this watch to work, and after he retired he still wore it daily . . . although I like wearing the watches I've purchased for myself, I get a special satisfaction whenever I strap this one on. Congrats, SJX, on your new Grand Seiko . . . happy New Year, Art
Now that's a story
history is always invaluable. The watch itself is also very interesting, one
rarely sees elaborate hour markers like that.
My GS GMT
Hi SJX,
The ivory dial is stunning! But I still prefer the M001 having a red GMT hand and the SS bracelet. I will change it to a strap in winter time. It looks more elegant with the strap.
Have a healthy 2008!
chiukh20071
(BTW, the Ex II has been kept in the watch box for 4 years already!)
Edited to correct title.
This message has been edited by SJX on 2008-01-02 06:53:56