Horological Meandering

Like others, I'm waiting for Seiko to make good on its promise to make its top-tier models more freely-available in the U.S.  I've long-admired the quality-of-finish of their Credor and Grand Seiko lines; and their quartz and spring drive movements are among the most accurate movements available on earth today.  I want one!

But which???  Which brings me to my question:  If (a) money isn't an object, (b) you had full access to the Seiko line and (c) you wanted to get the best possible watch they currently offer (with emphasis on quality and accuracy of movement), which one would it be?

....Grand Seiko Spring Drive?
....Credor?
.... The new 9F Quartz movement inside of a Grand Seiko?
.... Another? (please specify)

I'd love to hear all your responses...because this is what I'm thinking about!

Cheers,
DB Darien

...three of the Grand Seiko models:

-the new SBGR 9S65-movement automatics (see SJX's post below for one of the new models).  These have the new 72-hour PR automatic movement beating at 28800 vph. There are white dialed, black dialed, and several differenet case styles, IIRC.  Maybe SJX can expand.

-The new SBGH hi-beat automatics (SBGH001, and LE SBGH003).  Awesome new 36000 vph 9S85 movement and exemplary case and dial work.

-The classic SBGW handwinds (SBGW001 and SBGW005).  Older, smaller models, but just as desirable in my eyes.

Tom

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Would I be able to get a Credor with the new superstar quartz movement?  (i.e., the one that is guaranteed accurate to within 10 seconds per year)

..If you are going for the super accurate watch to match the 9f or the Citizen below prob not the watch you want.  BUT..  It sure is an awesome piece and in a leauge of its own.>  Good luck and wrist report for whatever you decide.  Ben

The two top end models Eichi and Sonnerie are Spring Drive while the skeletonised watches are hand-wound. The rest are either mechanical, quartz or Spring Drive, so you have your pick.

- SJX

This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-08-11 22:24:34

Interesting to know, thought it was just the sonniere model model and thats it.

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is a Citizen!

The Citizen Chronomaster.

 

 

The Citizen A660 is stated to be +/- 5 sec / year and gives the Grand Seiko 9F quartz good competition.

The Chronomaster comes w/a 10 year factory warranty w/two battery changes (every 5 years) and check-ups during that time.

However, in order to qualify for the warranty, it must be bought from an authorized dealer in Japan.

Perhaps not answering your question directly but when you stated "another? (please specify)" I was wondering if you were asking for alternatives.

This is the high end quartz I am leaning to...the finish of the case, hands, dial is very good.

Mike

The brecelet style is much nicer than the version most often depicted.

Y15m plus...if money is no object

credor spring drive sonnerie . I love the Spring Drive drive movements.

Drew

 

Seijo spring drive next, the model  depending on your tastes and budget.

If money were no object I'd go for the Credor Eichi. But since it is I like Grand Seiko and have the SBGM003, SBGR059 and SBGE001, the last being a Spring Drive GMT. I'd recommend any GS model highly, even the quartz which is one of the most advanced quartz in the world.

- SJX

And for that,  I'm waiting for the brass in Japan to get their act together.

Here I will present an overview of the Grand Seikos and Credors and Galantes and so on that I have (or have owned and sold)

Here are most of the current collection

A Galante which I no longer have. This is a Spring Drive movement in a grandiose case. Fun but gaudy.

Front view of my first Spring Drive






Back side of the first Spring Drive I owned

After MY first one I got one of THE first 300 Spring Drives. I didn't like the integrated bracelet or 36 mm size - felt like a VC 222 or small Royal Oak or an Omega Constellation





Back of one of the very first 300 Spring Drives was very very nice





The most beautiful Spring Drive, in my humble opinion and still in my possession. "The Snowflake"






Same basic movement this time in a Credor case and styling. Moonphase instead of date.





Decoration is top notch





Yes, I had two of these. Sigh.






I bought this one for Style and Dial. It was quartz






Same for this one which was a different color and totally different dial pattern and it's an automatic. In the same case as the watch above. Seiko model proliferation!






Special white titanium automatic sapphire back special edition





Back of the same watch





High-end quartz with special dial treatment (note lions and GS on tiny grids) and milguass spec case (needs wiping down, I see)





Another view - Lions and GSs are invisible in this light





The 9F62 movement in this watch (but this is a lower-end case without magnetic shielding)

 
The mega-accurate 5 sec/year model!





Another view






The most boring Grand (yawn) Seiko ever





Column wheel Credor Chronograph
(I believe this is the movement that so embarassingly ended up in the TAG Heuer recently)




  My wife's GS with sparkly dial

Collage 

The plain-jane version of the blue-handed watch above





Manual-wind movement inside of it is very nicely finished

 
Superstar Kinetic model (almost but not quite GS levels)





I'm not picky, I like Citizens too

Cazalea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T

Obviously I need a few more dark dial watches.