Seiko

In this second part I will offer an assortment of views of a single watch, in a variety of contexts, to delve further into the issue of what makes a Grand Seiko GRAND. 

I hope to illustrate why it is not called Medium Seiko, or Just-OK Seiko.

Here it is in slightly brighter light as the sun peeks into my kitchen. The GMT non-rotating bezel frames the watch. This specimen is 7-8 years old, and replaced one I owned earlier and foolishly traded away in a complex, multi-watch swap. I didn't clean or prepare it for this session - it's been worn carefully but regularly and never serviced.

The bracelet has two push-buttons which must be depressed to unlatch the deployant clasp. There is no micro-adjustment in this clasp.

As befitting a tool watch, there is no window in the case back. Instead, we see the Grand Seiko Lion, apparently cast and affixed to the back cover.

As is the case with many Grand Seikos, the lugs are drilled to enable the spring bars to be removed with no damage to the lugs (yes, I know the pros don't damage lugs but we owners have been known to do so, especially on very tight-fitting bracelets, such as this one). The links are smooth and no hairs are pulled (nor skin pinched) when wearing this watch.

This angle shows you the vertical height of the inner dial area - no crowding on the hands and the curvature of the very long second hand is apparent.




The view from 3 o'clock displays the curves and surfaces of the case and bracelet. The chamfers, polishing and brushing are far better than other watches I own in this price range.

Let's look inside. I think this is my first SBGM001, which was opened by my watchmaker while I nervously watched and took pictures with a mediocre camera.

I'm sorry this is not a macro shot but an overview. We see stripes, a fair number of sharp edges, and lots of shiny bits.

A different angle allows us to discern the 27 jewel count, the 6 position and temperature adjustment, polished screwheads, and o-ring case seal.

Finally, a closer look at edges, threads, gold-filled letters, etc. Nice but not concours in appearance - although quite good in performance.

The following two shots came from another watch with the same movement.

Or perhaps the same watch on another occasion - I didn't document the photos.

Sitting out on the ocean, in 6 foot swells, I noticed how many people were getting seasick. I was not. Nor was the GS. My leisurely glance at the watch revealed something new today:

the fabulous reflectivity of the dial and some interesting, almost digital stair-stepping patterns emerging from the polished inner surfaces of the case, the dial markers and the hands. Thank goodness there was no sunlight or we would be blinded.
The beautiful aesthetic of the hands draws the eyes up from the scruffy cuffs of my windbreaker. Long-winded gray whales gave me plenty of time for contemplation.

You can resolve those objections with the SBGE001 if you wish. Here's a photo from JZF, who sold me my first GS and led me into this Grand Seiko trip...  it has the same overall appearance, PLUS luminous material, rotating sapphire glass bezel, larger case, power reserve and Spring Drive movement (longer autonomy), accuracy 1 sec/day.

Here are the specs used for testing each movement for 17 days:

The packaging:

The price point for these watches is in the $3k-$6k range depending on your preference for used or new.  I'm certainly not recommending or insisting that every Purist should own this watch, but I hope you can see the details - and then someday that you will have a chance to feel and experience the heft, comfort and assurance that wearing this GRAND (not middling) SEIKO watch could supply.

Cazalea

(even if you are just sitting in Friday lunchtime traffic)

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