Seiko

Esharp
1468

• Show profile
• Show other posts

Argh

Thanks - I assume this is the press release?

GS does a lot of things nicely. I’m not going to go over them. May I please instead politely recount a few of my frustrations with GS?

First, the extraneous dial text. It’s like they’re channeling Rolex…but not as well.

Second, the awkward spring drive PR gauge on the dial - well, that one has been dealt with here, this movement has it on the back! Hooray! But there’s more. Sorry.

Third, the lack of fine adjustment on the bracelet. That’s something they could copy from Rolex. (And while they’re at it, the bracelets aren’t exactly elegant designs. They’re like the last-generation Speedmaster bracelet. A bit heavy and clunky. Don’t match up with the case well, at least to my eyes, and the polished stripes distract the eyes. Surely can do better.)

Fourth, the model numbers. Ah it’s the SLGA014? That’s like the SXYZ037 but with a black dial and in titanium, right? But not to be confused with the SLGA015, which is a completely different watch. Or, well, something. It’s mind-boggling (no, it’s not as complex as modern Omega model numbers, but they’re so long that I never tried to make sense of them). Please, someone, tell me there’s a clear logic to these (beyond the S standing for Seiko, I assume) and explain how it works? The Seiko folks are clearly intentional…I can’t imagine they generate model numbers by picking them out of a hat, although it feels like it.

Finally, could we just change the name of the brand from Grand Seiko to Special Edition Seiko? I have to give it to them, they are able to promulgate dials with subtly different takes on Japanese forests / mountains etc in a multitude of colours. Then they make them USA or Europe or Japan only and do four at a time and name them after seasons. (Then a little while later, the one-region-only model goes global.) Wash, rinse, repeat. Swap out movement or change case from steel to titanium or modify the dial subtly…and presto, new model. I suppose it must work, else they wouldn’t keep doing it, but gosh it’s tiring; and over time it has gotten to seem like variation for the point of it, to me at least. And that is why none of these appeals to me: they feel more like seasonal fashion Swatches than like incipient classics. Can’t find this one in silver birch? No worries, there’ll be another one along next season or the season after in silver elm!

So…there you have it…hence: ‘argh’. Well, I got it off my chest. Now I look forward to the ritual flogging.

Best

E.

Site Info.