sham1
8994
I stand corrected, thank you!!
Jun 20, 2019,03:13 AM
It is the SBGW231 of course. And thank you for your thorough evaluation of the spring drive movement. I think the comparison between both watches is almost unfair as their price points are quite different giving the SBGW231 an obvious advantage. I do like the blue second hand on the SBGY003 though but is that a strong enough reason to choose the watch is a different matter.
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Accidents can be a blessing!
By: sham1 : June 19th, 2019-23:13
Yesterday, I accidentally dropped by at a Grand Seiko dealer and was pleasantly surprised after trying on the SBGW031. I am not sure if it was the simplicity of the cream dial, the manual winding movement or the relatively petite 37.3mm diameter that won ...
I personally prefer traditional mechanical over SpringDrive
By: reintitan : June 19th, 2019-23:30
but that's me. I like the SBGW031 as it looks like Seiko's version of a Calatrava from the 1950s (but with 21st Century manufacturing methods and build quality). That last photo in your post shows its beauty. Classic. I even like the round case and lugs o...
Thank you for your suggestion and feedback!
By: sham1 : June 19th, 2019-23:48
I too am partial to traditional mechanical over spring drive although admittedly, I do like the way the second hand on a spring drive watch glides smoothly the way a traditional mechanical watch is unable to. Also the accuracy of 0.5 seconds per day on a ...
I like big crowns especially for manual wind watches
By: reintitan : June 19th, 2019-23:57
as it makes the winding experience easier. Imagine how it would feel if you had to manually wind a tiny crown on a manual wind watch. You'd get rug burn on your fingers )
The winding mechanism is very smooth on the SBGW031
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-00:02
and yes I have had Cartier watches in the past with small crowns and even though they do look exquisite, winding the watch can be quite an effort. But arguably a slightly smaller crown may have been preferred on the SBGW031. I always feel part of the joy ...
Just to let you know
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-12:20
I bought the SBGW231 at 9pm tonight I have also cancelled my order for the SBGY003.
Thank you Mr Roboto! :-)
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-20:15
Your initial advice did convince me that the SBGW231 was the wise choice.
Congrats, my friend
By: rnaden : June 20th, 2019-19:03
Can’t go wrong with this one. You know how much I love GS, both for their quality and value proposition.
The value proposition is beyond compare
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-20:30
but I have never quite been taken by the design of the Grand Seiko and was always concerned by its height until I saw the SBGW231. Also I am partial to the watch being a manual wind rather than an automatic which is more common in the Grand Seiko range. T...
Thank you again Richard!!
By: sham1 : June 21st, 2019-22:55
Where your collection is wisely decreasing, mine is going the wrong direction. This was not on the agenda when I retired two years ago to this very day but I do thank you for the positive influence!
Both look great
By: jml_watches : June 20th, 2019-00:15
I know that isn't the answer you want! As others have said if you can wait until the spring drive arrives & try them both on - will give a much better feeling for them both rather that just a picture. Both very nice so whatever the decision it'll be a goo...
I tend to agree!
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-00:18
Thanks for your feedback. They both do look great. One looks a bit more fussy than the other and arguably one should consider getting both for the price of less than a basic Lange or Patek but I need to be disciplined with my ever increasing watch collect...
I would go for the manual one
By: VinnieD : June 20th, 2019-00:43
It is on my radar too... I find it is a special piece and production numbers are probably quite low
Thank you Vinnie!
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-00:59
I shall be trying it on again tonight :as I had never seen it being sold in Malaysia until yesterday. I think for many years it was a Japan only watch but I have seen it on the Hodinkee website too.
International push
By: VinnieD : June 20th, 2019-08:00
Grand Seiko is making a big push into the US. From what I can see, this is the brand with the most momentum (social networks, alternative channels, press coverage, new distribution etc.). Also high up on the list of innovative brands, with a maintained fo...
Yes Grand Seiko has been a hidden gem for way too long
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-10:52
and even in the UK and Malaysia, it is gaining momentum but I would say it is more successful in Western countries because many Asian countries are still partial to the Swiss brands. Those in the know however would definitely realise that Grand Seiko offe...
My friend, I think one of us has made a mistake here
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-01:03
All these SBG codes can be quite confusing. The SBGW031 has the clean classic dial and is half the price of the SBGY003 so I am assuming your preference is for the former Thank you so much for your feedbackj. Not quite a Chronometre Contemporain but at si...
I am sorry too my friend because I too made a mistake
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-03:09
the watch on my wrist is the SBGW231 as correctly pointed out by my friend, skyeriding below, and not the SBGW031! Playing safe is always the safe bet especially when it comes to me!!
I'm going to be a stickler here...
By: skyeriding : June 20th, 2019-02:16
You meant the SBGW231, not the 031 correct? The 031 was prior to rebranding, which shows Seiko on the dial at 12, and GS at 6. The 231 is what you have on your wrist I believe. I have a little reservation of the new manual wind springdrive, because of the...
I stand corrected, thank you!!
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-03:13
It is the SBGW231 of course. And thank you for your thorough evaluation of the spring drive movement. I think the comparison between both watches is almost unfair as their price points are quite different giving the SBGW231 an obvious advantage. I do like...
JFYI
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-12:23
I did it! Thanks for your assistance
Thank you my friend
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-20:21
This I intend to do and I can say today that the winding mechanism of the Grand Seiko is so much smoother than my Lang & Heyne Friedrich III, my Moritz Grossmann Atum piece unique and my Patek 1530A. It is buttery smooth like no other and is comparabl...
Thanks Jay!
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-06:54
I have actually just pulled the trigger an hour ago on the SBGW231, the watch with the clean classic dial
I tried the 231 recently...
By: AlexSunrise : June 20th, 2019-07:28
And I loved it! Still hunting for other targets, but I can definitely see myself enjoying this one down the road, as it is such a cool and versatile watch. Good luck in reaching your decision, Alex ...
I agree, René!
By: AlexSunrise : June 21st, 2019-05:37
this one is definitely something I can see myself enjoying down the road. Have a great day, Alex
Thanks Alex!
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-10:48
It looks superb on you too!! I guess it is just that kind of watch that looks great on most wrists. Well, I decided to relief myself of the stress and bought the watch 5 hours ago! ...
Congratulations, Sham!
By: AlexSunrise : June 21st, 2019-05:35
What a great pick up!! A wise choice, without a doubt. I hope to join you soon enough in the 231 owner’s club! Enjoy it, Alex
Thank you Alex!
By: sham1 : June 21st, 2019-05:44
I cannot emphasize enough what a lovely watch this is and I would have been tempted even if it was priced twice as much.
I’ll go for the sbgw 031
By: mahesh : June 20th, 2019-12:21
The previous dial version have been in my collection & I didn’t feel the thickness...plus 1 mm difference you’ll hardly be able to notice... But what you might feel is the empty space above 6 when the dia is bigger so the SBGY003 is a tricky one IMHO. Bes...
Thank you very much Mahesh!
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-12:28
I pulled the trigger at 9pm Malaysian time last night. It is now 3.25am and I still admiring my latest toy! The sapphire crystal glass actually sits on the case in a block and accounts for at least 2.5mm of the height of the watch. I like that as it provi...
Congratulations Sham...
By: mahesh : June 20th, 2019-12:35
when you choose what you love, nothing matters! & after all watches are like a box of chocolates, each one gives an enjoyable taste 😀
Not to be too glib, but...
By: halgedahl : June 20th, 2019-19:30
Why pay all of that dough for a Spring Drive Cocktail Time? For me there's no contest, the '031 has it "hands down," and looks perfect on your wrist, to boot. Congratulations! FH
Thank you for your candour!
By: sham1 : June 20th, 2019-20:34
I picked up the SBGW231 late last night! (I had made a mistake with the reference number in my initial post) No contest actually when price and value are factored in and they have always been important elements in my decision making. ...
Thanks a lot!
By: sham1 : June 21st, 2019-10:47
I predict that it will be getting at least 50% of my wrist time over the next few months!
Aesthetically...
By: CL : June 21st, 2019-14:36
SBGW031 looks a lot nicer than SBGY003. Also note that Gran Seiko's watch tends to wear bigger. I like the smaller classic Grand Seiko, which are around 37mm in size. I have a similar watch in metal bracelet but earlier version. I chose the earlier versio...
Yours is 231...
By: CL : June 21st, 2019-14:42
and the one I have is SBGW005, basically the same but with blued second hand and metal bracelet.
Thank you very much CL for your feedback!
By: sham1 : June 21st, 2019-21:09
I agree with your aesthetic views and I decided to buy the SBGW231 (my mistake by calling it the 031). I love the watch and you are right about Grand Seiko wearing big. Unfortunately there are not many 37mm Grand Seiko watches around. I do however prefer ...
Great that you have this piece :-)
By: CL : June 22nd, 2019-07:11
They have 001, 031 and 231 so it is quite difficult to remember. Difference between 001 and 031 is the applied logo versus printed logo. 231 has no Seiko logo. I wanted the Seiko logo only because it represents an era. ...
Yes I have heard the Seiko logo is quite popular
By: sham1 : June 22nd, 2019-10:37
I quite like the fact that only the Grand Seiko name exists to reduce clutter on the dial. But that's me! Another important point is the lovely matt finish strap which is a lovely departure from the usual gloss finish strap. The strap complements the unde...
Actually they are all appealing to me but I decide I only need one.
By: CL : June 22nd, 2019-13:19
I have owned various iteration of this model and eventually settle for one that I think will match my other watches and suit my usage Plus, me being trained in art, I'm ultra particular in design and how typography are being placed. This pet peeve had hel...
Yes. For you...
By: CL : June 23rd, 2019-07:00
I guess the size of the watch will help you. Nothing over 40mm Can you imagine most watches are in the 37-38mm range? Temptations!!!
You know my wrist well!!
By: sham1 : June 23rd, 2019-10:19
40mm would be the very maximum and that too depending on how curved the lugs are. I am comfortable with anything from 34mm to 38mm although I do have one 31mm incoming and two 40mm incoming too! The 31mm 3878J - my holy grail The 40mm 5212/1A also fits Ev...
With this classic GS in mind...
By: jkvs : June 25th, 2019-09:18
...some doubts might come around my Calatrava... The movement is great, absolutely great. Thank you for the photo.
You are most welcome!
By: sham1 : June 25th, 2019-10:43
I am not sure which Calatrava you were actually considering - the discontinued 5119 range or the classic 5196. The 5196 is more comparable in size and dial to the Grand Seiko SBGW231 but the 215 movement is not visible. In addition, the lugs do not curve ...
Thank you for your comments
By: sham1 : June 25th, 2019-19:31
and I only mentioned the 5119 and 5196 as I thought you were considering purchasing a manual winding Calatrava. The 5127 is a lovely Patek and you should really keep it. I also think you should add the Grand Seiko SBGW231 (like mine) to your collection an...