The Grand Seiko First & its many recreations
The Grand Seiko First , released in 1960 , can probably be considered one of the most significant watches in the history of Japanese horology. It marks the moment when Japan decided to compete directly with Switzerland in the realms of high precision and ...
Thank you for this comprehensive post, Emmanuel!
What an education re Grand Seikos. I love all of them, especially the platinum with the blue dial, and the titanium examples, particularly the Singapore version with the light blue dial. I suppose many are unobtainable but they certainly are terrific eye ...
I'm glad you enjoyed the post!
My personal goal would be to score an original 14k gold filled J14070 (platinum is probably too difficult to find and expensive too). The rarest of all is platinum SBGW271, with only 12 pieces: I haven't even been able to find some live photos of that wat...
I'm really glad you enjoyed the post!
The GS First is wonderful and I hope I'll be able to find an OG example someday. In the meantime, I couldn't be happier than enjoying SLGW005. Best, Emmanuel ...
I think this could be due
to the fact that the brand has a somewhat hybrid identity, with an offering ranging from relatively affordable industrial production to high-end products that are mostly handmade (Micro Artist Studio). Best, Emmanuel
One feature I really appreciate, or lack of a feature, is no date.
These elegant watches present much better, in my opinion, with no date.
It may or may not be my birth year, and...
...I may or may not have lived in Japan for a bit. So it would have special meaning to me : )
Well, you should really search for one!
It would be very special and meaningful for you.
Nothing like a birth year watch!
Dating or should I say aging myself, but here’s a 1961 Tudor Submariner. I have an obsession with acquiring more birth year watches in case anyone wishes to part with a 1971! ...
Nice!
...I have thought of this before, as there are some really nice watches in out 'era.' Cars too.
These are very refined pieces, quattro.
But refined in a way that the watch would work easily with jeans as with a tuxedo. The habillage (not sure about the Japanese word for this) is remarkable. Glad I snagged a 253 when they were released. ...
Love these!
I have the steel one in 1960 pieces. I picked it up when the model first came out whenever that was 😂. Still in the collection. Picture taken when I was still working and on a trip to Virginia Beach, VA for a client sales call. I just ordered a new strap ...
This 253 is a wonderful piece! I hope the new strap will give you the desire to wear it more!
Looking forward to seeing your photos! Best, Emmanuel
Thanks, Emmanuel!
The strap on it is the original and actually a little long. Stupid things like this actually hinder me wearing a watch 😁
Beauty, Champ!
You're right about that strap being a bit long. But it too is beautifully made and supple. Are you getting another strap from Seiko, if I may ask?
Thank you my friend!
You are spot on. The original is super soft and beautiful. I thought that the boutique possibly sold me an extra long strap because my wrist is larger than average. Thanks for your input👍
Exact same problem for me with the strap of the SLGW005.
I still have to see if I can get a shorter OEM one, and brown rather than black. A bit like this one! ...
Yes, the whole line is wonderful.
The titanium/blue doesn’t appeal to me personally, but I understand why others like it of course. Best, Emmanuel
Beautiful pieces and a wonderful summary, thanks for preparing / sharing !
Among them, the platinum REF. SBGW039 is my favorite. I'm glad to own one of the pieces there,from 2001, the REF. SBGW004.
Lucky you! the SBGW004 is a wonderful timepiece, imo.
Concerning the SBGW039, I miss the Special Dial logo under the Diashock text, personally. Best, Emmanuel
oops, I got my ref # wrong -- my fave among them = SBGW257
Gotta love that engraved "Grand Seiko" on the dial ! My SBGW004 is a lovely piece, but alas, at 36mm, a too small for my current tastes to see significant wrist time.
Too bad for your SBGW004!
I completely agree with you concerning the SBGW257: the carved logo is wonderful!
Thank you for this series, sorry I am late
SBGW033 So many Grand Seikos, “so little time!” Etc… and the Credors? Sadly Snowflake is in the “repair” box 😢 Cazalea ...
It’s a wonderful collection you have here!
I like the SBGW033 very much. Would love to find an original J14070 someday. I hope the Snowflake will get a service: are you doing it yourself ? Thanks for sharing. Best, Emmanuel
No, it will go to Seiko in New Jersey
Yo Japan if they deem it necessary. I packed it up then forgot to mail it, and rediscovered it recently on my workbench. I know, shame on me, but I have been distracted with other things.
Hopefully, you’ll get it back
working well not too long after you have sent it! I wish your watch a quick recovery ! ;-)
Thanks so much for collating all of the modern reissues 👌🏻👍🏻
Had no idea they were quite so many (one misses the odd one these days 😂🤷🏻♂️). While the Micro Artist one has to be my overall favorite I do prefer the earlier, 35,8mm ones to the slightly larger later ones in terms of case size. Definitely a line to eve...
I agree that the Micro Artist is in a range of its own.
And I would personally like to find an OG, J14070, with both the "chronometer" writing and the Special Dial logo. Maybe someday! Best, Emmanuel