Damster
14
There is one specimen in Lyon
A couple of weeks ago I saw the SBGD001 in the freshly opened Seiko Boutique in Lyon, and took a few pictures.
The first thing you notice from far is the dial; the hue is like the purest white you can imagine, paradoxically in a dense and intense manner, D-rated for sure.
It really looks like it is creating light on its own.
I could only take pictures from a certain angle otherwise the reflection was too powerful.
So yes, it shines.
When you get closer the texture reveals, at this time to be honest the only thing I wanted to do is touch it!
Then you have specific long straight hands, of perfect size and shape, with very classy proportions, each pointing what they should.
This gliding blued second hand is something adorable also, maybe a little darker than what we usually see from GS.
Perfect indexes also, not sure if made from platinum but just impeccably finished (I may start to be boring here).
Inner bezel, beveled on both sides, looks lacquered with a subtle glossy mother-of-pearl effect.
The case and its treatment is also a distinctive point, due to both the polishing technique and material.
I've never seen a black polishing so deep, it looks like liquid metal that has crystallized with transparency, contrast with dial is impressive.
The case has strong proportions, extremely well balanced, with specific profile, you can feel the amount of work that went into this design.
The buckle itself is quite amazing also, with top quality alligator, flawless combination here.
The movement finishing is simple but once again perfectly executed, I missed some time to check everything...
You will need a loupe to fully appreciate, "discrete" would be the word, if not "simplicity" ;-)
I understand the goal is to offer something that those "in-the-know" will entirely appreciate, I admit it could have been more demonstrative.
So result in the plat' is quite far from the Snowflake, and clearly different from regular GS models.
The model you will have in NY Boutique will surely be the same as the one I saw in Lyon (prototype, not for sale).
Pupil dilatation will be involved.
In conclusion, I'll try not to fall into "unique" stuff but stick to 3 words: classy, understated, impressive.
Hope this helps.
D.
Beautiful; too stark?
I don\'t know if anyone has seen a production watch. They are planning to bring one to the USA in the Fall to show it to prospective at the boutique in NYC. Ok, it\'s platinum, hand-built, but approaching $60k USD, so buying it requires commitment. Cazale...
How will most Grand Seiko fans view this watch 5 years from now or when it stops production?
Do you think Grand Seiko is overstepping on this watch in terms of price point, metal choice etc... ? In other words, do people who follow the brand closely think the platinum 8 day is more of a novelty or is this watch Grand Seiko's attempt to take one s...
Lots of good questions
Seiko, through its Credor brand, has already produced a few specials that exceed $250,000 - which is very high in anyone\'s eyes for "a watch." The minute repeater Spring Drive, which Ken (KIH) and I have both had the privilege to wear. Here is his profil...
I seem to remember...
That they only intend to produce 8 pieces, at the Micro Artist studio. A bit beyond my current range but if I was in the market, I\'d seriously consider it (although not sure if I\'d go for this or the Credor Eichi II. They are certainly looking to become...
Unique look?
Thanks to everyone for responding so far. I wonder why GS decided not to give it perhaps a more unique look? For example it bares some similarity to the SBGA 011 minus the date window. The Credor's could never be confused with anything else. Then again, I...
Well I suppose it depends on what you mean by "unique look"
from a Seiko point of view, it's pretty unique, because they focus on subtle things. The diamond sparkle dial is a first. My spreadsheet says only 4 Grand Seiko models have been made in platinum; maybe under 100 watches. Most Spring Drives have a date, th...
My Grail
Not only my Grand Seiko grail, but my grail watch. A platinum watch with diamond dust in the gorgeous dial, and fantastic movement. At first, I thought it a bit large at 43mm. But when I learned about the movement having 3 barrels to support the power res...
There is one specimen in Lyon
A couple of weeks ago I saw the SBGD001 in the freshly opened Seiko Boutique in Lyon, and took a few pictures. The first thing you notice from far is the dial; the hue is like the purest white you can imagine, paradoxically in a dense and intense manner, ...
Thank you for the extensive review
All of my other Grand Seikos might soon be for sale (along with cat, birds in the garden, and a half dozen cars) Cazalea
Some more details, not to help though...
Hi Mike, you know I will never leave a moonphase cat without home! On the SBGD001, an imprortant precision: the prototype shown in Lyon is made of white gold. I was told that the alloy contains a decent amount of palladium to make it look like platinum. T...
Got mine last week
When seeing and handling it in Basel earlier this year I just new I had to have it. Sold a PP5980 to, partially, fund it. For me it is The Watch. ...
BRAVO!
Congratulations. We can see how beautiful it is. Can you tell us how it feels? Cheers, Cazalea (trying to get my nerves up to order one)
Awesome!!!
This watch is nothing short of spectacular. I would love to have this if it was 39mm. I have a 6.5 inch wrist. Can you share with us a wrist shot and let us know what's your wrist size? A Grand Seiko created by Micro Art Studio is super desirable. I hope ...
An exit watch if that were at all possible..
Thanks for sharing. Really beautiful. Echi
