Perception of Grand Seikos?

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

If they could put more effort into comfortable bracelets and thinner cases with their all new thinner movements they’d have a winning combo. GS is still using Maxicase design trends of the 2010’s and really should adapt to the more elegant slim minimal design trend of 2020. I fear they are going to lag behind in design and be the G Shock of luxury watches

GS are doing just fine, and obviously not a brand for you. If you are referring to Rolex, their watches are trending ever larger.

[thenewrick]

Originally Posted by Psmith

GS are doing just fine, and obviously not a brand for you. If you are referring to Rolex, their watches are trending ever larger.

New Rolexes are actually getting smaller in many areas and better proportioned. Case width isn’t an issue for me I prefer a 40-44mm case. But case thickness is a testament to quality and engineering. The thinner the better. GS has been limited in this regard because their movements are too thick. They’re working in it though. They’re newest movements are thinner allowing for thinner cases.

And their bracelets just need research and development. Rolex makes 3 main bracelets and they’ve refined them over and over. GS just needs to get on that level and continue to refine.

I think having “GS Grand Seiko” on the dial is redundant and a pet peeve of mine too. Just put one or the other or neither. My personal preference would be for the GS lion logo and nothing else on the upper dial.

[GolfJunkie]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

I think having “GS Grand Seiko” on the dial is redundant and a pet peeve of mine too. Just put one or the other or neither. My personal preference would be for the GS lion logo and nothing else on the upper dial.

I feel like this is very similar to Rolex have the coronet just above "Rolex" on the dial.

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

New Rolexes are actually getting smaller in many areas and better proportioned. Case width isn’t an issue for me I prefer a 40-44mm case. But case thickness is a testament to quality and engineering. The thinner the better. GS has been limited in this regard because their movements are too thick. They’re working in it though. They’re newest movements are thinner allowing for thinner cases.

And their bracelets just need research and development. Rolex makes 3 main bracelets and they’ve refined them over and over. GS just needs to get on that level and continue to refine.

I think having “GS Grand Seiko” on the dial is redundant and a pet peeve of mine too. Just put one or the other or neither. My personal preference would be for the GS lion logo and nothing else on the upper dial.

Which Rolex models have become thinner, and by how much?
What is 'too thick' to you? You haven't been specific. Perhaps you are just looking at the larger GS divers and GMTs - they make plenty of thinner models too.

Going by your stated preferences/dislikes, you should maybe look at Movado or Nomos.

[Tongyk]

Used to own a SBGR253, great looking top down but case thickness is too thick and not proportionate. Same goes for other pieces. Maybe tempted by the SBGW231 but strong completion from other brands in this price sector.


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[thenewrick]

The new submariner is a good recent example. They made the case, lugs, crownguard slimmer and more elegant and balanced I think.

My current watch is about 11.5mm thick and that’s acceptable but wouldn’t want much more than that and prefer thinner.

I’m looking for something with a screw down crown but doesn’t have to be a Diver.

I shop for many different brands. I have critiques of all of them. No such thing as perfect. Just nice to see improvements.

I didn’t like the submariner much at all before the current version. The little details make a big difference for me. I’m very particular.

So far one of the cleanest configurations I’ve seen is a limited edition platinum Omega Globemaster but it’s priced out of my range.

I’m sure GS will modernize the cases and bracelets. They’re competitive and want to have giant waitlists too.

I think we will see very interesting things from GS in 2021

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

The new submariner is a good recent example. They made the case, lugs, crownguard slimmer and more elegant and balanced I think.

My current watch is about 11.5mm thick and that’s acceptable but wouldn’t want much more than that and prefer thinner.

I’m looking for something with a screw down crown but doesn’t have to be a Diver.

I shop for many different brands. I have critiques of all of them. No such thing as perfect. Just nice to see improvements.

I didn’t like the submariner much at all before the current version. The little details make a big difference for me. I’m very particular.

So far one of the cleanest configurations I’ve seen is a limited edition platinum Omega Globemaster but it’s priced out of my range.

I’m sure GS will modernize the cases and bracelets. They’re competitive and want to have giant waitlists too.

I think we will see very interesting things from GS in 2021

The new Sub is bigger than the previous one - the only reason the lugs look fractionally smaller is because they widened the bracelet, which in turn has necessitated a larger clasp (now pretty much the same as the SD43's). The case, dial and hands are all larger than before so I'm not sure why you think it is slimmer.

[thenewrick]

Check out measurement videos comparing the different sub versions and it explains it well.

GS just had no excuses for 14mm cases on a datejust or GMT anymore. They’ve got the movements and everything is in-house. Just gotta get it done. And they really should refine their bracelets a bit and charge a bit more. I see them doing this. I think they want to get out of that $4-$5k range and shift up to $8-$9k entry level price and I see Rolex doing the same. Especially now that regular Seiko is getting up in the low thousands. Will be interesting to see what they come out with. Lots of opportunity with the new movements.

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Check out measurement videos comparing the different sub versions and it explains it well.

GS just had no excuses for 14mm cases on a datejust or GMT anymore. They’ve got the movements and everything is in-house. Just gotta get it done. And they really should refine their bracelets a bit and charge a bit more. I see them doing this. I think they want to get out of that $4-$5k range and shift up to $8-$9k entry level price and I see Rolex doing the same. Especially now that regular Seiko is getting up in the low thousands. Will be interesting to see what they come out with. Lots of opportunity with the new movements.

I'm familiar with the dimensions of current and previous Subs, without the need for videos ; )

Again, I'm not sure which GS models you are referring to. If by 'datejust' you mean an automatic 3-hander with the date, then none that I know of are 14mm thick. Even the SLGH002 with an 80hr power reserve is only 11.7mm thick, and 42mm models such as the SBGR311 are 13mm thick. If you want minimal & elegant, there is the aptly-name Elegance collection - of which the SBGY002 is only 10mm thick yet still packs a Spring Drive movement with 72hr power reserve. Then there is Seiko's entire Credor range which is certainly elegant and understated.

For the larger, sportier watches bear in mind that a big part of the appeal for many is the case shape and zaratsu polishing. Personally I think that a large (44mm) GMT with date, 72hr power reserve, p/r meter, rotating bezel, 200m w/r and curved crystal is acceptable at 14mm thick. With regard to bracelets and clasps, GS are already introducing upgrades such as on the new SBGJ237.

Anyway, good luck with finding your near-ideal watch.

[thenewrick]

Well the SBGE201 is listed at 44mm/14.7mm thick. Not sure how accurate that is. But it just seems really chonk to me. The Rolex GMT Master II is 40x12.4 I believe. I’m just looking for them to scale it back a bit. 42x13 for a sports model is fine I think. I guess I’m not a Maxicase kinda guy. Who knows maybe in titanium it’s comfortable.

Their new SLGA001 is the only model with the movement I’m after and it’s a Godzilla monster.

If they could plop that movement in a time only diver or better yet a GMT. Scale it down to 42x13 I think it would be just right at about $7000. And better yet they put another $2000 into precious metal appliqué and bracelet R&D and ask $9000ish. That’s sort of the sweet spot I think.

Everyone’s got their own preference and opinion that’s just mine.