MADE FOR MACRO - Grand Seiko SBGE249 Blizzard Review

roadwarrior

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SBGE249 LE in collaboration with Timeless Luxury Jewelers in Texas


Jun 20, 2020

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Lume Shot

The SBGE249 is a steel Spring Drive GMT with what’s referred to as the “blizzard” dial and is limited to 250 pieces each priced at $5,900.


Sponsor
https://timelessluxwatches.com/
SBGE249
https://timelessluxwatches.com/produc...

I DO offer watch modification services. IF interested please do email me for further details! [email protected]

https://www.ablogtowatch.com/grand-s...e249-hands-on/

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/gr...mt-introducing
 
I have always liked Grand Seikos, have never seen one in person tho. I wonder how they stack up to the other "Lux" brands in that price range? Should they pull you away from an Omega, Breitling etc...:dunno:
 
I think there is room for all choices if someone has the means and one of those mentioned strikes the person. My first choice would be an Omega.
I've never been that crazy about any
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myself. Maybe if I had one it would grow on me, but it's not a brand that is or ever has been on my radar.


https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/th...lex-automatics

 
Some of the specs like movement, etc. are compared in the linked story.

So, just what do you get by buying into the entry level at Rolex, Omega, and Grand Seiko that you wouldn't get with a comparatively less expensive watch with a supplied movement? As you’ll see, each of these three brands provides you with something special and compelling, even if you’re only buying their most affordable timepieces, so choosing which of these three watches to add to one's collection is no easy decision.

Despite the fact that these are among the most affordable options from each brand, the personality of each watchmaker manages to come through clearly– whether it's Omega's use of advanced technologies and certifications for its movements, or Grand Seiko's painstaking attention to finishing details, or Rolex's legendary capacity to make products of steadfastly robust quality at scale. Without further ado, here's your Three On Three.

I think that the high quality that these watches deliver still remains less known than it should be to the vast majority of the general public

I’d put this Grand Seiko’s hands and indices up against those found on most of Switzerland’s high end watches with confidence that they are as good or better than most of what's out there.

Another area where Grand Seiko tends to show its mettle is with its movements. Though unlike Omega, which has fully embraced new materials and technologies in its movements, or Rolex, which has done so to a somewhat lesser degree, what you get with Grand Seiko is a pretty traditional high-end automatic caliber. Inside the SBGR253 is the caliber 9S65, an automatic caliber beating at a standard 4 Hz (28,800 vph) and coming with 72 hours of power reserve. Grand Seiko lists this movement’s accuracy at +5 to -3 seconds per day when static and +10 to -1 seconds per day with normal usage. But it’s been my experience wearing this and other Grand Seiko timepieces that these watches tend to overdeliver on what I consider to be extremely conservative guarantees of accuracy.

The bracelet is one important element that Grand Seiko could improve. I don’t feel like this bracelet stands up to the high bar set by the case, the movement, and most certainly the dial. As a pure matter of the personal taste, I am not a fan of the ribbing on bracelet links, and I think that Grand Seiko’s less expensive quartz watches actually come with a better-looking bracelet. As I say in the video portion of this story, I think the bracelet is nice to have, but would switch this one out for a strap. And with the drilled through lugs, that ought to be a very simple fix.
 
One very sharp, and impressive looking piece, from Grand Seiko.:dance2:Thanks Mike.:hat:
 
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