Reply With QuoteA cracking write up of a wonderful watch Paul - I'd love to try a GS at some point.
Enjoy.
David
Haven't posted for a while, and haven't bought a watch for much more than a while. I definitely got bored of the whole thing. Like a firework, my interest shot up and I bought a ton of watches, then it all blew up and I fell down to earth. There's a thread somewhere where I cleverly declare the hobby a complete waste of time.
Ahem, well ... that was some time ago after all, and a man reserves the right to revisit his opinions
If you didn't already comprehend from the title, you'll have already browsed the pictures so you'll know it was a Grand Seiko that turned my head. The nattily named SBGR029 to be exact. An older model, with the 9S55 movement, though freshly serviced by one of the better Tokyo dealers, boxed and papered :
A very promising box. What's inside ?
And inside the inner box, on a felt pillow, lies this :
This model is larger than many a GS, at about 39mm, which suits me perfectly.
The dial is actually a very light blue. It's hard to capture. These are all iPhone pics. I'll try to channel my inner Tony and get some better ones later.
Try to maintain your expectations.
I've owned a bunch of Seikos, including the King Seiko Hi-Beat, as well as rather more expensive pieces from other manufacturers and would maintain that the Seiko Monster is probably the world's finest watch per dollar/pound/yen. Above that it all gets increasingly jewellery-iike. Nothing wrong with that, this is excellent jewellery in steel.
The Japanese really know how to craft steel.
I think I may have been drawn to this as I'd been wearing my old Seiko Lord Marvel recently. It's still a fine watch, although my example is starting to show it's age with the dial slowly deteriorating. Despite this, it maintains it's design elegance in age like a high-cheekboned starlet. I believe most of the modern three-handed GS models adhere to this rather stripped back simplicity. It's not for everyone. Some feel it is too bland. It's hard to agree, when you hold one in your hand, but I understand.
There are other GS models now that have more bells on them. The original style though persists. I won't call it "Seiko's design language" because I believe the art of refinement predates the common use of that phrase by some way. Zen gardens in Japan are achingly minimalist, an attempt to discover something essential about shapes, space and form by the act of reduction. Forms are permanent, materials and objects are transient. As Clive James noted, 35 years ago, of the Ise Shrine in Japan:
Some of the shrine’s bleached wooden buildings are rebuilt entirely every twenty years, exactly as they were before, tile for tile, nail for nail. The substance changes but the form persists, just as there are always carp in the clear river century after century.
I am quite happy to have my "rebuilt" classic form Seiko. It deserves a spot in my much reduced collection.
Paul
A cracking write up of a wonderful watch Paul - I'd love to try a GS at some point.
Enjoy.
David
Congratulations on a lovely purchase and welcome back. :-)
I feel that the dial harks back to some of the King Seikos of an earlier age.
Surprising. That doesn't come across in the pics, except maybe a little in the last one.Originally Posted by Tokyo Tokei
Last edited by markrlondon; 19th July 2014 at 10:55.
This is the dealer pic ( my exact watch ) under studio lighting :
The blue is very subtle
Thanks for the welcome back
Paul
Thanks Tony, I think I ran out of used cameras to buy so it's back to watchesNice, Paul, and glad to see you got back on the horse
How do you find the lugs, as a matter of interest (and don't say you just look ether side of the crown)?
The lugs ? Well, very lug like. Nicely finished. Drilled. The same length on each side.
I'm not a lug man clearly
Paul
Nice, Paul, and glad to see you got back on the horse
How do you find the lugs, as a matter of interest (and don't say you just look ether side of the crown)?I'm am idiot. I meant the crown guardsThanks Tony, I think I ran out of used cameras to buy so it's back to watches
The lugs ? Well, very lug like. Nicely finished. Drilled. The same length on each side.
I'm not a lug man clearly
Paul
Well the crown guards ! Of course, they're either side of the crown. Wait, so where's the strap fit ? Why's this watch collecting thing so darn complicated
The crown guards drew me to this one, along with the slightly larger case, instead of the SBGR051. Seiko certainly have a knack for names that resonate with the luxury buyer. I'm not clumsy but crown guards seem like a good idea, especially on a piece that is arguably a little large and thick to pretend to be a true "dress watch". They don't look as abrupt on this case as some of the more squared-off ones look on other GS models. Definitely a plus. They're also the same length on each side, just like the lugs. Seiko designers sure know their onions.
Paul
Ah yes, it's just visible there.
Congrats. And great write-up. Wasn't the 9S55 movement the one Seiko designed when they began producing mechanical Grand Seikos again in 1999 (following a gap which began in the 1970s when the 'quartz crisis' began)?
This is a real beauty. So simple but yet still feels very luxurious. Congratulations!
As above, good to see you're back Paul, and with a grand re-entry.
The duck-egg blue is lovely when you see it.
I like this partly because of the crown guards but mostly due to the 39mm size as anything less than this just looks abnormally small on me!! Ive only got 7.5" wrists but im a big bloke so the general appearance just looks too dainty!!! I want a mans watch in a mans size!! :-)
Chris
There'll be proper GS experts on this forum who know more about this than me but I believe from the age of my watch that yes, it's from the "rebirth" of the GS 15 years ago. The 9S55 looks like this apparently :
Paul
Welcome back, Paul. I like that a lot.
Out of curiosity, what is the market like for pre-loved Grand Seikos in the land of their birth? Are they readily available from bricks and mortar dealers, for example?
Although no trees were harmed during the creation of this post, a large number of electrons were greatly inconvenienced.
You've cheered me up this morning, Paul, thank youWell the crown guards ! Of course, they're either side of the crown. Wait, so where's the strap fit ? Why's this watch collecting thing so darn complicated
The crown guards drew me to this one, along with the slightly larger case, instead of the SBGR051. Seiko certainly have a knack for names that resonate with the luxury buyer. I'm not clumsy but crown guards seem like a good idea, especially on a piece that is arguably a little large and thick to pretend to be a true "dress watch". They don't look as abrupt on this case as some of the more squared-off ones look on other GS models. Definitely a plus. They're also the same length on each side, just like the lugs. Seiko designers sure know their onions.
Paul
( in reply to Backward Point )
They are indeed readily available. But then, so are watches in excellent condition from every other brand, no matter how rare. The shop I purchased this one from ( "Houseki Hiroba" in Shibuya ) always has a cabinet full, but turnover is fast. As I sat down, drinking cold green tea supplied by the lovely assistant, waiting for the band to be resized, I was amused to cast my eye over the cabinet immediately to my left. Quite seriously, there were at least 100 different Rolex Day Dates. Not 100 different Rolexes. 100 different Day Dates. There are many cabinets in that shop, Rolex, Seiko, Patek, AP etc. And many similar shops. Service is always excellent, availability is never an issue.
Tokyo is a terrific place to go watch shopping.
edit to add picture of Houseki Hiroba :
Paul
Last edited by Tokyo Tokei; 19th July 2014 at 12:27.
You're welcome sir, I always appreciate your photos. Like my humour, sometimes quite dark.You've cheered me up this morning, Paul, thank you
Paul
Fantastic watch and so beautiful, congratulationsThere'll be proper GS experts on this forum who know more about this than me but I believe from the age of my watch that yes, it's from the "rebirth" of the GS 15 years ago. The 9S55 looks like this apparently :
Paul
The 9S55 was introduced in 1998 right after the non-date 9S51. By the way, the 8l35 used in the popular Marinemaster sbdx001 is the less decorated and unadjusted and thus downgraded version of the 9S55 and is used in the Prospex and Birghtz lineup.
** Checks air fares to Tokyo**
Do you have a spare room available, Paul?
Although no trees were harmed during the creation of this post, a large number of electrons were greatly inconvenienced.
Very kind and thanks for the movement info. I just read a little on this model and learned that it was designed by Naoto Fukusawa. I can't claim I fell off my chair in awe when I found this. My knowledge of design is as minimal as a sumo's undergarment. But he's quite well regarded, and in my opinion, did a fine job.Fantastic watch and so beautiful, congratulations
The 9S55 was introduced in 1998 right after the non-date 9S51. By the way, the 8l35 used in the popular Marinemaster sbdx001 is the less decorated and unadjusted and thus downgraded version of the 9S55 and is used in the Prospex and Birghtz lineup.
Paul
I could come to some arrangement with the rabbit ?
Paul
I've seen pictures of some Japanese hotels, and that seems eminently reasonable.
Although no trees were harmed during the creation of this post, a large number of electrons were greatly inconvenienced.
Always nice to see you posting paul
Good luck everybody. Have a good one.
A machine for bed and breakfasting in - Tokyo capsule hotels.
Fukusawa is exceptionally well regarded in Design, particularly for his work with Muji.
There is a documentary called Objectified where we speaks about Design and he's wearing what looks to be a Grand Seiko with those angled lugs (which remind me of Heuer, IWC, Sinn EZM) and crown guards. The guards are quite beautiful in the flesh.
Good write up - I enjoyed the Zen observations. I think this is my favourite shape of GS case, it has just the right balance of polished elements, and the recessed chapter ring adds a lot to the style. I've been after the similar but smaller SBGX055 quartz for a while, this is not helping!
Have enjoyed your posts here and glad to see you back.Planning trip to Japan ,easter 2016 so may be looking for that nice watch shop.
Lovely!
Thanks, morning now in Japan and I can see the blue dial more clearly and observe the light pirouetting off the hands and batons. Naturally, this provoked some further thoughts on Zen and the art of Watch Appreciation.
It is said that the Japanese, in creating their gardens of pebbles and raked sand, took all that was elegant and then stripped away every imperfect form. Iterating until all that was left was the idea of a garden, physically realised with as few elements as possible, meticulously selected and arranged. You can see where I'm going with this. The beauty of the simple three hand Grand Seiko is that every imperfect form has been removed. What is left is the essence of a watch, physically realised with extreme care in the selection and arrangement of the materials used.
Maybe once you've spent centuries curating gardens, you end up with three pebbles in raked sand and a contemplative mood. When you've spent too long curating watches, maybe you end up contemplating a Grand Seiko.
Paul
Last edited by Tokyo Tokei; 20th July 2014 at 02:12.
Congrats and that shop looks fabulous. I can't wait to get to Tokyo for a good bit of watch porn!( in reply to Backward Point )
They are indeed readily available. But then, so are watches in excellent condition from every other brand, no matter how rare. The shop I purchased this one from ( "Houseki Hiroba" in Shibuya ) always has a cabinet full, but turnover is fast. As I sat down, drinking cold green tea supplied by the lovely assistant, waiting for the band to be resized, I was amused to cast my eye over the cabinet immediately to my left. Quite seriously, there were at least 100 different Rolex Day Dates. Not 100 different Rolexes. 100 different Day Dates. There are many cabinets in that shop, Rolex, Seiko, Patek, AP etc. And many similar shops. Service is always excellent, availability is never an issue.
Tokyo is a terrific place to go watch shopping.
edit to add picture of Houseki Hiroba :
Paul
LOL. If I remember correctly, there is a block of flats on Grove End Road or Abbey Road in north west London where the gardener has attempted to achieve something along the lines of a Japanese rock garden. Whilst his attempt comes nowhere close to the perfection of that which apparently inspired him, it is nevertheless visually pleasing and I enjoy looking at it as I go past on the bus.
Interesting review of a lovely watch, thanks for posting. I guess a Tokyo trip should be on every Seiko lovers list
Cheers
Alan
Im currently watching the rabbit...
Ha ha ! I'm sure he appreciates the audience. Quite the raconteur, as it happens. His twitter account rivals Stephen Fry's in erudition if not total followers ( yet )
Grand Bunny
Paul
Last edited by Tokyo Tokei; 20th July 2014 at 12:13.
Fancied visiting Tokyo anyway while over that way - this seals the deal!
It's now on a strap. iPhone pic :
Paul
Sweet as a nut Paul.
A simple excellent picture like that is the very definition of "a picture paints a thousand words" – that's Grand Seiko in a nutshell, right there.
Thank you sir, it's appeal is not waning so far. It is back on the bracelet today. I have the official Seiko croco strap and deployant on order though, both reassuringly expensive. The item barely pictured above was a 19mm band I found in my strap cave, with a ( gasp ) Rolex buckle. Felt a bit odd all day, like a disturbance in the Force.
Fortunately there is not much wrong with the bracelet ...
Paul
Congrats Paul - the best GS are the ones that keep things simple. Funnily enough last month I was also tiring of buying cameras/lenses (admittedly I bought a Nikon 70-200 f4 in amongst it all...) and looking at buying watches again, then the whole D810 announcement complicated things a little....
Amazing photo, hands and indices are beautiful :)It's now on a strap. iPhone pic :
Paul
Pure class on that strap and a great photo. Nice choice.
That's a stunner and a great alternative to something like an Aqua Terra. There's a chance I'll be in Tokyo later this year with SWMBO, I already have one GS so a little bit of window shopping at the very least may be in order.
It used to be on top of my GS wish list and I played with this white model before. It wears bigger because of the white dial.
Lovely! Love the bullet markers and those rounded hands in 3D, indeed never like the flat sword hands.
Last edited by seikomatic; 24th July 2014 at 10:26.
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