Grand Seiko SBGT027 — GMT+9 Reader Initial Impressions
GMT+9 reader “Tom” recently picked up the gorgeous new Grand Seiko Quartz SBGT021. He was kind enough to send us some pictures along with a few words about the watch and his purchase.
Here’s what he had to say:
I owned a SBGT015 with the gold dial for about five years and was recently looking for another quartz or Spring Drive Grand Seiko with a black face. I wanted a watch with LumiBright, so my initial choices were the antimagnetic SBGX045 or the new Spring Drive GS Diver.
The antimagnetic GS is a fine piece with highly polished titanium making it look almost like a stainless steel watch. However, the lack of the date feature was a major drawback. The Spring Drive diver is also impressive, but it was just too big and macho for my mostly sedentary office lifestyle; I’d say the watch is as big as a Rolex Sea-Dweller.
I knew the SBGT027 would be available in early June, so I decided to check it out at a Grand Seiko Master Shop, thinking it would not be too big a deal as I’ve seen some PR material on it, and the watch is essentially the same as my SBGT015. I was proven wrong when I saw the watch in person!
The white/silver dial on the SBGT027 gave it a cleaner, compact look versus the “luxurious” gold dial on my SBGT015. The blue steeled second hand contributed in giving the watch a cool look and I was sold by the specially calibrated 9F83 movement advertised to deliver +/- 5 seconds per year accuracy with a free two-year calibration service from Seiko.
I also liked the fact that this is a numbered, 300 unit limited edition with a specially engraved, gold plated case back. The deal was clinched when the watch dealer gave me a trade-in offer I couldn’t refuse.
Although it was sad to part with the SBGT015 which had been through a lot with me the past five years, it really didn’t feel as though I was getting a completely different watch either. I’ve worn the watch now for less than two weeks, so I can’t vouch for its accuracy yet, but I am counting on it to deliver better performance than my SBGT015 which at its best was +6 seconds or so a year. Also, this April, Seiko has officially started offering overhaul services for cases and bands in addition to movement overhauls for GS, Credor and Galante lines giving me some hope that I will be with the SBGT027 longer than the time spent with my SBGT015.
Special thanks to Tom for providing us with his impressions and photos!
June 26th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Hi Pete,
A big “thanks” to Tom for sending these pictures, and telling his story. The blue details (especially the second hand, but also the font above 6 o’clock) really stands out. The vertical lines on the dial, and the star, are subtle touches, but they also make a big difference. This watch really is tastefully done. It’s beautiful.
Interesting comment about Seiko officially offering overhaul service for bands and cases in the Credor and Galante lines.
Again, thanks very much for this post. It’s very much appreciated by me.
Regards,
Bryan
June 26th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Hi Bryan and Tom,
One of the coolest things about some of the Grand Seikos are the laser etched dials that they sometimes use. Obviously it’s a big reason as to why I like my SBGX039 so much. I’ll never forget the first time I saw some of the other GS dials like the automatic 9S with the “GS”’s printed all over it, or the first GS spring drive with that absolutely STUNNING green dial filled with tiny pine trees. Those watches really blew me away.
That’s why I like this new GS so much. I can’t tell you guys how much I’d love to see it in person, but sadly, I may never see it in my life being such a small edition.
So thanks again Tom for at least letting me live a little vicariously through your post!
petew
June 26th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Hi, I’m glad you guys enjoyed the post. What I really like about Grand Seiko is the tender-loving service you get AFTER you buy the watch. I found a small mention of the new overhaul service on a Master Shop catalog, so I phoned a customer hotline to ask about it since they didn’t do this before. I was routed to a very knowledgeable gentleman in repairs, and he told me that Seiko finally decided to offer the service for the top line models since the company now had sufficient infrastructure to support it (he sounded kind of apologetic that it’s not offered for all Seiko watches). He told me that they will overhaul (1) the case, (2) the band, or (3) the case and the band. I think he said that the cost for a stainless steel or tinanium watch is a little under 40,000 yen ($375). It ain’t cheap, but the overhaul of the case and the band is done by the same craftsmen who work on the new watches, and I think it’s pretty amazing that the representative told me that they will be able to refurbish the delicate “zaratsu” finish and even titanium. He also told me that an overhaul might not be possible if the damage to the case is such that doing anything to it would affect the mineral crystal, but most scratches would be able to be removed. It’ll be a while before my next overhaul, but I’m already looking forward to it.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Hi Tom,
Yes the case and bracelet refurbishing are both good news. I’ve heard that refinishing certain titanium finishes is very difficult and some manufacturers will not do it so it’s good to hear that Seiko will be taking this on. Quick question for you; what is the ‘zaratsu’ finish?
One thing I have to say. I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by how well the finish has held up on my stainless steel Grand Seiko. I don’t think I baby it excessively yet it still looks exceptionally well; even the clasp. I often wonder if the stainless steel is treated or a harder alloy.
Check back with us after your first service and let us know how things go.
petew
June 26th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Hi Pete,
“Zaratsu” is how it’s pronounced in Japanese, but I was just checking out the Seiko English site and it looks like the proper spelling is “Sallaz.” This page is translated from a more elegant sounding Japanese page and the English is kind of awkward, but you can get a rough idea of what it is.
http://www.seiko-watch.co.jp/p_design/e/products/2006/sallaz.html
Also, check out the other related pages by hitting “Previous” or “Next.” Much of it is direct translations and are funny even, but I really enjoyed it.
Cheers
Tom, a.k.a. 144/300
June 26th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Hi Tom & Pete,
The Japanese have a unique tradition of making some of the finest steel instruments in the world. It’s a tradition that goes back 1,000 years. The steel used to make Grand Seiko follows this cultural tradition. As Tom knows well living in Japan, this is all taken very seriously to this day, especially in “conservative” companies like Seiko that cater to Japanese elites in high society.
There was an excellent program on Nova on PBS last Tuesday about traditional Japanese sword making. Learn more about it by clicking on the banner above. The quality of the steel and care of finishing (black polish) on Grand Seiko remind me of this traditional Japanese art form.
Regards,
Bryan