Grand Seiko SBGJ201 Watch Review

Grand Seiko has been developing a lot of elegant and exquisite wristwatches. And this one isn't any different. Where the Grand Seiko Snowflake has a larger diameter (of 41mm), the Grand Seiko SBGJ201 (40mm) is a little bit thicker due to the Grand Seiko GMT SBGJ201 function. The cost of the Grand Seiko SBGJ201 is $500 higher than that of the Snowflake.

This is the first high-frequency GMT wristwatch from Grand Seiko, which comes with the 9S86 movement. It incorporates accuracy alongside the heritage of the great Hi-beat, but this has a fourth hand that is useful to keep track of a second-time zone. Similar to any real GMT wristwatch, there is an independent setting of the hour hand. This gives the owner the chance to travel to other countries and time zones and set the hour for that new country's time zone with no disruption of the GMT, seconds, or minutes hand.

When it comes to the production of exquisite and elegant wristwatches. Grand Seiko is at the top of their game. This wristwatch is also a clear representation of Seiko’s prestige and value in the crowded market of high-end watches.

The Zaratsu polishing technique creates a mirror finish that not many companies today are able to compete with. Grand Seiko stated that the recommended interval for service should be every four years. To service the 9S movement, it has an official price of $385. In most cases, you can do the servicing in any country that you are, and the only exception is the Zaratsu polishing.Nevertheless, if you have used the Grand Seiko SBGJ201 for only about one or two years, it will show no sign of it needing to be serviced. The 9S86 high-beat movement has specs of (-3/+5 seconds daily). The one we tried out in our company runs with +2 seconds daily anytime the crown is down, and -3 seconds daily anytime the dial side is up, and about 254° when we position the watch vertically. The ticking number of the high-beat motion is 36000vph, and this gives its second hand a smooth sweep over the dial.

Grand Seiko SBGJ201: Unreal Finishing

As hailed several times before. The hand finishing of the hour markers and hands are perfect, this is no exaggeration, the finish is perfect! Even when we observed it with the aid of a macro lens or loupe, the edges and polished surfaces are sharp like razors. We just can not believe the amount of effort Grand Seiko uses to get the details perfectly right, and they are only visible with a loupe or up close. When compared with other brands, which are of the same price range, it's really not comparable. The league with which Grand Seiko plays is completely different here. The same is also applicable to its stainless steel bracelet and Zaratsu polished case. These details are what makes us glad to own and wear the Grand Seiko. You can also follow a number of Grand Seiko community on facebook with good interest, and you will notice the friendly atmosphere over there. There is much respect for Grand Seiko and each other, right in these groups.

Grand Seiko SBGJ201: Strap Choices

The thickness of the Grand Seiko SBGJ201 is quite large. On a bracelet, you will likely not be bothered about its height if you have had your share of dress watches from modern to vintage and gold, in steel, and bi-color, and neither of them is as large (in height and diameter) as the Grand Seiko SBGJ201. Of course, because a particular watch is made of leather does not make it a dress watch automatically, but in a way, this one does. Likely because of the polished surfaces right on the case, and painstakingly polished hour markers and hands.For example, the strap that you put on the watch will likely give the wristwatch a different appearance,either you use a calf strap, alligator strap, or any other one. Definitely, the brackets do add an amount of weight to the watch. Email info@exquisitetimepieces to request a personal video of the Grand Seiko you seek to purchase.

The retail price of the Grand Seiko SBGJ201 is $6,300 USD.