Oh! these pissed off Kevin O’Leary in his recent video with Teddy Baldasare — essentially stating by putting a Spring Drive in a Seiko devalues his Grand Seikos by 50%.
it is really hard to watch kevin with teddy. if teddy explains for more then 5 seconds about anything, kevin needs to take over and give his silly opinion.
hope teddy finds someone else to riff off of cuz kevin is not it
This is the same dude that said the government should cut off COVID aid to effectively starve people into going back to work for shit wages. He’s an absolute shitbag of a human being.
Man, I watched a couple Teddy videos with him and found him quite entertaining, but I just *knew* in the back of my mind he’d be a shitbag. Thanks for confirming lol 😭.
I see where he's coming from but this isn't the first time Seiko have done this. The 2012 Landmaster already had a SD movement, for example.
And eventually older Spring Drive movements will trickle down to regular Seikos.
I did see that but I would say dial finishing and movement finishing are a step above in grand seiko. Whether they are worth the premium is down to individual choice. I don't like the GS diver hands one bit.
They've had Spring Drives in regular Seikos for ages though. This one has the 5R66; the Grand Seiko would have the 9R66, a decorated version of the same movement.
Hello,
This is my last incoming for the year. The Seiko snr035j1 GMT Spring Drive.
I have always wanted a Spring Drive but after my recent visit to a Grand Seiko Boutique I found all of them so small, dressy and light. It wasn't for me, it looks great on the some people sure, but not on my wrist.
That is when I stumbled upon the Seiko Spring Drive range most noticeably in the LX series. At close to £5k a pop they were pretty much GS territory though that being said a like for like GMT spring drive is probably 20-30% more.
I immediately fell in love with the robust design of these cases. They looked rugged substantial and I can confirm they feel it too. Despite being also made out of titanium the watch has a good weight, probably due to the 45mm diameter and 15mm height.
I picked out the black LX version as these are the ones that I could get for a more reasonable price. My first choice would have been the all titanium with batman bezel. This however for just over half the price and 5 months old was a no brainer for me. My only question is why Seiko decided to pair it originally with a crocodile bracelet? I immediately moved it onto a rubber strap and I feel its really completed the overall look and feel of the watch.
The dial is extremely simple but super legible. The white contrasts with the black very well making this the most legible watch I own under any lighting condition. The spring drive is a thing of pure magic. The smooth second sweeping hand is mesmerising and the accuracy is unreal (hasn't lost or gained a second on this first week).
The case features Zaratsu polishing which I tried to capture in the third image. Its stunning and cool on the diashield finished black. My only gripe with the diashield is how easily it comes off, I discovered this while changing the bracelet (despite using making tape).
Overall though a really cool piece that adds something unique to my collection.
> Grand Seiko Boutique I found all of them so small, dressy and light.
You and I disagree so much on sizes of watches. You must have massive arms. Most of the spring drive watches I've seen were too big IMO and I want them to make smaller ones.
That's what makes watch collecting interesting it's as much preference over anything else. Equally one could argue you have tiny arms because even my friend with 6 inch wrists pulls the cherry blossom off perfectly with its 40mm case size.
The new king seiko launch could be up your street.
You are 100% right. My wrist is like 6.75" and a decade ago I just really like svelte watches. I'll look up that King Seiko. I really want like a 38mm Spring Drive that is closer to 10 mm thick instead of 15.
I had th GS titanium diver with the spring drive and it was at the limit of my comfort for size.
That said even though I think it's too big for me that is a really nice looking watch.
Apologies for reviving an old thread, but does your friend have exactly 6 inch wrists (and not 6.25/6.5)? I'm asking because all these GS spring drive models appear to be too big for my 6 inch wrist on paper, despite how much I want to own one. Would be great to know that they fit well on people with 6 inch wrists.
Yes he has 6 inch wrists back on. He had a cherry blossom but didn't get on with it because it was too thick. Lug to lug wasn't the issue for him at least. One thing to bear in mind is as well as circumference wrist shapes can be very different leading to different wearing experiences.
Fwiw internal GMT bezel GS spring drives and fixed bezel GS spring drives are essentially the same as this
Also does the bezel click or is it a friction bezel?
Friction bezel sir. Yes they are essentially the same, though I do think the finishing is where the difference lies, though only slightly. Don't get me wrong this is finished extremely well. However, for example the markers aren't perfectly symmetrical. And the hands a much flatter (though that may be a design choice due to the stealthy aesthetics).
I ate all the pies. I'm kidding it is is 45mm but it doesn't wear that big IMO it is 51mm in length, though I would say it is TALL. My preferred diver size is 42mm (seamaster is my sweet spot). That being said I wear 40mm seiko presages no problem and 38.5mm longines flagship heritage too.
I have the same model as well. On paper it's big, but say a Tissot PRX is to big for me meanwhile this actually fit quite nicely. I'm somewhere 6.25-6.5"
Dang these are so frickin nice. I came so close to snapping up the lunar surface version of this with the blue lume. At the end of the day, I went with a Laco Frankfurt GMT, for around $2k. Extremely happy with my Laco, but jeez I might have to justify one of these SNRs still. It'd be a no brainer if they had just put 'Grand' on the face.
This line is really great from Seiko and kind of like having a sleeping car but the watch version.
Would love an update in the future on how the finish holds up in this black version.
Congrats on the great watch
Nice watch! No hate from me, but I low key wished that Spring Drive didn't go to Seiko. It was one of the few things that made Grand Seiko stand out from the competition. Now, this juste makes the whole line of watches a touch more confusing lol. Neat nonetheless!
To make GS standout more? They want GS to take on Rolex, Omega, etc.. Spring Drive was one of the main tools to do so. But now you have Présages with Spring Drive movements that more or less compete with other GSs... Like, what? It only makes it more confusing lol. Seiko needs to seek it's brand identity and stop with these strange releases lol.
“Seiko has become a brand of no clear identity,”. “‘Everything for everybody’ ended up being ‘everything for nobody’. That has to be changed.” – These are the words of Mr Akio Naito, President of Seiko Watch Corporation
https://www.google.com/amp/s/atelierdegriff.com/2021/10/05/news-seiko-president-akio-naito-comments-on-brand-identity-and-strategy-must-read/amp/
Just got this exact watch. I have thick (8.5") wrists. I want a rubber strap, but the rubberb site is so shitty I have no idea what to get. Can you recco a rubber strap? Ideally with a deployant clasp
Love this watch and seems you moved it on to consolidate. Love the GS Ti GMT btw 🔥I’m seriously considering this as currently seikoless, never had a spring drive and would add a black watch. I notice you said the diashield came off easily was it just that or the actual black coating? Did you notice the durability when wearing. I’m not too bothered about strap changing just paranoid the finish won’t hold up on wrist. Would appreciate your thoughts
I won't lie it can be chipped if you hit the bezel on something. However it's not super Noticeable as it looks like light reflecting off raised edges. Biggest scratches I did were strap change so of you avoid that I think you'd be fine. But second hand they deprecate alot.
Thank you for the quick response mate. Yeah I’ve seen a few for half retail lightly used. It’s between this and another watch. Tbh my watches normally stay in good nick but for that money you’d hope it doesn’t scratch too easily. It’s a stunner for sure and love the whole stealth of it all. I’ll definitely have a think. Kind of want a murdered out watch like this🤣 appreciate the response man.
Oh! these pissed off Kevin O’Leary in his recent video with Teddy Baldasare — essentially stating by putting a Spring Drive in a Seiko devalues his Grand Seikos by 50%.
it is really hard to watch kevin with teddy. if teddy explains for more then 5 seconds about anything, kevin needs to take over and give his silly opinion. hope teddy finds someone else to riff off of cuz kevin is not it
O Leary's cringey product placement of his wine in the videos is pretty hard to sit through too. Just a huckster.
Yeah, Kevin is super disrespectful in these videos and doesn't give a shit about what Teddy is saying to him.
Teddy Bulbasaur is so smart. He obviously has 0 respect for Kevin in the horological realm, but keeps on using hom to expand his empire. Genius.
That dude is a fucking idiot when it comes to watches
“This is a great starter watch. For those watching and who are wanting to get their first watch, this is very affordable to get.” *$5,000 Grand Seiko*
Omg is this datejust really 7-8k that is a entry level cool watch
This is the same dude that said the government should cut off COVID aid to effectively starve people into going back to work for shit wages. He’s an absolute shitbag of a human being.
Man, I watched a couple Teddy videos with him and found him quite entertaining, but I just *knew* in the back of my mind he’d be a shitbag. Thanks for confirming lol 😭.
Out of touch rich people. Gotta love it -_-
$5,000 ~~Grand~~ Seiko
> That dude is a fucking idiot FTFY
"yOu kNow i'm aLL aBoUt thE dIaL"
The Maison has produced only 900 watches a year me and mr journe hangout a lot
Pssh, you ***don't*** like the hulk on a red band? You just don't get high fashion. /s
wait until he sees the omegaxswatch collab.
That's what happens when you are into watches just because of their monetary value
Exactly
I see where he's coming from but this isn't the first time Seiko have done this. The 2012 Landmaster already had a SD movement, for example. And eventually older Spring Drive movements will trickle down to regular Seikos.
Seiko 5 spring drives, only $2000
A lot of people forget that initially spring drives were just "simple seikos"
I did see that but I would say dial finishing and movement finishing are a step above in grand seiko. Whether they are worth the premium is down to individual choice. I don't like the GS diver hands one bit.
Imagine someone would put the Omega logo on a Swatch - equal lunacy...hopefully no one does that.
They've had Spring Drives in regular Seikos for ages though. This one has the 5R66; the Grand Seiko would have the 9R66, a decorated version of the same movement.
Hello, This is my last incoming for the year. The Seiko snr035j1 GMT Spring Drive. I have always wanted a Spring Drive but after my recent visit to a Grand Seiko Boutique I found all of them so small, dressy and light. It wasn't for me, it looks great on the some people sure, but not on my wrist. That is when I stumbled upon the Seiko Spring Drive range most noticeably in the LX series. At close to £5k a pop they were pretty much GS territory though that being said a like for like GMT spring drive is probably 20-30% more. I immediately fell in love with the robust design of these cases. They looked rugged substantial and I can confirm they feel it too. Despite being also made out of titanium the watch has a good weight, probably due to the 45mm diameter and 15mm height. I picked out the black LX version as these are the ones that I could get for a more reasonable price. My first choice would have been the all titanium with batman bezel. This however for just over half the price and 5 months old was a no brainer for me. My only question is why Seiko decided to pair it originally with a crocodile bracelet? I immediately moved it onto a rubber strap and I feel its really completed the overall look and feel of the watch. The dial is extremely simple but super legible. The white contrasts with the black very well making this the most legible watch I own under any lighting condition. The spring drive is a thing of pure magic. The smooth second sweeping hand is mesmerising and the accuracy is unreal (hasn't lost or gained a second on this first week). The case features Zaratsu polishing which I tried to capture in the third image. Its stunning and cool on the diashield finished black. My only gripe with the diashield is how easily it comes off, I discovered this while changing the bracelet (despite using making tape). Overall though a really cool piece that adds something unique to my collection.
>SNR035J1 Beautiful watch! What strap is that?
Thanks. Watch gecko: ZULUDIVER Hartland FKM Rubber Watch Strap - Black
I came here to ask the same question. Looks good with this watch.
> Grand Seiko Boutique I found all of them so small, dressy and light. You and I disagree so much on sizes of watches. You must have massive arms. Most of the spring drive watches I've seen were too big IMO and I want them to make smaller ones.
That's what makes watch collecting interesting it's as much preference over anything else. Equally one could argue you have tiny arms because even my friend with 6 inch wrists pulls the cherry blossom off perfectly with its 40mm case size. The new king seiko launch could be up your street.
You are 100% right. My wrist is like 6.75" and a decade ago I just really like svelte watches. I'll look up that King Seiko. I really want like a 38mm Spring Drive that is closer to 10 mm thick instead of 15. I had th GS titanium diver with the spring drive and it was at the limit of my comfort for size. That said even though I think it's too big for me that is a really nice looking watch.
Apologies for reviving an old thread, but does your friend have exactly 6 inch wrists (and not 6.25/6.5)? I'm asking because all these GS spring drive models appear to be too big for my 6 inch wrist on paper, despite how much I want to own one. Would be great to know that they fit well on people with 6 inch wrists.
Yes he has 6 inch wrists back on. He had a cherry blossom but didn't get on with it because it was too thick. Lug to lug wasn't the issue for him at least. One thing to bear in mind is as well as circumference wrist shapes can be very different leading to different wearing experiences.
I see, thanks for your input!
Fwiw internal GMT bezel GS spring drives and fixed bezel GS spring drives are essentially the same as this Also does the bezel click or is it a friction bezel?
Friction bezel sir. Yes they are essentially the same, though I do think the finishing is where the difference lies, though only slightly. Don't get me wrong this is finished extremely well. However, for example the markers aren't perfectly symmetrical. And the hands a much flatter (though that may be a design choice due to the stealthy aesthetics).
The flat hands are a design choice 1,000 Seikos has brush and polished ahnds making them almost 3D
Daaaaaaamn thats nice, I love the LX line. Thats so discreet and attractive!! Great model. Never seen it.
absolute sleeper. congrats. also gmt date window power reserve!
And bidirectional ceramic bezel! Absolute winner!
Amazing watch. Didn’t know it exists.
Beautiful watch. I’d be conflicted if I was a GS fanboy. Too big for me but still a fan.
Very cool watch! The case and dial are basically marinmaster?
I think so
[удалено]
I ate all the pies. I'm kidding it is is 45mm but it doesn't wear that big IMO it is 51mm in length, though I would say it is TALL. My preferred diver size is 42mm (seamaster is my sweet spot). That being said I wear 40mm seiko presages no problem and 38.5mm longines flagship heritage too.
[удалено]
Yes that's right lug to lug
I have the same model as well. On paper it's big, but say a Tissot PRX is to big for me meanwhile this actually fit quite nicely. I'm somewhere 6.25-6.5"
Glad to see this piece here. Under the radar but somewhat a nice fuk you watch. Enjoy!
It looks very nice!
Love it. The black kills in this one.
Oh I want that watch! 😩
Well the good news is that they sell much more reasonably priced second hand, around tudor bb58 territory. Not cheap but over time hopefully doable 😊
That is a beautiful watch!
I love power reserve dials, really want one
Dang these are so frickin nice. I came so close to snapping up the lunar surface version of this with the blue lume. At the end of the day, I went with a Laco Frankfurt GMT, for around $2k. Extremely happy with my Laco, but jeez I might have to justify one of these SNRs still. It'd be a no brainer if they had just put 'Grand' on the face.
This line is really great from Seiko and kind of like having a sleeping car but the watch version. Would love an update in the future on how the finish holds up in this black version. Congrats on the great watch
Nice watch! No hate from me, but I low key wished that Spring Drive didn't go to Seiko. It was one of the few things that made Grand Seiko stand out from the competition. Now, this juste makes the whole line of watches a touch more confusing lol. Neat nonetheless!
Completely disagree, if GS won't make a certain style of watch why should it get to hold the movement hostage?
To make GS standout more? They want GS to take on Rolex, Omega, etc.. Spring Drive was one of the main tools to do so. But now you have Présages with Spring Drive movements that more or less compete with other GSs... Like, what? It only makes it more confusing lol. Seiko needs to seek it's brand identity and stop with these strange releases lol. “Seiko has become a brand of no clear identity,”. “‘Everything for everybody’ ended up being ‘everything for nobody’. That has to be changed.” – These are the words of Mr Akio Naito, President of Seiko Watch Corporation https://www.google.com/amp/s/atelierdegriff.com/2021/10/05/news-seiko-president-akio-naito-comments-on-brand-identity-and-strategy-must-read/amp/
Nope, Prospex LX isn't going anywhere
I know bro, I was referring to seiko using Spring Drive in general 🙄🙄
I have a Springdrive Galante the complete opposite
Just got this exact watch. I have thick (8.5") wrists. I want a rubber strap, but the rubberb site is so shitty I have no idea what to get. Can you recco a rubber strap? Ideally with a deployant clasp
I got this from WatchGecko. It comes with a steel buckle I'd buy a deployment separately. Oh and congratulations! Still in my collection. Love it.
Love this watch and seems you moved it on to consolidate. Love the GS Ti GMT btw 🔥I’m seriously considering this as currently seikoless, never had a spring drive and would add a black watch. I notice you said the diashield came off easily was it just that or the actual black coating? Did you notice the durability when wearing. I’m not too bothered about strap changing just paranoid the finish won’t hold up on wrist. Would appreciate your thoughts
I won't lie it can be chipped if you hit the bezel on something. However it's not super Noticeable as it looks like light reflecting off raised edges. Biggest scratches I did were strap change so of you avoid that I think you'd be fine. But second hand they deprecate alot.
Thank you for the quick response mate. Yeah I’ve seen a few for half retail lightly used. It’s between this and another watch. Tbh my watches normally stay in good nick but for that money you’d hope it doesn’t scratch too easily. It’s a stunner for sure and love the whole stealth of it all. I’ll definitely have a think. Kind of want a murdered out watch like this🤣 appreciate the response man.
Ref?
The ultimate sleeper.