Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

It is no secret we love Grand Seiko here. Almost all of our editors have one, be it new or vintage. But are we open-minded enough to buy a Grand Seiko with quartz movement?In a recent article, we answered one of our reader's questions about spending a significant amount of money on an expensive watch with a quartz movement. The watch we have here today, is a Grand Seiko GMT SBGN005G with a caliber 9F quartz movement. A watch for the traveller that needs a precision piece with the ability of reading the time at a glance in other time zones. There are cheaper watches that offer this functionality of course, but those who appreciate craftsmanship, superb finish and a companion for life might be [...]

Were back with a look at the top 5 vintage Grand Seiko models. This is an article that Ive wanted to pen for some time. I think were finally ready for it!With the relatively recent rise of Grand Seiko as a global brand, popularity and fandom have thankfully come along. The brand is hot And with such gorgeously crafted mechanical and quartz showstoppers, why shouldnt it be? But this wasnt always the case. Five plus years back, Grand Seiko existed as some sort of watch geek special. We all espoused these watches virtues, but I suppose regional availability combined with a focus on monochromatic designs kept their growth at bay. We also spoke a lot about vintage Grand Seiko and the outlandishly [...]

It all started with a conversation in the office. An office thats full of people who are crazy about watches, what they are, and what they can do. The functional core of a watch is, of course, telling time as accurately as possible. The ultimate goal of any watchmaker is to build a watch that tells time perfectly. This was the case in the past when a watch served an essential purpose, but it also does so in the present, as watchmaking is founded on ancient principles that are still upheld, even in times of atomic clocks. Nowadays, a mechanical watch is both a functional and emotional object. Does the emotional element outweigh the functional one? Is the ancient quest for accuracy a noble one [...]

Since the earliest civilizations be it Inca or Egyptian gold was something special. The metal is indeed a meaningful one thanks to its real and symbolic value for mankind. Moreover, gold has been used as money for exchange, as a store of value, and as precious jewelry and other artifacts. The saying that someone is worth his or her weight in gold says a lot. It also brings to my mind the topic of weight. We, very literally, feel gold as an expression of wealth and luxury. But does an exclusive watch always have to be done in gold to feel luxurious? It's a question that some have a hard time answering. But it's worth searching for an answer, as we're experiencing some kind of lightweight luxu [...]

You can't control your heart. And a watch lovers heart, especially, tends to skip a beat when it encounters something that strikes a chord. And boy, did my heart skip a beat when I sat down during Grand Seiko's touch-and-feel session during Watches And Wonders. It has been a few weeks since the event in Geneva, and Ive been trying to calm my heart ever since. But there is just no denying it. Even after a cool-down period of a few weeks, I've fallen for the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 GMT SBGE285 Mist Flake. What is it that makes my heart go boom?I can tell you right away why my heart goes boom when I look, feel, touch, and wear the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 GMT SBGE285 Mist Flake. It's the combina [...]

Japan is a place of great natural beauty. It is also a country with a fascinating culture, excellent cuisine, and a deep-rooted passion for watchmaking. Two of these elements come together within the walls of the Grand Seiko HQ in northern Japan. Excellence in watchmaking is the brands primary purpose. But showcasing an expression of the country's natural beauty through said watchmaking is just as important. Textured dials inspired by very specifically observed natural phenomena add a sort of quiet poetic beauty to Grand Seiko's creations. And the new Grand Seiko Heritage Collection 44GS 55th Anniversary LE (ref. SBGW289) is no exception. It celebrates the springtime blooming of the cherry b [...]

Watches And Wonders 2022 is officially over. After a week full of new releases, its time to look at some of the hidden gems. These timepieces were not among the most talked-about pieces of the show, but they are ones that deserve attention for a number of reasons. Lets take a look at some of the watches that you might have seen but forgotten about, or maybe you havent seen at all due to the simply massive amount of new releases.The biggest downside of a week full of new releases is that it is sometimes hard to keep up. Additionally, you might forget some of the models after a couple of days because what came after was equally worth your attention. Obviously, the big brands like Rolex, Tudor, [...]

Welcome to an entirely different side of Grand Seiko. Weve seen some rather exotic limited edition models over the past several years, but the Kodo Constant-force Tourbillon has to be the most audacious. This watch is really something, but sadly it is for those with incredibly deep pockets. Still, its fun to dream!The Grand Seiko Kodo Constant-force Tourbillon comes to us at Watches Wonders 2022. It is not the only limited-edition model from Grand Seiko, but it is the most exclusive. Only 20 of these amazing watches will be produced and they will cost wait for it 370,000 So, park your Bugatti, and lets see what all the fuss is aboutThe Grand Seiko Kodo Constant-force TourbillonThe Kodo Cons [...]

Grand Seiko further expands its Evolution 9 Collection with the release of two new chronograph GMT watches. On top of that, one of the two watches celebrates the 15th anniversary of Grand Seiko Spring Drive chronographs. These new Grand Seiko SBGC249 and SBGC251 Chronograph GMT models are part of a greater drop for the Evolution 9 Collection along with two other GMT watches and a new diver. Between these two models, we see a new case design, a new(er) movement, and a colorful limited-edition release. Lets find out more about these new Grand Seiko Chronograph GMT watches.Grand Seiko has put great emphasis on the Evolution 9 Collection, which represents the future of the brand. The five releas [...]

It's time for a new GMT from Grand Seiko This is exciting news because you, dear readers, have a thing for watches that measure more than one timezone and especially when they come from this upscale brand. Are you ready to check out the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 GMT duo?It's true that Grand Seiko offers all types of watches from dress to sport. However, the brands GMT pieces are some of its best. Within the Sport collection, one can find a GMT powered by Spring Drive, a Hi-Beat automatic, an automatic, and even quartz Sign me up for one of those tasty SBGJ Hi-Beat references Today's models represent a very slight departure from the Sport collection because these watches are termed the Grand Se [...]

Whether were discussing Grand Seiko or Seiko, its clear that watch fans are on the lookout for a Submariner killer. Therefore, when I saw news of the new Grand Seiko Evolution 9 SLGA015 diver, I perked up and read the press material right away. Is this the all-conquering watch that we desire? Lets seeThese days, Grand Seiko and Seiko like to keep themselves separate, but for an old-school die-hard like me, thats tough. I love Seiko divers and I dont really care where they come from Ive managed to collect most of Seikos vintage divers, so Im always looking at what both brands have to offer when something new drops. Both Seiko and Grand Seiko play on lineage as much as anything, so its fun to [...]

Jamaal Parham is a commercial director, filmmaker, and watch collector living in Brooklyn.? Currently, a director signed with ArtClass, next-gen production company, and a creative consultant at AKA, international marketing and advertising agency. The LA natives passion for filmmaking transported him to the East Coast, where he developed said passion at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He cut his teeth at the editing desks of several post-production houses in LA, New York, and London, where he helped create several award-winning spots. Parham worked his magic on short films, fashion editorials, comedy specials, feature films, and high-profile music videos. His love for storytelling then took him [...]

Credor, the JDM luxury brand created by Seiko in the 70s to beat Patek Philippe and Rolex at the then-hot luxury quartz game. Today, we know Credor for its thin luxury and hand-finished porcelain dials of the Eichi models. Finally available outside Japan, and produced within the inner chambers of the Grand Seiko ateliers, Credor watches are as quirky as they are pure. Representing a very Japanese ethos of wrist-worn luxury, any Credor will make you dismiss the notion that the dress watch is dead. But I bet youve never heard of the Credor Phoenix.It took some time for Seiko to focus clearly on where it wanted to go with its main and sub-brands. Through my incessant Chrono24 browsing and a sto [...]

Let's make no mistake here: being able to collect watches at all is a privilege. Spending 10,000 on a watch is an even bigger one. I have friends who would love to start a watch collection, but the hobby is simply too expensive for them. I also recall that I had some issues wearing a watch at this price point, as I felt it was just too much money to spend on one piece. What if you lose it, or it gets stolen or damaged? That's a lot of money to tie up in one watch.If you have 10,000 to spend all at once, you may immediately start to look for watches that are around that price. Thus, you will end up with a collection of one, and despite what some may tell you, that's not a watch collection. So [...]

Time to bring out and dust off the Fratello crystal ball and also read the tea leaves in the Hublot mug we have at HQ. With a stream of novelties on the horizon Watches and Wonders is just a couple of months away some veteran references will have to go bye-bye. It's the circle of watch life. And even Rolex, Patek Philippe, Tudor, Omega, and Grand Seiko can't escape it. The crystal ball and the tea leaves predict the end of models like the Air-King and Milgauss from Rolex. It also seems the steel Aquanaut 5167A has come to the end of the line. While were at it, lets have a look at a few other brands and watches that are in dire straits.Nothing lasts forever. But some things last considerably [...]

Last years Grand Seiko White Birch SLGH005 receives some serious competition from the new White Birch SLGA009. A new variation on the existing theme, it features a slightly different dial finish and a Spring Drive movement.In this video, RJ talks you through the new Grand Seiko reference SLGA009 from the new Evolution 9 collection. More background information can be found in his recent hands-on article as well.SLGA009Inside the new Grand Seiko SLGA009 is caliber 9RA2. Its a fairly new movement in the Grand Seiko collection, ensuring an incredibly impressive accuracy of just10 seconds per month. This new movement has been reduced in height, enabling Grand Seiko to make its watch cases a litt [...]

When I saw the introduction of this new Grand Seiko White Birch watch last month, my initial response was mainly one of surprise. It was the same watch as last year's Hi-Beat SLGH005, but with a Spring Drive movement. What in the worldBut it wasn't just the switch to a Spring Drive caliber that separated the new SLGA009 from the SLGH005. The dial also changed, and upon further inspection, there were also several changes in the hour markers, the lugs, and the bezel. These changes only became apparent to me when seeing the new White Birch in real life.The Grand Seiko White BirchLast year, upon receiving the watch in our office for a review, I concluded that the Grand Seiko White Birch SLGH005 [...]

When it comes to creating mesmerizing and original dials, Grand Seiko is an industry benchmark. Snowflakes, white and green birches, the brilliant blue sky over Mt. Iwate at dawn it's the beauty surrounding the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi translated into dial art. But GS is not the only brand with an obsession for dials. That's why it's time to present you with five dialed-in alternatives to Grand Seiko watches. Well start in Japan with Minase, fly to Malaysia to visit MING, then head over to Glasgow in Scotland to check out AnOrdain. Then well travel to a small German town to take a look at Glash1tte Original, and end up back in Japan because Seiko's Presage collection could offer a fe [...]

We receive quite a few messages about our personal collections or personal favorites. Based on these requests, our Social Media Manager Sinara asks founder RJ about his personal collection. RJ decided to bring some of his most meaningful watches.Robert-Jan started collecting watches in the late 1990s as a student. His first major purchase was his Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012-67SP, but he already had received an Omega Constellation 95 before that as a graduation present. Omega is a brand that runs in the family, as you will see in this video. One of his most cherished watches is the one that Sinara asks about first, a gold/steel Omega Constellation Deluxe from 1969. It belonged to h [...]

I saw the picture of the new Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours Green Birch SLGH011 and immediately What A Wonderful World started playing in my head. I don't think the Grand Seiko watchmakers in Shizukuishi are listening to this evergreen song when they're putting together the new Green Birch. But if they are, it wouldn't surprise me, either.I won't get into the part where the beautiful landscape of northern Japan is a bottomless source of inspiration for the Grand Seiko watch designers. No more snow crystals only seen between January 13th and February 2nd. I won't mention Mount Iwate either. But I do, for a moment, have to say something about the enchanting forests in the Shizukuishi regio [...]