Rolex vs Grand Seiko

I compare my Rolex DJ to my Grand Seiko SBGR097.

[thundermorphine]

It's hard for a european to admit defeat... But it has to be done.

[karl]

wear a rolex to impress others, buy GS to impress your self.

[Kenzabukuro]

A GS owner knows watches. And when you meet another GS owner, it's like meeting someone else who knows their stuff.

[nihadasadli]

I would pick GS over Rolex any day of the week. Who cares what people think, i buy my watches for myself.

[JoeyParkerJ]

Having a Rolex does not necessary mean you are a professional watch collector, eventho there are many seasoned Rolex veteran collectors.

But if you have a GRAND SEIKO amongst your PATEK, AP and Rolex collection, then YOU ARE DEFINITELY A WATCH PASSIONIST whose knowledge goes beyond the standard boundry.

[iAMChrisCC]

You wear a Rolex for other people, and you wear a GS for yourself.

Perhaps this is why the Rolex has a stamped clasp and a plain case back....

[waqarghulam]

You are a very good presenter and the depth of your knowledge and your arguments are very sound

[canonyeo]

Yesterday, I met a friend whom I have not seen for a long time. He saw me wearing the Peacock and he commented that he heard the GS keep very accurate time. He was wearing a Rolex and he said that the watch is running too fast. Often we hear this same thing from friends, isn't it? My few Rolex are also off by 10 sec/day or more. Many of my Seiko 6Rxx keep better time than this, especially the 6R21/24/27 running at 4Hz with 29-31 jewels.
I have not bought a Rolex chronometer (+6/-4 Static in 5 positions) again for a long time until recently when I have string pulled for me to buy four Superlative chronometers (+/-2 sec Static in 5 positions), the Air-king, Hulk, Batman, and, Daytona, at normal retail price which saved me a premium of 15K for the 4 watches.
The new SC are a lot more accurate. It does indeed keep the accuracy as specified static in the 5 positions. However, they ( Air-king, Batman, and Hulk. Have yet to receive the Daytona) failed on the 6th position which they were not tested for. I have them at -5 to -7 sec/day. Hope this does not affect the accuracy over time. It does pretty well when in used (+3/-3), only that 2 out of 3 are in the negative territory which is common in the Cosc standard chronometers.
None of my GS keep negative time, and they all are accurate as specified, (+5/-3 static in 6 positions), (9S6x in used +10/-1, 9S8x in used +8/-1). They keep well below these specified time. The Peacock hardly deviate a second a day, a marked improvement from my 2016 Hi-beat SBGH047 (+ 3sec/day). I have a 9S55 (SBGR017) which is now superseded by the 9S6x. It gave me +12 sec/day (exceeded the specs by 2 sec) when in use. Seiko sent it back to Japan and got it adjusted, and now I have it at +3/day. They also adjusted my SLA 017 with the 8L35 caliber to +3 sec/day. My 9R are accurate to +3 to 5 sec /month and my 9F are off by probably 2 sec/year (I also have two 400 dollars Dolce with the 8Jxx caliber that have the same accuracy). The Patek quartz has a specified accuracy of -18/+12 for comparison.
As for the looks, I have 8 GS with 8 different case designs (there are more than a dozen available ), 8 different type of dials with a variety of hand and indices finishes. For me, it's like collecting pieces of artworks. All the bracelets are in two-pieces links which makes it flexible and curves softer on the wrist. Even the Presage have 2-pieces links, though not as flexible. Thank goodness, we now have solid links on the S Rolex. As for the fit, finishes, and polish on the whole thing, if you have played with a number of these watches, you can decide for yourself which is better.
You may not want to put the Batman or the Hulk next to the Sumo, Monster or the Tuna during the night, though, haha... and, the bezel for the Batman is not tight fit - pretty disappointing. I would consider this a faulty design. Perhaps, they should have it like the GS SBGE 201 which has a 72-clicks tight fitting GMT bezel with lumibrite numerals topped with sapphire glass, and it has a purpose of being used as a third-time zone.
Also, If you are into Seiko's divers, you know why the size of the fan is getting bigger. All Seiko's Professional Divers (300m and above) are equipped with helium gas, and you can find them in a less than a thousand dollars Tuna, with an inbuilt escape valve. The SKX is probably one of the most talks about watches, and that for 200 dollars. It's non-hacking like most Patek, yet, I don't mind having them in my collections. This is one fun watch that sucks up the stuffiness in the watch community.
As for the price, the Air-king already cost more than the LE Peacock. The price of Rolex will continue to rise. The Daytona is now more than 20K at a premium price. Who knows how much more it will go up? The GS needs an awakening for a price jump. I do not collect watches for investment, so this is not a factor for my reason of buying. But, one thing is certain - everyone can value a good product.
We are all looking forward to the 2018 VFA. This is not yet the VFA of the 70's which is +/-2 sec per day or 1 minute per month guaranteed for 2 years. This would make the Seiko collectors very happy when it happens. GS was only open to the world less than ten years ago. It was like Toyota introducing the Lexus. It took some time for Lexus to price themselves at par with Benz and BMW. From my own experience, they have the same driving pleasure.
Give GS another ten years, and people would wish they have collected a few, Seiko watches notwithstanding. It's the 'Investment' factor that pushes the price of Rolex up, not the watch itself. All investments are intertwined. When there is a crash in the market, everything comes down. People will go back to fundamentals. People will begin to look at values.

[fredchoi]

I have 2 Rolex and 5 GS. The GS is better than Rolex in terms of the movement and finishing. The GS is amazingly accurate.

[westleygreenhalf]

I have recently started collecting Seikos. I really hope to add a GS this year. The first one I tried is perhaps the only watch I have put on and just felt it is perfect in every respect.

[stMilcom]

I love my GS. Going to Tokyo in May to get another one. Subbed

[JohnThomas-subw]

Seiko at any level is well worth the money.

[inspireandachieve]

This channel is unlike any other watch review channel I have seen. Thanks for your input on both watches. I think it would be ideal if you also shared your thoughts on other "finer things" such as coffee, cars etc.

[GChris-nyfp]

Yes, that's nice but if you HAD to pick one, which would it be?

[edwardsalao]

Isn’t the Rolex on the video a Date model which is 34 mm and not the DJ which is 36 mm?

[johnflavin]

I completely agree with concept of buying a brand to please yourself, rather than making a purchase merely to impress others.

[defenstrator]

I see they are now doing Grand Sieko as an individual brand. I think that this is a good move, as it helps differentiate the high end from the standard fare.

[jacc]

Great review. Fascinating to hear your experiences of people’s different reactions. Must be nice when you occasionally get a stranger who is ‘in the know’ who recognises the GS. Amazing how powerful branding is.

[richdubbya]

A GS to me is like a symbol of modesty. You floss with a Rolex. Having a GS shows you have nothing to prove. Besides, a springdrive is so much nicer ...lol

[shothorology]

Great vid👍- I love GS- but that Seiko font at top- what do you think?