Why we need to STOP comparing Grand Seiko to Rolex | SBGA415 Four Seasons - Winter

*Correction: the bracelet does have a slight taper down to 18 at the clasp.

Recently, I keep hearing people comparing Grand Seiko to Rolex, but I feel like the 2 are very different beasts. In this video we explore 4 reasons why we should stop making this comparison.

[oldirtybezel]

The thing I like best about GS is how they tend to stick with an overall very clean, elegant design, which allows their amazing dials to take center stage. They aren’t overly flashy or gauche. There’s an understated elegance to them that you can almost miss at first glance, and they need to be examined before you can appreciate how truly impressive they are.

[lotterynj]

GS all day every day. Rolex is over hyped period. The amount of polish in a GS dial alone has Rolex making dials with a laser.

[jsampagaerice]

Both are awesome brands, both can coexist comfortably in a collection. Both make stellar watches. I like to judge each piece separately as all brands can have stars and duds.

[robertschmidt]

The bracelets, the bracelets from GS still need work! Everything else is just about perfect!

[ItsNeverTooHotLeather]

I wouldn't describe Grand Seiko as a "new kid on the block." Grand Seiko have been taking the Swiss to the Alpine woodshed for a long time. I think the problem is that we create this conception of Grand Seiko as comparable at all with the watches produced by Rolex (or other Swiss watch companies) in terms of brand image and popularity. The Grand Seikos from the 1960s to 1970s defeated the Swiss watch industry in movement accuracy, case design, and case finishing. But Grand Seiko has never had the brand cache that Swiss watch companies (like Rolex) have had, and that's why we can't compare least not yet! Take popular branding out of the equation and Grand Seiko watches are far superior than ANY watch produced by Rolex.

[donaldneo]

Absolutely agree that GS can't just add a gmt bezel on their case and called it a sports watch. Gotta try harder on their sport watches which is the mainstream now. Would seriously consider a GS with Spring Drive if that design happen.

[seaweed]

Rolex is highly recognizable not because they create the best or the most beautiful watches, but because they invested a lot in advertisements since the beginning.

[samscorner]

I’d like to own a Rolex one day, but I’m glad that the first “expensive” watch I purchased was the GS shunbun. The GS dials are just… jaw dropping.

[joeskeptical]

*Agreed. The two watches, Rolex and GS, are different beasts. Rolex best compares to Omega, but for prices & availability. GS compares more to JLC, Zenith, Glashütte, PP, VC, AP, UN & IWC except for the Spring Drive movement, which has no comparable alternative.*

[muyuanhe]

"Why we need to STOP comparing Grand Seiko to Rolex"
Proceeds to COMPARE GS to Rolex in every aspect.
I knew it's a click bait even before clicking the video.

[brianmsahin]

OK. I have the same GS. Beautiful! You cannot compare the two for one major reason. The Rolex is a mass produced robot production line million plus per year fashion watch whereas the GS is a work of artistic endeavour. Some people bring up the bracelet as an excuse for it being better, but that's like saying the tires on a mass produced Ford Focus are nicer than the tires on an individually built Ferrari, so you should buy a Ford Focus. Just my opinion.

[ashleyslingers]

Fully agree. This message needs to resonate better in the watch community. GS themselves are not even focused on comparing themselves to Rolex, so why should the consumers.
GS is fully focused on the artisanal aspect of watchmaking and valorizing craftmanship. If that's what you appreciate as a consumer - GS has most likely pulled you in.

[cedarcanoe]

GS is far superior to Rolex imo. Just look at the number of suppliers Rolex needed to buy to become ”inhouse”.

[skzion]

I had a watch fanatic get excited when he saw my 413. He didn't know what it was, at first, because he'd not seen the model, but its shimmering and color changes in different light obviously got his attention. He wears a graduation Rolex every day for sentimental reasons and also for its readability during surgery.

I showed the same watch to someone who was not in to watches and he just didn't get it.

I showed it to a jeweler who carries only a few Swiss lines (mostly selling diamonds), and he said he didn't get into Seikos, but the color was nice.

There you have it. Virtually no watch snob would dismiss this watch (the 415 is also superb), but others just don't seem to get it, unless they are given some viewing time. Am I upset? Not really. I'm happy to fly under the radar. But if you are not, this brand is not for you.

[jamesmason]

The snowflake spring drive makes me giddy every time I see that admiral blue second hand gliding around the mesmerizing textured dial… I almost have to remember to breath as I find I hold my breath in amazement!

[ClassicalProtestant]

Rolex is King. GS is the Emperor. Cultural
Implications applicable. They both have a rich cultural story that beautifully expanded beyond their borders. I wouldn’t compare because they don’t. They are unique and both have weaknesses. But Rolex is King. Even the haters know it.

[HDSTACK]

Once again your tone, perfect analogies and straightforward attention to detail in your videos are spot on. Appreciate your taking the balanced approach in laying out the point you are making on why Grand Seiko is not and never will be Rolex. Other than both being significant watch companies they are different animals in how they maneuver in the market. Well done!

[elefantrising]

Owning both I have to say they are completely different beasts. Rolex is a solid watch extremely robust engineering and classic design where GS with its spring drive is pretty much the leading innovator in Horology in the past century. Rolex really has no comparison because you can’t even purchased them these days so it’s a null point to me it’s the best dead brand in the world.

[kelechinobi]

OK had to drop this extra in. Let's unpick some of your points. By the way full disclosure I'm a Seiko fan boy. Not necessarily GS though I love it as a brand.

1. History
Fact is Seiko predates Rolex, and by the time seiko (as GS) were making award winning movements Rolex was still casing movements from others. I love the way you said "introduced men's wristwatches" made me chuckle because of course no one can claim to have INVENTED men's wristwatches as that's nonsense. Blaise Pascal is rumoured to have worn his watch on his wrist. And indeed men's wristwatches increased in popularity from the mid 19th century when soldiers found it easier. Seikos place in history, with quartz and spring drive on the other hand is assured.
2. Design
Another interesting one. Up until probably early 80s most Rolex watches used one case Design.. the oyster case. And yes they did "slap on a bezel" and call it a diver. They also increased water resistance as you need to. There is more Design innovation in the Seiko 5 series than all of Rolex lineup (which even now is essentially 2 case designs).
3. Cache
I'm not sure when the proletariat became appropriate arbiters of haute horology. Ask any of your non-watch friends about FP or ALS. Go on 😃

[RedwoodAggie]

Movement wise, I think they're up there, or even better than Rolex. Design-wise, I think they aren't as well rounded in styles, but they win on dials! They really are different companies, but I'm glad people are starting to learn about them. When I was in a local Watches of Switzerland recently with my father and his girlfriend, his girlfriend had never heard of Grand Seiko before (my father had only because I had mentioned it). I think that's an advantage for people who still want to walk into an AD and pick a watch up.