Grand Seiko BEATS Rolex!!!
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
- Is Grand Seiko better than Rolex? We talk about the history, artistry, innovation and overall quality of both brands to try and determine who is the best watcher maker of all time!
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If I was presented the option of which, I would always select the Grand Seiko. To me, the Grand Seiko is more art and Rolex is more hype.
If you offered me the Rolex for free or the Grand Seiko GMT Spring Drive for $1k USD I would gladly pay the grand. Every time I walk into a Rolex AD and hear how absurd the words coming out of their mouths sound... as if such lunacy has become normal to them (Stockholm syndrome?) the more I wince when I hear what people pay for this mass produced brand. It's no longer about horology it becomes trying to impress the next worker bee. But all sincerely, my deepest regrets to those who received their Rolex as an family heirloom, at least your departed family member had the sense to buy at semi rational prices whilst keeping their dignity and self respect as retail shoppers.
That's exactly what it is. Rolex have never innovated and, if you removed Rolex from the history of watcmaking, it basically wouldn't make a difference. Their watches are nicely finished but they're nothing special for engineering, technology or art. It's all just marketing.
I would, too. But it was not like that before. Nowadays I do not consider Rolex as a watch for watch lovers but an investment pieces for those who buy to collect in safes to resell later (hoping for increase in value). Why would I spend 15k on YM42 when titanium SBGA463 costs new 5k?
@@David-ud9ju Rolex has patented, as well, so not completely correct.
Innovations by Rolex: a waiting list.
😅😅😅😅
Except that hype and waiting lists are created by consumers and not manufacturers. It is simple demand versus supply... just like homes in very desirable areas.
Rolex sold 1.2 million watches in 2023. That is all that they can make. They have been doing what they do for decades. We the people want more... and some consumers are flippers that create inflated prices in the secondary market.
If you want to impress others, buy a Rolex. If you want to be Impressed, buy a Grand Seiko
I used to want Rolex, but the more I learn about watches the more I desire Grand Seiko.
Sameeeee
Indeed if they would build on this new dynamic they will be selling alot more units.
You have a face!!!
Ha yes, those werent the faces i was expecting! More handsome clearly!
he also has his own channel Andrew Morgan watches
You been under a rock for last year? 😂
Lol. I never knew Tom had a face, I knew Andrew did though
Finally 😂😂😂😂😂
You forgot a few comparisons:
- Rolex is impossible to get at retail, while you can go into a store and come out with a Grand Seiko in a few minutes
- 90% of Rolexes you see on people are fake, and some fakes are so good that you can't tell the difference without having an expert look at the movement
So many fakes ??
When you wear a Grand Seiko nobody notices. When you wear a Rolex the wrong people notice.
If you need an expert to tell the difference between a real and fake I suggest you educate yourself a bit more before buying luxury watches 😂
@markhighfill when I wear a Rolex Submariner everyone asks is that real? That's why I never wear my Rolex, I do daily wear a Grand Seiko and own an insane Credor with an enamel dial. People ask, what's that? What's that is better than is it real?
@@Thetrancemix When I wear my Invicta Pro Diver I get asked that, and I say, "Absolutely! It's a genuine Invicta."
“Ooh it’s snowing, time for a new dial face…”, at least I think that was Tom’s line and a good one 😂
Under "innovations", you left out one of Rolex's most important new ideas. They were the first watchmaker to come up with the idea of telling you that you're not yet worthy to purchase one of their watches, and to join a waitlist if you hoped to maybe be allowed to buy one in the future.
Introduce me to the person who expresses the feeling of "getting lost in" or getting "pulled into" a Rolex dial. I thought the GS Snowflake was too fat for a non-dive watch and the power meter messed up the symmetry of the dial. The first time I held one in my hands, it felt hypnotic.
Grand Seiko is a watch maker first and marketeers second. Rolex is marketeers first. Innovation is the top criteria of high horology IMO. Rolex is like the Timex of the luxury brand watches.
Rolex is king. King has haterz.
sorry timex who? rolex is more like the seiko of luxury brand watches
Rolex is a marketer first second and third. Watch making is a distant 6th.
Rolex was the first to put a date on the watches,the first to make a GMT,first day and Date makes the best diver watch ever and the world loves them. What has GS done? a little more polishing and quartz movements It doesn't matter how you paint it if has any kind of quartz on the watches is still a quartz watch. Rolex is the watch for real watch fans and the watch for world leaders.
@@luispadilla2212 Show me a high beat Rolex movement with 80 hrs reserve that looks half as good as the GS 9SA5 movement that was designed, fabricated, assembled and regulated in-house. That’s what separates a watch maker from a jewelry maker. I’ll make it even easier for you. Show any Swiss watch maker that makes a 10 hz movement with 80 hrs reserve.
Grand Seiko is innovating in technology and artisan craftsmanship, Rolex has a name brand. I feel if GS could bring out a 40mm Diver and GMT options with a good bracelet they could beat Rolex.
Key word there my friend: "Bracelet". If they ever fix that, its pretty much done when choosing GS vs Rx.
@@vons3745 100
GS has GMT’s
@@tommyhenriquezkayakangler8465 I think his point was "with a good bracelet." GS is weak on bracelets.
@@malikknows3510 oh I see that 👍🏼
I don't own either watch brand yet, I am a fairly new watch collector. I sport a Tissot Visodate powermatic 80 gold dial and a Seiko SPBJ121 Alpinist.
Having done a lot of research in starting my collection (which, btw, thank you for all the content and all the insightful comments. It's helped a lot in my education. Love this community), I would say I aspire to own a GS before ever owning a Rolex. Solely for the reason that I started collecting for a beauty of the art form and the engineering in the movement. A Rolex would be cool, but I'd just feel more proud of a GS because of the intentionality behind its inception and what I want my collection to look like.
I had a similar journey, I started with my alpinist, love it. A few days ago I was finally able to get my GS snowflake and looking at the second hand sweep makes me so happy, knowing the spring drive is behind it all takes your pride of ownership to a new level
Superb video. But, let me share this here knowing it can uplift someone that comes across it. Effective financial management made me rich and it is all you need if you want to build a strong financial future tomorrow. I started with 1000USD, 3 years ago I invested in a diversified stock market and fast forward to now I am worth 500000USD and am currently finishing my 8 unit apartments. I'm only 35 years old. Diversified stock investments have always proven to be very profitable, especially with the help of experts.
I'm really impressed. At 35, i was worth a little over $200,000 from * in the stock market. But what you've done with your *finances* and numbers you worth, is pure genius.
*Investing* in diversified stocks is a real hustle that has made me . I have two active stock portfolios and hope to create a third, which will increase my total return on earnings to over 120000USD
You have done well. It's people like you who set the benchmark for people like us to know that achieving financial stability and transition of status from being comfortable to wealthy is possible with the right *investment* plan.
I'm curious, is *investing* in a diversified stock *market* a pretty lucrative venture? Can you share how you achieved these figures?
@@zychenkonicholas9923 Experience plays a key role when *investing* in diversified *stock markets*, which is why I have Rachel Hilda, whose experience has greatly helped me persevere in the diversified *stock market*. For three years she helped me grow my portfolio using her diversified knowledge of the financial *market*.
Congrats on the new format video!
I don’t get the hate for GS bracelets, to me it’s fine no complaints. I like the size and the non taper is perfectly fine. It’s as nice as any other bracelet for the price.
Its an ok bracelet. I do prefer the swiss bracelets in terms of design. Besides the design, Grand Seiko bracelets are high quality and well polished, I just think the design is a little plane. i do like the Rolex Jubilee.
GS bracelets just need micro adjustment and they will be competitive with Rolex bracelets.
You guys are in denial.
GS bracelets are awful!
Glad if they fit you and you like them, but I have given up on the brand now and the bracelets are a big reason.
@@alfieakaronaldog why are they awful? Nice finishing, good clasp, and locking mechanism.
@@dannysimenauer5745 I guess, but most of my watches don’t have micro adjustments. Never bothered me. I did try on a Tudor BB pro and might buy one soon and yea the T-fit clasp was cool. But honestly I don’t really see someone using it that much to make it worth it. I have my wedding watch I sized 7 years ago and have never had a problem. It doesn’t have micro adjustments. Would you really sit there every day or several times a day and adjust your watch?
Great change to be able to see you both in between macro shots. Faces to voices makes all the difference.
I prefer it without faces. It lets the imagination work. And the audio works well with companies promo footage.
Love how Tom is enjoying himself doing double entendres and Andrew not getting it!😂
Short answer YES, long answer YES
I'm the lucky owner of an SBGA413 Cherry Blossom time piece. I don't have any words to describe what I see when I'm looking at so many details.
BTW, the balance wheel in a spring drive doesn't swing but rotates constantly, and there is no escapement.
If there's a way to change for the better it must be *AWM23K* . I had lost all hope with the decisions our big guys make which just keeps their power and imbalance up. Maybe at some point basic people like me and you have to take over, right?
Great to see both faces. Thanks for all the watch videos.
"It's snowing on that mountain! I feel a dial coming up" :D Brilliant...
Outstanding video and content as always!!!
Go Tom......nice to see the face of the man behind the witty cynicism. I'm pretty sure you're in the upload of the journey to Switzerland but nice to finally get some closure on this matter after Andrew's unveiling early in the year. Nico Leonard has a lot to f3ckin answer for now that you're both unmasked. If it's alright I'm going to continue listening to both of your utterances with my eyes closed. Imagination Andrew & Tom are what I'm used to....
I own two Grand Seiko, the SBGX263 quartz and the SBGE271 Spring Drive. I can honestly say both watches are beautiful and pleasing to wear. Very comfortable and I can stare at them all day. I almost don’t want to wear them much because of afraid to scratch them😂. So I end up wearing my Omega SMP 300 most of the time . Not that’s it’s not a great watch but seems like it can take a beating. I can’t speak for Rolex , not yet an owner. Hopefully soon.
Think you've hit the nail on the head there, but not in the way you intended. Whereas most enthusiasts will know what Daytona, Datejust etc are and look like, reeling off GS model codes doesn't resonate as well. I couldn't tell you what a SBGX263 or a SBGE271 look like or which view of rural Japan they represent. That said, I have a SBGA469 but not a Rolex and they've just discontinued the only one I like -the Milgauss
I know what you mean! I bought SBGP017, it is a mere quartz....but I am afraid to wear it, the 44GS case is so shiny and "mirrory" I do not want to leave fingerprints on it, not to mention hairline scratches! And the dial....it is my exibition piece that I wear for myself, at home, for a few minutes, and put carefully back in the box. 🙂
Great format ❤
Wait wait WAIT! So you were never actually 2 high-tech microphones controlling 2 sets of self-aware talking hands all along?!
Just my 2 cents or whatever, I was driven by the hype about how wonder a Rolex was and I purchased an Explorer 2 at the begining of last year, well that feeling of "I have a Rolex" didn't last that long and I sold it 2 months later and would never have another one. I love so many of the GS Dials and the finish is sublime. At the moment I cannot decide but will probably go the GS Snowflake - the dial is just so captivating to look at and finish just excellent
Where can I learn about the different components within a watch like the main spring etc?
I am fully digesting the mighty *AWM23K* and my belly is going to be full now
If Grand seiko sort their bracelets out then that would be seriously good
Does anyone know the name which the "blue lake" dial goes by? (14:17)
I think I like the mic format better, it was more novel and kinda funny.
I like the video version better than the audio presentation version. ❤
The hell with value retention; I buy a GS, I’m keeping it for life.
Freaked out by you both being in front of the camera now. I like it
GS is definitely better than Rolex, but then Rolex has the world rolling thanks to its marketing techniques. The finishing on GS is simply just on another level. Period.
They both make great watches. Buy what you like because nobody cares what you’re wearing anyway
I love and own watches from both brands (GS SBGA413 and a Rolex GMT Master II). Both have pros and cons - I wouldn’t necessarily say one is better than the other!
I love how the Grand Seiko completely flies under the radar and is therefore more understated. The dial is undeniably more interesting - that's what initially attracted me to the brand. The case finishing is superior to Rolex. It’s just a more interesting watch overall that I really enjoy wearing from time to time. However, one downside of the funky/interesting dial is that it’s far less versatile than my other watches. Frankly, I hope Grand Seiko doesn’t get too popular because I really like how much of an unknown it is to most people (apart from watch enthusiasts that is).
Hands down, the Rolex feels more solidly built and the proportions of the watch are just better. The bracelet is way ahead of anything Grand Seiko offers (I have the jubilee). Even little things like the snappy date change or the strong click of the micro extension give the watch a very robust feel. For those reasons, it has become my go-to watch and I have a tough time taking it off. I own more watches than just these two, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the GMT is the only watch in my collection that I’d truly never sell; it’d be a perfect watch for a one-watch collection. For me, the biggest cons are (1) the stigma around Rolex, and (2) how long I had to wait for one to become available (~2 years).
There is no stigma lol.
Man up and be proud of your purchases FFS!
I personally have no problem waiting a year or two 🤷🏻♂️
Helms have a much longer waiting list!!
I think both produce high quality products for different customers. A buyer of the skyflake doesn’t have the wants or needs of a buyer looking at a OP. I myself prefer GS to most Rolex models but I have massive respect for Rolex’ accuracy and their design language.
Finally I see who behind the fancy voice from longgggggg time…
Well. I think GS needs to do a lot for the price they are trying to sell for. The bracelet needs a huge improvement for example.
You should have done this by looking at each sector. Who has the best dive watch under £10k? Best Chronograph etc
Landslide win for GS, sure, Rx have watches in all price brackets but you can't buy any of them so there goes that.
I've also heard some people say that the name Grand Seiko doesn't have any cache'. Lexus wasn't named Grand Toyota and Acura wasn't named Grand Honda. I own a Rolex Day-Date and am currently awaiting the arrival of a Grand Seiko SBGA493 (red dial) Spring Drive this month. I'm looking forward to becoming hypnotized by the "new smooth sweep technology."
Rolex did have a good Innovation actually in the 80s Boyster points was a converted mechanical movement where they switched out a statement and something else and put a quart drive into a mechanical watch that's why the oysterquartz had such a unique tick
A duel of duals between two jewels
I’m stuck in a cabin in Borgo di Vagli Italy. It hasn’t stopped raining in 4 days. If it weren’t for these videos I feel I would lose my mind. Get me out of here😵💫Thanks Guys
The host looks a lot like Andrew Morgan over on the Talking Hands channel.
*My friend surprised me with a small Rolex watchs NKUWAN and I realized it goes with any outfit and it just looks so elegant. I don’t use it often only when for special occasions. But it does feel nice knowing I have something special like this. Love it !*
Hi boys. I love your videos.
You have not only influenced my watch enjoyment and understanding but also I went to a restaurant you recommended for my 50th birthday.
But… don’t pull back the curtain. You are so much more magical without the naked faces siting in a booth like some kind of weird mr and mrs.
Andrew is not how I imagined him to look
Tom! Always great to see Tom! Grand Seiko are watch artisans and innovators first, while Rolex play to the masses and market well. Grand Seiko is for me!
I missed the microphone 🎙️ 😂 just kidding well done guys!
✌🏼😎👍🏼
I'm confused, is GS Spring drive the same as Bulova Precisonist? and which one has the smoother sweep? I ask bc I don't think Rolex sweep is smoother than GS or Bulova.
The Precisionist movement is a battery-powered quartz mechanism from Citizen, and what makes it precise is the high frequency of the crystal: 262 KHz, vs the 32.8 KHz of a standard quartz watch. The ticking of the seconds hand is simply too fast to see. Spring Drive is a mechanical movement driven by a mainspring; a quartz crystal is used to regulate the speed at which the gears are allowed to turn. There's no escapement, and no ticking, hence the perfectly smooth seconds hand motion.
love the cameras but please use a 16:9 ratio de grey bars are so annoying
If something showed how quickly things can turnaround then that must be *AWM23K* it's definitely in line to become one of the best
^scam
GS doesn't care much about profit margin or at least, it is not a priority. Although they reuse certain dials in new paint, they do push themselves to make art pieces (rather than time pieces) that speak to people.
Rolex does. hence, Rolex plays it safe and sells a lot more watches and earns a lot more money.
Holy fucking shit! Dr. Strange is on CZcams talking about watches!
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: Yes it is.
I own and love both brands. For me they are just different. The most beautiful watch in my collection is a GS. My holy grail is a Rolex. The type of answer that the obnoxious fanboys cannot understand 🤣.
And someday you will get that Rolex young grasshopper
@@davidr2802 I already got it...🙂
My grail is GS :) Chanel J12 is second to it
@@DarkPa1adin If I was forced to keep just one watch, it would be my GMT Master II Pepsi. It is simply perfect!
How many more of these you’ll do
I have given up on GS now.
They were fun for a while but cannot wait any longer for a bracelet that fits me.
They could make a stunning watch but insist on churning out the same old designs and hoping the whacky dials will keep people interested.
GS would be considered one of the best if made in Switzerland and "improved" their bracelets.
People who may have some issue with the name Seiko because of its shop mall models...Mercedes Benz sells the S class, Maybach spec and plenty of high end AMG models. It also sells the C class, and the A class. You can get on a Mercedes bus and drive past Mercedes delivery vans and trucks...
Doesn't seem to hurt the MB brand that much...
better materials
better movement
better dials
only thing thats not better is the marketing.
But on the Rolex side it’s better case, better bracelet, and better overall execution. GS has amazing tech and components, but it’s like shoving the highest end materials into a laptop. You’ll have the most powerful tank that is impractical to bring around so no one uses it as a laptop. Rolex is like apple. They have marketing, great products, not the most innovative, and they know how to put it all into a seamless package. If GS could just put their watches in a package that isn’t oversized or with cheap bracelets, then they’d be perfect. A watch is only as good as I want to wear it, and I’ve owned a GS diver that I sold bc it just never felt comfortable.
@@seanlinehan1136 I have a SBGX061 and an Explorer II and between them I can't tell the difference between the bracelets. GS bracelet is so close to Rolex's in style and comfort that I'm surprised there isn't a lawsuit. HOWEVER Rolexes clasp is leagues ahead of the considerably more basic GS clasp. The GS strap has no micro-adjustment or extension links on it (we all have pesky bloated wrist days) and however safe the clasp is on the GS the fliplock on the Rolex makes me feel like you'd need to take my arm off with a chainsaw to get it off me.
Finishing however the GS is so ahead it is mad. I would also argue that even though GS's cases are bigger and quite thick in some cases (pun intended) there is no quality different between GS cases and Rolex cases. I just wish the cases were smaller.
That’s exactly what I’m saying!!!!!
Gotta say i prefer to see your faces, communication is 90% non verbal and the disembodied voices were cool and all, now it feels more personal, better connected with our dear hosts.
Would love to put a jubilee bracelet on a GS though
Without question... Grand Seiko is better engineered, more pleasing to look, and a better story to tell.
A pity for those who haven't quite figured it out.
Now that we can see you both, Tom is definitely Penfold ( no offence Tom, Penfold is still pretty cool) and Andrew is Danger Mouse 😁. GS for me
to sum up, all the ancestors of GS employee whispering to their ears "do your best, keep innovating, be creative, be artistic and finnish the hell out of that watch" while Rolex manager yell over the loudspeaker "make more money".
Rolex quality? I have a 16610, 23 years old….still kicking ass. I’ve serviced it 2x….wait, maybe 3 but it gets the most wrist time. I love the rattling bracelet. I’m marveled that it is just as good as it was when it was new. Well, even better IMO because he has withstood all this time. I think trying to compare what Rolex is providing versus what GS does, is not really something to fairly compare. I have a SMP300, love it as well but it scratches a different design itch than my Rolexes (and Zeniths, Tudor). I’ve been eyeing a couple GS models, they scratch a different itch for me though. I will love it as well when I pull the trigger.
Grand Seiko - excellence at an affordable price. E.g Sbgn003. Also no security worries wearing in cities.
It's nice and refrashing to have the face behind the voice actually appear in video, I like this change
Roger Smith wears an Explorer. Gift from his wife. Interesting story behind that watch.
sorry but who's Roger Smith
Have actually stopped looking and caring what GS bring out.
There will always be a Rolex I might get a call about though.
Current interests are Omega, Zenith and Helm.
Allowing for the demands of shock protection and general durability a watch should be as slim as possible. Bracelet quality and aesthetic sensibility are also a necessity for me, lets not be vulgar.
Why I can see your faces ??
Heres my quick two cents as a very small collector. Rolex blows grand seiko out of the water with its tool/sports watches and grand seiko blows rolex out the water with its dress watches. Those dials on the omiwatari, snowflake etc! Class. For rolex the GMT and submariner are timeless.
Hard to argue that point. However, I feel it is a matter of time before GS put that right. Something is not quite right with their sports watches, but soon to be rectified. the Rolex sub is so iconic and that sells no matter what. Id rather have the new Yachtmaster Titanium though. that thing is awesome
@barrycolmer324. If GS figures out sports watches that'd be the day! I do believe that GS will start having a waitlist for certain models. I'm about to pick up the omiwatari from GS, and I've been on the weightlifting for a pepsi and green bezel sub. We'll see if it ever happens. Every day that passes, I just look at gret market prices lmao.
@@L2snakegold Congrats on the GS Omiwatari, it is truly stunning to both look at and wear. Which one are you going for? I recently picked up the white dial version on bracelet and it is mesmerising. Recently sold my Tudor Pepsi, but the Rolex original would be ace Im sure, although Ive never seen one in the flesh.
@barrycolmer324 the GS I'm going to get is the SBGY007. I was lucky enough to have a watch shop allow me try on a pepsi. Took a picture of it on my wrist. I hope it will help with the manifestation of the watch!
if the brqcelet on the siekonwas better perhaps. but now they are 7k plus but the brwcelet falls behind
I always pictured Tom as Martin from Green Wing. How wrong could I be!
I much prefer Rolex even though I want to love GS. GS are still often too big and have rubbish bracelets. I also personally prefer the rounded design of Rolex over the straight lines of GS. However the GS>Rolex when it comes to polishing and dial design. Some recent Rolex dials are laughable.
One thing I want to see from GS is silicon hairsprings.
Shame you didn’t mention the technology and quality of Grand Seiko quartz.
A mechanical, spring drive, and quartz Grand Seiko is my holy trinity of watches.
Agreed. The quartz is 'grown' in-house and quality controlled specifically for perfection.
Spring Drive is beautiful
The only reason why I would want a Rolex is because it is apparently an investment. Otherwise, I’d get the GS for something to actually wear
One of the stupid reasons to buy a watch: because it's 'better' than the watch you actually want.
Seiko has to improve the height of their watches, the bracelett and use some lume. Then we can start comparing. Nice looks are just a part oft the equation. The wearing experience is another part, and thats where rolex exceeds. Cheers
I own seiko sla043J1, and both Rolex sub 114060 and a polar 50th anniversary. and also a GS white birch. And the wearing experience is the same. The Polar and the GS are the best for me. Just depends on your outfit and what you think of what you are wearing. At the beach, of course the divers are kings. Cheers
Evo 9 did slim down a bit. Yes their height is a bit thiccccc
Hey Tom!
Me encanta el color y que es gmt.... espero ganarlo tocayo!!!
What’s going on? I miss the wallpaper and microphones. 😟
For a value and quality ratio Grand Seiko is the much better buy, it has a great history too but as mentioned the lack of world availability for GS watches has held them back a lot compared to how world renowned Rolex is. I don't own a GS yet but I have been in love with the snowflake for a very long time especially with the dial and the captivating spring drive!
The only luxury watch I own is a Vintage two tone Datejust, I went vintage because I didn't feel like spending £9,000+ on a modern one :') so I got a great vintage for under £4,000!
Your voice is so beautiful and soothing ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉
I always thought you looked like Ajax from the first Deadpool movie. My bad.
The crown is the crown, and GS is GS both are adorable.
What! No more microphones, we get to see your face 😮
I own both brand’s watches, I feel that Rolex is all rounder, however it does not give me the “ooofff” effect when I wear the Grand Seiko.
I don't believe that the Palms are laser at I believe that each color of Palms actually a different material maybe they laser etch it in addition to that?
Thats a 24 hour GMT wheel in the middle of the sky-dweller. The calendar is still at the cyclops 10:57
GS lacks micro adjustment clasp
Yes
I think I prefer no faces. Great conversation though