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Post by timelessluxwatches on Jan 14, 2017 16:20:30 GMT -6
 Grand Seiko SBGJ021 Review
Although the SBGJ021 is the third Grand Seiko I'm reviewing this week, it's also the one that's the most exciting. That's partly due to its relatively rare 9S86 GMT movement, but mostly to its beautiful red dial and cool rotor.  The SBGJ021 is unique mostly for its exotic looking dial, and it's caught a lot of attention since its existence was leaked some time ago.  Grand Seiko is a brand revered for their dials and their famous dynamic character. As such, it can be hard to pin down what, exactly, the dial even looks like. In what lighting? From what angle? Well, from this one, it's a very dark red, something akin to a merlot, but with hints of brown, possibly brought out by those gold accents.  Yet, at this angle, it has an almost purple hue to it. Whatever angle you look at it from, however, the dial does have a very fine texture to it, not unlike one of its predecessors, the SBGJ001.  It's a remarkably beautiful dial, something that is assisted by its gold GMT hand and gold writing throughout, which, as opposed to the high-contrast, more provocative gold accents on the SBGH051, blend quite nicely with the red of the dial.  The 40mm steel case is the same angular version as other Hi-Beat GMTs, a little sportier and more aggressive than most of their Hi-Beat brethren like the SBGH047 and SBGH051 I've just reviewed.  The GMT complication does seem to have a bit of a cost though, in terms of thickness (as it necessarily must), as the SBGJ021 is 14.3mm thick, about a millimeter thicker than its three hand siblings. Like most modern Grand Seikos, the crown screws down for 100 meters of water resistance.  For many, however, the charm of the Grand Seiko is either the spring drive, or in this case, the Hi-Beat automatic, movement. This is the 9S86, GS' GMT version of their regular 9S85. Though an amazing movement, it's the rotor that steals the show. This isn't the first time Grand Seiko has used one of these larger rotors, but this is definitely the boldest, with its almost psychedelic coloring.  So that's the SBGJ021, perhaps the most provocative Hi-Beat GMT since the green SBGJ007. To be honest, though, I actually like it more than the SBGJ007. Green dials are real gems to GS collectors, but for whatever reason the SBGJ021 just stands out as more special to me.  Unfortunately, as is so often the case with these Grand Seikos, it's a limited edition, although not quite as scarce as the SBGH051, with a total run of 500 pieces. Still, colorful GS dials are usually gone quite quickly, so it might be worth reserving one if you find it as appealing as I do.  |
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CHIP
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Name: Chip
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Post by CHIP on Jan 14, 2017 17:46:58 GMT -6
I love that one, and I was just at he store an hour ago.
Every time I go I have to look at it, it's absolutely awesome.
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Post by timelessluxwatches on Jan 14, 2017 18:14:48 GMT -6
How do you feel about the rotor?
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CHIP
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Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
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Post by CHIP on Jan 14, 2017 18:18:15 GMT -6
How do you feel about the rotor? Mixed feelings. In one way, it's the main feature of the watch, and it's awesome. On the other hand, it obscures the movement. |
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Jan 14, 2017 19:11:55 GMT -6
How do you feel about the rotor? A skeletonized 1/2 rotor would look better, but love the anodizing. |
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Post by carl on Jan 15, 2017 3:19:10 GMT -6
I love that one, and I was just at he store an hour ago. Every time I go I have to look at it, it's absolutely awesome. I am surprised that they still have one. |
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CHIP
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Posts: 37,797
Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
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Post by CHIP on Jan 15, 2017 15:08:58 GMT -6
I love that one, and I was just at he store an hour ago. Every time I go I have to look at it, it's absolutely awesome. I am surprised that they still have one. Me too. |
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Post by carl on Jan 15, 2017 19:12:51 GMT -6
I am surprised that they still have one. Me too. Even more of a surprise: I went down to the local AD here in Vancouver this afternoon, and look what was staring at me from inside the display case  :  It certainly is beautiful, as is the rotor. I am definitely in the minority, but it is far from my favorite Grand Seiko GMT. However, I can understand it's popularity. Well, I never even expected to ever see one in real life. The SBGJ013 is still my favorite:  Of course, they have one of these as well, which did not help at all. I had gone there, as they also carry Tudor, hoping to see the Black Bay 36mm. But they still don't have one. |
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aquajoe
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Post by aquajoe on Jan 15, 2017 22:37:49 GMT -6
Simply amazing
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Post by carl on Jan 15, 2017 22:45:07 GMT -6
The thing that really impresses me more than anything in terms of the fine finishing, is how GS handles the titanium. I understand it is a lot more difficult to polish than steel. But I have never seen, nor felt, anything so flawless. Handling the bracelet is sort of like handling a string of pearls, is how I can best describe it. Level of finishing is sublime. |
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CHIP
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Post by CHIP on Jan 15, 2017 22:50:07 GMT -6
The thing that really impresses me more than anything in terms of the fine finishing, is how GS handles the titanium. I understand it is a lot more difficult to polish than steel. But I have never seen, nor felt, anything so flawless. Handling the bracelet is sort of like handling a string of pearls, is how I can best describe it. Level of finishing is sublime. Agreed. I've had carbon6 GMT hi beat titanium for two months now and I'm dragging my feet sending it back. |
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Post by carbon6 on Jan 16, 2017 0:23:33 GMT -6
The craftsmanship on the GS Ti is something to see IRL. Hang on to it as long as you want, Chip. But you have to wear it  |
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