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Post by timelessluxwatches on Feb 8, 2018 13:56:10 GMT -6
Introducing the Grand Seiko SBGT241 & SBGV238!
Fans of high-end quartz are getting a real treat this year thanks to Grand Seiko, which is celebrating the 9F’s 25th Anniversary. The 9F, as you almost certainly already know, is one of the all-time great quartz movements, still highly competitive more than two decades after its creation.
Although no 9F movement is ordinary, the 9Fs in these two watches is rather special, as these are accurate to just 5 seconds per year. The first of these new watches is the SBGT241. Priced at $3,400, this watch is, in some ways, a throwback.
For one thing, it has a day-date complication, at one time fairly common among GS quartz but today quite rarely seen. For another, it has the famous “beads of rice” bracelet. Aside from its gorgeous textured dial, which has an alternating 9, F, G, & S pattern, it’s quite similar to its 1993 ancestor. Here’s a picture of the original:
I’m also fond of the gold medallion on the back, although given that it’s a watch to celebrate its movement, a sapphire back would have been even better.
The other watch, the SBGV238, is slightly larger at 40mm and a bit more expensive at $4,800, owing to the fact that it’s two-tone. Overall I prefer the steel model, but the SBGV238 does have an ace up its sleeve: a display back, showing off one of the best looking quartz movements ever made.
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Post by aerome on Feb 8, 2018 18:38:27 GMT -6
Thanks for the preview. I like the Grand Seiko line but they still have a long way to go to be cosmetically "pretty" in my opinion. A two tone should be all TT, case and bracelet. A display back on a quartz watch is like having tits on a bull, useless. So if I was king, I'd have the TT with matching beads of rice bracelet, sans the display back. Can't seem to think that will be on the horizon, Seiko is on the move, full speed. Now since I'm only a serf in training, my choice would be the stainless. It's nice and am looking forward to seeing it.
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Baco Noir
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Name: Roger
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Post by Baco Noir on Feb 8, 2018 18:53:33 GMT -6
The TT on the case only does seem like stage choice.
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Post by carl on Feb 8, 2018 22:08:33 GMT -6
That SBGT241 does it for me, more than any of the newest Grand Seikos. While I live the idea of the open caseback to showcase the exceptional movement, that gold medallion and solid back appeal to me a lot more. Plus, that gorgeous beads of rice bracelet. That gold star above "6" and the blued second hand, not to mention that amazing dial really present a lot of wonderful detail. Not normally a fan of date functions or day-date, this would absolutely be an exception for me, showing it's origin. That beads of rice bracelet, though, is one I have admired over the years, but never seen in real life. Gorgeous! This is one I have to seriously consider, although I would much prefer if they had left the watch at 37mm.
Thanks for the great review.
Carl
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Post by timelessluxwatches on Feb 9, 2018 11:48:02 GMT -6
The TT on the case only does seem like stage choice. Yes, and the decision to use the display back instead of the gold medallion on that one is also quite odd. I need to buy both and swap the backs... |
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Baco Noir
WWF Advisor
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Name: Roger
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Post by Baco Noir on Feb 9, 2018 11:55:42 GMT -6
The TT on the case only does seem like stage choice. Yes, and the decision to use the display back instead of the gold medallion on that one is also quite odd. I need to buy both and swap the backs... And put the TT on a strap! |
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Post by timelessluxwatches on Feb 9, 2018 12:48:06 GMT -6
Yes, and the decision to use the display back instead of the gold medallion on that one is also quite odd. I need to buy both and swap the backs... And put the TT on a strap! Agreed, that'd look much better. |
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