Grand Seiko
 

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[Closed] Grand Seiko

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I tried one on about about a year ago. Then I went and bought a Rolex Explorer. I don't like it and want to change. I'm working in Glasgow till year end. Is there somewhere I could trade the Explorer in against a GS or even try a GS on?The model I tried last time was new from a boutique in London that did not trade in pre owned.


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 7:13 pm
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Can't help you but the GS are bloody lovely, currently got an Ananta and Tuna myself.

You'll have no trouble selling the Rolex though. Try over on TZ UK as there are quite a few GS owners on there.


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 8:25 pm
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Rolex used to be prestigious but now it is a celebrity chavs' brand so common you are borderline criminal to wear one.

Sell it, part ex change etc ... get rid of it unless you are turning yourself into some sort of hip-hop shameless. Look at me! Look at me! I am a hip-hop shameless!

Rolex has become so famous it is no longer prestigious except to the shameless.

GS anytime ... so long as the like of any of the celebrity shameless or reality shames don't know about it. They better not.

😯


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 8:43 pm
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I doubt Rolex owners care what you think chewy.


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 9:08 pm
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You may not like the Rolex 'image', but you absolutely cannot deny their quality, or resale value.


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 9:11 pm
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resale value-perhaps
Quality? My £300 Hamilton automatic is more accurate than my £5k Rolex


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 9:14 pm
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What's accuracy got to do with watch value/cost or quality?


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 9:16 pm
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MrSmith - Member

I doubt Rolex owners care what you think chewy.

Ya, I know so long as the celebrities keep buying them they keep people in employment which is good but don't let them know their chav image. 😆

loddrik - Member
You may not like the Rolex 'image', but you absolutely cannot deny their quality, or resale value.

You are merely buying the image now ...

😯


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 9:25 pm
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Accuracy and quality is completely irrelevant. A g-shock for £30 is more accurate than a Patek costing over £50k.


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 9:27 pm
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Might be worth trying CW Sellors in Derbyshire (trade as Jura Watches online) as they may PX your Rolex.

I like the Explorer, but on trying it on the too-short hands really put me off. I'd have bought a GS "Snowflake" this year, but was told we're saving for a house extension. I have a cheap Seiko auto (Cocktail Time) instead....


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 9:34 pm
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As loddrik says, Rolex's are very sought after so you shouldn't loose out very much, the GS is a bit different from the Explorer?
Can I ask what do you like about it?, I've never been a big Rolex fan, but I do like the GMT version of the Explorer the Milgauss.


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 9:34 pm
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GS design, movement and reliability for me.

GS is so unknown it is good.

😀


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 9:48 pm
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Lotto, try the Argyll Arcade just off Argyll St (opposite St Enoch Centre). Plenty of places in there trading high end watches last time I passed through.


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 9:58 pm
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winston - Member
resale value-perhaps
Quality? My £300 Hamilton automatic is more accurate than my £5k Rolex

What Hammy have you got? I went through 3 Khaki field automatics before giving up on their alleged water resistant to 100m claim - it couldn't handle the real world without developing condensation on the inside of the glass. A beautiful watch but useless.


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 9:59 pm
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Khaki field 38mm - Not tried it to 100m but certainly swam in it many times and no problems. Glass is still perfect as well despite giving it a few whacks.

@ loddrik Yes I know a casio is more accurate than most automatics and many 'luxury' watches but for a GMT master to be less accurate than a field Hamilton was obviously a surprise smart arse


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 10:09 pm
 hora
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The GS is nice if it was £300.

Anymore and someones taken the jam out of your donut.

The Rolex is a dead giveaway for new money.

All IMO.


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 10:30 pm
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Ah that's annoying! I had the 44mm Field Automatic. never wore it swimming, not even in the shower yet all three developed condensation within 2 weeks. If I thought the sealing wasn't going to be an issue, I'd def get another one. Shame... Anyway, thread hijack over.


 
Posted : 17/11/2014 10:36 pm
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Accuracy and quality is completely irrelevant. A g-shock for £30 is more accurate than a Patek costing over £50k.

Yeah?
My £70 G-Shock is nowhere near as accurate as either my Seiko SPORK or even my Yema Rallygraf.
The Casio would easily lose a minute a week, my Seiko was fifteen seconds slow after six months, when the clocks went back.
The Yema, not so sure long-term, it needs winding every day, and I don't wear it weekends and forget, but maybe a minute or so a month.
But its movement was shared with contemporary Breitling watches, so pretty good quality.
G-Shocks are good, but they ain't [i]that[/i] good!


 
Posted : 18/11/2014 12:07 am
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resale value-perhaps
Quality? My £300 Hamilton automatic is more accurate than my £5k Rolex

Sounds like the Rollie needs a service then. A decent watchsmith should be able to get them both within +/- 4-6 seconds a day (COSC standards), but all things considered, I'd expect the Rolex to stay that accurate for longer.

I had an Explorer 1 39mm a few years ago. Wish I hadn't got rid of it now.


 
Posted : 18/11/2014 11:39 am
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I love STW... it makes me laugh every day 🙂


 
Posted : 18/11/2014 11:45 am
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You can't control who buys your brand (Burberry?), but it still doesn't detract from the quality of the product.

Rolex are one of the few mechanical watch manufacturers who own their entire supply chain, which is incredible given the size of the business.

That probably doesn't matter to many people though.


 
Posted : 18/11/2014 12:11 pm
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GS is a nice looking watch and a bit similar to the Longines Conquest Classic. This model is my favourite in the range, anyone else a fan of Longines?

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 18/11/2014 2:51 pm
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I like this ...

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 18/11/2014 10:52 pm
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I do like the simplicity and non fussy face of most Grand Seiko's. Personally never been attracted to diver esque watches as they are generally too bulky and/or busy. My favorite Rolex is the Milgauss GV and would suggest a look at an IWC Portuguese, both automatic which keep fantastic time and are clean and simple, but I am biased.


 
Posted : 18/11/2014 11:08 pm
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[img] [/img]

Now [i]that's [/i] a Seiko I can get behind. On inside of, or something.

Mumble mumble.

*backs out of thread*


 
Posted : 18/11/2014 11:54 pm
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Chewy is right!


 
Posted : 19/11/2014 12:11 am
 Fudd
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veedubba - Member
Rolex are one of the few mechanical watch manufacturers who own their entire supply chain, which is incredible given the size of the business.

Vertical integration as they call it. Everything is designed and produced in-house, from the movement and all of the components inside it to the onsite foundry that produces the metal for the cases. I think the only major part that Rolex don't produce is the sapphire crystal... In fact there's only one company who take it a step further and produce their own sapphires, along with their own oils and even going as far as growing their own quartz crystals... Guess who it is yet?


 
Posted : 19/11/2014 1:58 am
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Seiko? Not sure about the power meter/fuel gauge though.


 
Posted : 19/11/2014 7:49 am
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I love my watches and have quite a few, but I can't help but think the grand seiko is a bit like a top of the range mondeo. It's nice enough but so vey very meh !


 
Posted : 19/11/2014 7:57 am
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+1 on the power gauge thingy?


 
Posted : 19/11/2014 7:57 am
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I think the Grand Seiko with the 'SnowflakeDial has to be one of the nicest looking watches going.
[img] [/img]
I have a vintage King Seiko which is pretty special too.


 
Posted : 19/11/2014 7:31 pm
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Like


 
Posted : 19/11/2014 7:46 pm
 LeeW
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veedubba - Member

Rolex are one of the few mechanical watch manufacturers who own their entire supply chain, which is incredible given the size of the business.

That probably doesn't matter to many people though

That's a fairly recent thing though isn't it after Swatch group effectively forced them to?


 
Posted : 19/11/2014 7:47 pm
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Unovolo - that's my favourite. As I saus up there ^^^ I had to pass this year in favour of saving towards a house extension. One day.

And a vintage King is cool as ****.


 
Posted : 19/11/2014 7:49 pm
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Very nice Loddrik. No photos of mine, but everyone knows what the Cocktail Time looks like don't they?


 
Posted : 19/11/2014 9:00 pm
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Accuracy and everyday? I have one of these;
[img] http://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/image/Signet/9825835?$detail745$ [/img]

For those times when the history of a watch, and the memory of the original owner is more important than such piffling trivialities as accuracy and brand cachet, I have this;
[img] [/img]
Belonged to a hero of my wife, a relative of hers who fought a dark war in the resistance in France. A man who helped make a real difference. Every scratch could be a part of the story. It ticks as if it's alive, as if keeping a memory alive. I'm very proud to be able to wear it.


 
Posted : 19/11/2014 9:13 pm
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[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 19/11/2014 9:27 pm
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Grand Seiko can be very nice and niche too. Rolexs have the cache but some are pretty gaudy. My dream watch is one of these [url= ]B&R Function[/url] but I make do with a small collection of somewhat cheaper ones such as a Hamilton Navy GMT, a solar atomic G shock and a couple of rarer RLTs.

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 19/11/2014 9:39 pm
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Any half decent auto watch can be calibrated to run within +2 -1 seconds a day by a good watch maker


 
Posted : 19/11/2014 10:22 pm
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enduroforever - Member
Any half decent auto watch can be calibrated to run within +2 -1 seconds a day by a good watch maker

I did my own.
More by luck than judgement, to be perfectly honest, however, I'm perfectly happy with it being ten-fifteen seconds slow over six months.


 
Posted : 20/11/2014 12:29 am
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Posted this photo of my Seiko before, but I really do love this watch:

[IMG] [/IMG]

And here's my old Yema; forty-odd years old now, and still going strong:

[IMG] [/IMG]

Only ever found one on eBay France, sold for around €450-500, IIRC. Doubt if it cost me more than £50, more like £25-30.


 
Posted : 20/11/2014 12:42 am
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CountZero - Member
I did my own.
More by luck than judgement, to be perfectly honest, however, I'm perfectly happy with it being ten-fifteen seconds slow over six months.

I need to calibrate mine but I don't have the tools to do it ... arrghhh ... mine is a bit slow.

In the meantime I am wearing my Casio Tough Solar Atomic watch! 🙄


 
Posted : 20/11/2014 12:44 am
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I think this thread gives some small insight into what people who aren't into bikes might think when they meet people who really appreciate them 🙂


 
Posted : 20/11/2014 12:46 am
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Eeek! Just did a quick Google and found this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yema-rallygraf-super-/390971146921?pt=FR_BijouxMontres_Montres_Classiques&hash=item5b07b242a9
😯


 
Posted : 20/11/2014 12:51 am
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MrSalmon - Member

I think this thread gives some small insight into what people who aren't into bikes might think when they meet people who really appreciate them

Are you saying we are anal? 😆

CountZero - Member

Eeek! Just did a quick Google and found this:

Jackpot?


 
Posted : 20/11/2014 12:52 am
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Could be, mine's in much better condition, for a start. Wouldn't sell it, I've had it from new, it was my first 'grown-up' watch, but it's gratifying to know that it has appreciated in value a bit.
I'm now reviewing my 'wear it to work watch' policy as regards the Yema, it'll be the G-Shock from now on.


 
Posted : 20/11/2014 12:58 am
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For accuracy you can't beat high end Quartz. Seiko 8f movements weren't expensive but are accurate to a couple of seconds a year. Add perpetual calendar so no messing there. On some the hour hand moves independently so you don't mess the minutes/seconds when changing time zone or daylight saving. 10 year battery as well.

This was the one I wanted but missed the boat - http://forums.watchuseek.com/f67/detailed-review-seiko-sbqj015-high-end-quartz-8f56-236270.html


 
Posted : 20/11/2014 7:34 am
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Any half decent auto watch can be calibrated to run within +2 -1 seconds a day by a good watch make

Well, that's significantly more accurate than COSC standards, and only 3% of Swiss watch production is COSC-certified...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COSC


 
Posted : 20/11/2014 9:13 am
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@lotto - let me know which Rolex Explorer you have. I'm not sure I could get it past the other half, but I could be tempted if you decide to sell...

Cheers,
Nick (email in profile)


 
Posted : 20/11/2014 9:13 am
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CFH that Schwarz is just beautiful. The fact there's clearly a significant story just adds to it, thank you for sharing!


 
Posted : 20/11/2014 10:12 am