A comprehensive study of the Star family belonging to Seiko manufacture.
It’s quite surprising that however much I enjoy Grand Seikos however, I’ve talked about them in a very limited manner and live, I’ve only talked about this model . In large part, it is because only a few units arrive and are sold out immediately, which means it’s difficult to obtain ahold of the watches. This year, however, marks 20 years since the twenty-year anniversary for the release of Grand Seiko , I consider it a great occasion to discuss watches and their role on the market.
There’s been for a while and continues to be an absurd debate over whether or not the Grand Seiko is a watch worth the price. It is also a matter of what it is worth, considering that it’s in the price band occupied by Omega and more particularly Rolex. I have chosen Rolex due to the fact that Omega models are less casual than other models. This is the reason why the introduction of the Railmaster is well-known as a way to reduce the level of sportsmanship making it more practical. Rolex however, is able to cover both formal and more casual -either because of its style or because its popularity forgives everything- and it is from this sense that the fight between Japanese as well as Swiss brands is triggered.
Many people whether they’re rolexists or not consider the notion that Seiko can’t produce an Grand Seiko which costs in the case of mechanical watches – between 10,000 and 12,000 euros because they believe Seiko produces very affordable mechanical watch (from 200 to 1,000 or pico euro) which sell for tens of thousands which instantly excludes Seiko from creating a luxury watch. There is also the more chrematistic, less watchmaking argument that suggests that the price of resales for Seiko or Grand Seiko is less than the value of an Rolex. This argument, as I said is untrue because it does not have anything to have anything to do with the art of making watches. However, it is true, it’s becoming less valid and I’ll explain in a moment.
First, it’s best to address the first error: the mechanical watches we are familiar with (we cherish, collect) are directly from Seiko five Watch, which was launched in 1963. It was 3 years ago, Seiko introduced its most famous model called it was the Grand Seiko (shown in this image ). It was also the time that the Grand Seiko came with the brand name “Chronometer” due to its chronometric characteristics (in conjunction with its appearance). Eight years later, a Grand Seiko took the top prize in the Geneva chronometry competition and – whether it was coincidence or not- was not able to be held following Seiko’s win. Like the one that took place in Neuchatel in the year prior that Seiko won three of the top four places (the first one was one of an Omega).
The knowledge of horology that has been accumulated since the time of its founding in 1881 that culminating in Grand Seiko that allowed Seiko to produce affordable and good watches such as the Seiko 5 and not the reverse. But one of the main sources for “defense” (if the case required for it) for that Grand Seiko has always been through word of mouth. we can say this is the tool for marketing Seiko utilized – and continues to use is, in all honesty, Seiko is a bit flawed. Seiko has a lot to study from Swiss who are the best in this. Seiko was always of the belief that the best cloth inside the chest was available for sale, and it had let its customers preach to novices. This is no longer working as it has been revealed that little by little Seiko has been enhancing its strategies. In the beginning this year, Seiko created Grand Seiko an individual entity, allowing it to distinguish its own level from the other collections. The most noticeable result has been aesthetic the word Seiko that was always located at 12 o’clock on the GS is gone and its place is now given to Grand Seiko. So, a more balanced and purity is now achieved in the dial… and the models that have the two names are beginning to be recognized. The market is so wild -\_(tsu)_It is a shambles
However, it is also beginning to increase the visibility of the product and release limited editions which are just a compilation of the top hits. The result is immediate that watches don’t diminish in value, but rather retain it, and sometimes even boost the value. It’s a good thing – and let’s hope that does not change- the collection continues to offer limited models, so that the purchaser has many options to choose from. It is important to keep in mind it is a fact that an “all restricted edition” approach can cause confusion and demotivation of the market, and adversely impact sales (as is the case with Panerai for instance). Also as an act of deceit, the most powerful and specialized online media has put the Grand Seiko where they deserved and at least on level with other brands of a prestigious.
Do the Grand Seikos meet the reputation they’ve built for themselves? It’s my opinion that is definitely the case (although I believed that the Grand Seikos were already well-known, isn’t it?). Let’s talk about components.
If we take a look at the Grand Seiko close, we will notice how the cases are made. They are complicated, with numerous faces, which makes them more costly to make. However, Seiko utilizes this to produce a superfine satin finish with polished mirror surfaces. The polishing process is based on the traditional Japanese method used in Zaratsu which is the method employed to polish the katanas. This results in an undistorted reflection that is, straight lines remain straight, much like the normal mirror. This feature isn’t seen in watches priced at prices that are at the Grand Seiko price level.
However, if the craftsmanship of the watches is undeniable and we reach the spheres, our enjoyment of the visuals skyrockets. At Seiko there aren’t any absolutes, and the base of the dials are always adorned with subtleties that are not always visible by the naked eye. White isn’t white. It is a subtle vertical satin which creates an ethereal play of light. The most beautiful expression is definitely that of the Spring Drive Snow Flake, which is known by Spain by the name of “Copito of Nieve”. The dial’s surface is inspired by the snow on the mountain ranges surrounding that Grand Seiko manufacturing facility (Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio) and is a rare exquisite quality.
Another mythical characteristic for The Grand Seiko is its hands. They’re not just sharply faceted, but they are also extremely polished. The look exactly like scalpels and they can be a bit scary to use them without protection due to how sharp their appearance. The polish is amazing, with reflections and no distortion. It’s the same for indexes. They in my watch are slightly curled and rise barely noticeable on the outer part, creating slight shadow which contributes in the depth overall. The polishing is so exceptional the result is that the watch is able to capture and diffuses light more effectively. It’s not that you are able to read the time in total darkness, however, it is when there is some light.
Its reflection on the hand’s reflection onto the index’s side is flawless, with no distortion.
What about the movement? That would be an article on its own. It must be said, to begin with, that Seiko uses the MEMS technique for manufacturing, that is, microelectrical-mechanical systems, which are the ones used to manufacture semiconductors. By using this method, components with tolerances as small as a thousandth of a millimeter can be made or the steering wheel can be controlled to one thousandth of grams. This ensures that the wheel is balanced and thus requires less energy, and also has a greater power reserve.
Seiko is a manufacturer of traditional mechanical calibers, however they also offer their own version, which they refer to as Hi-Beat which is a caliber that is able to move at 36,000 vibrations per hour, rather than the usual 28,000. In reality, Seiko was the first to release it, along with Zenith’s El Primero, and together with Zenith it is the sole one to keep the movement. Furthermore, Seiko has used it as the GMT or an chronograph, or as a diving watch which proves the reliability and reliability of this movement. Every one of the Seiko mechanical watches are calibrated at -3/+5 secs per day which is when the COSC chronometer’s parameters are 4-plus 6. Anyone who owns an Grand Seiko knows that it is commonplace for watches to be more precise. The calibers’ finishes are, again, not as good as the watches with which they compete (not only Rolex and Omega. There are other brands too, such as IWC as well as Panerai).
However, Seiko also offers also the Spring Drive caliber, which I consider to be one of two major innovations in the creation of movements, along with the Coaxial caliber which Omega provides. However, it’s the Spring Drive is even more creative.
It is a Spring Drive is a mechanical watch, just like other watches that has an rotor that is charged by the real spring. It unwinds, and transfers its force onto the wheel. We know that if the motion of the wheels are not managed, energy will exhaust instantly. Traditional watches have this controlled through the escapement. The Spring Drive it is a tiny portion of the spring’s energy transforms into electricity that powers an quartz crystal as well as small circuit. This is used to check whether the oscillation frequency between the quartz as well as the wheel, which functions as the balance. In order to ensure the two are in equilibrium the electromagnetic brake is used that stops the wheel. It results in continuous and silent motion as does the time that it determines. The precision of one second per day.
I can’t forget to make mention of the bracelets that are beautiful. They fit perfectly on the wrist and don’t have any side slack or gap between the links. For titanium bracelets, Seiko makes use of a strengthened titanium that is less prone to scratches than regular titanium and with a beautiful warm, beige-grayish shade. Furthermore, all bracelets use the brushed-polished mix, which means that the end result is always classy.
In the end, the Grand Seiko are spectacular on the wrist. They have the perfect measurement for any wrist , and are so well-balanced that they’re almost not noticeable. They are also suitable for formal and informal settings. Prices range from around 2,000 euros to over 10,000 euros. However, the typical cost is between 4 and 8000 euros. Absolutely, there’s no need to own an expensive Seiko.
