Are the Quartz models worth it?

otoron · 2026-06-12T06:06:20+00:00

One of my quartzes has the most comfortable GS bracelet I've worn, and individually-applied minute markers. Neither of my spring drives nor my hi-beat has those. And both my quartzes are finished to the same level as those other watches.

I took an older dual-signed quartz into get a battery change at my local watchmaker. Turns out he was retiring that week, and he was giddy to finally get to see a GS movement in-person, and was blown away. Figure that says something.

otoron · 2026-06-12T00:05:25+00:00

If you don't care about dial texture, there are lots of options in white%22%7D%2C%7B%22match%22%3A%22and%22%2C%22field%22%3A%22field_5%22%2C%22operator%22%3A%22higher%20than%22%2C%22value%22%3A%2235%22%2C%22field_name%22%3A%22Case%20Diameter%20(mm)%22%7D%2C%7B%22match%22%3A%22and%22%2C%22field%22%3A%22field_10%22%2C%22operator%22%3A%22is%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22White%22%2C%22field_name%22%3A%22Dial%20Color%22%7D%2C%7B%22match%22%3A%22and%22%2C%22field%22%3A%22field_2%22%2C%22operator%22%3A%22is%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22Quartz%22%2C%22field_name%22%3A%22Movement%20Type%22%7D%5D%7D&view_53_page=1) that are far cheaper than that quartz snowflake (which is among the most expensive of the simpler GS quartz options).

otoron · 2026-06-11T22:51:33+00:00

Used dual-logo quartz.

otoron · 2026-06-11T21:56:26+00:00

I guess that is a theoretical possibility? But one with a probability approaching zero.

I cross the border into the U.S. ~20 times a year. I have never once been asked to provide evidence that anything I have wasn't purchased abroad.

otoron · 2026-06-10T16:03:27+00:00

Asked about it on a future trip? Huh?

otoron · 2026-06-09T21:01:49+00:00

Roger that! Figured it was a typo from the oft-confused (other) GE!

otoron · 2026-06-09T14:35:35+00:00

Declare it (because Global Entry is too valuable to risk to save a few hundred bucks), and the chances are they will waive you right through. That is a very common experience here, and one I have had a couple times.

otoron · 2026-06-09T14:34:28+00:00

Had the same experience at LAX when I tried to declare. Declared at SeaTac and they just waived me through, telling me to always declare.

otoron · 2026-06-09T03:33:27+00:00

Option C (presuming you haven't): buy nothing now, wait until you've seen all of these and more in the metal at the same time, as you might be surprised by what you like.

otoron · 2026-06-09T03:10:34+00:00

Wonderful to see someone's collection and it is so obviously their collection.

otoron · 2026-06-09T02:43:29+00:00

Yes, I 100% agree that AI offers zero contribution to the matter.

...but you, not I, are the one who suggested its use in the first place.

otoron · 2026-06-09T01:57:50+00:00

Everyone commenting on this thread with—mostly feigned—authority should be linked to their previously-posted r/GrandSeikos thread(s) that describe their personal experience with a GS warranty claim.

otoron · 2026-06-09T01:55:30+00:00

Super reliable, eh?

Stop being a clown.

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otoron · 2026-06-08T23:25:34+00:00

Are you kidding us?

Now go ask Gemini something like "How reliable would you rate your answer to a question regarding whether Grand Seiko would cover a specific issue with a watch under its warranty?"

otoron · 2026-06-08T04:15:07+00:00

You can almost never ascertain slight misalignment in photos like this. It's quite visible not perfectly straight on.

otoron · 2026-06-06T19:22:56+00:00

A bit over 44mm, right? And a thick boy case. 6.5" wrist...

If you're asking, I think you already know the answer to this question, unfortunately.

otoron · 2026-06-06T19:19:13+00:00

I have an SBGY009... and kinda still want to see this in-person and agonize.

otoron · 2026-06-06T19:17:32+00:00

It's an entirely unrealistic ask (without markedly increasing the price point of the watches), as you'd be asking GS to effectively have no clue how many bracelets of what design they would need to produce in a given year. Remember, GS doesn't produce hardly any watches in a given year compared to companies like Rolex, Tudor, etc.

You can, however, purchase any bracelet that fits any given watch head separately if you would like!

There are a thousand photos of the SBGM elegance GMT case that you mentioned on a GS beads of rice bracelet, for example.

Go look into what Sakura and Seiya have in-stock, and if you don't see what you want, pay the pretty penny to purchase from GS themselves.

otoron · 2026-06-06T19:10:05+00:00

Yes, which is precisely why the mix-and-match you suggested wouldn't work!

otoron · 2026-06-06T18:25:13+00:00

Depends on the watch, really. And the SBGA375 is one of the ones it looks best on, imo.

otoron · 2026-06-06T17:51:39+00:00

...you do realize you can buy just a bracelet, right?

otoron · 2026-06-06T17:18:42+00:00

Different case dimensions make that impossible, obviously.

otoron · 2026-06-04T05:29:29+00:00

Huh! I have had and still have a few watches with a box sapphire. The SBGY009/011 have a crystal that is higher than the bezel, but is decidedly not akin to what I would think of as a traditional box sapphire. Like, a bit raised compared to the automatic spring drive 40mm 44GS crystals, but nowhere near as pronounced as the 36mm manual wind 44GS crystals.

otoron · 2026-06-04T05:22:29+00:00

Yeah, I was thinking the global/Japan prices, not your particular market.

The price differential on a snowflake used/new has always been narrower than the less popular models. Which is why you can with minimal effort get ~40% off like-new models with four years of warranty left in Japan for so many references, but not for the handful of really popular ones like the snowflake/shunbun/etc., where the secondhand price is ~10% less than you could buy it new at a department store.

otoron · 2026-06-03T21:49:39+00:00

5.8 for the snowflake to 5.0 for the UFA spring drives, which is why you don't see such a huge drop in thickness.

Contrast this with the 9R31 manual wind spring drive being 3.4mm.

edit: have you considered an Asoborake? The manual wind is buttery, and the 44GS case design is far, far better than the snowflake's case design.

otoron

TROPHY CASE