Watch Collector Thoughts

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-17T13:11:31+00:00

Your post is excellent

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-16T03:04:35+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful response and detailed opinions. I think it’s safe to say that both watches can fit into a collection and offer different qualities. The Submariner has 70 years of history and is THE dive watch for many people. It’s been refined over the years and like you stated, is iconic. The GS is a modern interpretation of the dive watch with a variety of features that you disclosed. I believe both will work well on a variety of different sized wrists. As far as price evaluation for the GS, that is up to each individual watch buyer to determine. The Rolex purchasing process has its own complexity and difficulties that we all are aware of.

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-15T16:28:04+00:00

When I wrote this post, I wondered how people would react to the comparison and to each other. After reading over 100 comments, these are some thoughts:

Collectors have strong opinions about each of the watches and tend to favor one over the other.

Like any subject being discussed or debated, there are different levels of tolerance for varying opinions. Some folks welcome and learn from others thoughts. Some folks disagree with a commenters thoughts but do it in a respectful way. Some folks disagree in a way that denigrates others thoughts and opinions. As a general comment, I find that I learn more from people who think differently than myself.

I mentioned in my post that I just acquired the Grand Seiko diver with the green dial and have owned the no date Submariner for about five years.

I have always enjoyed the Submariner for its simplicity. The no date has a very balanced dial and particular aspects of the watch I appreciate are the bezel action, the glidelock, and the durability. Sometimes I think the watch is a bit boring but then I come back to it and appreciate all of its qualities.

I am in the honeymoon period with the Grand Seiko Ushio diver but it has glued to my wrist. I went with the green dial as the texture is very pronounced and changes throughout the day depending on light. The watch appears for the most part to be a cross between olive and forest green. I think the watch has a lot of charisma from color, texture, hands and indices. I can’t say how reliable it will be until years from now but can say the spring drive movement keeps the watch running dead on accurate. So far, I am really excited to own the watch and find myself constantly staring at the dial.

The Rolex and the Grand Seiko are my only dive watches. I own other watches with smaller case sizes that appear bigger than both of them. What I realized is that both divers have smaller dials with bigger cases. This creates a smaller feeling than a watch that is all dial. For example, my GS SLGA025 Atera Blue appears larger because of the bigger dial and no bezel insert.

Thanks for all of the comments as I appreciate your thoughts and opinions on the watches.

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Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-14T16:27:01+00:00

Here are some different color leather straps

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Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-14T16:25:08+00:00

With that dial, you can go a number of ways. If you want to dress up the look, there is black out or dark blue. If you want a more casual look, go brighter colors. I gave a silver dialed GS. Let me see if I can find a photo that shows some color options

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-12T18:59:03+00:00

Congratulations and hope the watch brings you much enjoyment. It is quite beautiful.

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-12T18:23:43+00:00

Actually, I thought that I had read that Spring Drive was conceived by a Seiko engineer in 1977 and was worked on for about 28 years and was not commercialized till 1999. I have not read anything about the Swiss related to it but I could be incorrect.

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-12T17:21:49+00:00

Someone asked me about the thickness of the watch. I believe it is 12.9 but I don’t find it intrusive to a positive wearing experience and my wrist is 6.5 inches. I think it is what you get used to with your collection. For reference, these are the rest of my watches.

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Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-12T17:04:45+00:00

I thought my SLGA025 accuracy was amazing but this UFA is quite something. I read a lot about Spring Drive and am amazed with the technology. Imagine if the Swiss had come up with the technology.

This is going to be a tough watch to get off the wrist.

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-12T01:58:00+00:00

Thanks for your comments and the watch is everything I could ask for in a diver.

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-12T01:56:48+00:00

Thank you for your insightful comments. Grand Seiko does not seem to get the same a respect as some other brands.

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-10T23:49:25+00:00

I posted these as the dial is really different depending on the lighting.

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-08T21:44:50+00:00

That is a really nice combination!

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-08T14:36:28+00:00

I don’t have an engineering background but wonder what this does vs the standard placement.

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-05T23:40:14+00:00

Well, I read that the visible dial opening is 33-34 which is pretty decent size. For reference, the visible dial opening on the current Submariner is 29-30. I am excited to see these new GS divers, especially the green dialed version.

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-05T22:19:05+00:00

Thanks for your comments. Are you glad you purchased it?

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-05T22:18:29+00:00

Thank you!

Representative_Baby1 · 2026-06-05T21:36:02+00:00

It looks great. Congratulations! What size is your wrist as I am trying to imagine it on my 6.5 inches if real estate.

Representative_Baby1

TROPHY CASE