Link to original video by Casual Watch Reviews

My Dream Grand Seiko Is A Nightmare | Spring Drive GMT SBGE257

Introduction and Background

  • The video is a ranting or story time video about the disappointment with a particular Grand Seiko watch.

  • The narrator had high expectations for the watch and was excited to get their first Spring Drive Seiko.

  • The narrator visited the Seiko Museum in Ginza, Tokyo, and was impressed with the history and display of Grand Seiko watches.

"I certainly set out to do a very good review of this watch...I was really looking forward to getting my first Spring Drive Seiko...I was totally sold on getting a Grand Seiko...I'd been obsessing about it ever since...I know I'm in a quite a lucky position."

Disappointment with Seiko Watches

  • The narrator has always struggled to find a Seiko watch that they really liked in terms of design.

  • The lack of lume on the hands of some models and the high prices have deterred the narrator.

  • Expensive watches are not within the narrator's budget despite running a watch review channel.

"One problem that I've always had with Grand Seiko is I struggle to find one that I really liked...I do really like to see lume on a watch...Also the price of them as well...I have not got enough money to be buying expensive watches."

The Search for a GMT Watch

  • While in Japan, the narrator saw a quartz version of a GMT watch and became interested in it.

  • However, due to the narrator's previous watch shopping experiences, their wife was not interested in visiting more watch shops at that time.

  • The narrator later found out that the watch was priced lower in Japan than in the US.

"Whilst I was in Japan...I saw a 9 F quartz version of one of their GMT watches...I was immediately hooked...By that time she [wife] had enough of looking in watch shops."

Finding the Perfect Watch

  • The narrator discovered a Spring Drive version of the GMT watch they were interested in, which seemed perfect.

  • The watch had a green dial with a green ceramic bezel and combined the Spring Drive technology with a GMT complication.

  • The retail price was around $6,200, but the narrator found a slightly used version for a lower price on Chrono24.

"On paper, this is the perfect watch for me...Green dial with a green ceramic bezel...Gorgeous...Retail for $6,200...I found a slightly used version...I did get a significant discount."

Impressive Craftsmanship

  • The narrator emphasizes that the Grand Seiko watches have exceptional craftsmanship.

  • The zaratsu polishing, hands, dial, and indices have an incredible finishing.

  • The ceramic bezel and green dial of the watch in question are particularly spectacular.

"If you've not seen a Grand Seiko...the finishing on these watches is absolutely incredible...It's not too much either...The ceramic bezel and the green dial are spectacular on this watch."

Issues with the Watch

  • The narrator explains that even though they appreciate Seiko watches overall, there are certain aspects they do not like.

  • They express a preference for Seiko Quartz watches like the speed timers and the Sumo with the quartz GMT movement.

  • The narrator mentions that they do not like the mid-range mechanical movements from Seiko, as they find them less robust compared to movements from Salita or ETA.

"I am not a fan of their Seiko mid-range mechanical movements...I am all about the Seiko Quartz in that range...Even though the alignment was all over the place...they're still beautiful watches...Seiko to me, regardless of the movement...have always been well balanced and well designed."

Conclusion

  • The narrator ultimately ended up not liking the Grand Seiko watch they had purchased.

  • They felt annoyed by certain aspects of the watch and decided to sell it.

  • The narrator will elaborate on the selling price and what they bought next in a later part of the video.

"I found it so annoying that I ended up having to sell it...We'll talk about later how much I sold it for and what I bought next."

Poor Weight and Balance

  • The narrator mentions that the Grand Seiko watch feels poorly weighted and unbalanced on the wrist.

  • They describe how the watch hangs off the wrist instead of feeling centered.

  • The narrator compares it to another Seiko watch, the Sumo, which has a better balanced case.

  • The narrator states that even though they have owned many Seiko watches, they have never experienced such poor balance before.

"The case on this Grand Seiko is so poorly weighted that it feels like it's hanging off your wrist."

Buying a pre-owned watch without trying it on

  • The narrator bought a pre-owned watch without trying it on first, hoping it would fit well.

  • They suggest that the moral of the story is to try on a watch and wear it for a little while before making a purchase.

  • The narrator admits that they should have tried on the watch, worn it for a bit, and experimented with different straps before removing the sticker and potentially being unable to return it.

"The moral of the story is that I should have tried it on and then worn it for a little bit, maybe a couple of hours, to try and get used to it before I took the sticker off and then kept swapping the straps out to try and get a better fit on this watch."

Summary from youtubesummarized.com