[DCOmegafan]

The looks are subjective - I think they are both attractive. The Seiko has the classic under-stated Design Grammar look. The Citizen is a little quirkier. I own a silver faced Citizen (which is the second reviewed in this thread):

https://www.watchuseek.com/f2/thank...r-ago-citizen-signature-automatic-734552.html

I have never handled a SARB or SCVS in person but I can say, first-hand, that the Citizen is a fine watch with U.S. based dealers. Also, if you call around, you might be pleasantly surprised by the prices you can find.

I'm bothered by the blue hands, which I find are too bright. I enjoy the blued hands on my Stowa, but those are subtly blue: in most light, they're in fact black. I should add that if the Citizen had the same dial as the Chronomaster, it would be game over.

 

[CombatMarine]

I'm bothered by the blue hands, which I find are too bright. I enjoy the blued hands on my Stowa, but those are subtly blue: in most light, they're in fact black. I should add that if the Citizen had the same dial as the Chronomaster, it would be game over.

If Citizen had the Grand Classics have the same dial as the Chronomaster, they wouldn't sell many Chronomasters.

 

[RejZoR]

Hard decision imo, though the white Grand Classic has always been attracting me a lot. But then again i'm a huge fan of GrandSeiko and that SARB looks incredibly similar. I'd probably get them both lol. It's so hard to decide between watches when there are so many nice ones around...

 

[Munchie]

I bought my SARB033 a few years ago. I still really like how it looks.

However accuracy is an issue - mine runs at -20 seconds per day.

As I have had it a few years, it could be that the grass is always greener but I would get the Citizen for the reasons already stated ie accuracy, and possibly superior fit and finish...

 

[mr.steevo]

I have both and find that they each have excellent construction. The Citizen feels more expensive in the hand but the SARB still holds its own. I don't bother with accuracy as I don't wear them regularly but the Citizen is supposed to be above average. To me the SARB is like a really good Honda while the Citizen is a premium vehicle.

As mentioned, be cautioned with the Citizen's threaded pins. The Swiss jeweler it took it too for sizing broke his tool loosening the screws.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[ken_sturrock]

If Citizen had the Grand Classics have the same dial as the Chronomaster, they wouldn't sell many Chronomasters.

There are still people out there who like quartz because they want better accuracy, lower maintenance and more ruggedness than even the Grand Classic can provide. You've got to remember that a Citizen quartz watch like these or the eco-drive AQ One Thousands are some of the most inherently accurate watches out there. Now that's worth something in itself.

 

[r77s2000]

I have both as well, 9 times out of ten when I grab for one I grab the citizen. Like others have said its a little larger, and a tad bit heavier, but I love the sapphire crystal, it looks nearly invisible, from most angles, and it has amazing little details like the ridges on the dial and the screw down crown guard. I have smaller wrists, but since my main watch is a Speedy Pro (also 42mm) I think I have just gotten used to larger diameter watches on my wrist. You cant go wrong either way, but I think you will love the Citizen.

 

[mpalmer]

To me this would be all about budget. The Citizen would clearly be the nicer watch in my eyes. The movement finishing is pretty impressive at that price point, and my guess is you are likely getting a better bracelet (although I do not have any firsthand knowledge to support this). However, at $750 there are other watches that might be more appealing as this is very different budget. I think I'd be looking at grey market Oris at that point...

 

[PJ S]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned, is warranty.
Seiko, being a personal import, will carry only a standard 1 yr international warranty.
Citizen, being an official import, will carry a 5 yr warranty, with an additional year when you register it on the US website.
Whether you keep the watch for 6 years or more, is academical – the warranty (may) remains with the watch, in which case it's transferable, so long as the original receipt is given with it.

All things considered – Citizen standing over this watch for that period of time suggests they've conducted sufficient testing to be confident they won't be getting a flood of them back for repair.
Surprisingly, and disappointingly, Seiko don't – and whilst their returns record is fairly low irrespective of price point, it'd be nice to see them show a bit more commitment on that aspect.

 

[Mediocre]

I am 6'3", decent sized as well, and I enjoy my blued hands grand classic, it wears about as perfect as a watch on a bracelet can for me. As has been stated though, the decision would be all about budget for me. They are both nice watches that will last for years. If I could comfortably purchase the Citizen, I would. If not, I would purchase the Seiko and never spend a second feeling as though I "settled", because it is a great watch, especially for the money.

 

[Reaper85]

Citizen Grand Classic NB0040-58A

Caution! When removing links they are held in place with screws that have a 1 mm head and I stripped the head on one link during the sizing process. I have a 1 mm jeweler's screwdriver but perhaps not the highest quality. Before trying to size the bracelet, be sure that you have a high quality screwdriver of the correct size and that you have a device to hold the bracelet while removing the screw.

As I knew the bracelet has screws, this was exactly why I ordered the best screwdrivers available before purchasing this watch.
Altough I must say I didn't expect for it to have 1mm screws, but 1,6mm. But I ordered the 1mm screwdriver for fine regulating ETA movements anyway, so no harm done.

I have a lot of cheap screwdrivers, but they slip all the time, as they are too sharp, like on pic 3 here:
Maintenance and Repair of Watchmaker's Screwdrivers [11/2000] - TimeZone

These are the screwdrivers that I have on the way:
Horotec MSA 01.203-160 (1.6mm)
Horotec Ball Bearing Individual Screwdriver with Replacement Blades

Bergeon BERG-30080-16 (1.8mm)
Bergeon Intermediate Screwdriver Sizes

And also at Watchtool. But they are scammers, so I will have to open a Paypal dispute for a second time. I didn't order them at Ofrei, because I didn't knew if they come with spare blades.
But I see now that USD prices are a lot cheaper even with spare blades purchased separately.
Bergeon 6899 Ultimate - Bergeon Screwdriver 6899-AT-100 ?1.00mm = Black
Bergeon 6899 Ultimate - Bergeon Screwdriver 6899-AT-160 ?1.60mm = Violet

As for a device for holding the bracelet, I don't recommend one. I know for a fact that even plastic scratches polished bracelet sides.
I can do it in my hands just fine, even the ones that have two screws.
But I protect everything with electric tape now anyway, for example lugs when changing straps or bracelet sides when resizing. This is the only way to be sure you won't scratch anything. I used Scotch tape before, but spring bars tear even two pieces right away.

 

[Reaper85]

Here is also a great comparison between the 2, and also 3 more:
https://www.watchuseek.com/f71/comprehensive-comparative-review-5-watches-38-40mm-range-848799.html
Citizen was a clear winner here.

As for me, I never cared for SARB, because it is too small. Seiko has bigger watches in their lineup:
Mechanical
Presage
Brightz

But Citizen Signature Grand Classic NB0040-58A (white/blue one) has been on my buy list since September, and I have not found a better watch since, except for the already bought Seiko SDGC027.

 

[IanGrey]

Hey guys! Wow, thank you for all the input over the last week, it really helped my final decision. I pulled the trigger on the the blued hands Grand Classic! It should arrive tomorrow sometime. I will post my own pics and review once I get a chance to check it out. I am incredibly excited!

 

[RejZoR]

Good decision Seiko SARB's are great but it kinda feels like these Grand Classic models are even more exclusive. And they sure do look nice with generally fantastic accuracy for a mechanical watch. Keep us posted with photos when you get it.

 

[mr.steevo]

Hey guys! Wow, thank you for all the input over the last week, it really helped my final decision. I pulled the trigger on the the blued hands Grand Classic! It should arrive tomorrow sometime. I will post my own pics and review once I get a chance to check it out. I am incredibly excited!

Whoa! Is this your first watch? If so you must understand that most sub-$1000 watches you consider from here on will feel cheap and "not as good as the Citizen". It's a hard road of watch collecting now that you've set the bar this high!

congratulations!

 

[IanGrey]

Whoa! Is this your first watch? If so you must understand that most sub-$1000 watches you consider from here on will feel cheap and "not as good as the Citizen". It's a hard road of watch collecting now that you've set the bar this high!

congratulations!

Thank you! This is the second watch I've bought myself. My first was a Seiko 5, but I have a Hamilton Jazzmaster quartz and a Seiko SK009 that I got from my father. I also have a vintage Longines that was once my grandfathers.

Well, the watch came in today, and I am just amazed by the quality! I sat and looked at it for a while before even touching it. Pictures definitely don't do it justice, and you are right Mr. Steevo, I think it has ruined me. As much as I adore my other watches this one is clearly on a different level. I bet if it had a swiss name on the dial it would be easily 2-3 times what it retails for. I got it for $670 (before tax) off of Amazon. The AR coating makes it look like I am peering right into the dial. Anyways, here are some quick pics. I'll post more and attempt to do a review once I've handled the watch a little bit more. Thanks again for your help guys!

 

[Mediocre]

Thank you! This is the second watch I've bought myself. My first was a Seiko 5, but I have a Hamilton Jazzmaster quartz and a Seiko SK009 that I got from my father. I also have a vintage Longines that was once my grandfathers.

Well, the watch came in today, and I am just amazed by the quality! I sat and looked at it for a while before even touching it. Pictures definitely don't do it justice, and you are right Mr. Steevo, I think it has ruined me. As much as I adore my other watches this one is clearly on a different level. I bet if it had a swiss name on the dial it would be easily 2-3 times what it retails for. I got it for $670 (before tax) off of Amazon. The AR coating makes it look like I am peering right into the dial. Anyways, here are some quick pics. I'll post more and attempt to do a review once I've handled the watch a little bit more. Thanks again for your help guys!

View attachment 1362606 View attachment 1362607 View attachment 1362608

Thanks for posting! It looks great! I have never bothered to actually check my lume, I did not realize how nice it looks LOL! Congrats again!

 

[Reaper85]

I have to buy this watch asap. Only problem is, I like the CW C60 just the same.
But they are both not that expensive, so I will have both sooner or later.

 

[IanGrey]

Hey guys I just did a review! Please check it out here if you are interested in the Citizen Reviews section: https://www.watchuseek.com/f305/citizen-grand-classic-review-976728.html#post7311073

 

[Mediocre]

Thanks for the review!