[Merv]

I ordered the desert one yesterday. Can't wait.

 

[Merv]

I've been very keen on the sand 2000 since I first saw the 3 new models released. Sakura Watches had by far the best price I've seen and I put in a 'Send Request' thing where you give your email and they notify you when in stock. That was around October 8 or 10. I read somewhere about Oct 15 release date, so I kept regularly checking their site from that day onwards; I'm talking multiple refreshes a day. Never saw any change in status of the sand watch (always just 'pre-order'), while the other 2 were in stock, then out, then back in.

I emailed them about a week ago and they said they don't have it, aren't getting it and it's discontinued. I asked if he was sure we're talking about same watch - how could it be discontinued 12 days after official release date. I think he may have his terminology or status mixed up but he was insistent they aren't getting any of the sand model. I didn't want to take any chances that he was mixed up, so went elsewhere, paid a bit more on eBay but will be getting it in a few days (currently in transit).

 

[Merv]

That's Sakura's lazy way of saying they ain't getting it back in stock, lol.

Yep but doesn't look like they ever had it in stock. They also seem to have no desire to remove the 'Send Request' option, which will only annoy the hopeful who aren't aware they're going nowhere fast with that option.

EDIT - just looked at Sakura site.....kept calling it 'Send Request' which is the next step......the status I meant to refer to was 'Pre-order'

 

[Merv]

I got my GWG-2000 from Sakura (-31%),

View attachment 16219125

View attachment 16219130

Bought on: 10/22/2021
Shipped from Japan: 10/27/2021
Delivered at home: 10/29/2021
1A1 and 1A3. are in stock, at Sakura, at the same price. 1A5 shows pre-order (out of stock?).

Since I wanted the 1A3, i bought it.

Good stuff, great price. Def the go-to place for guys that like the A1 or A3, but the A5 has never been in stock and the pre-order icon on their site is a false flag. They’re not getting any, according to what they told me.

 

[Merv]

Just landed. Love the watch but slightly annoyed I didn’t get the fancy Master of G packaging. Just got one of those basic boxes you get with the $150 G’s. Not sure if the eBay seller (from Japan) short-changed me or whether that’s normal in certain situations.

Any thoughts on whether I need to follow up with the seller? Don’t want to get too bogged down on a smaller issue but if I’m entitled to it why not?

 

[Merv]

Merv, did the watch come with a tag verifying that it's a Japanese region watch ("JF")? If so, I think it's worth following up with the seller. I remember something like this happened to @Time4Playnow a few years back when he purchased a Pro Trek Manaslu from a Japanese seller and the watch arrived without the trademark green lacquer wood Manaslu box. T4P inquired about it and the seller shipped him the correct box. Definitely worth it in his case.
View attachment 16219631

Thanks for your feedback, much appreciated.

Here are a couple of pics. The tags and manual look like the JDM version that I got with other recent purchases from Japan, but unlike my D-Frog and Rangeman, I didn’t get the Master of G packaging.

Just want to confirm I’m not missing any logical reason for this…..you think worth querying seller?

I noticed that his sales ad had only generic Mudmaster pics when I ordered it, but after he ordered at his end and got it in stock he updated with actual watch pics. His listing said only one available, so his updated pics were obviously of my watch. No big deal, I’m not concerned, but thought I’d point out that I’m 99% sure he took my watch out of the packaging to photograph.

 

[Merv]

Yeah, looks like they definitely switched the packaging on you. I have a feeling that quite a few of these Japan-based sellers do this to pay less on shipping. Honestly, these boxes just sit in a closet for me so I don't really care about the packaging as long as the watch is flawless, but it could become an issue if you ever decide to sell the watch. I would inquire about it just to see what they say. Anyways, beautiful watch regardless, Merv.

I feel the same as you…box will be stored away and not matter but in the off-chance I decide to sell I don’t want to deal with explaining it to a non-believing buyer.
I’ll chase up the seller. Thanks again.

 

[Merv]

Yeah that's odd , like as if the seller wanted to pocket the better packaging... on the plus side you now own a watch that at least confirmed improved valuation is 180+$ then " the others " ... but yeah I'd contact the seller & say nice try bruh... send the real packaging.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Yeah sent him a message explaining and asking for proper box. Then sent a second message with photos of what the box looks like. It was late Friday in Aus & Japan, so probably won’t get a reply until Monday.

EDIT - Update early hours Saturday morning / Friday evening. Seller sent a message apologising profusely saying product was not shipped to them with the correct case. They’ve promised to rectify, so all good for me, I’m happy.

 

[Merv]

Unfortunately I'm struggling with the comfort of my new sand coloured MM. I'm in between holes frustratingly. If I use 4th from last hole it flops around too much and is only good when weather or wrist gets very warm (so no good 90% of time). If I use 5th from last hole then it's snug to the point that it will leave multiple in-print marks all over my wrist after not too long (that's just in moderate weather....not a good fit at all if warm).

On top of the between holes dilemma I'm finding that the wings often pinch my hair....at least I think it's the wings that are causing it (pretty sure). My wrist is 7.25 inches and I suspect the wings are more beneficial for guys with smaller wrists as it helps to bring in the lugs and reduce excess space under lugs. For my wrist size I don't particularly need them for that purpose.

My recent D-Frog fits beautifully at all times on 6th from last hole and I never need to adjust. Unfortunately with the new GWG-2K I'm already considering flipping for the 1k. I have read a few guys saying they're in between holes on 2k but good on 1k, and have also read guys with 7.25 inch wrist saying 1k was very comfortable. I'm seriously thinking of going in that direction and flipping for the 1k.

 

[Merv]

Can any 1k owners who have wrist around 7.25 advise whether they have any hair-pull issues. Or even if your wrist is nowhere near that size and you experience hair pull would appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Merv]

Just got back from the mall after trying a GWG-1000-1A3.

It felt like it wore a bit better than the 2k but honestly wasn’t enough time to tell. Had it on wrist very briefly. I did look at the wings under the case and for some reason it felt like they were spaced further apart than the 2k which would be better for me. That doesn’t seem to make sense intuitively though because I believe lug to lug is longer on 2k, so you’d think wing spacing would be greater on the 2k.

The other dilemma is which 1k to get if I go that way. They had the 1A3 and the 1A next to each other on display. I like the green band, but prefer the cream indices and hands on 1A.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[Merv]

Ever considered getting yourself a punch set? I've punched new holes in leather straps a few times. I also had an incredibly comfortable tropic style strap where the perfect fit was between two holes... so I "extended" the hole that was slightly too tight.

Thanks for the suggestion...interesting idea about extending. This would have to be one of the most rigid straps I've come across so would take a bit of work. Bit nervous about butchering it and then totally ruining re-sale value if I had to go down that path.

 

[Merv]

I’m ordering green 1k tomorrow. Will leave all wrappers and stickers on when it arrives and really carefully confirm sizing, in case I need to return. Either way I’m pretty sure I’m selling the sand 2k.

 

[Merv]

FWIW, IMO the green 1k is the most versatile of all of the 1000s in terms of wearing different colored straps. It not only looks great with the stock green strap, but also looks fab with the camo and yellow straps, same with the Maharishi, and might even look okay with the red strap (tho have not tried it myself).

Here are a couple: (rn I have it on the camo strap, but no pics available atm)

View attachment 16229184

View attachment 16229185

Thanks for the tips. Looks great!

 

[Merv]

7.5 inch wrist and no hair pulling and it fit in hole #5 comfortable. I am thinking you may have the same problem with the 1k being too tight in the 4th and too loose in the 5th hole with your 7.25 inch wrist. I guess wrist shape has a lot to do with it too. My 2k would rotate around my wrist and the 1k would sit better with both using the same #5 hole.

Thanks....I have the 1k incoming next week, so will be able to make a final decision. It may be that I become Mudmasterless like yourself which would be a shame, but we'll see.

 

[Merv]

I couldn’t get a good fit with my 2k sand Mudmaster (in between holes sadly), so I’ve listed it for sale.

I’ve picked this up as a replacement and I’m more than happy with it.