[izecius]

I wanted to purchase a Snowflake this year actually and i liked it the way it was. I have seen some Google adverts of the new Snowflake when i was on Hodinkee, dont know what to think about it. I like it but it doesnt feel as the old one.

 

[Boomerdw]

I am new to the Seiko brand. Actually the SBGX119 is my first Seiko watch.

I have caught up to speed during the last few months, since acquiring the GS.

Regarding the quartz branding I do not like the empty bottom half of the face.

I proudly wear the Seiko GS SBGX119, all the while seeing the raised polished letters spelling a well know brand.

The Grand Seiko just takes the brand to a hight level, but in the end it is a seiko and nothing wrong with it either.

Yes I have owned Omega and Ulysses Nardin and having heard of the GS line by Seiko I feel no less pride, even being a quartz. And I am a strong lover of mechanical movements.

At this point in my life, being retired, I do not need to carry the upkeep costs of owning multiple mechanical movements.

My only kept mechanical timepieces are the Atmos clock mid 1960's and my loved Hamilton 992B Railroad pocket watch circa 1948.

I do have an Oris Pointer which needs attention still.

Hoping John Harrison isn't turning over in his grave!

 

[ljb187]

I think they did OK...it's top heavy but more in harmony with the round case/dial. Like I thought, it looks substantially better on the big/busier/bulkier models. The lonely text on the basic sport watches looks a bit like government work...How I rank 'em:

1. SARB-style dials: They should have stopped here. On a GS it would have been the magnificent pinnacle of the "It's just a Seiko" watch.
2. Imaginary 2017 GS / SARB hybrid: Keep Grand Seiko on top but ditch the GS altogether then add a few lines of pleasant, non-boastful text underneath.
3. Semi-imaginary ljb187 limited Domo edition: In design phase since around 2011...and not even MKII takes that long to release a watch.
4. 2017 version: Symmetry gives it a leg up on #5. Going forward owners will have to tell people "It's just a Grand Seiko" when asked. Anticipating a few years past that and we'll be able to neutralize quizzical expressions to that response by stating "You know, the line of watches Selena Gomez, John Mayer and that guy from Kiss endorse".
5. Pre-2017 version: Like a lot of my posts they had too many random words arranged in confusing and not entirely pleasing ways. Having said that the SBGA127 remains firmly at the top of my GS wishlist.

 

[DHPSU]

I wanted to purchase a Snowflake this year actually and i liked it the way it was. I have seen some Google adverts of the new Snowflake when i was on Hodinkee, dont know what to think about it. I like it but it doesnt feel as the old one.

I tend to agree. I just bought a SBGX115 this year and am curious what the "new" one will look like. It feels like the old way had so many years to fine tune the design that it really "worked". I am just glad I have no regret on my purchase based on all this new info. Hey, maybe since the SBGX115 only had a very limited run(since 2014) it may be more collectible. The snow flake is really nice, good luck with whichever you choose, new or old!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CM HUNTER]

Going independent. Completely separating themselves from Seiko. They are obviously heading towards a very intentional direction, and I'm now interested in GS.

 

[NorthMac]

Going independent. Completely separating themselves from Seiko. They are obviously heading towards a very intentional direction, and I'm now interested in GS.

^^ This. The gradual international rollout of the GS brand has been building up to just this decision - to truly compete with international brands, GS must be its own brand as well. The watches are receiving greater acclaim while gradually more people are educated as to the technical and craftsmanship capability of the best Japanese manufacture.

Related, many GS owners have complained about poor resale value of what they know to be stellar watches - this decision, and further success as a distinct brand, is the only way that the watch buying public will, gradually, value more what GS does.

 

[bluedialer]

It's still a Seiko watch that says Seiko with a "Grand" in front of it on the dial. Made in the same place, the same way they have been making them. I'm still not getting this "independent" talk and how Grand Seiko is suddenly so different now.

 

[T1meout]

It's still a Seiko watch that says Seiko with a "Grand" in front of it on the dial. Made in the same place, the same way they have been making them. I'm still not getting this "independent" talk and how Grand Seiko is suddenly so different now.

It has more to do with perception rather than change. Nothing has really changed, except for the dial configuration. They just want to be perceived differently and are trying to disassociate themselves from the parent company. Like a teenager whom is ashamed of his parents and would rather not be seen with them.

 

[bluedialer]

It has more to do with perception rather than change. Nothing has really changed, except for the dial configuration. They just want to be perceived differently and are trying to disassociate themselves from the parent company. Like a teenager whom is ashamed of his parents and would rather not be seen with them.

Ha, oh I see... And there are certain customers (the "cool" kids) out there who would never be friends with GS if they ever saw what dorks GS's parents are.

Or maybe it's more like certain "high society" people who would be put off by GS's low class riffraff friends and relatives.

 

[mleok]

Ha, oh I see... And there are certain customers (the "cool" kids) out there who would never be friends with GS if they ever saw what dorks GS's parents are.

Or maybe it's more like certain "high society" people who would be put off by GS's low class riffraff friends and relatives.

But, if they really felt that way, then the name "Grand Dork" probably doesn't really help their street cred.

 

[Toshk]

I absolutely hate the new logo.

They should have left GS where it was. Or even better remove it altogether, with just Grand Seiko on top. Preferably in the old VFT font!

Regret selling my SBGA127 and SBGV011 now... Fortunately I kept the SBGW047.

 

[T1meout]

Fortunately I kept the SBGW047.

In more ways than you could have anticipated.

 

[v1triol]

If they HAD to muck with it, they shoulda done this:



But alas the new logo is exactly as it appears on the SBGA031 photoshop above...

So true mate, so true...
I wish them all the best, means higher sale in boutiques and pre-owned watches to keep their value, but with the new layout there is too much blank area on the bottom of the dials.

 

[Boomerdw]

I would think that if Seiko wants to elevate the GS brand by eliminating the SEIKO that in the long run when the GS brand does reach higher resale values that the old SEIKO GS will be more valuable too.

In the end no matter to me I bought the SBGX119 to wear now and enjoy.

I never buy looking ahead for resale value.

I buy for the pleasure of myself.