Question about dial swapping at Grand Seiko service center

1383 Views 14 Replies 7 Participants Last post by DialDreamer, 8 mo ago

DialDreamer

Hello,

I have a Sbga011 (Snowflake pre Grand Seiko split) so my dial says Seiko on the top half and Grand Seiko on the bottom half. I was thinking about sending my watch to the Grand Seiko service center in Japan for Zaratsu polishing and was wondering if they allow dial swapping to the new Sbga211 Grand Seiko Snowflake dial. Does anybody know?

Response from Grand Seiko below, another email said they haven't seen a zaratsu polishing quote below $1,000. Also the original dial will be returned to you.

Hello,

If you want Zaratsu polishing, your watch would need to be sent to Seiko in Japan. We offer a light polishing at our New Jersey service center. Once they receive and evaluate your watch we will contact you with the cost. We do have a $150.00 shipping fee to send your watch to Japan and back. You can have the new version of the dial on SBGA211 installed in your watch. Your cost for the dial would be $1050.00 plus labor.
Please refer to the below link to our service website for our address and information on how to send your watch to us.

Howtorepair - SeikoServiceCenter

Best Regards,
Grand Seiko Customer Relations
800-334-0962

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DialDreamer

Discussion Starter · #3 · 9 mo ago

BrianBinFL said:
I can't provide a link right off the top of my head, but I have seen a first hand account either here or on the GSOC that someone had an SGS dial replaced with a GS dial of the complementary post-2017 model. In other words, if you want your SBGA011 dial replaced with an SBGA211 dial, they should do it for you. If you decide to go for it, please keep us apprised of the progress.

That sounds great! I have the 2014 model. I sent an email to Grand Seiko Customer Service and am waiting for a reply. I also asked them for the costs on dial swapping and Zaratsu polishing the case. I'll keep everyone updated!

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DialDreamer

Discussion Starter · #7 · 9 mo ago (Edited)

Nokie said:
I too would be very interested in what they say and what the options are, so please do keep us posted.

Good luck.

This is the response I received. Another email response said they haven't seen an estimate below $1,000 to redo the zaratsu polishing. Also the original dial will be returned to you.

Hello,

If you want Zaratsu polishing, your watch would need to be sent to Seiko in Japan. We offer a light polishing at our New Jersey service center. Once they receive and evaluate your watch we will contact you with the cost. We do have a $150.00 shipping fee to send your watch to Japan and back. You can have the new version of the dial on SBGA211 installed in your watch. Your cost for the dial would be $1050.00 plus labor.
Please refer to the below link to our service website for our address and information on how to send your watch to us.

Howtorepair - SeikoServiceCenter

Best Regards,
Grand Seiko Customer Relations
800-334-0962

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DialDreamer

Discussion Starter · #8 · 9 mo ago (Edited)

BrianBinFL said:
I can't provide a link right off the top of my head, but I have seen a first hand account either here or on the GSOC that someone had an SGS dial replaced with a GS dial of the complementary post-2017 model.

In other words, if you want your SBGA011 dial replaced with an SBGA211 dial, they should do it for you.

If you decide to go for it, please keep us apprised of the progress.

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DialDreamer

Discussion Starter · #10 · 9 mo ago

BrianBinFL said:
That's good news. Now the question is - how badly do you want that post-2017 Snowflake dial?

The boutique that I emailed before the customer service center emailed me said "As per the dial swap, we strongly advise to keep your watch as original as possible as it would make it even more collectible, some customers are very fond of the Seiko dials. We do not know if the dial swap is possible, and we suggest you contact our service department directly on that topic at: " and it convinced me to keep the original dial.

I was thinking of if the titanium bracelet is worth it at $1,500 from Seiya Japan because mine is currently on the GS leather crocodile strap and GS deployment clasp, I love the strap but the titanium bracelet looks super nice. The bracelet just has some hit or miss reviews is all I am worried about.

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DialDreamer

Discussion Starter · #15 · 8 mo ago

NYCNIK said:
Depending upon the age I would say don't do it. Having a Snowflake with the double stamp, tells the world you had GS when most didn't know what they were about. Esp if you have a 2006 or an early edition snowflake. If it's from the 2010s, then you are spending 1000 bucks for not much return. You can buy snowflakes for mid-high 3000s these days.

I have the 2014 version, I am not going to change the dial, maybe I will try to trade it in and add cash to buy a sbgm235....if only it wasnt so thick =/. I currently have 3 watches I want. JLC True Seconds, GS sbgm235, Rolex Explorer I 39mm. I am leaning towards either JLC or GS because JLC has the nice movement with display back and GS has the nice whirlpool dial.

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