[maybeags]

Dear audience,
first apologies if posting in wrong forum - I have made reasonable attempts to post this correctly and without duplicates. I have read hundreds of posts, images, and now I feel informed enough to dare put forward a request for knowledable advice.

Background

I have done something right, and have decided to spend - first time ever - on me, myself and I. I am travelling the world, and have decided to go for a watch that signals the following: Professional achievement but no bling. Recognizable only for those who understand watches. Functional first.

Requirements on watch

It must 'fit' to a VP position in a larger global position.
Yet, it must NOT alienate all our hard working people, whom we ask to consider costs.
It should last a long time.
Culturally, it must work in Scandinavia (everyone is equal), Eastern Europe, but also Myanmar, China, India, Thailand.
Climate wise, it must thus work with a normal operating temperature from about minus 10 C (winter in Scandinavia, worn under outdoor clothing and gloves, possibly some sweat) to warm and humid conditions.
I have a quite narrow wrist and Scandinavian light colors - looks must work with that and light colored shirts.

Analysis so far
A GMT watch is a must.
No batteries to change.
Like: Grand Seiko SBGE001 or Sinn U2

And here comes the questions

Is the Sinn U2 all right given my requirements?
Sinn seems to research alternatives to ETA movements. Possibly conflicting with my requirement for 'last long time'?
Does the Spring Drives handle the colder climate well enough? I like the GS partly because of its accuracy, and as I understand it from reading the manual, I feel concerned enough to ask for real life experiences.

 

[maybeags]

Forgot one item in my analysis section: A narrow wrist but strong hands and lots of keyboard use results in that there should not be any sharp items around 3 o'clock, beacuse they tend to harm my hand, as the watch will move close to the hand instead of resting on wrist.

 

[jkpa]

I can't answer your technical question but GS by a landslide if it were me. Nothing quite says quality over "bling" like a GS IMO. Only those in the know will know.

 

[Eeeb]

The Spring Drive is a non-thermocompensated quartz controlled watch. Variations in temperature will cause variations in time keeping capacity. But it will still be more accurate than any mechanical watch.

 

[maybeags]

Hi Eeeb,
thank you for extremely fast answer!

I do understand there will be variations. However, I am uncertain to what extent. I have not been able to find any real-life data from this scenario. Basically: Can I spend 30-60 minutes each way to work in cold climate, or will I become frustrated because of degree of accuracy change?

 

[Jon Ali]

I think it is no problem, the watch is close to the skin and do not get that cold.

 

[lethaltoes]

Why SEIKO Spring Drive? | Spring Drive Spacewalk | SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION

For skinny wrists and a less ostentatious choice, the sbge009 would be my recommendation though. Cheers!

 

[lethaltoes]

I think it is no problem, the watch is close to the skin and do not get that cold.

Wonderful pic Jon! Cheers!

 

[Mark355]

Is there a finer watch as understated as Grand Seiko? I submit there is not. People will will just see it as a Seiko, albeit a nice one.

 

[lvt]

Buy a quartz watch with the new Ronda 715Li movement, it has a 10-year Lithium battery.

 

[samanator]

For me the 42mm Rolex Explorer II is the watch of choice. Most people never even realize it is a Rolex and it is one of the best watches for the money, has a GMT function and can take adverse environments. Buying a solid, reliable watch that holds its value also shows fiscal conscience.

I've had Spring drives for nearly seven years now I would not worry about their performance. Remember it is still 95% a mechanical watch with electronic regulation (governing).

Any Ball watch in the Engineer series also is equipped with oils designed to work in extreme temperatures. Maybe a world time watch?

Given how many places you listed a Seiko Astron my be the best choice. This watch determines where it is via satellites and sets the time to where you are. It comes in many flavors. Since it it solar powered quartz it require very little effort on your part.

 

[adi4]

Not as accurate as the Spring Drive, but the beautiful GMT Hi-Beats (this one is the SBGJ003) that Seiko just came out with might work. Understated elegance and incredible technology in my opinion:

 

[ken_sturrock]

The Spring Drive will be fine. The timing changes are related to how much & how long the watch is away from "wrist temperature". In other words, wearing the watch in the cold, under clothing, for about an hour at a time is very different from wearing one diving in a polar sea on the outside of a wetsuit. As for the real-world magnitude of the change - it's very little. Clearly, your colleagues with traditional quartz / electric motor watches aren't running late by a gross amount.

As far as being "fit for a VP" and not "alienate people": Don't over analyze it, you'll go mad.

They are both great watches. Remember to consider cost, support and service.

 

[Timeless: Now WoS]

The spring drive (or any GS for that matter) will do what you need. It will be affected by temperature, but to a very small amount (very unlikely to be able to observe the difference on a day to day level), and at any rate, mechanical watch accuracy is also affected by temperature, so barring thermocompensated quartz (like the Grand Seiko 9F), temperature changes will inevitably result in minor deviation. But an SD will still be more accurate than any mechanical and many quartz watches.

For an executive, I'd probably recommend something a little dressy. I think my favorite pick for this occasion would be the SBGE005:

You can read a review of it we did here: Grand Seiko SBGE005 Review @ Timeless Luxury Watches

A couple of real life shots:

An alternative might be the SBGE011:

But that's a little more sporty.

Also don't forget Grand Seiko's new Hi-Beat GMTs, the SBGJ series. Those should be extremely accurate, albeit less than an SD, and are gorgeous. Some of Ariel Adam's photos:

You can read a little more about them here: Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36,000 GMT Watch Hands-On | aBlogtoWatch

Hope that's helpful.

 

[124Spider]

Any GS will be fine in any place served by commercial air service.

The difference in time-keeping will be a matter of a few seconds per month slower in cold conditions that in warm conditions. My SBGE001 is dead on when worn 24/7, and loses about 4 seconds per month when worn half time in the winter.

 

[Nokie]

I took my Spring Drive with me to Alaska this last winter for two weeks and despite temps well under freezing, no issues whatsoever with it.

 

[Eeeb]

I think it is no problem, the watch is close to the skin and do not get that cold.

Even in Antarctica watches worn on the skin keep accurate time. If the watch gets cold enough to stop working, the human to which it was attached has probably already stopped working...

 

[npulaski]

If worn under your clothing against the skin, the watch won't get very cold; you're body temperature will keep it worn. Variations in temperature will change the timekeeping, but it will probably be something on the order of a number of seconds per month; the change will be so small you won't notice it.

For a VP position, I'd definitely go with the GS over a Sinn; Sinns are great watches, but much more toolish looking, so less versatile with business attire.

 

[Domo]

SBGE025 anybody?

 

[Robotaz]

Good grief. Seiko put the spring drive in the Landmaster, which is designed to go anywhere on land, literally. I think we can trust them that it's an acceptable movement for performing in the cold if it's made to go to the highest mountain on Earth.