The Grand Seiko Appreciation Thread. Share your pics and stories!

[RBrylawski]

Has anyone sent their GS back to Japan for a full service and can report on it? Is it a Rolex level of service?

(I use Rolex as a benchmark as I think they consistently give the best overhaul service, compared to Omega/Swatch group, Tag, Zenith, even JLC, where some reports have been disappointing)

Where are you located? It's my understanding you don't have to send it to Japan. I live in the US and when the day comes I need to send mine in to the GS Spa, I'll use this directory:

http://www.grand-seiko.com/afterservice.html

[Whimsical Oracle]

Where are you located? It's my understanding you don't have to send it to Japan. I live in the US and when the day comes I need to send mine in to the GS Spa, I'll use this directory:

http://www.grand-seiko.com/afterservice.html

Thanks RBrylawski. I'm currently resident in England (until 2017). Thanks also for the link - that's answered some of my questions. I had thought that a GS returned to Japan for service goes back to the original person who assembled it, or is that a GS myth?

The paragraph on the polishing service is helpful, it sounds like they will give full attention to restoring cosmetics as well as overhauling the movement. I like the Japanese understatement "As time goes by, it is possible that you may scratch your watch slightly"... More than 'slightly', most likely for me!

Also interesting that they recommend wearing for at least 10 hours a day, is there a rationale for that?

[RBrylawski]

Thanks RBrylawski. I'm currently resident in England (until 2017). Thanks also for the link - that's answered some of my questions. I had thought that a GS returned to Japan for service goes back to the original person who assembled it, or is that a GS myth?

The paragraph on the polishing service is helpful, it sounds like they will give full attention to restoring cosmetics as well as overhauling the movement. I like the Japanese understatement "As time goes by, it is possible that you may scratch your watch slightly"... More than 'slightly', most likely for me!

Also interesting that they recommend wearing for at least 10 hours a day, is there a rationale for that?

I'm beyond anal/OCD, so while I will have had my GS for a year in a few weeks, mine has yet to get it's first scratch. Of course you don't want to know to what great lengths I've had to train myself to avoid scratches, but I'm pretty darn good at it!

I can only guess GS would think a GS is your only watch and wearing it 10 hours a day would keep the spring fully wound. That's what they invented watch winders for!

[Whimsical Oracle]

I've already knocked mine a couple of times since Christmas, although I can't see any obvious scratches or dings yet . I need to develop better hazard-awareness skills.

[Domo]

In the past, Grand Seikos went to the original assembler to be repaired. The serial numbering is used to identify who made it. That obviously won't be the case once they get the US service center running, but I also wouldn't put much thought into it - these practices were from when GS was a vanishingly low-production watch. In 2011, there were only 5 watchmakers who could make the SD Grand Seiko. Now there are 10.

As far as service quality goes, by all accounts they do a fantastic job. Just make sure you specify you want the case restored as well. There is a Japanese video around showing the restoration of a 9F GS, and the work they put into it is amazing, especially considering it's a quartz watch.

[RBrylawski]

I've already knocked mine a couple of times since Christmas, although I can't see any obvious scratches or dings yet . I need to develop better hazard-awareness skills.

I need to start a "How to not scratch your watch" school. Yes, that's it. I'll be rich!

[Whimsical Oracle]

I need to start a "How to not scratch your watch" school. Yes, that's it. I'll be rich!

You could start a thread!

[RBrylawski]

You could start a thread!

I wrote about my odd quirks many times on the "other" island. I'm not sure I have the energy to repeat myself on this........LOL

[bu11itt]

...In 2011, there were only 5 watchmakers who could make the SD Grand Seiko. Now there are 10...

WAIT JUST A GALL-DURN MINUTE!!!

Are you telling me Grand Seiko has had a 100% increase in the production line?!????!!??!?!? HELLO ROLEX!!!! So much for the "under the radar" watch... This is getting way too mainstream for me. Looks like I gotta sell mine now.

[Domo]

WAIT JUST A GALL-DURN MINUTE!!!

Are you telling me Grand Seiko has had a 100% increase in the production line?!????!!??!?!? HELLO ROLEX!!!! So much for the "under the radar" watch... This is getting way too mainstream for me. Looks like I gotta sell mine now.

AND they're already working on doubling the production area of the Shizukuishi studio. Grand Seikos are getting sooooo predictable. More like HELLO ROYAL ORIENT!