Grand Seiko is an award-winning watchmaker that has earned unparalleled respect from watch collectors worldwide. As a subsidiary of Seiko, the brand incorporates the technological excellence of all Seiko watch brands. Its watches are known for high quality, precision engineering, and beautiful design.
Unlike most watch companies, Grand Seiko comes from a culture of Japanese craftsmanship and innovation that has gone largely unrivaled in the watchmaking industry. Innovative and stunning, the brand has been at the pinnacle of Japanese watchmaking since it first entered the market in 1960. Until now, this luxury watch brand continues to disrupt the world of watchmaking. With its impeccable reputation for quality and accuracy, they're a favorite among collectors and watch enthusiasts alike.
While these watches are the ultimate choice for the discerning watch enthusiast, it may become a bit complex when you're trying to figure out the perfect one. That's why we're going to dive deeper into Grand Seiko and go over some of the best timepieces that this Japanese brand has to offer.
Before you begin your quest for Grand Seiko ownership, let's first take a glance at the company's mind-boggling history.
The history of Grand Seiko goes back to 1960. It was Suwa Seikosha’s (the manufacturing arm of the Seiko Group) determination to excel that brought about the creation of this luxury brand. His goal was to develop collections that could compete with Swiss watchmakers to challenge the belief that only Swiss watches were luxury timepieces back then. His team wanted their timepieces to be considered some of the best watches in the world. Thus, the brand’s designers and engineers strived for "perfection," which resulted in precision, durability, and aesthetic qualities.
Grand Seiko is a Japanese watch brand that has been around for more than 100 years. It originally started as a subsidiary of Seiko but became its own company in 1960. Grand Seiko watches are known for their high level of quality and craftsmanship.
Since its inception, Grand Seiko has unveiled its new line of watches, which took the brand's obsession with craftsmanship and precision even further. This has made the company win multiple awards from organizations such as the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (an award given to the most well-designed watches) and several others. In 1968, it was the first Japanese watchmaker to win an award in the prestigious Geneva Observatory competition.
Following that win was the launch of their first Grand Seiko Quartz in 1988. The brand’s unique approach to crystal creation gave them an unprecedented advantage in performance, helping them to pass extreme tests of temperature, humidity, and shock. Like its first timepieces, this line performed well and evoked a sense of intrigue among collectors.
Seven years later, the company was hard at work on perfecting its mechanical watches with new models featuring the 9S movement. Meanwhile, the Spring Drive line revolutionized the world of watches when it debuted in 1999. Due to the company and designers' determination to produce the "ideal" watch, this model took 20 years to develop and more than 600 prototypes were created. Again, this is a testament to the brand’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of watchmaking technology.
It's no doubt that in an industry dominated by Swiss and German competitors, Grand Seiko is a force to be reckoned with. Its story outlines the brand's history, unique approach to design, and philosophy of perfection. With quality and performance, it delivers a precise and reliable timepiece that you'll wear for life.
When wristwatch fanatics begin the search for their dream watch, many of them start with the big name brands. While the big brands might be your first choice, they’re probably not going to be your last. In fact, as watch dealers, we noticed that collectors tend to come back to Grand Seiko.
The best thing is that whether you’re buying a new or used Grand Seiko, the watch gives you the best value for your money. With proven quality, each Grand Seiko timepiece is designed to retain (or if not increase) its value over time, making them a valuable purchase and investment of prestige.
Many watch aficionados appreciate the Grand Seiko watches due to:
On top of that, Grand Seiko offers all these at an affordable price point compared to its rivals like Rolex, Omega, and other Swiss luxury watch brands. Like its rivals, the brand also offers a diverse selection of models to suit your personality and preferences.
As a relatively young watch industry, Grand Seiko continues to innovate. The company has released numerous models that have received high reviews. Below are some of the best models that deserve a spot in every watch lover’s collection.
The Grand Seiko SBGJ249 draws inspiration from one of Japan’s yearly seasonal phases, sekki, and specifically, the Shōsho. As such, this elegant timepiece features a wave pattern on the dial, inspired by the ripples created on the summer lakes of Japan during this season. It houses a hand-wound 9S65 caliber self-winding mechanical movement that yields a 48-hour power reserve.
This exquisite Grand Seiko is the perfect addition to any watch collection. Its GMT hand means you’ll never have to worry about coordinating multiple time zones again. With a case diameter of 39.5mm and a finely brushed outer dial, this timepiece is sure to make a statement.
As mentioned, Grand Seiko watches are renowned for accuracy, longevity, and functional beauty. The 20th-anniversary limited edition SBGA403 is no exception to this legacy, featuring a unique movement that provides effortless accuracy. Its Spring Drive movement represents the ultimate form of the brand’s expertise in both traditional mechanical movements and quartz technology.
Crafted from lightweight titanium, this masculine timepiece combines the high-shine luster of brushed titanium with a textured dial reminiscent of a lion’s mane. Additionally, the beautiful sapphire crystal and tough ceramics of the bezel add to its attractiveness while maintaining durability.
This collection celebrates the arrival of spring in Japan with a lush green dial decorated with rose gold accents to mirror wild cherry trees and their sakura blossoms. Fashioned in a way that resembles the millions of cherry tree leaves that blanket Japan’s slopes, this collection evokes an aura of unrestrained elegance.
To truly set it apart, the addition of a green dial gives it a refreshing look that makes it stand out from others. In the bezel, a warm rose gold displays the "GMT" designation and 24-hour hand. Indeed, the SBGJ251 is a must for functionality and to accentuate your look.
Every detail of this men's watch has been designed to distill the beauty and craftsmanship of Grand Seiko. The dial mirror-polishes to a remarkable shine, creating a textured pattern that mimics the stillness and shimmer of snow on a winter morning. Featuring a case inspired by the 62GS, it symbolizes the elegance of the company's early days.
Moreover, this heritage collection boasts a 9R65 Spring Drive movement, a zaratsu movement chamber, and a titanium case. It has been carefully crafted to pay tribute to the timepieces of yesteryear with modern functionality and 21st-century styling. For sure, this timepiece will turn heads with its powerful expression, while remaining refined and functional.
One of the rarest Grand Seiko timepieces, the SMGW273G is a stunning special edition that elegantly exudes understated luxury. This model highlights Grand Seiko's renowned optical precision with hand-faceted markers and hands, as well as its ideal functionality with a dial texture that magnifies the time display. The high-frequency movement also ensures accurate timekeeping.
Powered by the groundbreaking caliber 9S64 movement, it's constructed out of stainless steel and has a crocodile leather bracelet. Other features include 72 hours of power reserve, anti-magnetism up to 4,800 gausses, and accuracy up to +5/-3 seconds per day. Overall, this model is an example of creativity and craftsmanship at its finest.
In general, Grand Seiko watches are known for their high quality, precision engineering, and beautiful design. They are also renowned for their affordability, which makes them a great choice if you're looking to buy a high-end watch without spending thousands of dollars on it. It doesn't matter if you're a sophisticated man of the world or a daring adventurer, you can own a piece of excellence with the Grand Seiko watch collection.
For a rare and special timepiece, explore our collection of pre-loved Grand Seiko watches today. Though our selection is mostly pre-loved, we guarantee that these were meticulously examined for authenticity. These timepieces are made to last a lifetime and are only available in limited quantities, making them highly sought-after.