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Grand Seiko SBGA231 Titanium Spring Drive Divers Watch
Move over Rolex Sub Grand Seiko SBGA231 is the BEST
The ROLEX Submariner is no longer the king of the sport watches. The Grand Seiko SBGA231 Spring Drive diver watch in titanium is a better watch. The GS is more accurate, more comfortable on wrist, has better fit and finish and has a longer power reserve. The thermal properties of the titanium as well as the light weight (about 137 grams) make this watch exceptionally comfortable on wrist in all temperature conditions.
Also, the Grand Seiko needs less service and the sweep second hand is amazing to watch. The more you wear the GS diver the more you notice the attention to detail that the in-house hand construction allows. The entire watch is hand-made by the folks at Grand Seiko. Extreme quality is the norm. Stop by and see the large selection of GS watches at http://littletreasury.com - If you do, like me, you will leave with a new Grand Seiko on your wrist!
SBGA231 stats:
Case : High-intensity titanium Case back: Solid titanium
Glass : Sapphire crystal
Coating : Anti-reflection coating on inner surface
Lumi Brite : Hand and index
Case size : Diameter 44.2mm × Thickness 14.0mm
Bracelet size: 22mm (some say it's 21mm)
Movement : Caliber 9R65
Driving system : Spring Drive
Power reserve : Approximately 72 hours
Accuracy : ±1 per day (±15 seconds per month)
Clasp : Three-fold clasp with push button release
Water resistance : Water resistance for air diving 200m
Magnetic resistance : 4800 A/m (60 gauss)
Weight : 137.0 g
Remarks :
・Screw down crown
・Screw back
・Jewels: 30
・Power reserve display function
This watch meets the requirements of ISO 6425 – that’s the international standard for diver’s watches, which specifies, among other things, a unidirectional turning bezel, water resistance to a minimum of 100 meters, an ability to resist magnetic fields up to 4,800 A/m (60 gauss), and other standards for essential stuff like shock resistance, resistance to corrosion, and so on.
Many have asked why Seiko uses pins and friction collars or what they refer to as pins and pipes to hold links together in many of their high-end bracelets. This system allows for better movement of the bracelet in use and less wear on the links. Also, when compared to friction pins hold up better used over and over again. When compared to screws the pins and pipes are less likely to come lose when properly installed.
About the titanium used by GS: Is a Seiko proprietary alloy which is claimed to be 1.5 times harder than 316L stainless steel. Bright Titanium is used in the GS SBGA011 "Snowflake", SBGA031 200m diver, SBGC005 Spring Drive GMT chronograph, SBGE015 Spring Drive GMT and other models within the Seiko portfolio of premium brands.
As I have been told my YSERV, Bright Titanium (aka "High intensity titanium") does not have any special surface coatings or additional treatments. Its scratch resistance is about 300-350 in the Vicker's scale. Compare that to 316L stainless steel (180-200) and pure titanium (Around 100).
To give the watch the sheen and look of a stainless steel finished piece, thus avoiding the "dull" and "plasticky" look often associated with pure titanium watches.
To give the watch increased wear resistance properties. Titanium is far stronger than stainless steel, has superior corrosion properties, is hypoallergenic, has about 50% the total density of stainless steel and it is more durable. However, titanium in its "pure" form is softer and tends to scratch much easier than steel.
To allow the metal to be refinished when the watch is sent into service. The presence of surface treatments and coatings (Like DiaShield or Citizen's Duratect) make the refinishing process more difficult, although, these coatings provide essentially higher wear resistance properties.
Bright Titanium is not to be confused with Seiko's DiaShield surface treatment which is a special surface coating applied to pure titanium and it is available in a very limited selection of affordable Seiko watches. DiaShield has surface wear resistance in the 500-600 range in the Vicker's scale. Citizen's Duratect is even better with surface wear resistance measured in the 800-1200 region in the Vicker's scale..
The SBGA029G is the stainless steel version.
The SBGA031 is the older titanium model with SEIKO on the top of the face. The Grand Seiko Quartz Diver are models: SBGX115 SBGX117
Learn more at: http://www.craigshipp.com/grandseiko
Buy at https://littletreasury.com
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I take a first look at my Grand Seiko SBGN005 GMT with the 9f movement after 40 hours of use. This watch is very trim on wrist. It looks great and with a screw down crown and durable case and bracelet should make a great all-around watch that can easily go from dress to casual to sporting use. This watch could easily be a one watch solution especially for those who travel a lot. Yes, the bezel does look like the bezel on a Rolex Explorer and I say that's ok with me. For photos see: https://www.flickr.com/photos/areaguides/albums/72157691382291353 https://www.craigshipp.com/grandseiko https://littletreasury.com - Ask for Steve
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