Grand Seiko Chronograph
Discussion
Hi all, I have fallen for this watch and intend to save up for it. It costs around £3500 ish, just wondered what everyone thought? It features Seiko's Spring Drive movement, which I didn't know much about but having read up on it I am astonished by it. Please clicky here if you have a spare few mins. http://www.seikowatches.com/world/technology/sprin...
Below is a description of the making of the watch.
The Grand Seiko SBGC003 Spring Drive Chronograph GMT is an example of one of the most difficult timepieces to build at Seiko's Shinshu Watch Studio, in the Nagano prefecture of Japan. The 416 part 9R86 caliber found in the SBGC003 is all constructed by hand, by only 3 craftsmen at Shinshu Watch Studio. Only capable of building 2-3 movements per day, the 9R86 contains over 50 jewels, 140 oil points, and 5 different lubricants all made in-house by Seiko. The SBGC003 also utilizes a vertical clutch and column wheel, allowing for a more precise and durable usage of the chronograph. The Grand Seiko SBGC003 Spring Drive Chronograph, once only availbale in Japan, is now available in the USA with gorgeous black matte lacquer dial and stainless steel case and bracelet.
Below is a description of the making of the watch.
The Grand Seiko SBGC003 Spring Drive Chronograph GMT is an example of one of the most difficult timepieces to build at Seiko's Shinshu Watch Studio, in the Nagano prefecture of Japan. The 416 part 9R86 caliber found in the SBGC003 is all constructed by hand, by only 3 craftsmen at Shinshu Watch Studio. Only capable of building 2-3 movements per day, the 9R86 contains over 50 jewels, 140 oil points, and 5 different lubricants all made in-house by Seiko. The SBGC003 also utilizes a vertical clutch and column wheel, allowing for a more precise and durable usage of the chronograph. The Grand Seiko SBGC003 Spring Drive Chronograph, once only availbale in Japan, is now available in the USA with gorgeous black matte lacquer dial and stainless steel case and bracelet.
I have recently sold my Megane 250 and bought a Clio 182. As you might conjure, I have some money left over. Please help me!
Do I go all out and buy one new for £5.5k from the USA or get a mint second-hand one for £3.5k. Or knock the whole thing on the head and berate myself for even thinking about spending such a ridiculous sum of money on a watch?!
Do I go all out and buy one new for £5.5k from the USA or get a mint second-hand one for £3.5k. Or knock the whole thing on the head and berate myself for even thinking about spending such a ridiculous sum of money on a watch?!
Yes the 2nd hand one I'm considering bidding on is located in the USA, so I've got a maximum in mind including 20% VAT and import fees. It should still work out about £2k cheaper than new.
I suppose it's only brand new before you've worn the watch once, or even further - when Mr.Seiko watchsmith has finished the last piece.
I suppose it's only brand new before you've worn the watch once, or even further - when Mr.Seiko watchsmith has finished the last piece.
- In a Borat voice...."it's nice!"
Do I put my brave trousers on?! The most I've ever spent on a watch was £400 on a second hand Tag F1, most of my watches cost about £50-£150. I guess a Grand Seiko will always be worth a certain amount
Well I got outbid 
, it went for £3200 odd. I think I've decided to hold off and buy it new from America. It is $7700 RRP (about £4800 odd) in the Seiko boutique in New York, and I just so happen to be going there with Mrs Badger next May en-route to the 100th running of the Indy 500. If I get tickets! 
, it went for £3200 odd. I think I've decided to hold off and buy it new from America. It is $7700 RRP (about £4800 odd) in the Seiko boutique in New York, and I just so happen to be going there with Mrs Badger next May en-route to the 100th running of the Indy 500. If I get tickets! My logic rarely makes sense . Actually it was my other half saying she couldn't believe I was going to spend all that money on a second hand watch, so I thought what the hell, it's something I'll probably own forever unless I fall on hard times.
On our planned Road trip we end up in San Antonio, Texas and Timeless is near Dallas I believe, where we fly back from, so no doubt I'll be contacting both before we leave for the US of A. If we get damn Indy 500 tickets!
. Actually it was my other half saying she couldn't believe I was going to spend all that money on a second hand watch, so I thought what the hell, it's something I'll probably own forever unless I fall on hard times. On our planned Road trip we end up in San Antonio, Texas and Timeless is near Dallas I believe, where we fly back from, so no doubt I'll be contacting both before we leave for the US of A. If we get damn Indy 500 tickets!
mikeveal said:
Agree with others, bloody lovely. Whilst the pushers are a bit big they don't detract too much for me.
Don't forget that importing from the States will mean that you are liable for 20% import duty. HMRC have tightened up on packages from the US of A, if you get it delivered it is very unlikely that the package will go unnoticed.
If you're wearing it on your wrist as you return from your Indy 500 trip, you'll need to head for the red channel at customs in the UK, declare the purchase price and pay 20% on that.
I kinda like the pushers, and I like the fact they screw down, as I'm forever inadvertantly starting the chronograph on my Seiko daily watch when I tuck my shirt in!Don't forget that importing from the States will mean that you are liable for 20% import duty. HMRC have tightened up on packages from the US of A, if you get it delivered it is very unlikely that the package will go unnoticed.
If you're wearing it on your wrist as you return from your Indy 500 trip, you'll need to head for the red channel at customs in the UK, declare the purchase price and pay 20% on that.
Just a thought, how would they know I had bought the watch over there? When I went to the USA in 2012 I took my Tag Heuer watch with me so who's to say I didn't buy that over there?
Well if I have to then I have to, I guess it will still work out a few grand cheaper anyway. On that thought, surely there must be some sort of maximum allowable value to be brought in that you've acquired abroad. From memory, I know during our half Route 66 road trip I acquired a Navajo bracelet, bought from some Navajos near Momument Valley and a small cuddly toy Armadillo from Texas whom I named Judd Nelson. Both of which were 'smuggled' into the UK
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