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Six months later: Am I still in love with my Grand Seiko SBGM247? Six months later: Am I still in love with my Grand Seiko SBGM247?

Six months later: Am I still in love with my Grand Seiko SBGM247?

Ricardo Sime

Recently, I’ve made a habit of fantasising about forever watches in my collection. It’s something I feel should exist at the core of every collector, regardless of what they collect. I find the thought of owning something for so long that it becomes synonymous with you classically romantic. Yet, I’d be remiss in not acknowledging that in it’s current state, watch collecting has become more about value retention and flipping. Sprinkle in hundreds of new releases yearly, and you can understand why many people don’t hold on to their watches. Which is why it’s the perfect time to update you all on how I feel about my Grand Seiko SBGM247.

My forever watch?????

For months now, my GS has dominated the time on my wrist. From brand outings to Watches and Wonders, it’s the one watch I can count on to work in any situation. That versatility, was one of the main reasons why I bought the watch in the first place. Even with a green dial, the subtlety of it’s hue means that it still pairs well with a ton of straps. Whether it’s the green rubber above or the orange leather strap below.

The case is another part of the Grand Seiko SBGM247 that makes a compelling argument for watch collection longevity. The highlight for me is the use of brushed finishes on surfaces that are prone to getting scratches. And after six months of heavy use, that has come in handy. Barring the strap-changing scratches on the underside of the lugs that are near impossible to avoid, the watch still looks mint. Nothing on the top of the lugs or on the bezel. And the icing on the cake? Movement-wise, I’ve had no issues. The watch averages +-3 seconds a day. In the crown up position, it’s a dead accurate 0 seconds.

Grand Seiko SBGE285

So in terms of the actual watch, I really have no complaints. However, what has got me questioning how long this watch will last is some of Grand Seiko’s other releases this year. At Watches and Wonders alone, the brand released not one, not two but four new GMTs. Of the four, SBGE285 (above), with its snow-like textured dial, had my poor GS shaking in its bracelet. The watch represents a multitude of the brand’s hallmarks: the dial, spring drive and the new Evolution 9 case. It’s a flagship watch that many a Grand Seiko fan would love to own.

Which now leaves me in a pickle. My Grand Seiko SBGM247 these last six months has become my calling card. At meetups, the watch, from being regularly displayed on my Instagram page, is how many people are first introduced to me – initially at least, I’m the man at the end of that Grand Seiko. Which creates this link between the watch and me. Yet if I’m being honest, the SBGE285 is the watch I probably would have picked had both watches been released simultaneously.

Does that mean I sell my SBGM247? Do I hold on to it and save to get the SBGE285 as well? Decisions, decisions, decisions. And ones that I’m not quite ready to make.

But what about you? What would you do in my shoes? What have you done in a similar situation? Email me at [email protected] and let me know.