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HomeWatchesGrand Seiko SBGW305 vs. King Seiko SJE089

Grand Seiko SBGW305 vs. King Seiko SJE089

A duel between two branches of Seiko which have propelled the brand to new heights.

The history of Grand Seiko and King Seiko

The history of Grand Seiko and King Seiko dates back to the 1960s. At that time, Suwa Seikosha (Grand Seiko) and Daini Seikosha (King Seiko) sought to develop high-precision movements. Contrary to what many believe, this quest was not motivated by animosity. With the quartz revolution, this journey changed completely and Grand Seiko and King Seiko disappeared by the mid-1970s. Today, Grand Seiko is a premium brand that became independent in 2017, while King Seiko was relaunched in as a line in Seiko's catalog in 2022. Grand Seiko is a premium brand, while King Seiko bridges the gap between Seiko and Grand Seiko. But how close are they in the eyes of watch enthusiasts? You have the last word!

Jorg: Grand Seiko SBGW305

I love Grand Seiko because the brand focuses on the product. The watches are the real stars of the show. The brand does not seek to sell an image based on brand ambassadors or luxury marketing affiliations. It's about creating the best watches, and has been doing so since the 1960s. That's exactly why so many watch enthusiasts love Grand Seiko, and I'm certainly one of them.

What makes this Grand Seiko special

So what makes this Grand Seiko so special compared to similar watches in the collection, like the simultaneously introduced ivory dial SBGW301? The SBGW305 is one of those watches that, at first glance, catches your eye. Then, upon closer inspection, real enthusiasm sets in.

The combination of factors that makes it a winner:

  • Exciting and familiar monochromatic aesthetic
  • Traditional round case with silver sunburst dial and elegant rice grain bracelet
  • Meticulously finished case and bracelet
  • Grand Seiko movements are a key factor

    Another big reason is the movements. Moving from Seiko calibers to Grand Seiko calibers is a clear improvement. Robert-Jan's King Seiko SJE089 is powered by the very capable Seiko 6L35 movement, but it is no match for the Grand Seiko caliber 9S64 that powers the SBGW305. This hand-wound movement is superior in specifications, precision, construction and finishing. The 4Hz caliber offers a generous 72-hour power reserve, stopping seconds and an accuracy of +5 to -3 seconds per day, compared to +15 to -10 seconds per day for the 6L35.

    Price and quality

    You'll have to pay a hefty premium to get this Grand Seiko, which costs โ‚ฌ5,800 compared to โ‚ฌ3,400 for the King Seiko SJE089. But what you get in return is better and much more impressive. While I love that Seiko has resurrected the King Seiko name, there is still work to be done for King Seiko to truly bridge the gap between Seiko and Grand Seiko.

    Robert-Jan: King Seiko SJE089

    I love the history of Seiko and its Grand Seiko and King Seiko collections that clashed in the 1960s. Both completely disappeared from the brand's catalog by the mid-1970s. Grand Seiko made a comeback first with a quartz watch in 1988. King Seiko only recently returned, first with a limited reissue in late 2020/early 2021, then a series of regular production models a year later.

    The positioning of King Seiko

    While King Seiko and Grand Seiko were on the same level in the 1960s, today they play in different leagues. Grand Seiko is a high-end brand from Japan, and King Seiko targets a different audience. Before the reintroduction of King Seiko, the Presage collection was the closest to high-end Grand Seiko watches. King Seiko watches seem to be positioned between Presage and Grand Seiko, focusing heavily on Seiko's design language from the 1960s.

    Superb quality and finish for โ‚ฌ2,400 less than the GS

    If you want a Grand Seiko, you're not going to settle for less. However, if you're just looking for an impressive watch that demonstrates Japanese watchmaking skills, you don't need to spend more than โ‚ฌ5,000 these days. King Seiko offers just that โ€“ a beautiful heritage-inspired watch with mirror-polished surfaces, faceted hands and an incredibly comfortable and aesthetically pleasing bracelet.

    The Seiko 6L35 movement

    The King Seiko SJE089 has a diameter of 38.6mm and a modest thickness of 10.7mm. This means that it is approximately one millimeter wider than Jorg's Grand Seiko, but also one millimeter thinner. Inside there is a Seiko 6L35 movement, taking things (accuracy) a little more seriously than the 6R31 movement found in the more affordable King Seikos around โ‚ฌ1,800. Of course, it's still not a 9S (Grand Seiko) movement, and therein lies the main difference between the KS and the GS.

    Conclusion of the debate

    So, would you rather be big or king? The SBGW305 at โ‚ฌ5,800 is almost the most affordable mechanical watch in the Grand Seiko range, while the SJE089 at โ‚ฌ3,400 is at the top of the range for the King Seiko collection. The two watches are incredibly close in terms of finish, and the main difference is in the movement. Which one will you choose? Will you opt for the SBGW305 with a hand-wound caliber according to Grand Seiko standards or will you save money with the beautiful King Seiko equipped with the 6L35 movement? Vote now and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

    https://www. enviedevoyager.fr/voici-le-pays-le-plus-dangereux-deurope-pour-conduit-selon-une-nouvelle-etude/

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