The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Altair, with your budget the exploring is undertandable. Considering you have already gone through an exponentially higer amount of $$ in watches than I will ever own, I can safely say even for $100 I wouldn't buy one!

If you handle it in person, that perception may quickly change

Seiko has a very rich and varied horological history, even more impressive than that of many Swiss powerhouses and light years away from any so claimed history and tradition from startup boutique brands.

See "A Journey in Time: The Remarkable History of Seiko" below:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/12811123/A-Journey-in-Time

Enjoy the read!

I also own a couple of Seiko Anantas and a new Grand Seiko 9F83 quartz and don't necessarily subscribe to the thinking that all GS watches are copies of Rolexes and Omegas. They have they own distinctive and unique Japanese flavor and fit/finish that clearly surpasses any of them. My problem with most GS, specially Spring Drive models, is their high cost. And this is where the Ananta line comes in...... Fit/finish that is very, very close to that of Grand Seiko, Avant Garde and forward thinking case design, superb spring drive movements and they can be had here in the United States for nearly 40% off the cost of a comparable Grand Seiko equivalent. People don't realize the tremendous value proposition of Anantas vs Grand Seikos. It is just mind boggling.

The down side of the Anantas are the size, weight, design are not for everyone. Also, if you want a purely high grade mechanical movement, Ananta doesn't really offer one outside of the caliber 8r28 automatic chronograph. The calibers 6r21 and 6r24 used in the entry level Automatic Anantas are nice and all, but they are not Grand Seiko 9S league mechanical movements. If you want a high end mechanical Seiko with a movement rated to -5/+3 secs per day and regulated/adjusted in all six positions plus temperature, you have no choice but to look at the Grand Seiko and Credor lines. Again, if you want a Hi-Beat 36,000 BPH mechanical movement, again, Grand Seiko is your only choice.

The saving grace of the Ananta are the Spring Drive movements (Calibers 5r66 (GMT), 5r67 (Moonphase) and 5r86 (Chronograph)) and the 8r28 purely mechanical automatic chronograph with column wheel and vertical clutch.

Now, if I want a high end quartz Seiko watch, Ananta doesn't offer that either. My choices are pretty much drown from the Grand Seiko portfolio with the 9F quartz movements (Rated to -/+ 10 seconds per year and 50 year service intervals).

As you can see, Grand Seiko and Ananta are not mutually exclusive and both have lots to offer to those of us that are not seeking to buy watches to impress others, but ourselves, and have a deep appreciation for the absolutely best Japanese horology has to offer in a high quality and innovative package.

My perception is different than yours then, I see limited originality in terms of design and none in terms of model categorization and functionality . But then again these are just that, perceptions, if that doesn't bother you then who cares what others think?

Let me just clarify that I do think that ever model GS is superior to the Rolex "originals" or "counterparts", maybe not the diver Vs. the Deepsea as the water rating is too low on the GS, but as far as the Datejust Vs. Seikojust there is no competition, my new snowflake is a remarkable watch and the attention to detail far surpasses Rolex, and even is at least on par with brands like Jaeger (coming from an avid JLC fan like me thats saying something) if not superior. I also think that when quality and finish is concerned the GS dress models are on par under the loupe with entry level Pateks, at least I couldn't tell a difference under the loupe in terms of finishing quality (though technique and visual decorations are evidently different)

I intend to do a comparative review of the Snowflake GS Vs the Rolex Datejust Vs a Jaeger Reverso 976, there are sections where the Seiko eliminates the competition, but when it loses, it really does.

About the new 36,000 models, you are a lucky person! How much did you get it for? I am looking to get a black dialed one myself, that might be one of the top best ten traditional movements ever made.

I still feel that Seiko is a big soulless corporation, at least Rolex tries to mask it to a degree, but to simply make a watch in every possible pricepoint screams "hey how can we make more money?" rather than inspire a sense of dedication to quality, persevering of image, or loyalty to heritage.

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Certified watch nut.

Altair, my new Grand Seiko is a quartz model, the recently released SBGT037 with the 9F83 day/date movement....