Grand Seiko GMT - SBGN005
This review is not sponsored. The contents and photos are © to behindthelume.com / @watch_girl_life
Grand Seiko GMT, Quartz, Blue Dial, SBGN005
Why I jumped in
The Japanese brand, Grand Seiko, needs no introduction. And it is easy to see why the brand is so popular with so many watch enthusiasts.
As a watch enthusiast, I realise there are some amazing watches that fly under the radar.
When I started looking for a GMT watch, like many others, I had big travel plans for 2020. Europe, Asia, even travelling interstate into different time zones. I was looking for a watch that could travel with me and worked in with my active lifestyle, simple and clean, so when I looked at my wrist I had something that was perfect. My watch size sweet spot is 36-40mm depending on the shape of the watch. I find my 38/39mm watches sit on my wrist perfectly.
I found choosing a GMT was hard especially when I had a picture in your mind what I was looking for. Most GMT watches are too big or too expensive for me. I hope you don’t mind me saying so, many of the GMT style watches are over sized. Moving on.. haha.
Then the moment after so much research, that moment when I stumbled across the one!! The one that ticks all the boxes. Renowned for awesome quality and accuracy, the Grand Seiko GMT - SBGN005 did this for me. My obsession with blue dials with a pop that exudes style and character. This one just connected with me. The quartz stigma didn’t come into the decision. I have many quartz watches. As they say, buy what you like, not what others think.
Then my most important reason for buying anything - how I am treated as a customer. I am not sponsored to say so, however, I need to give the team at Wamada Jewellery a mention here. The customer service is amazing. From the first enquiry through purchasing the watch was amazing.
Find them on Instagram
What I love
The perfect watch for when we all start travelling again, or just as an everyday watch. Even for a staycation in our own countries, the 9F86 powered quartz GMT has dual timezones covered.
It is easy to fall in love with this watch. Even the date change 5 months of the year is easy to set.
Set and forget
The jump hour feature is cool
Accuracy
One of the most pleasing features is its accuracy @ +/-10 Secs per year.
The blue dial is sublime (if you prefer black dials then there is the SBGN003)
I can wear it for all occasions
100m water resistance means swimming is ok - see “watch outs” ⬇️
It is very comfortable to wear
The brushed steel on the bracelet
Clarity of the dial
Ascetically similar with the Explorer II
Value for money, YES!!
‘Watch’ outs:
Make sure the crown is screwed in tight before submerging it in water
No quick bracelet expansion
19mm lug with is a bit painful if you want to swap straps in for a different look
Lume is a bit average
The screw down crown, at first, was a little gritty
My rating out of 10: 8
Would I recommend it: It is a yes from me
What’s under the hood:
On the Exterior:
Exterior Case Material : Stainless steel
Material: Dual-curved sapphire crystal glass
Coating: Anti-reflective coating on inner surface
Lumi Brite: Lumibrite on hands and indexes
Case size: Diameter 39mm × Thickness 12.1mm
Lug width: 19mm
Lug to lug: Approx: 44mm
Clasp type: Three-fold clasp with push button release
Weight: 149.0 g
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: Equipped
Other details / Features :
24-hour hand (dual time display function)
Calendar-linked time difference adjustment function
Case back with lion emblem
Date display
Screw case back
Screw-down crown
Stop seconds hand function
