Grand Seiko SBGM Owner Review : Endearing, balanced and generous

Clarification on the reference: GMT automatic SBGM245. There are watches that catalog photos do not always pay homage to or do not really attract more than that. This GMT is one of them. If I had missed a video or a fitting at the Paris Vendôme boutique, I would have missed it and yet.... So there are a number of GS that attract me, some that have become unobtainable or unaffordable such as the Peacock with its green hammered dial, itself a GMT. And then I came across this one - a little more modest (everything is relative of course) - I think it was a Youtube video from a fanboy in Singapore that most invited me to go and try it. For the description, I appreciate its proximity to the Rolex Explorer 2 and especially its differences with a thinner bezel although its 40mm case excluding the crown is close, this gives it a larger dial opening. What strikes me in general with GS and this one is not usual are the finishes. So from afar, it looks "not bad" but up close the magic (IMHO) works! I will not talk about the magnificent chamfers present on the cases and the handles (that some big brands would be wise to always apply IMHO ...), a finesse in the details passing by the indexes, a slightly sunrayed dark blue dial, a subtly two-tone inner flange to distinguish the hours of day vs. those of night. I come back to the case because the play of textures (brushed, polished, micronillé ..) are magnificent, also present on the bracelet also manufactured by GS. A real GMT moreover with adjustment and safe return back. The softness of the crown is also a detail both when winding the watch and when setting the hours / dates / minutes. A defect? probably the high weight due to materials or GS is not economical, a fixed bezel (is it a defect?...) .... In short, controlled dimensions, a pleasure watch. The Japanese no longer have much to envy/learn from their Swiss colleagues!