The Legend Diver lives up to its name.
A legendary watch, with an iconic design and whose codes have changed very little between the original and its recent reissues.
The one I bought, which is the reference prior to the current one, is the one that convinces best in this not easy exercise of bringing a watch from yesteryear up to date: slightly faded cream indices, domed sapphire crystal and subtle Milanese mesh bracelet contribute to a resolutely vintage aesthetic, all in a very practical 36mm package that still offers presence.
Many brands are trying their hand at neo-vintage these days, but few have succeeded as well as Longines with this watch!

Smart neo-vintage

When you think of Grand Seiko, many codes and characteristics quickly come to mind...
Zaratsu polishing, the Spring Drive movement, dreamlike dials that invite you to travel in the great outdoors...
The SLGA009 combines all of this into an absolutely exquisite watch.
Just looking at it is a spectacle at all times. Between the so-called "White Birch" dial whose level of detail surprises at every glance, and the "phantom" seconds symptomatic of the Spring Drive, we never tire of observing it.
A treat!

The quintessential Grand Seiko...

The Yacht-Master feels like the ugly duckling of Rolex.
Unknown, unpopular, more expensive and uneventful version of the Submariner? I personally see it as a more refined, versatile piece and, above all, recommend seeing it in real life before judging it.
This piece is simply stunning. I fell in love with it from the first contact and have absolutely no regrets about its acquisition.
The format is also pleasant, being available in 37mm for people with thin wrists like mine. The watch is also surprisingly thin, reinforcing comfort on the wrist.
I hope this review will encourage other people to go see it, but be careful! This ghostly sunray dial may grab you as it grabbed me...

Misunderstood? Underrated?

Unable to obtain the new configuration of the Datejust that I wanted, I opted for this neo-vintage reference from my year of birth. It is clear that the watch has aged better than me!

Indeed, it still looks great even if it had to be repolished. Even though it shows some signs of wear, in particular marks on the edges of the sapphire crystal, its timeless look and the additions of the 5-digit Datejust references (sapphire crystal precisely, but also the quick date function) make it a surprisingly viable watch for everyday use given its age. I particularly like this silver sunray dial, which often appears white in photos but which has an interesting depth in the light!

I took the time to investigate an offer with a jubilee bracelet that is still robust and without too much stretch. It is extremely light and very comfortable.

I will never tire of this watch, which also boasts of having introduced me to the world of Rolex!

Very iconic!

This watch was given to me by my aunt without me knowing that she owned it. It therefore carries a significant sentimental value, but is also very much to my taste stylistically and reminds me a lot of Breguet, which is a house that I love. 
In addition, it reminds me of my first watchmaking loves, because I almost started my adventure in mechanical watchmaking with a Maurice Lacroix.

An unexpected surprise in every sense of the word!

The story of Grand Seiko is closely linked to that of <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/seiko">Seiko</a>, the famous Japanese watch brand. However, Grand Seiko has a distinct identity as Seiko's premium division, focusing on watchmaking excellence, precision and refined aesthetics. Since its beginnings, Grand Seiko has strived to compete with the best Swiss watch brands, embodying Japanese know-how and developing its own vision of luxury watchmaking.
<h2 dir="ltr">History of Grand Seiko</h2>
The story of Grand Seiko dates back to the late 1950s, when <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/seiko">Seiko</a> decided to create a line of high-end watches to compete with renowned Swiss brands. The goal was to design and manufacture watches that met the highest standards of precision, durability and finish.
In 1960, Grand Seiko was officially launched, with the introduction of the Grand Seiko "First" model. This watch was equipped with a manual mechanical movement and was distinguished by its exceptional precision and readability. The dial features a distinctive logo, &ldquo;GS&rdquo;, which will become emblematic of the brand. The first Grand Seiko models were received with praise, not only in Japan, but also abroad. The watches were particularly valued for their unparalleled precision, reliability and clean aesthetic. Grand Seiko quickly gained a reputation for watchmaking excellence, rivaling established Swiss brands.
Over the decades, Grand Seiko has continued to innovate and improve its watches. The brand introduced high-precision quartz movements in the 1970s, which were considered the most precise in the world at the time. However, Grand Seiko has always maintained its commitment to mechanical movements, developing sophisticated calibers with complications such as chronographs, minute repeaters and tourbillons.
In the 1990s, Grand Seiko faced challenges due to the growing popularity of quartz watches and the decline of interest in mechanical watches. However, the brand has continued to produce high quality watches with meticulous attention to detail and precision, cementing its reputation for watchmaking excellence.&nbsp;At the turn of the 21st century, Grand Seiko experienced a renaissance. The brand was reintroduced to the international market, with particular attention given to the United States and Europe. Grand Seiko watches were now presented as luxury products, with distinctive designs and high-end finishes.
The Grand Seiko line has also diversified with the introduction of collections such as the Grand Seiko Heritage, Grand Seiko Elegance, Grand Seiko Sport and Grand Seiko Nature of Time. Each collection offers a diversity of styles and features to meet the tastes and needs of watch enthusiasts around the world.
Over the past few years, Grand Seiko has consolidated its position as an internationally recognized luxury watch brand. Grand Seiko watches are made at the Shinshu Studio factory, located in the mountains of Japan, where master craftsmen are committed to creating watches of exceptional quality. Each watch is assembled by hand and undergoes careful checks to guarantee its precision and reliability.
The constant pursuit of watchmaking perfection is a key characteristic of Grand Seiko. The brand has developed innovative technologies, such as Grand Seiko's alloy spring movement and Zaratsu polishing, which gives the cases an impeccable mirror-polished finish. These advances demonstrate the brand's commitment to innovation and superior quality.
Grand Seiko has also been recognized for its distinctive design, combining elegance and functionality. Watches often feature sleek dials with precise indexes and hands, providing exceptional readability. The cases are designed with balanced lines and highly polished finishes, adding a touch of sophistication to each model.
The Grand Seiko watch has become a symbol of Japanese craftsmanship and watchmaking excellence. The brand is proud of its motto "The Nature of Time", which reflects the deep connection between nature, time and the creation of each watch. This philosophy is reflected in dials inspired by nature, such as the Mount Iwate motif or the dials of the "Snowflake" series, which recall the beauty and purity of Japanese landscapes.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Grand Seiko watch cost?</h2>
Prices for new Grand Seikos change regularly and vary depending on the model. Most cost between $7,000 and $9,000 depending on the models and finishes. A Grand Seiko Spring Drive begins at $5,000, while a Grand Seiko Kodo Constant-force Tourbillon (limited to 20 pieces) costs no less than $370,000. The second-hand market is also an opportunity to look at to buy a less expensive Grand Seiko.
<h2 dir="ltr">Grand Seiko: The discretion of luxury Japanese watchmaking</h2>
In summary, the story of Grand Seiko is that of a Japanese watch brand which has established itself as a major player in the world of luxury watchmaking. With its commitment to watchmaking excellence, unparalleled precision and refined aesthetics, Grand Seiko has captivated watch enthusiasts around the world.
To choose the Grand Seiko model that best suits you, the Dialicious owners&rsquo; reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating different models through real customer experience. Check out the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_luxury_watch_brands">Ranking of the best Luxury watch brands</a>, including Grand Seiko.
(Updated January 2024)

Having been passionate about Japan since I was young, I mainly own watches from this country. As my first Grand Seiko piece, I wanted to acquire a diving model and I wanted to start this research/acquisition in the summer of 2022. It was a good fit with the calendar, the SLGA015 model was released in early August 2022. This is the first watch that I have pre-ordered in my entire life, which shows how important it is to me. I think I am the first in France to have it, the Place Vendôme boutique having kindly notified me on the day of receipt of this model. Several aspects seduced me in this Evolution 9 Diver 2022. First of all, its sporty/diver look. Its black ceramic bezel is magnificent, its all-titanium case and bracelet make it very comfortable to wear on a daily basis. The other point that really attracted me to it is its Spring Drive 9RA5 movement. Offering a comfortable 5-day power reserve, it is also extremely precise. From my observations, it loses less than a second per month, no more! It’s crazy. Its easily adjustable buckle (diving watch) is also very practical. Finally, the lumibrite is of very good quality. The experience at the Place Vendôme boutique is fabulous.

Grand Seiko SLGA015

SLGA007, THE Watch. When I saw it, I wanted it. GrandSeiko made me dream with its finishes and technology, its dials, the precision of the SpringDrive and its hypnotic second hand... unfortunately the SpringDrive had an 'ugly' power reserve on the dial. And then, they released THE Watch. The color, the dial, the case... an evolution of the SpringDrive with the power reserve moved to the back! I dreamed of it, they did it. In short... the difficulty was finding it as it went so quickly.

THE Watch

La marque SYE [Start Your Engine] a &eacute;t&eacute; cr&eacute;&eacute;e en 2020 par Arnaud Pezeron &agrave; c&ocirc;t&eacute; de Paris en France. La marque inaugure le Sport Tailoring au poignet. Elle propose des montres sport-chic de caract&egrave;re, fiables, ludiques et abordables inspir&eacute;es de l'univers de la m&eacute;canique auto-moto. La gamme comprend deux mod&egrave;les distincts, la <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/sye/mot1on_automatic_24">SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 </a>et la <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/sye/mot1on_chronograph">SYE MOT1ON Chronograph</a>.
Cette marque embarque une innovation sur le changement du bracelet disponible en acier ou en cuir. La montre n'offre aucun espace entre le bracelet et la boite d&ucirc; &agrave; l&rsquo;absence de cornes, ce qui am&eacute;liore son confort et sa portabilit&eacute;.
<h2 class="p1">Combien co&ucirc;te une montre&nbsp;SYE&nbsp;?</h2>
La gamme SYE comporte deux mod&egrave;les disponibles sur le site de la marque : La SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 est propos&eacute;e &agrave; partir de 750&euro;. La SYE MOT1ON Chronograph est propos&eacute;e &agrave; partir de 599 &euro;.
SYE est ind&eacute;pendante et produit plusieurs centaines montres par an tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Pour choisir une SYE qui vous correspond le mieux, les avis clients Dialicious sont une pr&eacute;cieuse ressource pour &eacute;valuer chacun des diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients.
Consultez le <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_francaises">Classement des meilleures marques de montres fran&ccedil;aises</a> dont SYE fait partie.
(Mise &agrave; jour Novembre 2023)

The brand SYE [Start Your Engine] was created in 2020 by Arnaud Pezeron near Paris in France. The brand is introducing Sport Tailoring on the wrist. It offers sporty-chic watches with character, reliability, fun and affordability inspired by the world of car and motorcycle mechanics. The range includes two distinct models, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sye/mot1on_automatic_24"> SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24</a> and the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sye/mot1on_chronograph"> SYE MOT1ON Chronograph</a>.
This brand has an innovation in changing the bracelet available in steel or leather. The watch offers no space between the bracelet and the case due to the absence of lugs, which improves its comfort and portability.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a SYE watch cost?</h2>
The SYE range includes two models available on the brand's website: The SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 is offered from &euro; 750. The SYE MOT1ON Chronograph is offered from &euro; 599.
SYE is independent and produces several hundred watches per year, all models combined. To choose an SYE that best suits you, the Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real customer experience.
Check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands">Ranking of the best French watch brands</a>, including SYE.
(Updated November 2023)

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