What is a "Grand Seiko"?
We get so many people asking us what a Grand Seiko is and what makes it different from a regular Seiko, so we are gonna tell you right now! Although the names imply that they are more or less the same thing, they definitely aren’t. An easy comparison would be Rolex and Tudor. They are both owned by the Rolex group but they are two separate brands which make different products. This is the same for Seiko and Grand Seiko. The are both owned by the Seiko Group Corporation but are very different brands. Grand Seiko is basically like Seiko’s big brother. To make it really clear, let’s look at the similarities and differences between the two.
Similarities
Kicking off with the similarities. Because they are owned by the same company, the two brands do have a similar aesthetic in terms of design. Their watches are fairly simplistic and have a classical look which is perfect for someone who likes a versatile timepiece which can be worn for a variety of occasions.
Another similarity between the two is that they are both known for being excellent value for money. Although there is a big price difference between them (which we will get onto later), watches from either of the brands have been said to perform very highly for their price range.
Differences
Now onto the differences, and there are quite a few. Most components of Grand Seiko watches are handmade by experienced and talented Japanese watchmakers. Because of the detail and care which goes into making these watches, they can take decades to be completed. Not only this but they undergo thorough manual inspections. Seiko watches, on the other hand, are machine manufactured to quickly pump out products. This doesn’t mean that Seiko watches are any lesser but it does mean they aren't produced to as high of a standard as a Grand Seiko.
Grand Seiko also use better quality materials than Seiko as their cases are usually made from high quality stainless steel, platinum or titanium, whereas Seiko uses industry standard, affordable stainless steel. This will still last pretty well but it’s no match for the materials used on its big bro.
When exploring which has the more accurate movement out of the two it depends on which movement specifically we are talking about. This is because quartz movements are typically more accurate than mechanical however Seiko also have their own superior movement, the spring-drive movement. However, if we are doing a straight forward comparison the Grand Seiko would come out on top.
As you could probably guess, all of these upgraded features which a Grand Seiko offers doesn’t come for free. Probably the biggest difference between the two is the price tag. Seiko watches are very affordable, ranging from £100 to £10,000 if you are going for their most expensive watch. Contrasting this, Grand Seiko range from around £3,000 all the way up to the hundreds of thousands. So yes, there is a very big price difference. This shocks a lot of people as they are so used to Seiko being associated with affordability. The difference in price also means that the two are competing at a whole different level of watchmaking. Seiko are compared with the likes of Casio and Citizen for example, but Grand Seiko is competing with the Swiss watchmaking big dogs such as Omega and Rolex.
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So now hopefully you know everything differentiating the two brands. If you’re stuck asking yourself “Which one is better for me?”, I believe it ultimately comes down to your budget. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Seiko watch they are stylish, durable, and perfect if you aren’t necessarily a watch enthusiast. However, if you have the budget available and want to treat yourself, then go for a Grand Seiko. I'm sure you won’t be disappointed either way. Have a great day :)