If you are wondering if the Grand Seiko SBGA285 Heritage is worth it in 2024 then this is the most important review you have found today.
Are you on the market for a quality timepiece that lives to its hype and ticks all your boxes?
Then you’ll not be disappointed to check out the Grand Seiko SBGA285 that is generating a massive buzz among watch lovers.
From its impressive movement to its incredible dial to its fine finishing and overall engineering, Seiko’s SBGA285 is here to make a loud statement you simply cannot ignore.
While this gorgeous watch has won a lot of people over, thanks to its unique price point, what we have found fascinating about the Grand Seiko SBGA285 is its refined simplicity, its impeccable hands, and indices, as well as its unfussy case and bracelets, which sits quite comfortable on almost all wrists.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s take you through a brief history of the Seiko brand and why they are such a rare gem in the watch industry.
History of the SBGA285 Heritage
The Seiko brand has lived up to its promises of delivering top-quality timepieces.
Thanks to many years of watchmaking experience and impeccable craftsmanship, the company has kept pace with some of the biggest watch brands out there.
For starters, the Seiko brand was established by Kintaro Hattori, a 21-year-old Japanese citizen who started out repairing and building watches and clocks in his small shop at the Kyobashi district in Tokyo.
Thanks to his partnership with Tsuruhiko Yoshikawa, a renowned engineer, Kintaro Hattori established the Seikosha watch factory in 1892, at the age of 31.
Here, they both built quality wall clocks.
In 1895, the company came into the limelight with the launch of their first pocket watch, nicknamed the Timekeeper.
The successful launch of their first pocket watch spurred the company into new frontiers as they released other popular timepieces.
Following the success enjoyed by the Timekeeper, the company released their first-ever wristwatch, the Laurel, in 1913.
Unlike other watches from the company, this one bore the Seiko logo.
Its exceptional design, powerful movement, and practical design make this watch one of the most delicate pieces of its era.
Given their fascinating craftsmanship and fine engineering, the Seiko brand has managed to stay relevant, even as the brand enjoys a massive following globally.
Grand Seiko SBGA285 at a glance
The Grand Seiko SBGA285 features no crown guard and is powered by Seiko’s signature Spring Drive caliber.
Unlike other Seiko’s caliber, this one combines the high precision of quartz with the motive force of the mainspring to deliver a timepiece that remains unrivalled.
Featuring a 40mm case that sits nicely on the wrist, the Grand Seiko SBGA285 looks all shades of elegant while giving wearers that premium feels.
Together with its raised indices and impressive power reserve indicator, this watch screams elegance right from the get-go.
Additionally, the clear expanse of its excellent dial and its smooth movements combine to make this superb timepiece a must-have.
Design and comfort
The Grand Seiko SBGA285 remains unchallenged, and that’s because of its brilliant design and remarkable structure.
Like many Seiko watches, this one features a stainless steel case.
Plus, the case back and crown appear screwed down.
Besides spotting a case width of 39mm, this watch also features a 12.3mm thickness, which allows it to look dense and tightly packed.
Though it is a little heavy, it still wears and feels comfortable on the wrist.
The SBGA features a predominantly black dial that gives off a classy look in terms of the dial.
And because the dial is protected by high-quality dual-curved sapphire crystal, you can expect the watch to serve you longer than you imagine.
Dial and case
One of the fascinating things about the Grand Seiko SBGA285 is its unique markers, shaped like indexes instead of numbers.
This creates a compelling theme that makes the SBGA285 stand out from others.
Unlike other Seiko watches, the Grand Seiko SBGA285 is famous for its light and shadows, complementing the dial and markers.
And because it features hands that are uniquely designed like a delta, this extraordinary timepiece gives off a crisp and refreshing charm.
Thanks to being protected by Sapphire crystal, the Grand Seiko SBGA285 is more sturdy and scratch-resistant than other Seiko watches protected by Hardlex.
While its markers don’t have any Lumbrite material, we still like that the dial is sizable and easy to read.
Plus, it features a functional date window at the 3 o’clock position.
Movement
The Grand Seiko SBGA285 is powered by Seiko’s signature 9R65 caliber spring drive, which has been lauded for its accuracy.
In terms of accuracy, the SBGA285 doesn’t disappoint, and that’s because its accuracy is up +/- 5 seconds per month.
Another fantastic thing about the Spring Drive Movement of the SBGA285 is that it runs with minimal deviation when exposed to magnetic fields.
Strap/bracelet
The SBGA285 features a three-fold stainless steel bracelet with an accompanying push button that makes the watch easy to wear.
Thanks to its easy-to-use push button, you can fasten and undo the timepiece within a blink of an eye.
Another thing we love about the stainless steel bracelet is that it feels comfortable.
Price
The Grand Seiko SBGA285 may not be the most expensive timepiece out there, but guess what?
This watch doesn’t come cheap either.
As a matter of fact, it is one of the most costly Seiko watches we have come across.
As per pricing, the SBGA285 costs a whopping $3,800 on some retail websites.
Pros
- Features automatic movement
- Unrivalled accuracy
- Impressive dial and mesmerizing engineering
- Water-resistant up to 100m
- Scratch-resistant and protected by Sapphire crystal
Cons
- A tad expensive
- It is a little chunky
Frequently asked question
Is Grand Seiko better than Rolex?
To be honest, both of these watch brands produce some very high-end watches.
And even though the Grand Seiko is at par with some of the most established Swiss high-end luxury watches, it still trails the Rolex in many ramifications.
Does Grand Seiko Hold Value?
Because of its luxurious design and fine finishing, the Grand Seiko is built to retain its value.
As a matter of fact, the Grand Seiko Snowflake is believed to maintain its worth and sells even more pre-owned watches than new ones.
How long will a grand Seiko last?
The Grand Seiko is sturdy and built to last.
We have read of instances where Grand Seiko watches were able to maintain functionality for up to 50 years.
