[rileynp]

Well let's see...that Rolex uses silicon parts and the Seiko is a Spring Drive. This to me isn't classical watchmaking.

Which parts are silicon in the 3285?

 

[balance]

Interesting Read

Which parts are silicon in the 3285?

 

[chenpofu]

Interesting Read

yeah parachrom isn't silicon

 

[rileynp]

Interesting Read

As mentioned by chenpofu above, the Parachrom hairspring in the 3285 is not silicon. The 2236’s Syloxi hairspring is though (and is primarily found in women’s models).
Your linked article talks about Invar/Elinvar developments in hairspring construction. I wonder if there were people back at the time of that introduction who poo-poo’ed their use as being “not traditional watchmaking”, because they weren’t blued steel (and therefore much more susceptible to temperature and magnetic influence).

 

[balance]

I stand corrected. I am still learning. From what I understand Rolex is rumored to be transitioning to Syloxi in other models. Is this not the case?

I will still go with the Spring Drive in any case.

 

[csv]

no hesitation, the rolex. i will get a SBGE001 one of these decades, but really, there is no way no one doesn't take the batman over the grand seiko. =)

<* shark >>><

I did.

 

[csv]

I was actually in this predicament 2 years ago after coming into some funds to spend on a nice watch.
Prior to that I had owned a Yachtmaster, an older Presidential and a 16610 sub. All bought and sold.
I've also owned countless Seiko's and other brands.

My buddy had the new batman which he was nice enough to let me borrow for a couple days.
It never grew on me. It's a nice watch but it never gave me that feeling.
I also had a LUC Chopard GMT in the mix but never got to see it on the wrist.

I ended up buying the GS and had no regrets.
It was an absolute joy to wear.

Unfortunately I fell ill soon after and had to sell my entire collection.

But the one watch that I enjoyed over all in my collection was my 6105-8110. Cost aside it made me the happiest of the bunch. 😁

 

[Jokerlad]

I had a buddy who had one travelled all over the globe for business. He passed away from cancer at a young age. Shame. But he used it as intended.

It should be worn like your buddy did.
My mate locks it up in his safe ! He says he don't want the hassle of getting mugged ! Why buy it ? Investment ? Load of cobblers !

 

[Thesharkman]

I did.

I will get one sooner than later...maybe this year! The one thing I love about the GS gmts are that the bezel numerals glow in the dark. The other thing that swayed me to rolex first was the servicing issue I might have w/ a GS. When the SBGE001 came out, I believe it had to be sent back to Japan for servicing - a big turn off at the time.

<* shark >>><

 

[buildrepair7]

I'm a massive Rolex fan, and I have to say... If I already had a submariner I'd be tempted to take the GS. I saw one in person a few months back and its hard to look away. Took me a little time to get used to the reserve indicator

 

[Jokerlad]

This one makes me drool but only 500 were made. SBGE037

 

[CombatID]

Fun thread. My thots:

1. Rolex and GS are both fine watches. There is little to argue with this.
2. The two companies represent different philosophies in watch design, execution, and marketing. Their brands appeal to different consumers with some crossover.
My issues are:
A. I HATE the artificial scarcity and AD games you have to play dealing with even reasonable SS Rolex models. As such I won’t even consider a new Rolex. I refuse to play the game. Patek is similar, but with them it is true scarcity.
B. Both manufacturers restrict access to repair parts. Unless you are licensed by Rolex you don’t get parts. GS only works via their operations in Japan (as far as I know).
C. Rolex bases their business model on building exceptionally well built and conservative products. They are not high horology. Their movement finishing is similar to a mid level Seiko. This is one reason they dont have transparent casebacks. Their product line is intentionally simple. Compare the number of different Daytona models to Omega Speedmasters. There are no intentional LE Rolex. Innovation is incremental and frankly not that impressive. They are not JLC. But the brand is monetized like Bitcoin. It consistently ranks as the world’s most recognized brand. Their watches are bulletproof with a clear grammar of design.
D. GS works on a very different design philosophy that represents Japanese culture and heritage. GS is exceptional at examining the state of art of watchmaking and perfecting it (late 1960s chronometry trials). But with Tanaka the grammar of design at GS is multi-dimensional. No other company combines the engineering and art of design as one, and takes inspiration from their culture and geography to produce a product. What company would allow a single designer to continually head up a design idea for over 20 years? The result was Spring Drive: over 600 prototypes and 230 patents for a single caliber which is almost half that Rolex has registered for its entire history). It’s the single most important horological achievement since the Astron. But, it is not monetized well. GS looses its value rapidly.

For me it’s a decision between Omega and GS. But this is just me. This is why there are many opinions on what is best. It depends on perspective.


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[SennieG]

Fun thread. My thots:

1. Rolex and GS are both fine watches. There is little to argue with this.
2. The two companies represent different philosophies in watch design, execution, and marketing. Their brands appeal to different consumers with some crossover.
My issues are:
A. I HATE the artificial scarcity and AD games you have to play dealing with even reasonable SS Rolex models. As such I won’t even consider a new Rolex. I refuse to play the game. Patek is similar, but with them it is true scarcity.
B. Both manufacturers restrict access to repair parts. Unless you are licensed by Rolex you don’t get parts. GS only works via their operations in Japan (as far as I know).
C. Rolex bases their business model on building exceptionally well built and conservative products. They are not high horology. Their movement finishing is similar to a mid level Seiko. This is one reason they dont have transparent casebacks. Their product line is intentionally simple. Compare the number of different Daytona models to Omega Speedmasters. There are no intentional LE Rolex. Innovation is incremental and frankly not that impressive. They are not JLC. But the brand is monetized like Bitcoin. It consistently ranks as the world’s most recognized brand. Their watches are bulletproof with a clear grammar of design.
D. GS works on a very different design philosophy that represents Japanese culture and heritage. GS is exceptional at examining the state of art of watchmaking and perfecting it (late 1960s chronometry trials). But with Tanaka the grammar of design at GS is multi-dimensional. No other company combines the engineering and art of design as one, and takes inspiration from their culture and geography to produce a product. What company would allow a single designer to continually head up a design idea for over 20 years? The result was Spring Drive: over 600 prototypes and 230 patents for a single caliber which is almost half that Rolex has registered for its entire history). It’s the single most important horological achievement since the Astron. But, it is not monetized well. GS looses its value rapidly.

For me it’s a decision between Omega and GS. But this is just me. This is why there are many opinions on what is best. It depends on perspective.


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Hear Hear!! I could not have said it better.

If I had the funds, I would have both. But I think a fairer comparison is between GS and Omega. And again, I would have both!

 

[csv]

Hear Hear!! I could not have said it better.

If I had the funds, I would have both. But I think a fairer comparison is between GS and Omega. And again, I would have both!

Can I ask why you feel GS is better matched against Omega?
The GS is more refined than the Rolex. Don't get me wrong, the Batman is a nice watch but the GS is nicer.
Read some of the threads at TRF. This is the general consensus even with Rolex fan boys. And quite a few of those guys own both.
But now that I think about it, the new Omega's may be nicer than Rolex.😁

 

[SennieG]

Can I ask why you feel GS is better matched against Omega?
The GS is more refined than the Rolex. Don't get me wrong, the Batman is a nice watch but the GS is nicer.
Read some of the threads at TRF. This is the general consensus even with Rolex fan boys. And quite a few of those guys own both.
But now that I think about it, the new Omega's may be nicer than Rolex.😁

Very good point. I think both GS and Omega do not have a "drought", and if I wanted either, I could walk into a boutique and get one within a few weeks and not wait for months and years on a waiting list.

I agree with @CombatID on all his points. I really do like Rolex, but I think from a quality and technological standpoint they are inferior to both GS and Omega. And GS and Omega, in my view, are a much more even match. Just my tuppence worth.

 

[CombatID]

Very good point. I think both GS and Omega do not have a "drought", and if I wanted either, I could walk into a boutique and get one within a few weeks and not wait for months and years on a waiting list.

I agree with @CombatID on all his points. I really do like Rolex, but I think from a quality and technological standpoint they are inferior to both GS and Omega. And GS and Omega, in my view, are a much more even match. Just my tuppence worth.

I concur (well obviously) and I might even add that the more higher tier of GS is equivalent to JLC in innovation and execution. Both a GS and JLC are on my list to get at some point. I have the Omega Speedy CK2998 and just love it.


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[Jokerlad]