The best quartz watch I know, priced like it
By Kenji Watanabe, Osaka ยท
Quartz is not a dirty word in Japan. Seiko released the Astron in 1969, the first quartz wristwatch sold to the public, and the 9F family is the descendant that Grand Seiko still builds in-house at Shinshu with selected crystals aged before use.
The 9F85 is rated by Seiko at plus or minus 10 seconds a year, has a twin pulse system to drive the heavy hands, and changes the date instantly at midnight. That last detail is small but satisfying. I like watching it, the way I like watching a train arrive exactly on time at Shin-Osaka.
The SBGP011 is 40 mm by 10.5 mm, steel, sapphire, 100 m, blue dial, date. It looks like a mechanical Grand Seiko from across the table, with the same polished case and sharp hands.
Two doubts. First, 3,000 to 3,300 dollars for quartz will always be a difficult conversation with people who do not understand the 9F. Second, the solid caseback hides the movement, which is a shame because the 9F is well finished inside.
For a person who wants the time kept well, looks expensive in the quiet way, and will be fine after a month in a drawer, I recommend it without much hesitation.