Seiko Club Singapore Museum

Planning to get a Grand Seiko...

yrh0413
Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
Hi guys, it has been quite a long while since my last visit to SeikoClubSG. I bought a Seiko SRP043 (Spork if you still remember) 4 years back and it still looks pretty new although SS bracelet is showing obvious scratches. Fitted it with a sapphire crystal from Yobokies just 4 months back after I scratched my Hardlex against a server rack.



Its end of the year (again), butt itchy to reward myself after a long, tiring year. Was looking at getting a Submariner (no-date) but I kindda prefer getting a GS instead.... mainly for the finishing and the SD movement. Went to Seiko Boutique and eyeing on the SBGE001 (GMT SD Diver), but price is stupidly high (S$2k more) even after discount as compared to what Seiya has quoted me.



I am exploring the option of getting from Seiya/Higuchi, but I am not too keen on buying something so expensive without examining it beforehand. I have an upcoming trip to Bangkok (BKK) in Jan 2015 and I wonder if anyone here knows GS pricing is more attractive over at BKK?



My current Seiko SRP043 says "Hi", can't imagine it still looks mint after 4 long years; I wear it everyday! :D

yrh0413
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
... made payment to Higuchi, now the dreadful long wait... :D
TheChef
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...

"yrh0413"

... made payment to Higuchi, now the dreadful long wait... :D


What did you buy?
yrh0413
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
GMT diver, SBGE001. Used to be over well over $7k early this year but thanks to weak Yen I saved over $1.5k
lunarin79
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
congrats on a fine purchase, you will not be disappointed.



some teaser pics to tide you over :oops:



































and no, I dun own this sbge001 :lol:



but it wears very nicely on my 6" small wrist 8-)
TheChef
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...

"yrh0413"

GMT diver, SBGE001. Used to be over well over $7k early this year but thanks to weak Yen I saved over $1.5k


Amazing. Congrats bro.
rojakman
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
Congrats bro. A very nice piece. :-)
yrh0413
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
Thanks for sharing the pics lunarin79, Yeap that's the model I am getting. I tried this model at Seiko boutique but unfortunately local price is like 100% than what Higuchi quoted me... Shown the sales lady my email quote and she feedback to her superior over the phone.



Really dislike trying it at shops then buy from elsewhere, I am ok to pay up to $500 for local warranty and service but certainly not $5k more!
big-e-294
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
Congrats.





O_o
chriscentro
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...

"lunarin79"

congrats on a fine purchase, you will not be disappointed.



some teaser pics to tide you over :oops:







and no, I dun own this sbge001 :lol:



but it wears very nicely on my 6" small wrist 8-)


I like this part the best, the etching is quite deep and hopefully can leave a print on my wrist if I wear one 8-)
TheChef
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
My worry of buying such a grand piece is that it needs to be sent back to Japan for future servicing. Maybe this is not a concern to buyers. I am not sure.
yrh0413
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
Checked with Thong Sia already, just need to pay for shipping $60-80 for its return tickets to Japan.

All GS needs to be sent back to Japan for servicing even if you buy locally.



So far I have not read about any failure on GS pieces on WUS...
maxxevv
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
Personally, I won't show the Higuchi quote to the Seiko showroom staff. Not a good idea.

It just means that if action is taken, they will clamp down on these online sellers. ... Implying jacked up prices everywhere after that.



I had a "sticker shock" again when I saw the MM300 displayed at the JEM store. It was SG$4450/- !!!

You can get it at approximately half that price before tax and shipping online...
yrh0413
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
didn't show her the seller, just the content which was quoted in USD... after convert is around S$7,000 . The GS GMT Diver has a list price of S$11,000 if I remember correctly; best price given after discount is $9,200. I told her if she can reduce further to S$8,000 then I'll get from her, but after checking with her superior over the phone she said no-go, no further discount can be given.



The GS GMT Diver has a list price of 609,000 YEN, which is around S$6,700. Why would the list price becomes double when it reaches Singapore?



Well she was honest to tell me that a lot of her customers feedback that the GS line is priced very high compared to online pricing, but too bad ThongSia and CityChain are not taking any action. You are right on the half-price; that's roughly the price I paid as compared to the exorbitant local price tag...
004
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
Nice GS you got yourself "conrats" iI am amazed Thong Sia are able to still sell GS at such high prices you mention, when compared to online seller e.g Seiya or Higuchi.



Wise of you to buy online ;)
maxxevv
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
Yes, its not even inline with official Seiko MSRP prices, GST added and all.



The Thong Sia / CityChain / Seiko Boutique prices even for the mid-tier pieces like the SBDC007 'Shogun' are ridiculous, sticker price was SG$2098/-, online prices ( exclude shipping and GST) can be as low as SG$1k/- flat. And I think Seiko's official MSRP was 120,000 YEN. Which is about SG$1300/- before GST !



Its only the mid-lower tier prices that are in line, like those in the ~SG$500-700/- and lower range and you can get a reasonable 20~30% of MSRP at the popular watch shops for them.



Other than that, the luxury range are all way overpriced !!! Should complaint to Seiko Japan that they are not selling even at MSRP !!! :p
yrh0413
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
the SBDC007 is S$1,000 cheaper than local price, but for GS you can practically buy yourself return air tickets to Japan, grab the watch, have some sushi before you come back and still cheaper than what you paid to local Seiko boutiques!
TheChef
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
I notice people buy GS or other mid to high end Seikos while on sightseeing trip to Japan and resell them in Singapore to pay for the entire trip. Buy low in Japan, sell slightly lower than retail price in Singapore. Arbitrage.
yrh0413
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
;) well nowadays buyers compare prices left right and center, this was conveyed to me from the lady at Seiko boutique. One will be hard-pressed to be able to sell much higher than Higuchi/Seiya though...
yrh0413
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
Higuchi posted my parcel via EMS on Friday and gave me the tracking number... just checked my tracking status, already reached Singapore today (Monday). :D



Now pray to god no GST...
maxxevv
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
Better keep your fingers, toes, ankle, thighs, arms etc, etc .... crossed !!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
yrh0413
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
:D :D :D received this morning, boh GST invoice leh!
balzebub71
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
Yeah u dodged the GST bullet. Guess parcels from Japan using EMS is GST save?





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
jtfoo
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...

"balzebub71"

Yeah u dodged the GST bullet. Guess parcels from Japan using EMS is GST save?





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not neccessary... My SARG003 came via EMS , deliver by speed post kenna GST, + $10 admin..
yrh0413
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...

"jtfoo"

[quote="balzebub71"]Yeah u dodged the GST bullet. Guess parcels from Japan using EMS is GST save?





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not neccessary... My SARG003 came via EMS , deliver by speed post kenna GST, + $10 admin..[/quote]

you got the GST invoice few days later, or pay to the postman on the spot? The postman dropped the package at my office and my admin signed for it... No GST invoice but not certain if I will receive the invoice separately few days later.
jtfoo
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...

"yrh0413"

[quote="jtfoo"]
Not neccessary... My SARG003 came via EMS , deliver by speed post kenna GST, + $10 admin..


you got the GST invoice few days later, or pay to the postman on the spot? The postman dropped the package at my office and my admin signed for it... No GST invoice but not certain if I will receive the invoice separately few days later.[/quote]
Don't worry, no GST for you .. They will require you to pay GST+$10admin , before you can receive your item. For my case, my MIl didn't accept my parcel, as the postman requires the payment. So I have to go down to post office to make payment and collect it.
yrh0413
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
Good to know that, savings of $500 not bad! :D



My SBGE001 says Hi! will post a review later as I am down with a cold... yesterday rushed to ThongSia to resize my bracelet and got caught in the rain.



hisokaka
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...

"yrh0413"

Good to know that, savings of $500 not bad! :D



My SBGE001 says Hi! will post a review later as I am down with a cold... yesterday rushed to ThongSia to resize my bracelet and got caught in the rain.





very nice piece
xxccxx
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...

"yrh0413"

Good to know that, savings of $500 not bad! :D



My SBGE001 says Hi! will post a review later as I am down with a cold... yesterday rushed to ThongSia to resize my bracelet and got caught in the rain.




Congrats! I'm so moved reading about your wait I'm closed to tears! Now it's tears of joy for u! By the way, why go all the way to Thong Sia to resize bracelet? GS bracelet very easy to diy. Just need small "minus" screwdriver. Did Thong Sia charge for the service?
yrh0413
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
I didn't want to spoil the watch as it was spanking new that time. TS asked for $20 service charge as the watch was not purchased locally but they waived it off when I ask them on the international warranty coverage. I am OK to pay $20 as they are really a bunch of nice people there (and have to be fair to them too; I did not get the GS locally). Case by case basis?



2 months have passed and my GS still shows consistent +0.3s per day. Love it to bits :D

tzachi
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
this GMT is amazing, congratz



looking for similar in size/color but less shiny (matt finish), any suggestions?
yrh0413
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...

"tzachi"

this GMT is amazing, congratz



looking for similar in size/color but less shiny (matt finish), any suggestions?


Well most GS are in polished finish... even their Titanium one. something something ancient samurai sword polishing technique :D



Matt ones probably you need to look at their lower-end range.
tzachi
Re: Planning to get a Grand Seiko...
:) hmmm , will have to adjust I think , or wait...