I was almost set on getting the leather strap when I got mine, but when I had it in hand I couldn't believe how cheap it felt. I actually in inquired on purchasing it separately, but they quoted me like $800 for the strap and deployant clasp! No thanks! I'd rather spend $150 on something made with high quality leather.
I have mine on the nylon strap now, and it is super comfortable.
Ben, those grand seikos look gorgeous. I've not seen one in person, but all the pics make them look like a great choice.
I was considering the SBGJ001 for a while. The hi-beat movement really intrigues me, the dial looks amazing, and the polishing on the grand-seikos really looks top notch.
Ultimately I wanted to be able to try something on and have the dealer be close to me, so seiko was out. I don't think i've lost the lust, however, so maybe one day still…
The dealer replaced it with a new watch, no questions asked. Great service. Can't see myself taking a risk on gray market or second hand in the near future after this.
It's a great looking watch. I've gotten so many compliments/comments of interest. Sort of embarassed about the attention since I thought it was a conservative choice compared to something like a Panerai (or anything really; only one co workers was familiar with the brand). A few of my co workers have rolexes and omegas, but I don't really recall seeing too many high end watches in my day-to-day. I guess it validates that this watch is a classic that anybody can enjoy.
Where's the pic ???
Not sure how I feel about a close up of my hairy arm, but here ya go!
Beautiful watch. Unfortunately it's now sitting in the box waiting for a trip back to the dealer tomorrow. I looked down at about 6:48 and noticed the hands hadn't moved since 6:32. I thought that maybe my life is too sedentary and it ran out of juice, but it's still not moving after a thorough winding. Pretty bummed, but hopefully it's something the dealer can easily fix, or replace if needed. Feeling pretty happy now that I wend the AD route instead of grey market.
I picked up the Tudor Black Bay in burgundy today from a local dealer. Paid a bit more than I would have if I had purchased online, but it was good to be able to try it on first, I didn't have to wait for it, the warranty makes me feel more comfortable with the purchase, and the dealer sized the bracelet for me several times until I was comfortable. Not sure if that warrants several hundred dollars, but whatever.
Although I like the look of the distressed leather strap better than the bracelet, the strap looked sort of cheap in person. It was clear that the leather was bonded and it looked "loose" in spots. I actually inquired about purchasing the strap separately, and the dealer quoted me $300 for the strap and another $300 for the Tudor deployment clasp! He actually recommended I don't purchase the strap due to the ridiculous cost, and I appreciated the honesty. I figure I can buy a similar strap made from better leather for significantly less than that down the road, and I think the bracelet is more versatile anyways.
In any case, I love the watch and I couldn't be happier!
Yea, I think it was this week and shorts came out on top.
Thanks guys. I've had them since beginning of October and have worn nearly every day. I think they've had 5 washes.
Short's huma lupa licious IPA. Only sold in Michigan. 98 IBU, 7.7%. Shorts is a really great brewery with a lot of creative stuff. They recently won a michigan microbrewery bracket challenge (basically popularity contest where people vote on their favorite between two competitors, in the style of the NCAA basketball tournament). They faced off against Bells in the finals, and also knocked off Founders in the second round. To be fair I think founders would have ended up in the finals of they were in a different "region".
I also picked up a six pack of a black IPA called Bludgeon Yer Eye and a growler of Superfluid, a 100 IBU 9% double IPA.
