GS and Omega are my favorite two brands, and own both. I'd take a slightly different tack and say it's apples and oranges, both having their place and complementing each other extraordinarily in a collection. GS makes astounding dress watches and dressy GADAs that are just head and shoulders above anything this side of holy trinity particularly in their level of hand craftsmanship (dials, dial furniture, zaratsu finishing). That's not Omegas thing at all. Omega makes some of the GOAT sport watches, mass produced, go to the moon or the Mariana Trench, or for that matter the Olympics. GS will never catch Omega's legacy in sports in a hundred years, and Omega could never devote the time and energy to even touch GS quality without seriously repositioning themselves, which they have no reason to do. So on my wrist, it's SMP300 for a daily sports watch, GS SGBA201 for just a ridiculously classy dress GADA. Great video and thoroughly enjoyed this discussion!

I've tried hard to love GS and am completely open-minded to them, but like many others here the aesthetics of their watches just don't appeal to me. And I completely respect the quality of their watches - I'm just waiting for them to take that craftsmanship and produce a model that I can't resist! Omega, on the other hand, has many references I'd love to own.

Absolutely love your videos, especially these involving debate of two notable brands - an active discussion about popular icons in Omega and Grand Seiko is great, and I appreciate points on both sides of the table 👍

Someone once said, buy a Rolex to impress others, buy a Grand Seiko to impress yourself...enough said.

Grand Seiko’s quality to price ratio is really top notch. And they retain their value extremely well.

Everything else aside: I've been to almost every major watch boutique in London and the level of attention, luxury, and service in the GS boutique in comparison to everything else was remarkable. I own an Omega, but the experience of just BROWSING at the GS boutique makes me want to buy that as my next watch.

I visited my local design district with all the watch shops and I was so ready to go with GS. But when I got to the store and put them on the watches felt kinda flat, also I guess the rep wasn't as enthusiastic and, side note, no financing option. When I got to Omega the reps really walked me through everything made me fall in love with the speedmaster and aqua terra.

One of the things that I have always admired about Grand Seiko is the no compromise type of attitude that they have. It is the type of mindset that delivers amazing product at the relatively acceptable price. The mindset that the Japanese have towards creating product is one of the many things I admire from them and I am always astounded by the level of details that they do towards their products at Grand Seiko.

Very interesting debate. I always had my eye on an Omega but when push came to shove I opted for a GS primarily because of the technology and the finishing. It threaded the needle between dress and casual for me. I do like that Globemaster and it may make a perfect addition to my two watch collection and I would have a complete three watch collection.

Only just came across you guys recently, great content delivered in an accurate amusing way. Keep it going. Also your open letter to Breitling was incredible.

I would argue both sides of this point… GS was my first watch and I LOVED it, but I eventually sold it for an omega which I still wear. All points are valid 🤷🏻‍♂️

I always appreciate the thoughtful insights from the both of you, it’s always a treat to watch.

Love this type of content. I am not in the position to purchase either brand, but I still enjoy learning from experts. Please keep it up.

Love your content. Eager to see actual watch reviews every once in awhile!

I love my Grand Seiko. For me looking down at it nearly takes my breath away how beautiful and intricate it is. BUT, I've seen myself in pictures with it, and from any other perspective besides up close it looks like a very generic, plain watch. I cant put my finger on exactly what it is. It could be some subtle elements of Japanese design vs Swiss that just haven't caught on yet. Either way I love it. Especially with Seiko in the name. It is a watch that doesn't shout "look at how much money I have." It under promises and over delivers. Nobody is going to mug you for your Grand Seiko or think you are flexing, but anybody who is paying attention can't help but be impressed.

Love your videos. Always look forward to them every time I get the notification. I have a GS and am thinking about getting a speedy as I’m not willing to overpay for those damned Daytonas

Omega was my first luxury watch and that emotional attachment is far too strong for me. That being said, experiencing Grand Seiko's in person is incredible. Not just the intricacy of the dials, but the entire boutique experience.

I have been the biggest fan of your channel . Keep killing it with the oxfords and chubbies . You really got me addicted to watches and I recently just purchased a 1998 birthday speedy . Completely in love with it . Thank you for all the videos and love . NH

I love both brands. GS has better finishing and technologically more advanced, but Omegas heritage and iconic designs push them ahead of GS in my opinion. The Aqua Terra is just so damn gorgeous

I’d get vintage GS or King Seiko, such a cool story about the factories competing even if it’s embellished; also my family has a seiko streak running from my dad buying himself and his dad a seiko, and then myself doing the same for my dad.

When I first got into watches, I didn't pay GS any attention. I just thought they were very sporty high end Seikos. Now I've learnt more and explored their elegance line, I think they are producing the best looking dress watches, definitely at their price point, and maybe beating some brands at a much higher price point.

Hard to choose one over the other. Omega is like a great steak, perfectly cooked and brought to the table still sizzling, in a dimly lit steak house that was established before your parents, parents were born. GS is that is also like a great steak, only sliced into perfect pieces and presented on a slab of granite with a single sprig of rosemary, in an open concept restaurant thats mostly windows. Both steaks taste delicious, but one is more about the art, and the other is more about the tradition. At least in my opinion.

I’ve always wanted a Grand Seiko. On another note, I recently subscribed on Instagram and some of the reels are hilarious. 🤣 I love this channel and all the great content.

I love these kind of videos. Keep up the great work!

If Grand Seiko exists for watch lovers, they need to work on releasing more reasonable watch sizes. More 36-38mm releases! Most of their stuff is dressier and 40+ looks silly. I adore the brand otherwise.

Always a good day when a new T&H video drops

Easier said than done, but I’d love to see Grand Seiko featured as the next Bond watch. New actor, new direction for the series, big opening for a watch company that has been killing it through a pandemic.

GS makes too many great watches.. smaller tighter catalog (the rolex model) would promote more interest and recognizable models. People who are new to the brand can get lost in a decision and in the meantime purchase a speedy (guilty). I agree they need work on the sports line. Would love to see another SE watch like the Godzilla maybe samurai or Japanese sword related. Thanks for the great video.

Fascinating that y'all think GS is having a slow year, feels like one of their hottest years in terms of pace in a while. Kodo, a new wide appealing set of GMTs, their best diver yet, their best sports chrono yet, new Whirlpool, new Peacock, Spring Drive and titanium variations of the White Birch, and a bunch of other standard 9S8 releases. VERY strong and steady stream so far.

I bought my wife a Tudor Royal recently, and she was with me the whole time when we were looking for her first mechanical entry level luxury watch. I asked her if she might be interested in a Grand Seiko for ladies, she literally said "Why would I go for a Seiko if I want a luxury piece?"... I am giving this as an example to show that people who know about Omega and Grand Seiko know their shit, but Grand Seiko is still an unknown brand for people who don't know about high end luxury watches. With this being said, I think that Seiko is Grand Seiko's monkey on the back, however, with good advertising strategies (because obviously they already have the good build quality and heritage) Grand Seiko might beat Omega and even some more similar luxury watch brands.

A lot of great points presented guys. What’s your take on the Evolution 9 GMTs? I personally feel those were their 1-2 punch to the sports watch that really blues the line between sports and dress much like Rolex gmt does.

Love this channel, always so insightful, you guys have inspired me to wear more dress watches everyday

This is literally the only channel I have notifications turned on for

As much as I love both brands, I think it's nearly impossible that GS can release a sportwatchs that rivals (in appeal) to a Speedmaster or a Seamaster. Great video guys!

I agree with Michael, lacking the excitement factor is one of the largest “downsides” of Grand Seiko.

Props on the Breitling video, I hope you will give us an update should something interesting happen with that situation.

Just got my first GS, a 9F quartz. My Longines VHP now seems so inferior to it I can't believe I ever wore it. If GS figures out some marketing and releases some attainable sports watches they'll get massive.

Grand Seiko can beat Omega on two very important areas, accuracy and innovation. Spring drive is one of the greatest innovations in horology and it's accuracy is second to none.

Great debate and perspectives I respect both brands but the quality and time put into GS puts them above in my eyes

Another great vid! I must say, GS is an incredible brand, but I believe that omega will absolutely dominate the mass market for the foreseeable future. I do also think that GS will continue to gain popularity and will reach higher levels, but omega is ingrained so deep in the hobby that it would be very difficult for GS to overtake them.

The cinematography and production value in your manufacturer pieces is second to none.

Now that is an interesting idea! GS gaining market share by going straight at each Swiss brand’s undisputed heavyweight. A Speedmaster alternative that is a better value, a submariner alternative that is actually available for purchase, etc etc.

Very well thought out pros and cons on two very good watch brands. I'm now liking Grand Seiko more now than ever before, but I'll still pick Omega for the time being. Thank you for keeping the watch community informed.

I have had my eye on grand seiko for a long time. The textured dials are incredible. Definitely have to pick one up in the near future.

Last point: Omega drops the moonswatch: watch community freaks out Seiko drops a GMT: watch community freaks out Grand Seiko drops a new model:

You guys always make my day with these videos!

I have the sbga407 and love it. I thought I would use it formal settings only, but have found that I’m wearing it as much as my diver. Love it. Perfect in a 2 watch collection

Great video idea! The GS v Omega debate is a very interesting one.

At this point Theo and Harris are probably the most quality producer of watch content on KZfaq

Grand seiko needs more content showcasing and explaining their history even as it relates to seiko. The content they put out a few years back beautifully displayed their craftsmanship and gave an inside look into their build process and facilities, that’s what sold me on grand seiko, but not enough to commit to buying their product. More content from them may push someone like me over the threshold to purchase. What better company to hire than Theo and Harris. GS call these guys!

I think GS can make itself more desirable to the mass market by going around them and positioning themselves as a high horology brand with watches like their constant force tourbillon. I do think they could use some changes in their design language but if you can appeal to a certain segment at the top others will follow and try to emulate their style. Personally I love GS but prefer Omega as brand because of their variety, history, and “classic” quality-but at the end of the day most GS models simply don’t resonate with me and give me that tingly feeling inside that makes me want to buy a watch.

Excited for the future of watches. Hope Grand Seiko improves their bracelets/clasps soon.

Also, I’ve tried so hard to love Grand Seiko but I fell in love with mechanical watches (via Theo and Harris) and really enjoyed Omega’s quality and mainly the history of the company. My first watch was a Nomos Orion followed by an Omega Seamaster Aquaterra. Maybe one day, Grand Seiko, just not now.

Agreed! For a dress watch, I’m actually debating between grand Seiko and Cartier… and that’s the extent of my desire for grand Seiko 🤷🏻‍♂️

Love the debate. Interesting topic. Love how “beat” was defined do the debate stayed practical and meaningful.

I am an “entry level” enthusiast. I own Bulovas and a Ball Engineer III. I have a grail collection in mind, and if i were to bounce one for an omega/GS, I would never take an Omega. I just find their designs mostly boring, and the only watch of substance is the Speedmaster. Highly Meh brand. GS is at least taking daring approaches with dials Grail Collection: Red dial grand seiko whose name i forgot Cartier Santos bracelet blue dial JLC Reverson Duoface + moonphase Rolex Datjust41 blue/green flutes/jubilee Breitling superocean green dial

Loved this dialogue. I already kind of see Grand Seiko in a similar light to JLC. Extremely fine watches; super premium movement with nearly unbeatable finishing. They have a few things holding them back but I agree that their greatest road block is lack of a good sports watch line. They simply dont, not cant, compete with other brands that do have them. Beautiful dress watches, stunning and an incredible value proposition. Dress watches just aren't really popular right now.

I recently got my first big boy watch. I wanted to go with GS as I was always fascinated with Japan. But the reps didn’t look enthusiastic and were just pushing to buy the watch rather than just present the watch. I went to omega boutique in Las Vegas and I had a blast with everyone at boutique and ended up getting the seamaster 300. But the itch is still there and I guess next bonus will be going towards a GS.

Long time fan since day one when Christian talked in his parents back yard about the credibility of archieluxury😂 I really appreciate your professional evolution, from pure watch making over to marketing and everything that goes with it. And not afraid do throw punches at the big boys, keep it up👀

Thanks for the great content. Just subscribed to your podcast!

amazing content. ive been watching you and your companies growth since anna. keep liquor run going please. yours truly

Im still fairly new to watches, although im now 3 seiko's deep. I think my progression will eventually lead me to Grand Seiko, they have had some stunning pieces.

Fun thought exercise, highlighted what is really great about both brands. To me, anything is possible, but not anything is probable. Omega would have to make a lot of poor decisions, consistently; and Grand Seiko would have to make a lot of very strategically good (and lucky) decisions, very consistently. Even then… What brands are next for debate?

Love the video, I can see myself getting a GS eventually however I've always seen Omega as superior

Maybe it's because I've lived in Japan for a long time, but Grand Seiko's styling doesn't really excite me. My doctor wears a Grand Seiko, and it's not because he's a watch guy. It's just the watch to wear for a doctor here. GS knows this market segment well, and they're mostly older and don't do sports watches. I hope that GS's popularity overseas pulls their marketing department to be a littler more daring.

Love the Iron Snail and el Jefe! I agree that the thing holding GS back is the lack of a great sports watch. For me, GS options are always best on a leather band, but if you want the versatility of having something on a SS band… they fall short. Undeniably beautiful watches though.

I purchased Omegas in the past for its versatility where they can pass as dress and sport. I feel like most grand seiko’s are dressy and with post COVID not going into the office and out to events as much, I see myself grabbing a “everyday watch” rather than a dress watch for my everyday life.

We have an Omega boutique near me… it’s very nice - beautiful watches and friendly, well informed salespeople. That being said I went into the GS boutique in London and it was beyond amazing. Watch out GS is figuring it out. My next watch will be a GS.

Great video. Commented for the competition. Big fan of the channel. Keep it up. And brown Jordaan loafers would be the choice.

Doubt Grand Seiko will beat Omega as long as Seiko is in the name. Lots of watch snobs will never accept anything with the name Seiko on it.

Love the videos. You both mentioned these companies are very much clearly at different points in their development and are a far way away from being actual competitors. I think Christian said once that watch companies think in decades. "The best way to predict the future is to study the past"-Kiyosaki As you both know a lot about watch history and vintage watches, I think the future videos in this format could benefit from a historical view. How did seiko/omega beat competitors in the past? How has design ethos of the sports watch changed over the past 30 years? Could that margin of change benefit be big enough to make a GS design language of nature be very impactful in a future filled with environmental turmoil? Again love the content and attention to detail. Watching these videos always makes me smile at my little accutron.

Love the chemistry you guys have. Even when your your not getting on the point you still sound interesting...staying on point, for me grande seiko Will always be to big, or too shinny or too dressy. I think Omega designs would always look more apealing, specially the reissue ones.

You’re absolutely right that Grand Seiko needs to market themselves better with storytelling. I consider myself a watch nerd but I haven’t come across any of their history in my research these past few years. I’m sure it’s somewhere but it’s not easily known, certainly not as obvious as Omega with the Moon, Bond and the Olympics. Also… you’re experts at marketing yourselves as storytellers! I’d love to see how you’d make a commercial for them like you did for Breitling!

Would love to see this debate revisited in about 10-15 years' time.

Great video and topic. I love grand seiko and excited to see them making smaller sizes!

Grand Seiko is an excellent brand but Omega is an incredible brand. As Michael mentioned, Omega is well rounded. They really have it all…..the marketing for this company is very powerful. The history is there. The Moon history, the James Bond history……is hard to beat. People are a lot more familiar with Omega. Also, Omega is the best positioned company in the mid range price range. Watches from $ 5,000 to 10,000. No one comes close to the the price and the quality the provide.

Maybe it’s the name. But I could never see myself choosing a GS over an Omega. I’ve also just always been wanted a speedy and a sea master so that might Also have something to do with it.

I hear that saying a lot "I really, really, really love Grand Seiko" and everyone I've met or friends that have said it, have not bought one or own one. That to me, speaks volumes.

I like that your comparing these two brands because so often do I hear “grand seiko is better than Rolex” which I always thought might be absurd.

If GS goes all in on global art events or architecture expos to align their seasons collections to, that could be a great entry point. But if Omega wants to directly compete on something like watch finishing, I think they still come in at a higher price point and avoid direct competition.

Great video, I'm a new subscriber and i love your videos

Interesting debate. In the end, I think it all comes downs to what the “winning” criteria are.

Good or bad, grand Seiko is like the Lexus of watches. They showed they can compete with the swiss but there’s always something small missing when it comes to a wearing/driving experience. I’ve owned both brands and I always come up with the same , slightly disappointed feeling after trying so hard to love it. If I had to choose it’s omega

Defining the "beat" is key. Own the frame, own the deal.

Wow this one is tough. There are things I really like about both. Hopefully I can own one of each in the future.

You’re correct in saying that GS can’t beat Omega in the short term but they can close the gap between them. This would be a win, in my book. I think they should build their sports line around their divers, which hold a commanding lead in their sports watch offering.

You both had great points. I really enjoy your content.

Grand Seiko's dressy watches are incredible. Terrific. They could use more mass market styling and sizing for their sports watches, though.

Just got off work...cant wait to get my coffee and relax and watch!!!😎⌚️✌️Thanks guys....

need more podcasts than once a week!!

Grand Seiko and Omega are not only an interesting debate in the modern era, but in the vintage era as well!

Love the channel!

😂 jokes aside, which watch is the taiwan special edition? I can’t seem to find any information on that

I’m thinking about buying a Grand Seiko SBG with the quartz movement over an Omega because the price wins. I can get one brand new significantly under the official RRP, and there are no Omegas at that price point.

Man, I go back in forth on this. But I did ultimately chose Grand Seiko. Just something about the story behind the design hit me. Love the moon watch and the story there, but just in the metal GS hit me. Also, I think what would help GS deliver the final blow is a little thinner case, and an adjustable clasp! GS hides the thickness well, but if it wasnt there it would be even better. And I miss having any adjustment in my bracelet haha.

Very interesting debate. A lot to consider here.

I belive they aim at different customers, who value different things in watches. I'd love to have omega sportswatch and GS dresswatch as a kit!

Love you guys and your conversations. I am a big fan of Grand Seiko and I also love Omega too. I think Grand Seiko is way more affordable and punches way above its price in terms of value. Omega is nice too but they are more expensive, less accurate, and frankly, heritage just doesn't appeal to me. I'd rather have precision and engineering advancements than heritage look and feel.

Was thinking of adding a Grand seiko sbgm 221 GMT or paying way over the odds for a Rolex Pepsi ,thoughts?

The GS hurdle is a tall one, value prop is solid. However, it still says Seiko on the dial, it's tough to spend that much on something that is primarily appreciated the most by fellow enthusiasts.