If you’re a fan of simplistic designs that don’t skimp on quality, then the SBGX347 from Grand Seiko’s Elegance Collection might be for you. With plenty to choose from, this watch has generated so much attention for more than one reason. The precise movement is a big selling point for quartz lovers, on top of a professional look with rich engineering.
For myself, the SBGX347 is a go-to watch for any professional setting. The look of the watch is subtle, but when it comes to the fine details, Grand Seiko shines through every single time. Every aspect of this watch is built for a slim fit, and its design is neutral enough for many casual styles as well.
Grand Seiko manufactures every one of their watches with a purpose. The SBGX347 is a great example of Japanese minimalism, quality, and simplistic beauty. This review of the SBGX347 will break into the components of the watch and its styling to help point you in the right direction.
Roots of the Grand Seiko SBGX347
Hailing from the world-renowned Grand Seiko Elegance Collection, the SBGX347, also referred to as “Gekka,” was unveiled in Q4 of 2021. Gekka refers to the vibrancy of moonlight and the deep hue of the night sky. Even several years later, the watch is easily a personal favorite over many newer GS releases.
While this watch was revealed alongside the SBGX349, that’s a conversation for another time. For the most part, the Elegance Collection focuses on simple to more grandiose designs. The SBGX347 sits on the more neutral side, which is always a perfect choice from my standpoint. I have nothing against a luxury look, but I don’t want it to look like a mirror on my wrist.
It’s important to note that this design does stem from the SBGX341 but promises to deliver something unique among the rest. Grand Seiko has taken inspiration and crossed design features before, but they always find a way to give each timepiece its own personality.
Overall, the Grand Seiko SBGX347 is as classic as it gets. From the design choices to how it feels on your wrist, you’ll know you’re wearing quality. The crown, movement choice, and slim look of the watch give it a universal play in professional and casual wear. Although many watches look stellar with a surface-level view, the real quality can be seen in the inner workings.
The Case of the Watchface
More than anything, the design of the SBGX347 case promotes a classic look that’s timeless, to say the least. I find neutral and elegant to be one of the best looks on anyone, which is partly what makes this watch so versatile.
The 34mm case diameter is a well-fit size for most people, and its 10.7mm depth adds to the overall slim look from every angle. You won’t ever get tired of the Grand Seiko stainless steel polish, which delivers a sleek and eye-catching experience.
A few other important specifications include a 41.5mm lug-to-lug, a narrow, low-set bezel, and an anti-reflective coating inside the sapphire. The watch may be water resistant, but it’s definitely not suitable for any kind of deep water.
Although this may not be a Grand Seiko sports watch, it acts as an elegant styling addition for men and women alike. The watch also features a standard push-down crown that’s anchored at the three-hour mark on the dial.
Once again, it’s important to remember the intentionally simple design of this watch. It isn’t meant to be extremely flashy, with tons of intricacies blended into it. I find it more than suitable for everyday wear, and the design of the Grand Seiko name always lands a positive reaction from those who notice.
There are other unique details about this watch design you might find interesting. A leading example is that the case pays homage to the original 1960 Grand Seiko 3180. The sapphire crystal use is quite thick and does well to emulate plexiglass crystals made popular in the 1960s.
Although the caseback is relatively standard, it still boasts the traditional Grand Seiko logo. When I look at the case, I truly get lost in the engineering that makes the dial so simultaneously functional and beautiful.
Dial It In and Enjoy the Show
Crafted through inspiration derived from bright moonlight, the SBGX347 offers a vibrant face that pops against the darker band. Numberless hour markers circle the dial with uniformity, only adding to the fine precision of each passing second of the sharp hands.
Looking at the dial and every intricate detail, you’ll notice a uniformity among the simplistic approach to the design. Every aspect falls into place and compliments the engineering surrounding it.
Although it looks relatively plain from a distance, the SBGX347 actually has a fine texture up close. When moving the watch in direct or indirect light, the alternating satin and polished surfaces make themselves known. As with any Grand Seiko watch, it’s this small attention to detail that leads to so much praise for the brand.
From the logo to indices and every hand on the dial, it all comes together for a light and simple look. The watch face may be a bit too bright for certain styles, but it can also act as the perfect contrasting accessory if you want to make a statement. Regardless of the simple approach to its overall design, the depth found in the finer details is what really paints the big picture.
By no means is this next feature jarring, but you can also find a very faint text of “Made in Japan” just below the six-hour marker. In short, the dial does a great job of showcasing elegance without having to do much to achieve such a look. Of course, part of the beauty that ties into the dial can be found in the efficacy of the watch movement.
Marching to the Beat of Quartz Movements
There may be strong opinions about quartz movements, but Grand Seiko’s quality doesn’t diminish in the slightest. For a little more detail, it’s a caliber 9F61 quartz movement, delivering an accuracy of ±10 per year. It’s understandable why someone might go for a much quieter watch, but I personally love to be able to hear time tick with this movement.
Even though you can find valid concerns about the potential inconsistencies with quartz movements, Grand Seiko provides a solution. Thanks to a backlash auto-adjust mechanism, the quartz movement can guarantee a smooth motion soft tick.
From a style point of view, I’m pretty happy Grand Seiko decided to leave the date window out on this one. I feel like it would be completely jarring to the overall minimalist tone of the rest of the watch. Nevertheless, the movement included in the SBGX347 should be seen as any other quartz design.
There are several smaller points that should be highlighted, such as the double pulse motor system. Providing ample support to move the sizable watch hands, it is still able to maintain energy efficiency.
You may not be able to see it through the case back, but the movement features several purple jewel accents. More impressively, the movement uses aged quartz crystal with an IC. This enables it to adjust to temperature changes to maintain accuracy and consistent motion no matter where you go.
Speaking for myself, I have never been too picky about movements, although I do have respect for high-quality engineering. Considering the nuanced detail that goes into an entry-level luxury watch, the SBGX347 is nothing to overlook.
No need to worry about design quality, of course, as this watch is built with an in-house movement. That ensures the Grand Seiko quality inside and out, which makes the watch feel even better considering its notably low price.
From the satisfying slight tick, bright dial, classic look of the case, and steel inner markings, it has quickly become a vital part of my wristwatch rotation. The movement of this watch isn’t your standard quartz, and this can be determined by the look and feel of its movement and consistent accuracy.
Any good timepiece delivers an ensemble of an experience. From a distance, the Grand Seiko SBGX347 strap may not look like much, but it happens to be much more impressive up close. The watch wouldn’t look or feel as good if the strap wasn’t comfortable and form-fitting for most wearers.
The Wrap Around the Wrist
Not to be confused with the blue strap on the SBGX349, the SBGX347 features real black crocodile leather. A key distinction here is that it isn’t stamped just for show, which means it feels extremely durable to the touch.
I love glancing at the GS logo on the buckle, and the slight shine is a fantastic contrast to the dark leather hue. On top of that, the high quality of the crocodile leather ensures a soft look without any kind of distracting sheen.
The band as a whole is 175mm, making it more than adjustable for wrist sizes that are small or large. My favorite detail is the 2.5mm thickness. I’m a huge fan of thinner bands as my wrist is already on the small side, and the SBGX347 looks snug and form-fitting. This tends to be a challenge for me personally, but it’s a testament to the versatility of the strap dimensions.
Keep in mind that it’s the calfskin that truly makes this an all-day wear, as it won’t conflict with your wrist or feel too stiff at varying angles. Considering my relatively thin wrists, that means I’m also not a huge fan of very wide bands.
This might look fine on larger wrists, but the 18mm band width on the SBGX347 doesn’t try to compete with the other components. I think that’s what makes this such casual wear for me: the watch’s dimensions look uniform from every angle.
While it’s evident several design details play into this, the size, positioning, and quality of the strap are equally important. I can break down this watch piece by piece, but it can be helpful to look at it from a style and live-in experience as well.
At the end of the day, I’m a fan of how the strap looks and feels, but that doesn’t mean you can’t always change it. The drilled lugs in this watch make for an easy swap if you prefer a different strap.
What You Can Expect Wearing the SBGX347
I would say that this is one of the best mid-range neutral watches from Grand Seiko. The black leather is a clear choice for any business setting, but the classic black and white is fitting for more casual fits, too.
However, I feel it’s important to mention that I am more inclined toward dark brown bands and wouldn’t mind switching them every now and then. The contrast of shiny steel, a bright white dial, and a deep brown color is a match for me.
Aside from the strap and case size, weight is another big deciding factor for many. If it feels like it’s pulling my wrist down in the slightest, it’ll more than likely be a no-go. When you combine the 47g weight of the watch and the comfort of the inner band calfskin leather, you’ll almost forget it’s on your wrist.
Another minor detail I’ve noticed about this watch over time is the consistent durability of the band. It doesn’t feel like it’s losing its form-fitting feel and look, something I really appreciate about the quality of the leather.
Moreover, the grain finish of the white dial helps minimize unwanted reflections and makes for a more muted white dial. We feel this is an excellent choice with such a bright color that could potentially be too jarring. On top of that, the white grain finish allows the stainless steel accents to break through in visible glory.
I feel like I’m a bit biased due to my smaller wrist size, but it should be mentioned that wrists 6.5 inches or more might not be as comfortable. Then again, those who are more prone to wear a snug fit might be just fine within the 6”-7” range in wrist size. Now that you’re equipped with a manufacturer and user perspective, it’s time to praise the watch’s affordability.
No Need to Break the Bank
Many people love the idea of owning a luxury watch, but this is commonly associated with a high price tag. That’s definitely a true reality, but that isn’t the case with every high-end watch on the market.
I easily fall into this category, as I cherish affordability like anyone else, but that can be challenging to find alongside quality. The bullet list below offers a quick look at retail and general pre-owned pricing you can expect for the GS SBGX347. You can find the watch for $3,300 at retail, but it drops down to the $2,200 to $2,500 range for pre-owned.
On another note, where you find your luxury timepiece is another consideration. Not only is industry experience important, but you want to work with someone who understands watchmaking inside and out. We select every watch in our catalog at Exquisite Timepieces with intention, ensuring our customers are educated on the ins and outs along the way.
Let’s Wrap Up
For veteran enthusiasts and newcomers alike, choosing your next favorite luxury watch can be a mind-wracking experience. I’m all too fond of this feeling, but this review can act as your guide when you put all the pieces together.
The details always matter, and the Grand Seiko SBGX347 makes you look twice from every angle. You’ll likely miss its true beauty at a glance, only seconding the clever yet classic design of the GS Elegance Collection watch. After reviewing the design specs and considering the cost, I believe this is a viable choice for many.
