Grand Seiko Heritage the alternative to the Rolex Datejust?
Spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a new watch?
If your budget is somewhat higher and you're looking for luxury, you can't ignore Rolex or Grand Seiko. The model lines of both brands have some similarities, but they differ greatly when it comes to price. The question arises, is Grand Seiko as good as Rolex, or maybe even better?
Rolex is a brand that is not easily surpassed, but for such a comparison, not only the reputation of the two watch manufacturers should be compared, because if we look at the watches from a technical point of view, Grand Seiko is further ahead than you think.
Let's compare the two model series Datejust, from Rolex and Heritage, from Grand Seiko with each other.
David vs. Goliath, Grand Seiko vs. Rolex
The watch is one thing, but the brand of the watch is something else entirely.
When it comes to maintaining the value of your watch, the brand of the watch plays one of the biggest roles.
A Rolex is more expensive than a Grand Seiko in almost every case. But what it costs more at the beginning, it makes up for with its value development at the end. - Stainless steel sports watches in particular hold their value much better with Rolex and can often even be sold for more than their original retail price.
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During which, most used Grand Seiko watches are offered just under the original price or about 25% below the list price. Although there are some exceptions, they generally appreciate much less than Rolex watches.
For more on the value-add potential of Grand Seiko, check out the post above.
A decisive factor for the good price development of Rolex watches is their excellent marketing. One could almost claim that Rolex focuses more on marketing than on the technical advancement of its watches. While Rolex continues to rely on proven watchmaking craftsmanship, Grand Seiko consistently dares to change and improve its movements. Grand Seiko offers both Spring Drive movements and further developed traditional movements, the High-beat movements. Recently, Grand Seiko introduced a movement that outshines some of Rolex's movements. We are talking about the 9SA5, a High-beat movement with a Dual-Impulse Escapement. You can find more information about it in our article on the subject.
No question, Rolex watches are also excellent, but I find the marketing almost more successful than the watches.
Just take a look at the websites of Rolex and of Grandseiko, and you'll know what I mean.
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Datejust vs. Heritage, an overview
Rolex Datejust - the top dog
With the Datejust, Rolex has created a simple, beautiful watch that walks the line between an entry-level model and an exclusive Rolex. Even though it is often overshadowed by the Submariner and Daytona, it is one of Rolex's best sellers.
Although the Datejust is a very simple watch with few bells and whistles, there are almost 1000 possible combinations. To be exact, there are 965.
You have 3 different sizes to choose from, ranging from 31 mm, probably more for women, to 36 and 41 mm in diameter. You can also choose the case material, the bezel, the bracelet, and the dial.
In terms of exclusivity and versatility, the Rolex Datejust is hard to beat.
But of course, this is also reflected in the price.
The cheapest Rolex Datejust starts at about 7200 €. Upwards it knows almost no limits, I came in the configurator up to 42'000 €. *If you are looking for an increase in value, you should definitely find out which of the combinations go well.
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Of course, all watches are equipped with an automatic movement, depending on the size, the caliber 2236 (Datejust 31) or the caliber 3235 (Datejust 36 and Datejust 41) is installed. Both calibers are Rolex manufacture movements that promise the highest precision.
We hardly need to talk about the quality. Rolex delivers what is promised, no question.
Grand Seiko Heritage - the underdog
Models from Grand Seiko, are the most famous Japanese luxury watches, which convince with quality and attention to detail all along the line.
But if you were expecting an exclusive watch that jumps out at you right away, a Grand Seiko isn't right for you, although that's only true in some ways.
The identity of Grand Seiko is to produce watches with a particularly simple and elegant design. A diamond bezel or a gold bracelet you will not find in the "normal" watches from Grand Seiko, only in the Masterpiece collection you will find materials such as white gold and diamonds, but it plays again in a completely different price range. The watches from Grand Seiko are well known for their unusual dials and rightly so! More about this later.
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The simple cases of the Heritage collection are made of either stainless steel or titanium and have a diameter of 40 mm and a height of 12.3 mm. A size that fits almost every wrist.
The case and bracelet are available only in stainless steel, except for a limited edition in gold. The approximately 40 different models primarily differ visually in their dials. The most famous dial from the Heritage Collection is probably the Snowflake, a dial that appears uniformly white only at first glance.
The variety of dials from Grand Seiko is huge, it's best to check out their website yourself!
The design is beautiful and simple, but it gets exciting when we turn the watch over and look at Grand Seiko's movements.
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Available are 3 different movements: mechanical, quartz and the Springdrive movement.
As a unique selling point of the Grand Seiko brand, in addition to the High-Beat movements, the Springdrive is particularly worth mentioning. It is a hybrid movement that combines the features of an automatic movement with the accuracy of a quartz movement.
The energy comes from a flywheel, as in an automatic movement, and is stored in a mainspring, as in a mechanical movement, but is then passed on via an electronic control system. This enables the watch to achieve an accuracy of one second per day, which is far more than twice as accurate as Rolex movements.
You can find out more about how the Springdrive works here.
What's surprising about Grand Seiko, the Heritage watches start at around €3,000 with a maximum cost of €10,000, making them comparatively inexpensive.
The Grand Seiko impresses with its movement and technical sophistication, as well as the attention to detail in the dial.
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Which watch is the better one?
We have to admit, after our research on the Datejust, we had great difficulty getting excited about the Grand Seiko.
The Grand Seiko's of the Heritage collection are among the most beautiful watches from Japan I have ever seen. They are elegant and have a unique style, which is very welcome.
Even though the Datejsut and Heritage model ranges look comparable, they should not be compared.
What the Rolex has in exclusivity, the Grand Seiko lacks.
The two watches are more or less in the same price league, yet a Rolex fanatic would be unlikely to buy a Grand Seiko and a Grand Seiko lover would be unlikely to consider a Rolex.
The Rolex is exclusive and polarizes, the Grand Seiko convinces with understatement and reveals its beauty only at second glance.
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Conclusion
Even though the quality of the Grand Seiko is certainly top, it cannot compete with the Rolex in terms of exclusivity.
The two watch models play on a different level, both in terms of design and manufacturer reputation. I don't think you should compare the two at all.
Beide Uhren sind an sich wunderschön und werden dir bestimmt Freude bereiten.
In a direct comparison, however, the Rolex certainly wins.
Source cover photo: Grand Seiko, updated post.
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About the author
Maio Rosatzin
My passion began with a Breitling Premier B01. Since then, I've been sharing my fascination for watchmaking here on my blog. Let's dive into this fascinating world together!
