A Grand Seiko SBGH273

Each week, we present a selection of our favorite watches from the pre-owned side of our collection. We photograph each one so that you get a closer look at what makes these watches so special. This week, we have a Grand Seiko Shunbun, a 1980s Rolex Day-Date, a green-dial Cartier Tank-Louis, a Panerai Radiomir GMT, and a Glashütte Original Senator Excellence.

At some point in every collector’s journey, they get bitten by the golden bug. Years of stainless steel lend itself to this yearning for something a bit more luxe, a bit more weighty, a bit more – well – gold. And no watch exemplifies the majesty of owning a gold watch quite like the Rolex Day-Date. Nicknamed the “President” because of its association having been on the wrists of several sitting presidents, this watch is also fitted to what has become known as the President bracelet, which is a style of Rolex bracelet relegated solely to gold models. Its thick rounded links with polished center links tie the entire Day-Date look together. And with the Day-Date you get the time, the date, and … the day. Basically, you get everything you need to know in everyday life. It’s a watch people recognize, pine for, and consider to be the exit watch. And today we have a great ref. 18038 from the 1980s with a killer black dial, stick markers, and Roman numerals. The combination of black on gold makes this a perfect go-to daily watch. You simply cannot go wrong with a Day-Date and this is as good as they come.

Grand Seiko Heritage Hi-Beat 36000 SBGH273

No doubt, if you’re deep into Grand Seiko, you know all about the Spring Drive movement and the brand’s immense skill in case finishing. And we are sure you also know that GS is unmatched when it comes to dial work and dial design. But outside of Spring Drive, the brand also produces highly accurate, hi-beat, automatic movements. And today’s example, the Heritage Hi-Beat 36000 SBGH273 brings the automatic movement and dial work to the forefront.

This watch was part of a four-watch four seasons collection where this is meant to represent Autumn. The dial here is inspired by the autumnal moon and features an almost linen-effect. It’s the sort of dial treatment you have to see to believe because it is so subtle but depending on the lighting conditions, the watch takes on a completely different character. The dial is such a warm and deep blue and plays off of the gold touches on the seconds hand and logo. This is the quintessential everyday GS and comes fitted to the wonderfully comfortable GS steel bracelet.