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Look at what you get for a tiny, TINY fraction of the price of a Rolex GMT:
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Rolex needs to be afraid, very afraid.
- Thread starter trailboss99
- Start date
- 12/3/18
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I was looking at these the other day while musing over the prospect of trying out a Grand Seiko GMT.
Looks like there are three variations currently.
It's to bad they didn't use a sapphire crystal, but this article says it's more of a loyalty to their proprietary Hardlex crystal than a cost cutting measure
theslenderwrist.com
Looks like there are three variations currently.
It's to bad they didn't use a sapphire crystal, but this article says it's more of a loyalty to their proprietary Hardlex crystal than a cost cutting measure
What Is Seiko Hardlex Crystal? How It Compares to Other Dial Materials
Curious about Seiko’s Hardlex crystal? Here's a full run-down on this proprietary material, and a comparison to other common dial protectors.
theslenderwrist.com
- 9/3/21
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Something about the form troubles me. The lugs look a little uncomfortable and therefore make the watch look a little dated perhaps.
Its like the opposite of the Rolex sub 40 - 41mm changes to streamline things.
Great price though - and I hear they'll even let you buy one...
Its like the opposite of the Rolex sub 40 - 41mm changes to streamline things.
Great price though - and I hear they'll even let you buy one...
I do like the design (well nothing new there, right?), even if the 42,5mm could be a bit big on my wrist, and yes, a pity for the lack of sapphire crystal. I still don't see the necessity of a display case back, would have preferred they saved that mm thickness for wearability. But lug-to-lug is decent so it may surprise my wrist and taste. But that's really moaning for the sake of moaning, a gmt watch at that price point! SKX fans will collect those without hesitation.
I love the gmt function and always waiting for some modern, funky reinterpretation. Some micros/indies are moving in that direction and I think it's great that design is developing to new ideas.
I love the gmt function and always waiting for some modern, funky reinterpretation. Some micros/indies are moving in that direction and I think it's great that design is developing to new ideas.
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Why? What is so great about Sapphire? It's slightly more scratch-resistant yes but it's worse in every other way. It's more brittle, it's more reflective thus needing fragile AR, it's not as transparent and is an all-around bad choice for anything but a full-on dress watch. This is a tool watch and it does not need what is basically a marketing tool, if you are scratching Hardlex in any activity short of diving or working on an oil field, what the heck are you doing with your watches?
didjital7
Renowned Member
- 30/1/21
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I've got a seiko with the hardlex crystal....I wear it in very demanding locations and have never gotten a scratch. I love sapphire, but I must agree that the hardlex looks pretty good.
Noted sirs, I bow to your knowledge wearing sackcloth and ashes. I'll have to educate myself on hardlex, don't really know it tbh. I just like the crispness of a good sapphire. But open to new experience.
Great review on the piece here;
I had the orange dial SPRD and for me it was a fantastic piece, literally loved the watch, the orange hits the light incredibly but it was just too big for my skinny wrists. Sold it recently on here but had it had GMT functionality I don’t think I’d have let it go.
I’m very tempted by this. Rolex should be afraid.
I had the orange dial SPRD and for me it was a fantastic piece, literally loved the watch, the orange hits the light incredibly but it was just too big for my skinny wrists. Sold it recently on here but had it had GMT functionality I don’t think I’d have let it go.
I’m very tempted by this. Rolex should be afraid.
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DrGran
Active Member
I've got a seiko with the hardlex crystal....I wear it in very demanding locations and have never gotten a scratch. I love sapphire, but I must agree that the hardlex looks pretty good.
So is Hardlex "crystals" also found in replicas (Masquerading as sapphire) ?
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Never had a Hardlex crystal bro so I have to go by what others say.
www.strapcode.com
Mineral crystal, also known as "Hardlex", is actually ordinary glass which has been heated and chemically treated to increase scratch and shatter resistance. Mineral crystals are quite durable but less durable than acrylic crystals.
They will get some scratches eventually and they're not as easy to maintain as acrylic crystals. The cost for mineral crystal is quite cheap, so people would often replace the glass instead of having to worry about damaging the glass. Mineral crystals are mainly used on low-middle class watches.
Sapphire is the second hardest element after diamond so it is scratch and crack resistant, which can keep your watch look brand new despite constant use. To understand the hardness of sapphire, it measures at 9 on the Mohs scale, which is a system for rating the relative hardness of various materials, where diamond is rated at 10. Anti-reflective coatings can be added to both sides of the crystal without any hazing.
Maybe Seiko's proprietary treatments are quite good and your comments and those from others help us evaluate their products. Seiko does make models with sapphire crystals of course and given a choice I would take that option.
Which Watch Crystals suits are the Best?
Watch Acrylic Crystal is similar to plastic. It's light, durable and affordable. Mineral crystal, Seiko name it as "Hardlex", is actually ordinary glass which has been treated to increase scratch and shatter resistance. Sapphire Crystal is the second hardest element after diamond so it is...
www.strapcode.com
Mineral crystal, also known as "Hardlex", is actually ordinary glass which has been heated and chemically treated to increase scratch and shatter resistance. Mineral crystals are quite durable but less durable than acrylic crystals.
They will get some scratches eventually and they're not as easy to maintain as acrylic crystals. The cost for mineral crystal is quite cheap, so people would often replace the glass instead of having to worry about damaging the glass. Mineral crystals are mainly used on low-middle class watches.
Sapphire is the second hardest element after diamond so it is scratch and crack resistant, which can keep your watch look brand new despite constant use. To understand the hardness of sapphire, it measures at 9 on the Mohs scale, which is a system for rating the relative hardness of various materials, where diamond is rated at 10. Anti-reflective coatings can be added to both sides of the crystal without any hazing.
Maybe Seiko's proprietary treatments are quite good and your comments and those from others help us evaluate their products. Seiko does make models with sapphire crystals of course and given a choice I would take that option.
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That is comp[letely incorrect. Hardlex it is a laminate, it has a mineral crystal lower layer and a layer of a toughened synthetic on top. It is only slightly less scratch resistant than sapphire but a lot tougher.
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I looked at GS, all of them for years and finally this year I bought a Rikka with the Hi-Beat 36k movement. The finish on the watch and bracelet is out of this world, personally, I'd say its better than Rolex. I know its a bit off topic, but I'd definitely go for it if you're on the fence.
I'm not too sold on them. I saw Spencer Klein review them and do a bunch of tests and comparisons:
I will say.... about damn time for an accessible GMT movement from Seiko. We've been having these Asian Clones with the GMT module doing the same functions as this new Seiko movement for almost a decade?
Miyota just came out with a 9015 with a GMT module of their own, launched on a Bulova worldtimer. Same functions as this Seiko and our Asian GMT's.
I don't like the fact it doesn't have a screw down crown.
I will say.... about damn time for an accessible GMT movement from Seiko. We've been having these Asian Clones with the GMT module doing the same functions as this new Seiko movement for almost a decade?
Miyota just came out with a 9015 with a GMT module of their own, launched on a Bulova worldtimer. Same functions as this Seiko and our Asian GMT's.
I don't like the fact it doesn't have a screw down crown.
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This is an informative review for anyone seriously considering a purchase.
The push pull crown is probably a deal breaker for me but still very tempted to try the Batman.
Thanks for pointing this review out. Seems less biased that the usual yt seiko crowd. The bezel moving around by hitting stuff would drive me nuts.