How Does Seiko’s Presage Line Compare to Their Top-Of-The-Line Grand Seiko?

Seiko Presage Spring Drive ref. SNR037 and the Grand Seiko Spring Drive ref. SBGA413

While we know that Grand Seiko is clearly superior to the Seiko Presage line, the question is – just how much better is it? Grand Seiko costs high four-figures and often even more, it's meant to compete with Swiss watches, the likes of Rolex and Omega. The Seiko Presage, on the other hand, is meant to compete with the likes of the SARB and maybe Tissot on the Swiss side of things. Where Grand Seiko recently released their first Tourbillon, the Presage continues to make mostly casual, sporty watches – perfect for daily wear. In general, the Seiko Presage and Grand Seiko watches share many similarities, both produce casual watches with steel bracelets, chronographs, and dress watches; while Grand Seiko does take the lead when it comes to dive watches.

Seiko Presage vs. Grand Seiko Movements

Seiko Presage watches usually have mid to high-end mechanical movements, automatic movements, in contrast to Grand Seiko's combination of quartz, Spring Drive, and mechanical movements.

The Seiko Presage does, however, have Spring Drive in its arsenal; the Seiko 5R Spring Drive movement, which has an accuracy of +\- 1 second per day versus the Grand Seiko 9R's +\- 0.5 seconds. These Seiko Presage Spring Drives are definitely in the Grand Seiko range when it comes to quality – costing thousands of dollars each. Otherwise, common movements for the Seiko Presage are the Seiko 4R and 6R calibers. These are robust automatic movements, nothing too fancy but certainly reliable.

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The Seiko 4R is an evolution of the 7S movement family from Seiko, and has a bph rate of 21,600. It was first released in the late 2000s. Meanwhile the Seiko 6R is a cut above, it is also derived from the 7S movement family, but was modified and features a Spron 510 mainspring. Most 6R movements have a 45-hour power reserve and a 28,800 bph rate, while the newer 6R35 movement has a 21,600 bph rate and a 70-hour power reserve. Both the Seiko 4R and 6R have hacking seconds and manual winding functions.

Now, Grand Seiko has a whole slew of movements. Too many to mention them all, but the gist of the story is that they are generally far above the quality of the typical Seiko Presage movement, particularly the 4R. The 9S movement family is Grand Seiko's go-to mechanical movement – and it certainly delivers. Its accuracy ranges from +8/-3 seconds per day for the Grand Seiko Cal. 9S27, to +5/-3 seconds per day for most other movements in the 9S family. Power reserves range from 50 to 80 hours, the jewel count is higher (which doesn't necessarily reflect higher quality), and the finishing is superb, as expected for Grand Seikos. The Grand Seiko 9S movement family is complimented by the Grand Seiko 9F quartz movement family, and the Grand Seiko 9R Spring Drive family, that are all excellent in their domains.

Seiko Presage vs. Grand Seiko Design

Seiko Presage ‘Forest in the Ravine’ ref. SPB173J1

Seiko Presage stands apart when it comes to the rest of the Seiko collections for its enamel dials. An excellent, affordable option if you're looking for high-end design and craftsmanship for under $1,000. While their movements, cases, and even dials, may lack the variety and attention to detail that Grand Seiko is known for, the Seiko Presage does offer design features that very few other watches do at a similar price range.

If you're looking for what can be described as a 'mini' Grand Seiko, much like the SARB line from Seiko, the Seiko Presage can definitely fill that slot in your watch box. While it certainly can't replace the Grand Seiko – it can compete with it on many levels. I would not at all be disappointed to find a nice Seiko Presage Cocktail Time under the Christmas tree.

By: Andres Ibarguen