Before I get to my review of the Grand Seiko SBGN011 it is important to know that at the time of writing, I’ve been in the watch game for 8 years. By now, it’s safe to say that I know a thing or two about going down the rabbit hole that is watch collecting. Throughout the years, my collection has been made up of a mix of vintage, neo-vintage and modern watches, depending on the phase I was in at the time. Whether they’re vintage or otherwise, my watches have one thing in common: they’re all mechanical watches, be it automatic or manual wind. Over the years, I’ve also adopted the philosophy of having a watch for every occasion.

The Grand Seiko SBGN011 can seem like an odd choice for a purchase. For one, it’s a quartz watch when there are so many amazing mechanical watches out there, especially at its price point (CAD 3900 or USD 2837). However, this isn’t one of those cases where it’s worth getting into a debate over which is better. Grand Seiko is a high-end brand that makes some incredible watches. The quartz models are often overlooked because they don’t have the prestige of their mechanical brethren, but don’t let this fool you— they’re worth taking a look at for any watch enthusiast. After a look at the details, I think you’ll find that this watch is more than worthy of your consideration.

I was in search of at least one watch that I can just grab on the go without the hassle of setting the time; something that I can wear anywhere without catching too much attention, especially when I’m traveling a lot. This one fits the bill. The finishing throughout is amazing. From the clean lines of the case to the finely detailed dials to even the packaging. Let’s take a closer look at the Grand Seiko SBGN011, there is a real show of quality workmanship on display here.

This watch houses the Caliber 9F86, which is accurate to +/- 10 seconds per year. This is a handcrafted movement, thermo-compensated, features a true GMT function (independent hour hand) and 3 years of battery life. Setting the time and date is incredibly simple. You can shift the hour hand forward or backward by pulling the crown out to the first position. The hour and minute hands can be adjusted to establish the precise time if you pull the crown out all the way to the second position. The minute and hour hands show the local time, and the GMT hand shows the home time. A 24-hour GMT scale that works alongside the standard 12-hour scale is printed on the dial with the date displayed at 3 o’clock. The hour hand’s movement automatically updates the date. Additionally, watching the precise date change action through the number’s rapid flip brings a sort of ‘little joy’ to your wrist.

The Grand Seiko SBGN011 features a subtle blue GMT hand and a sunburst champagne-coloured dial. The stainless steel case is water resistant to 100 meters and has a dual-curved sapphire crystal. The case measures 40mm in width and 49mm in length, while being 12.1mm tall. I find that it fits my 6.5in/16.5cm wrist quite nicely because of the design of the case and the high-quality bracelet. The Zaratsu polishing highlights the quality of the finishing and gives it an amazing look in person. The bracelet features a brushed finish and can be opened and shut using a twin pusher folding clasp which features the iconic ‘GS’ stamp in their signature gothic style typeface.

As much as I love mechanical watches, sometimes it’s the battery-powered ones that surprise the most. This is especially true in the case of Grand Seiko, a brand known for its constantly-evolving, high-end movement technology. I admit, the Grand Seiko SBGN011 does look pretty boring at first glance but it has a lot going for it and its simplicity grows on you the more you wear it. If you’re looking for an elegant yet versatile watch that can be dressed up or down, this is it — the perfect balance of style and substance.