Which is cheaper, the Grand Seiko SBGH289 or the Longines SPIRIT ZULU TIME?

At MSRP the Longines SPIRIT ZULU TIME is the cheaper of the two at $3,550, against $7,700 for the Grand Seiko SBGH289 — a $4,150 gap before any retailer discounting.

Which is bigger, the Grand Seiko SBGH289 or the Longines SPIRIT ZULU TIME?

The Grand Seiko SBGH289 wears larger at 43.8mm versus 42mm for the Longines SPIRIT ZULU TIME — a 1.8mm difference across the dial.

Which has better water resistance, the Grand Seiko SBGH289 or the Longines SPIRIT ZULU TIME?

The Grand Seiko SBGH289 is rated to 200m versus 100m for the Longines SPIRIT ZULU TIME.

Which has a longer power reserve, the Grand Seiko SBGH289 or the Longines SPIRIT ZULU TIME?

The Longines SPIRIT ZULU TIME carries a 72-hour power reserve against 55 hours on the Grand Seiko SBGH289.

What movement does the Grand Seiko SBGH289 run compared to the Longines SPIRIT ZULU TIME?

Both watches run automatic movements — the Grand Seiko SBGH289 uses the 9S85 and the Longines SPIRIT ZULU TIME uses the L844.4.

Side by side

Grand Seiko SBGH289vsLongines SPIRIT ZULU TIME

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

Grand Seiko SBGH289

sbgh289g

MSRP $7,700

Longines SPIRIT ZULU TIME

L3.812.4.50.6

MSRP $3,550

At a glance

20 of 29 specs differ

Diameter

SBGH28943.8mm

SPIRIT ZULU TIME42mm

Power Reserve

SBGH28955h

SPIRIT ZULU TIME72h

Water Resistance

SBGH289200m

SPIRIT ZULU TIME100m

MSRP

SBGH289$7,700

SPIRIT ZULU TIME$3,550

Full specifications

Case

8 specs

Crystal & Dial

4 specs

Crystal Shape

Flat

—

AR Coating

Yes

Both sides

Indices

Applied

Applied Arabic numerals

Lume

None

Super-LumiNova

Movement

7 specs

Caliber

9S85

L844.4

Beat Rate

28,800 vph

25,200 vph

Power Reserve

55h

72h

Jewels

Hacking

Yes

Hand-winding

Yes

Complications

None

Hours, minutes, seconds and date, 24 hours hand with time zone mechanism

Pricing

1 specs

MSRP

$7,700

$3,550

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What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Grand Seiko SBGH289

The Grand Seiko SBGH289 is praised for its legible blue dial, strong Lumibrite, and the accurate Hi-Beat Caliber 9S85 movement. Reviewers note its bright initial lume glow, though its longevity is questioned compared to other models. The watch features Grand Seiko's Super-Hard Coating for scratch resistance and retails for €7,200. Overall, reviewers highlight the SBGH289's appealing aesthetics and robust movement as key strengths.

From video reviewers

Excellent finishing and smooth bezel action are notable features of the Grand Seiko SBGH289. A weakness of the watch is the relatively low lume brightness. Reviewers disagree on the watch's ideal lug width, with some considering 22mm a limitation for users who prefer a more standard 20mm or 21mm strap width, while others do not mention this as a concern.

Fratello

Time + Tide

Longines SPIRIT ZULU TIME

Owners widely praise the Longines SPIRIT ZULU TIME for its refined finishing, attractive dial with gilt elements, and smooth winding action. Reviewers highlight its handsome and versatile design, with some noting the 39mm variant offers comfortable wearability. The L844.4 movement provides a 72-hour power reserve and COSC certification. Some owners find the bracelet lacks sufficient micro-adjustment and prefer a weightier feel, while others note the 41mm or 42mm case sizes may be large for smaller wrists. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Longines SPIRIT ZULU TIME highly for its excellent finishing and appealing design at its price point.

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