Side by side

Grand Seiko SBGM221vsVario Futurist

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

SBGM221
Grand SeikoSBGM221
MSRP $5,400
Futurist
VarioFuturist
MSRP $648

At a glance

13 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
SBGM22139.5mm
Futurist39mm
Power Reserve
SBGM22172h
Futurist40h
Water Resistance
SBGM22130m
Futurist100m
MSRP
SBGM221$5,400
Futurist$648

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Category
GMT
Dress
Diameter
39.5mm
39mm
Thickness
13.7mm
10mm
Lug-to-Lug
46.9mm
48mm
Lug Width
19mm
20mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel
Water Resistance
30m
100m

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
Crystal
Sapphire
Sapphire (faceted)
AR Coating
Yes
Inner
Dial Color
Black
Purple

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
9S66
Miyota 9039
Power Reserve
72h
40h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$5,400
$648

Follow this matchup

Get a note when Grand Seiko SBGM221 vs Vario Futurist gets more votes, a community discussion, or a price drop. No account needed.

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 SBGM221

Grand Seiko SBGM221 is widely praised for its exceptional dial finish, highly polished hands and indices, and elegant design. Owners consistently highlight the stunning craftsmanship, with specific mention of the up to 11 hand-polished facets on its rectangular markers. The reliable 9S66 movement is noted for its 72-hour power reserve and true GMT functionality, tested beyond Chronometer specifications. Some enthusiasts desire a bidirectional 24-hour bezel, which the Grand Seiko SBGM221 lacks, and its 13.7mm thickness and 19mm lug width are noted as potential limitations. On balance, owners rate the Grand Seiko SBGM221 highly for its exquisite finishing and elegant, comfortable design.

From video reviewers

The SBGM221 is praised for its value within the Grand Seiko lineup. The lug width is cited as a weakness.

Vario Futurist

The Vario Futurist is widely praised for its fun, retro-futuristic design and unique faceted sapphire crystal, offering significant visual intrigue at an affordable price. Owners note its ability to catch the light beautifully. One reviewer flags that the recessed crown can be difficult to operate, and the 39mm case offers more wrist presence than expected.

From video reviewers

The faceted sapphire crystal and distinctive case finishing are praised. The crown placement and sharp case edges are noted as drawbacks. Reviewers disagreed on the watch's overall value proposition.

Keep exploring

More watches worth a look

Matched to the watches above on size, movement, style and price — microbrands first. Open any one to dig in.

Adjacent matchups

People also compared

Comparisons nearby in the catalog — alternatives to the watches above paired against the matchup.