Side by side

NOMOS Glashütte Orion 38 grayvsGrand Seiko SBGH281

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

Orion 38 gray
NOMOS GlashütteOrion 38 gray
MSRP $3,040
SBGH281
Grand SeikoSBGH281
MSRP $6,300

At a glance

16 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Orion 38 gray38mm
SBGH28140mm
Power Reserve
Orion 38 gray53 hoursh
SBGH28155h
Water Resistance
Orion 38 gray50m
SBGH281100m
MSRP
Orion 38 gray$3,040
SBGH281$6,300

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Diameter
38mm
40mm
Thickness
7.9mm
13.3mm
Lug-to-Lug
48mm
46.2mm
Finish
Brushed and polished
Water Resistance
50m
100m
Caseback
Solid

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal Shape
Flat
AR Coating
Yes
Dial Color
Grey
Black
Indices
Applied

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
DUW 4001
9S85
Type
Manual
Automatic
Beat Rate
21,600 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
53 hoursh
55h
Jewels
17
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$3,040
$6,300

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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.

NOMOS Glashütte Orion 38 gray

Owners widely praise the NOMOS Glashütte Orion 38 gray for its minimalist Bauhaus design, legible dial with applied golden indices and blued steel hands, and harmonious proportions. Reviewers and owners alike note its comfortable and versatile wearability, with some finding it suitable for both formal and casual occasions. However, some enthusiasts find the Orion 38 gray wears larger than expected due to its all-dial design, while others consider its style polarizing and potentially less versatile for everyday wear. One owner notes the watch is considered delicate for daily wear despite its 5 ATM water resistance. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the NOMOS Glashütte Orion 38 gray highly for its elegant, minimalist design and comfortable wearability.

Grand Seiko SBGH281

The Grand Seiko SBGH281 is lauded for its 44GS-style case, which exemplifies the brand's "Grammar of Design" with its sharp facets and broad case band, and its Hi-Beat 36000vph Caliber 9S85 movement, noted for an ultra-smooth second hand. Reviewers highlight the exceptional finishing, including Zaratsu polishing and hand-polished markers, as offering significant value at its €6,200 price point. The watch features an accuracy rating of +5/–3 seconds per day, a 55-hour power reserve, and 100-meter water resistance, all executed to Grand Seiko's high standards, and is limited to 1,500 pieces. Overall, reviewers rate the Grand Seiko SBGH281 highly for its iconic case design and superb finishing at its price.

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