Grand Seiko SBGM221vsCIGA Design SKELETON

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.

Owners widely praise the CIGA Design SKELETON for its value and willingness to challenge established brands, with some surprised by its quality. One owner reports their CIGA Design Series Z in Black DLC has been perfect for over four years, keeping good time and looking neat. However, some find the skeletonized movement's visibility obscured by reflections due to the lack of anti-reflective coating on the crystal. One owner reported their CIGA Design Z Series Skeleton broke after three months with no customer service response. Overall, owners rate the CIGA Design SKELETON highly for its surprising quality and value proposition.