Spring Drive 8-Day
"The Third Engine"
Ref. SPRING-DRIVE-9R01
Neither mechanical nor quartz — something entirely new. After 28 years of development beginning in 1977, Seiko created the Spring Drive: a mainspring powers the watch, but a quartz crystal regulates it. The result is the smoothest seconds hand in watchmaking and accuracy of one second per day. The 9R01 caliber offers an 8-day power reserve. Japan's answer to Switzerland.
Specifications
About Grand Seiko
The Nature of Time
Grand Seiko was born in 1960 with a single ambition: create the world's best practical wristwatch. The result was a line of watches with finishing standards that rival anything from Switzerland — Zaratsu polishing creates distortion-free mirror surfaces that take years to master. The Spring Drive movement (1999) is unlike anything else in horology: a mechanical mainspring drives a glide wheel regulated by an integrated circuit, producing a sweep second hand with zero stutter. Grand Seiko dials are miniature landscapes — the Snowflake (SBGA211) textures recall powder snow on the mountains of Shinshu. Increasingly recognized by Western collectors, Grand Seiko offers extraordinary craft at prices well below comparably finished Swiss competitors.
Zaratsu polishing technique for distortion-free mirror surfaces. Spring Drive hybrid movement (1999) — unique to Grand Seiko. Hi-Beat 36000 caliber (1968).
Grand Seiko is in an appreciation phase as Western collectors discover the brand. Limited editions and Spring Drive references see strongest secondary market performance.
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