Horologii

Grand Seiko Accuracy

For luxury watch collectors and those fascinated by the complex workings of a movement, watch accuracy is incredibly important and often an absolute necessity in a timepiece. It is because of this that brands like Grand Seiko have found themselves on the top of the hierarchy, choosing to prioritize movement innovation and precision over expensive marketing campaigns.

The Japanese watch manufacturer was founded on the idea of creating the world’s ‘perfect’ watch with standards of precision, durability and beauty to lead the industry. Their dream was quickly made a reality with the very first Grand Seiko watch released in 1960. The watch was accurate to +12 to -3 seconds a day and offered a power reserve of 45 hours. It was the first watch in Japan to be compliant with the standard of excellence of the Bureaux Officiels de Contrôle de la Marche des Montres.

Grand Seiko accuracy and their determination to excel is symbolised through the image of the lion that can be found on the case back of every Grand Seiko watch. This symbol of strength and resolve only further establishes them as the ‘king of watches’. Meanwhile, their remarkable prowess for mechanical and quartz movements continues to amaze with new advancements being made every day. Now let’s take a look at some of the brand’s most impressive movements including Grand Seiko Spring Drive, Hi Beat and Quartz calibres.

Grand Seiko 9S Mechanical Movements

The accuracy of the Grand Seiko 9S mechanical calibres that you see today are born from their desire to build the world’s best watch. Each calibre can include as many as 200 to 300 individual parts to ensure near-perfect consistency of functionality and to ensure optimal precision of the movement. Many of their 9S movements also include their legendary Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology which is used in the manufacturing of its escapements.

Mechanical HI-BEAT 36000 – Calibre 9S85

  • Driving system: Automatic with manual winding mechanism
  • Accuracy (when static): +5 to -3 seconds per day
  • Normal usage accuracy: +8 to -1 seconds per day
  • Power reserve: Approximately 55 hours
  • Vibrations: 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second)
  • Jewels: 37
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date

Mechanical HI-BEAT 36000 – Calibre 9S86

  • Driving system: Automatic with manual winding mechanism
  • Accuracy (when static): +5 to -3 seconds per day
  • Normal usage accuracy: +8 to -1 seconds per day
  • Power reserve: Approximately 55 hours
  • Vibrations: 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second)
  • Jewels: 37
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, dual time function with 24-hour display

Automatic 3-Day Power Reserve – Calibre 9S68

  • Driving system: Automatic with manual winding mechanism
  • Accuracy (when static): +5 to -3 seconds per day
  • Normal usage accuracy: +10 to -1 seconds per day
  • Power reserve: Approximately 72 hours
  • Vibrations: 28,800 vibrations per hour (8 beats per second)
  • Jewels: 35
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date

Manual-winding with Small Seconds – Calibre 9S63

  • Driving system: Manual winding mechanism
  • Accuracy (when static): +5 to -3 seconds per day
  • Normal usage accuracy: +10 to -1 seconds per day
  • Power reserve: Approximately 72 hours
  • Vibrations: 28,800 vibrations per hour (8 beats per second)
  • Jewels: 33
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve indicator

Grand Seiko 9R Spring Drive Movements

The Grand Seiko Spring Drive movement is a truly unique piece of technology and powers a watch like no other mechanical calibre. It combines the intricacy of a mechanical movement with the accuracy of an electronic regulator to deliver a level of precision that no mechanical watch can match. To full appreciate the history and process behind the Spring Drive movement, we recommend you read our feature here.

Manual 8-Day Spring Drive – Calibre 9R01

  • Driving system: Manual winding mechanism
  • Accuracy: 0.5 seconds per day (10 seconds per month)
  • Power reserve: Approximately 192 hours
  • Jewels: 56
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve display function, independent hour-hand adjustment

Automatic Spring Drive 3 Day Chronograph GMT – Calibre 9R86

  • Driving system: Automatic with manual winding
  • Accuracy: 1 second per day (15 seconds per month)
  • Power reserve: Approximately 72 hours
  • Jewels: 50
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, power reserve display function, dual time function with 24-hour display, time difference adjustment function interrelated with the date display

Automatic Spring Drive 3 Day – Calibre 9R15

  • Driving system: Automatic with manual winding
  • Accuracy: 0.5 seconds per day (10 seconds per month)
  • Power reserve: Approximately 72 hours
  • Jewels: 30
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, power reserve display function

Grand Seiko 9F Quartz Movements

As well as mastering the art of mechanical movements, Grand Seiko have conquered the craftmanship of some of the industry’s finest quartz calibres. Ensuring these movements provide a lifetime of commitment and precision for the wearer, they have incorporated some remarkable technologies within including the instant date change mechanism, improved second hand precision and sealed structure to improve retention of lubricating oils.

Quartz with Date Display – Calibre 9F82

  • Accuracy: 10 seconds per year
  • Battery Life: Approximately 3 years
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date

Quartz with Date Display – Calibre 9F62

  • Accuracy: 10 seconds per year
  • Battery Life: Approximately 3 years
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date