Grand Seiko is a model that was based on being higher. At one level, it represented the best model of Seiko when it comes to watchmaking, imagining what a luxurious Japanese timepiece could be. As we speak, it has since branched off to change into its entity, retaining the ethos of constructing implausible luxurious Japanese watches with the best degree of workmanship. Past that, nonetheless, there was, and is, a quest for Grand Seiko to realize the utmost degree of timekeeping precision. This yr marks the subsequent step the model is taking with the brand new Spring Drive Extremely Superb Accuracy (U.F.A) SLGB003.
Simply as a little bit little bit of a backgrounder, Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive know-how is their effort to mix the precision of a quartz oscillator with a mechanical soul. It was developed at a time when quartz actions had been disrupting the trade and by 2004, when it was first unveiled, the world was prepared to simply accept that mechanical timekeeping was its type of luxurious.
The fundamental premise of the Spring Drive motion is that it makes use of a mainspring to energy a geartrain as per any mechanical watch. The distinction is that as an alternative of a conventional escapement system to manage the discharge of energy from the mainspring, it makes use of a quartz oscillator and a braking system to make sure that the seconds hand glides ever so easily, making one full rotation of the dial in 60 seconds.
As a comparability, a chronometer licensed by COSC must be correct to inside -4/+6 seconds per day and Rolex does a -2/+2 seconds per day accuracy for his or her Superlative Chronometer. Spring Drive already beats that with -10/+10 seconds per 30 days. And now, with the U.F.A., Spring Drive is able to reaching an accuracy price of -20/+20 seconds per yr. Sure, per yr! That’s 3 seconds per 30 days and about 0.1 seconds per day. This makes the Spring Drive U.F.A. essentially the most correct wristwatch powered by a mainspring ever.
To realize this beautiful accuracy, the calibre 9RB2 motion combines a newly designed built-in circuit (IC) and a brand new three-month-aged quartz oscillator. As with the earlier technology of Spring Drive actions, the frequency of every quartz oscillator is measured at completely different temperatures and the info is fed right into a temperature compensation programme throughout the low-power IC.
The whole factor is then vacuum sealed to guard in opposition to exterior elements equivalent to humidity, static electrical energy, and lightweight. For such finely managed accuracy, nonetheless, the brand new calibre 9RB2 is fitted with a brand new regulation swap that after-sales personnel can use to right any divergence in accuracy.
Past the implausible motion, the aesthetics of the Spring Drive U.F.A watch additionally carry with it a singular enchantment. To start with, it measures 37mm in diameter, making it the smallest case dimension to make use of a 9R motion so far. The case and bracelet of the SLGB003 are product of Excessive-Depth Titanium, which, as you’ll be able to think about, was extremely troublesome contemplating that every one Grand Seiko instances have some type of Zaratsu mirror-polished surfaces. Not forgetting the dial, this unimaginable sample was impressed by the Kirigamine Highlands east of the Shinshu Watch Studio, the place frost-covered bushes stand majestically through the harsh winter months.
This story was first seen as a part of the WOW #79 Summer time 2025 Challenge
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