Movements Movements

New generations of Spron alloys

New generations of Spron alloys

Since the 1950s, the company has been making not only its own hairsprings and mainsprings but also the alloys from which the springs are made. Grand Seiko’s Spron alloys have long been renowned for their high corrosion resistance, durability, elasticity and heat resistance but the crucial point for successive generations of Grand Seiko watchmakers is that, because the springs are made in-house, the development of new and better versions can be attempted whenever the creation of a new movement demands.

Since the 1950s, the company has been making not only its hairsprings and mainsprings but also the alloys from which springs are made. Grand Seiko’s Spron alloys have long been renowned for their high corrosion resistance, durability, elasticity and heat resistance but the crucial point for successive genera tions of Grand Seiko watchmakers is that, because the springs made in-house, the development of new and better versions be attempted whenever the creation of a new movement demands.

High precision parts, thanks to MEMS engineering

High precision parts, thanks to MEMS engineering

To raise the precision of the 9S movement to the highest po ssible level, MEMS engineering was utilized. MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) was developed as part of the company’s semiconductor manufacturing. It allows the creation of complex shapes that cannot be achieved by conventional technology.

Furthermore, MEMS parts are made with tolerances of one thousandth of a millimeter. MEMS was used for the new escape wheel, making it a critical 5% lighter than a wheel made by conventional of each arm of the wheel, MEMS allowed the creation of a step which retains the lubrication oils for longer and therefore enhances the durability. e pallet fork, too, is 25% lighter thanks to its MEMS construction.

To raise the precision of the 9S movement to the highest po level, MEMS engineering was utilized. MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) was developed as part of the company’s conductor manufacturing. It allows the creation of complex shapes that cannot be achieved by conventional technology. Furthermore, MEMS parts are made with tolerances of one sandth of a millimeter. MEMS was used for the new escape making it a critical 5% lighter than a wheel made by conventio of each arm of the wheel, MEMS allowed the creation of a step which retains the lubrication oils for longer and therefore enhanc es the durability. e pallet fork, too, is 25% lighter thanks MEMS construction.

Maximum daily rate between two consecutive daily rates in the same position Variation of rate between positions horizontal and vertical

Maximum daily rate between mean daily rate and any individual rate

Variation of daily rate per 1°C between 8°C and 38°C

Unit

Every 9S movement is made at the Grand Seiko mechanical watch facility in Shizukuishi in northern Japan. Within the same facility is a studio where the movements and then complete watches are adjust parts by hand to tolerances of one hundredth of a millimeter. Once each movement is assembled, it is tested over the course Grand Seiko Standard +5.0 ~ −3.0 Less than 1.8 Less than 4.0 +8.0 ~ −0.6 Less than 8.0 +0.5 ~ −0.5 +0.5 ~ −0.5 +0.5 ~ −0.5

Grand Seiko Standard for women +8.0 ~ −3.0 Less than 3.2 Less than 6.0 +10.0 ~ −8.0 Less than 13.0 +0.6 ~ −0.6 +0.6 ~ −0.6 +0.6 ~ −0.6

Movements

Grand Seiko

Studio Shizukuishi

Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi

Caliber 9SA5. e best Grand Seiko mechanical movement ever created

Caliber 9SA5. e best Grand Seiko mechanical movement ever created to the Caliber 9S series of mechanical movements, it had long been Grand Seiko’s goal to push the boundaries back further and create a new mechanical movement with enhanced had done two decades before. e decision was taken to aim for a new 10-beat movement to the Caliber 9S series of mechanical movements, it had long been Grand Seiko’s goal to push the boundaries back further and create a new mechanical movement with enhanced had done two decades before. e decision was taken to aim for a new 10-beat movement reserve. is is how Caliber 9SA5 was born. Its birthplace was the Grand Seiko Studiomen and women have been responsible for the design and manufacture of all Grand Seiko mechanical watches. It was here, too, reserve. is is how Caliber 9SA5 was born. Its birthplace was the Grand Seiko Studiomen and women have been responsible for the design and manufacture of all Grand Seiko mechanical watches. It was here, too, e designers, engineers and watchmakers of the studio have two important assets at their disposal. First, they have inherited the tradition and accumulated know-how that has been built over decades as Grand Seiko has pursued its aim ofvation” at the very highest level of the horological industry. Second, as a fully integrated “manufacture,” Grand Seiko has mastery of every aspect of the watchmaker’s art and has complete in-house control over every technical aspect of every single movement component. Caliber 9SA5 is the direct result of the synergy of these two important assets, as its advanced functionality and its exquisite e designers, engineers and watchmakers the studio have two important assets at their disposal. First, they have inherited the tradi tion and accumulated know-how that has been built over decades as Grand Seiko has pursued its aim of vation” at the very highest level of the horo logical industry. Second, as a fully integrated “manufacture,” Grand Seiko has mastery of every aspect of the watchmaker’s art and has complete in-house control over every techni cal aspect of every single movement compo nent. Caliber 9SA5 is the direct result of the synergy of these two important assets, as its advanced functionality and its exquisite e challenge for any watchmaker who creates a high beat movement is to strike the perfect balance between precision, power and size without compromising on any of these parameters. In developing Caliber 9SA5, the development team set out to deliver the same level of stable accuracy as that of their existing 36,000 vph movement but to deliver a longer power reserve and so make the watch even more practical in everyday life. ey succeeded in characteristically uncompromising style. Caliber 9SA5 has a precision rate of +5 to -3 seconds per day and a power reserve of 80 hours. More remarkable still is that the new movement achieves these high levels of performance and yet is slimmer e challenge for any watchmaker who creates a high beat movement is to strike the perfect balance between precision, power and size without compromising on any of these parameters. In developing Caliber 9SA5, the development team set out to deliver the same level of stable accuracy as that of their existing 36,000 vph movement but to deliver a longer power reserve and so make the watch even more practical in everyday life. ey succeeded in characteristically uncompromising style. Caliber 9SA5 has a precision rate of +5 to -3 seconds per day and a power reserve of 80 hours. More remarkable still is that the new movement achieves these high levels of performance and yet is slimmer than the current Grand Seiko high beat movement, thanks to the innovative horizontal layout of the barrels and gear train. e movement is as beautifully e bridge has a gently curving outline that is inspired by the shape of Mt. Iwate and a bend in the nearby Shizukuishi River that runs the studio where the watch is made. e wave pattern echoes the ripples of its shallow waves. e timing is propitious. Caliber 9SA5 arrives in the 60th year of Grand Seiko’s existence and, with its remarkable innovations, points the way forward. For Grand Seiko, the past is an inspiration and the future is a beacon. than the current Grand Seiko high beat movement, thanks to the innovative horizontal layout of the barrels and gear train. e movement is as beautifully e bridge has a gently curving outline that is inspired by the shape of Mt. Iwate and a bend in the nearby Shizukuishi River that runs the studio where the watch is made. e wave pattern echoes the ripples of its shallow waves. e timing is propitious. Caliber 9SA5 arrives in the 60th year of Grand Seiko’s existence and, with its remarkable innovations, points the way forward. For Grand Seiko, the past is an inspiration and the future is a beacon.