| 1 | Thank you for purchasing the Grand Seiko Spring Drive watch. |
| 2 | The Spring Drive is Seiko's unique mechanism in which the mainspring is wound by the natural motions of the user and accuracy is controlled by a microelectronics quartz mechanism while using the unwinding power of the mainspring to move the hands. |
| 3 | The Spring Drive powered by natural motions of the user can be called a watch that strongly combines and connects the user with the latest advancements in technology. |
| 4 | A mechanical watch of taste and refinement with an accuracy equivalent to a quartz watch, this sophisticated and innovative watch ticks in step with the pace of a person's life. |
| 5 | This is a watch that creates a lifestyle for modern individuals who seek affluence and convenience in their life. |
| 6 | That is what the Grand Seiko Spring Drive watch is all about. |
| 7 | Grand Seiko's history symbolizes the culmination of efforts and development aiming for better practical watches. |
| 8 | The Grand Seiko watch was born in 1960, reached the very top in the mechanical watch field around the world at the end of the 1960's. |
| 9 | After a hiatus of dozen years or so, in 1993, the Grand Seiko 9F series equipped with world-class quartz movement was released. |
| 10 | In 1998, the 9S series mechanical movement that combined traditional craftsmanship and advanced technology was developed to reintroduce the Grand Seiko mechanical caliber. |
| 11 | While using the unwinding power of the mainspring as its sole power source, the new mechanism Spring Drive realizes an average monthly rate of <plusmn> 15 seconds (For Cal. 9R96, 9R16 and 9R15, <plusmn> 10 seconds), substantially exceeding the accuracy of conventional mechanical watches. |
| 12 | The watch also embodies the concepts of Grand Seiko that continues the challenge of creating the best practical watch. |
| 13 | Let's start from the drive method of a watch. |
| 14 | The method for driving a watch is divided into two types. |
| 15 | They are mechanical type and quartz type. |
| 16 | In a mechanical watch, the mainspring is wound and its unwinding power moves the hands. |
| 17 | Amazing mechanism created by high quality workmanship, and admiration goes to skilled craftsmen with passion. |
| 18 | You can feel the appreciation and personal touch of the craftsmen in the ticking sound. |
| 19 | On the other hand, with quartz watches, the quartz is oscillated by a battery and the hands are turned by a motor. |
| 20 | It is characterized by accuracy using state-of-the-art technology. |
| 21 | What is the Spring Drive like? |
| 22 | This is not a mechanical watch or a quartz watch. |
| 23 | In one word, this is a “mechanical watch having accuracy equivalent to a quartz watch.” |
| 24 | The Spring Drive is a self-contained drive system that realizes accuracy equivalent to a quartz watch with only the power of the mainspring and has no battery, motor, or secondary battery. |
| 25 | Accuracy of monthly rate of <plusmn> 15 seconds (daily rate of <plusmn> 1 second) <reference mark> equivalent to a quartz watch is achieved while using a mainspring. |
| 26 | The Spring Drive is Seiko's proprietary mechanism which is made available only by SEIKO's unique combination of skills in both mechanical and electronic micro-engineering. |
| 27 | Then, how could it be possible to achieve such a degree of accuracy? |
| 28 | That is explained on the next page. |
| 29 | The power of the mainspring is regulated by electronic control. |
| 30 | That is the essence of the Spring Drive. |
| 31 | What controls the accuracy of a mechanical watch is the balance spring, a part of the speed-regulating unit, called the balance. |
| 32 | This part influences the accuracy to some extent because it is made of metal which expands and contracts with changes in temperature. |
| 33 | The Spring Drive is completely different from a mechanical watch in this speed-regulating unit. |
| 34 | The Spring Drive is powered by a mainspring, but adopts an electronic speed-regulating unit comprising a generator, IC circuit, and crystal oscillator. |
| 35 | In a little more detail, at the end of the train wheel that moves the hands, a series of speed increasing wheels with a rotor are provided. |
| 36 | The unwinding power of the mainspring rotates the rotor, generating electricity in the coil to drive the crystal oscillator and IC. |
| 37 | The IC controls the spinning speed of the rotor by applying and releasing the electromagnetic brake, while comparing the accuracy of the electric signals generated by the crystal oscillator and the spinning speed of the rotor. |
| 38 | In addition, by making the energy transfer of the train wheel efficient and adopting an IC that drives with low power consumption, power reserve of more than 72 hours far exceeding normal mechanical watches is realized. |
| 39 | An unprecedented drive system which offers quartz accuracy. This is the Spring Drive. |
| 40 | Here is the step-by-step description of the Spring Drive in an easy-to-understand manner. |
| 41 | This is how the Spring Drive works. |
| 42 | 1 Mainspring |
| 43 | The mainspring is wound by rotation of the rotor (or by turning of the crown), and its unwinding power is the sole power source. |
| 44 | 2 Gear train <bull> hands |
| 45 | The unwinding power of the mainspring is transmitted via the gear train to move the hands. |
| 46 | No motor or battery is mounted. |
| 47 | 2 Tri-synchro regulator |
| 48 | The unwinding power of the mainspring also rotates the glide wheel. |
| 49 | This generates small electricity in the coil to drive the IC and crystal oscillator. |
| 50 | At the same time, an electric magnetic field is generated on the glide wheel. |
| 51 | The IC detects the spinning speed of the glide wheel based on the accuracy of the electric signals of the crystal oscillator, and adjusts the spinning speed of the glide wheel while applying and releasing the electromagnetic brake. |
| 52 | Differences between the Spring Drive and mechanical watch |
| 53 | For the Spring Drive, the mainspring is wound and the unwinding power of the mainspring moves the hands in the same manner as the mechanical watch. |
| 54 | It differs from the mechanical watch only in the speed - regulating unit (mechanism for controlling accuracy). |
| 55 | <bullseye> Temperature change |
| 56 | Accuracy of mechanical watches depends on a balance spring attached to a part called the balance. |
| 57 | This part has properties for expanding and contracting with temperature changes, and influences the accuracy of a watch. |
| 58 | Accuracy of the Spring Drive is never largely influenced by temperature changes like that of mechanical watches since the crystal oscillator controls it. |
| 59 | <bullseye> Difference in position |
| 60 | For mechanical watches, the accuracy is influenced even by a difference in position or direction of a watch. |
| 61 | This is also caused by the balance that controls the accuracy of mechanical watches. |
| 62 | Due to the difference in position, the area where the shaft of the balance contacts with other parts differs, and such differences in resistance influence the accuracy. |
| 63 | As the Spring Drive adopts a crystal oscillator not a balance, the accuracy is not influenced by a difference in position. |
| 64 | <bullseye> Impact |
| 65 | Mechanical watches are susceptible to impacts. |
| 66 | If a mechanical watch was subject to impact, amplitude of vibration of the balance (angle for which the balance rotates right and left) is changed, and even the form of the balance spring is changed. |
| 67 | In this regard, the Spring Drive is superior to mechanical watches in impact resistance because it adopts a crystal oscillator not a balance. |
| 68 | <bullseye> Overhaul |
| 69 | Parts that become worn or severely damaged are the balance, pallet fork, and escape wheel <amp> pinion which are collectively called the speed - regulating unit or escapement. |
| 70 | These parts “come into contact or collide” mutually and control unwinding of the mainspring. |
| 71 | For the Spring Drive, wear and damage occur less than mechanical watches since the spinning speed of the rotor is adjusted by a “contact-free” electromagnetic brake. |
| 72 | However, as the structure of gear train is the same as mechanical watches, abrasion powder may be generated by contact of the wheels <amp> pinions. |
| 73 | An overhaul is recommended every three to four years. |
| 74 | How to wind the main spring |
| 75 | <white circle> This watch is an automatic winding type (with manual winding function). |
| 76 | <white circle> The mainspring can be sufficiently wound automatically by natural movement of the arm while it is worn on the wrist. |
| 77 | In addition, the mainspring can be wound by turning the crown. |
| 78 | Please see the power reserve indicator to check the level of the remaining power. |
| 79 | <white circle> When starting to use a stopped watch, it is recommended that you turn the crown to wind the mainspring. |
| 80 | To wind the mainspring, turn the crown at the normal position clockwise (12 o'clock direction) slowly. |
| 81 | If you turn the crown counterclockwise (6 o'clock direction), it will turn free. |
| 82 | Five full rotations of the crown will provide the power to run the watch for approximately ten hours. |
| 83 | <white circle> If you wear the watch for twelve hours per day consecutively for three to five days, the watch will be fully wound. |
| 84 | Inspection and adjustment by disassembly and cleaning (overhaul) |
| 85 | <white circle> Periodic inspection and adjustment by disassembly and cleaning (overhaul) is recommended approximately once every 3 to 4 years in order to maintain optimal performance of the watch for a long time. |
| 86 | <white circle> The movement of this watch has a structure that consistent pressure is applied on its power - transmitting wheels. |
| 87 | To ensure these parts work together properly, periodic inspection including cleaning of parts and movement, oiling, adjustment of accuracy, functional check and replacement of worn parts is needed. |
| 88 | Inspection and adjustment by disassembly and cleaning (overhaul) within 3 to 4 years from the date of purchase is highly recommended for long-time use of your watch. |
| 89 | According to use conditions, the oil retaining condition of your watch mechanical parts may deteriorate, abrasion of the parts may occur due to contamination of oil, which may ultimately lead the watch to stop. |
| 90 | As the parts such as the gasket may deteriorate, water-resistant performance may be impaired due to intrusion of perspiration and moisture. |
| 91 | Please contact the retailer from whom the watch was purchased for inspection and adjustment by disassembly and cleaning (overhaul). |
| 92 | For replacement of parts, please specify “GRAND SEIKO GENUINE PARTS”. |
| 93 | When asking for inspection and adjustment by disassembly and cleaning (overhaul), make sure that the gasket and push pin are also replaced with new ones. |
| 94 | <white circle> When your watch is inspected and adjusted by disassembly and cleaning (overhauled), the movement of your watch may be replaced. |