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1Thank_you for purchasing the Grand Seiko Spring Drive watch .
2The 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 .
3The 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 .
4A 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 .
5This is a watch that creates a lifestyle for modern individuals who seek affluence and convenience in their life . That is what the Grand Seiko Spring Drive watch is all about .
6Grand Seiko 's history symbolizes the culmination of efforts and development aiming for better practical watches .
7The 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 .
8After a hiatus of dozen years or_so , in 1993 , the Grand Seiko 9F series equipped with world_-_class quartz movement was released .
9In 1998 , the 9S series mechanical movement that combined traditional craftsmanship and advanced technology was developed to reintroduce the Grand Seiko mechanical caliber .
10While using the unwinding power of the mainspring as its sole power source , the new mechanism Spring Drive realizes an average monthly rate of ± 15 seconds ( For Cal. 9R96 , 9R16 and 9R15 , ± 10 seconds ) , substantially exceeding the accuracy of conventional mechanical watches . The watch also embodies the concepts of Grand Seiko that continues the challenge of creating the best practical watch .
11Let 's start from the drive method of a watch .
12The method for driving a watch is divided into two types . They are mechanical type and quartz type .
13In a mechanical watch , the mainspring is wound and its unwinding power moves the hands .
14Amazing mechanism created by high quality workmanship , and admiration goes to skilled craftsmen with passion .
15You can feel the appreciation and personal touch of the craftsmen in the ticking sound .
16On the other hand , with quartz watches , the quartz is oscillated by a battery and the hands are turned by a motor . It is characterized by accuracy using state_-_of_-_the_-_art technology .
17What is the Spring Drive like ? This is not a mechanical watch or a quartz watch . In one word , this is a “ mechanical watch having accuracy equivalent to a quartz watch . ”
18The 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 .
19Accuracy of monthly rate of ± 15 seconds ( daily rate of ± 1 second ) ※ equivalent to a quartz watch is achieved while using a mainspring .
20The 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 .
21Then , how could it be possible to achieve such a degree of accuracy ? That is explained on the next page .
22The power of the mainspring is regulated by electronic control . That is the essence of the Spring Drive .
23What controls the accuracy of a mechanical watch is the balance spring , a part of the speed_-_regulating unit , called the balance . This part influences the accuracy to some extent because it is made of metal which expands and contracts with changes in temperature .
24The Spring Drive is completely different from a mechanical watch in this speed_-_regulating unit .
25The Spring Drive is powered by a mainspring , but adopts an electronic speed_-_regulating unit comprising a generator , IC circuit , and crystal oscillator .
26In 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 .
27The unwinding power of the mainspring rotates the rotor , generating electricity in the coil to drive the crystal oscillator and IC .
28The 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 .
29In 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 .
30An unprecedented drive system which offers quartz accuracy . This is the Spring Drive .
31Here is the step_-_by_-_step description of the Spring Drive in an easy_-_to_-_understand manner .
32This is how the Spring Drive works .
331 Mainspring
34The mainspring is wound by rotation of the rotor ( or by turning of the crown ) , and its unwinding power is the sole power source .
352 Gear train <bull> hands
36The unwinding power of the mainspring is transmitted via the gear train to move the hands .
37No motor or battery is mounted .
382 Tri_-_synchro regulator
39The unwinding power of the mainspring also rotates the glide wheel . This generates small electricity in the coil to drive the IC and crystal oscillator .
40At the same time , an electric magnetic field is generated on the glide wheel . 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 .
41Differences between the Spring Drive and mechanical watch
42For 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 . It differs from the mechanical watch only in the speed - regulating unit ( mechanism for controlling accuracy ) .
43◎ Temperature change
44Accuracy of mechanical watches depends on a balance spring attached to a part called the balance . This part has properties for expanding and contracting with temperature changes , and influences the accuracy of a watch .
45Accuracy of the Spring Drive is never largely influenced by temperature changes like that of mechanical watches since the crystal oscillator controls it .
46◎ Difference in position
47For mechanical watches , the accuracy is influenced even by a difference in position or direction of a watch . This is also caused by the balance that controls the accuracy of mechanical watches . 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 .
48As the Spring Drive adopts a crystal oscillator not a balance , the accuracy is not influenced by a difference in position .
49◎ Impact
50Mechanical watches are susceptible to impacts .
51If 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 .
52In this regard , the Spring Drive is superior to mechanical watches in impact resistance because it adopts a crystal oscillator not a balance .
53◎ Overhaul
54Parts 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 . These parts “ come into contact or collide ” mutually and control unwinding of the mainspring .
55For 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 .
56However , as the structure of gear train is the same as mechanical watches , abrasion powder may be generated by contact of the wheels <amp> pinions .
57An overhaul is recommended every three to four years .
58How to wind the main spring
59○ This watch is an automatic winding type ( with manual winding function ) .
60○ The mainspring can be sufficiently wound automatically by natural movement of the arm while it is worn on the wrist .
61In addition , the mainspring can be wound by turning the crown .
62Please see the power reserve indicator to check the level of the remaining power .
63○ When starting to use a stopped watch , it is recommended that you turn the crown to wind the mainspring . To wind the mainspring , turn the crown at the normal position clockwise ( 12 o'clock direction ) slowly . If you turn the crown counterclockwise ( 6 o'clock direction ) , it will turn free . Five full rotations of the crown will provide the power to run the watch for approximately ten hours .
64○ If you wear the watch for twelve hours per day consecutively for three to five days , the watch will be fully wound .
65Inspection and adjustment by disassembly and cleaning ( overhaul )
66○ 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 .
67○ The movement of this watch has a structure that consistent pressure is applied on its power_-_transmitting wheels .
68To 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 .
69Inspection 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 .
70According_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 .
71As the parts such_as the gasket may deteriorate , water_-_resistant performance may be impaired due to intrusion of perspiration and moisture .
72Please contact the retailer from whom the watch was purchased for inspection and adjustment by disassembly and cleaning ( overhaul ) .
73For replacement of parts , please specify “ GRAND SEIKO GENUINE PARTS ” .
74When asking for inspection and adjustment by disassembly and cleaning ( overhaul ) , make sure that the gasket and push pin are also replaced with new ones .
75○ When your watch is inspected and adjusted by disassembly and cleaning ( overhauled ) , the movement of your watch may be replaced .