Grand Seiko watches are prized for two fundamental values - reliability and affordability. These timepieces, powered by complex mechanical movements and quartz movements are manufactured in the Morioka Seiko Instruments facilities in Shizuku-ishi. The engines that govern these stylish yet classic looking wristwatches adhere to the highest chronometric standards making them highly sought after in the market. The very first Grand Seiko watches were developed in 1960. Light, durable and highly accurate, these watches were instantly met with resounding success. The quartz crisis swooped in during the 1970s and the company was forced to cease manufacture in 1974. It would take another 16 years before the manufacture of Grand Seiko watches would resume once again, and a further 7 years after that before the second generation of a Grand Seiko watches would debut. This new series was named the 9S5 and composed a mix of automatic and hand wound watches.
The views of Mt Iwate, which Grand Seiko’s manufacturing facilities overlook, offer inspiration to these timepieces. The watchmaking foundations were built in 1970 and is now home to over 70 engineers, watchmakers and designers who take great pride in the meticulous development and arrangement of every component of an authentic Grand Seiko watch. Amongst a total of 20 calibres are movements for the 9s and 9s6x series, capable of an impressive 3 day power reserve and a performance of 28, 800 vibrations per hour.
Some of the self winding movements powering the modern era of Grand Seiko watches are considered some of the most reliable in the industry. In 1998 Grand Seiko launched the 9S65 calibre family, which powered the 9S65 models. Equipped with a 50 hour power reserve, this calibre series worked so flawlessly thanks to a proprietary mainspring. Furthermore, Grand Seiko produced the Hi Beat 9S85 calibre family a decade later, which performed at a higher frequency of 36,600 vibrations per hour. Due to this high frequency, the movement stood a higher chance of wearing out through friction. To overcome this problem, skilled technicians at Grand Seiko created the Micro Electrical Mechanical System, also abbreviated to MEMS, which was used to develop escape wheel and pallet forks. Due to the lighter weight of these refined and carefully researched components, the Hi Beat models could now work with enhanced efficiency and promise longevity on the wrist. To assist with better overall performance, Grand Seiko watches are also equipped with lubricated mainsprings, and the proprietary Seiko alloy Spron 530, composed of gear trains to assist with better transmission.
The movements for Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive models are manufactured in a different facility based in Shiojiri. This is also the same location where the brand’s Seiko GPS Astron range is developed and its remarkably accurate quartz movements. The latter of the two, developed with the Calibre 9 is designed as part of a luxury range and developed from high grade materials to uphold the company’s reputation for robustness, resilience and performance. The oscillators for these models are, like the brand’s more complex movements, subject to a line of stringent tests before being sealed inside a Grand Seiko watch.
Grand Seiko developed the first Spring Drive movement in 1982, it underscored the brand’s position within the industry, proving that it was leaps and bounds above rival companies. Yoshikazu Akahane, intended the watch to tick all the same qualities as former Grand Seiko models. It needed to boast refined looks, promise accurate timekeeping like a quartz watch and create the perpetual power supply of an automatic watch. The Spring Drive watch took a total of 17 years to develop, test and perfect. Some popular watches from this series include the Minute Repeater developed in 2011, and the Fugaku Tourbillon launched in 2017.
Today, Grand Seiko watches keep accurate time by following the brand’s strict standards in precision timekeeping. Popular and recognisable on a global scale and promising unbeatable precision, even when compared to the likes of some of Switzerland’s most prestigious watchmakers, our extensive range of Grand Seiko watches on offer here at C W Sellors includes popular collections like the GMT, the Heritage, Elegance and Sport range to name just a few.
