Spring Drive – a technological phenomenon
Discussion
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?272856-When-...
Just realised it's been just over a month since the watch arrived, and I should finally be able to wear it shortly once the links Seiko US have graciously provided FOC to Arizona Fine Time (who're forwarding them on).
During this period, the watch has been constantly kept wound and therefore only had the time set once (the first night), against the computer's clock, which is sync'd with Apple's time server in Europe.
As of now, the Seiko stands at ±0 seconds accuracy (in reality, it's probably less than 1/2 a second) as I switch my attention from the seconds hand to the seconds in the top right corner of the iMac's display.
At no point over the past month, when checking the time, have I noticed any gross deviation from ±0 seconds – there's been no speeding up or slowing down to create a mean average, it's been a consistent ±0 every time I've looked.
Of course, it'll be interesting to see if my body heat affects this supreme accuracy state – I'm hoping not, but we'll see, especially as I tend not to remove my watch overnight.
Love or loath the technology, you can't argue with the result – since the temperature of the rooms it is in have had a dramatic temperature shift during that timeframe in line with the recent weather of the same period.
I won't get all anal about keeping a daily log, but I suspect as it'll be on the wrist whilst using the computer, then there will be a cursory check most days – just out of sheer curiosity rather than geekery.
Whatever prejudices you may have about Grand Seikos, or Spring Drive being the worst of both quartz and mechanical combined, I recommend you put all that to one side and just embrace a Japanese "vorsprung durch technik" (advancement through technology).
Suu~ito· dorimu!
Just realised it's been just over a month since the watch arrived, and I should finally be able to wear it shortly once the links Seiko US have graciously provided FOC to Arizona Fine Time (who're forwarding them on).
During this period, the watch has been constantly kept wound and therefore only had the time set once (the first night), against the computer's clock, which is sync'd with Apple's time server in Europe.
As of now, the Seiko stands at ±0 seconds accuracy (in reality, it's probably less than 1/2 a second) as I switch my attention from the seconds hand to the seconds in the top right corner of the iMac's display.
At no point over the past month, when checking the time, have I noticed any gross deviation from ±0 seconds – there's been no speeding up or slowing down to create a mean average, it's been a consistent ±0 every time I've looked.
Of course, it'll be interesting to see if my body heat affects this supreme accuracy state – I'm hoping not, but we'll see, especially as I tend not to remove my watch overnight.
Love or loath the technology, you can't argue with the result – since the temperature of the rooms it is in have had a dramatic temperature shift during that timeframe in line with the recent weather of the same period.
I won't get all anal about keeping a daily log, but I suspect as it'll be on the wrist whilst using the computer, then there will be a cursory check most days – just out of sheer curiosity rather than geekery.
Whatever prejudices you may have about Grand Seikos, or Spring Drive being the worst of both quartz and mechanical combined, I recommend you put all that to one side and just embrace a Japanese "vorsprung durch technik" (advancement through technology).
Suu~ito· dorimu!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7ZmyWO-QU8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbmKZ5JXyjo – explanation of Spring Drive (8 mins long)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8kYOZZ8WXs – Spring Drive in motion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbmKZ5JXyjo – explanation of Spring Drive (8 mins long)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8kYOZZ8WXs – Spring Drive in motion
I asked if what I'd been told was the case – that they had stock of the same model I have.
They replied that they did, and prices were €3300-3900 – I suspect the higher price is the GMT version.
They said they would be happy to discuss options and negotiate the price.
It was suggested they were looking to shift these, and adding a Grand Seiko string to their bow.
They really could do with improving their website to reflect the level of luxury watches they carry.
Give them a call or email to see what price they'll go to.
They replied that they did, and prices were €3300-3900 – I suspect the higher price is the GMT version.
They said they would be happy to discuss options and negotiate the price.
It was suggested they were looking to shift these, and adding a Grand Seiko string to their bow.
They really could do with improving their website to reflect the level of luxury watches they carry.
Give them a call or email to see what price they'll go to.
Well, nearly another month has elapsed since starting this thread – the links finally arrived (detour via Canada, according to the tracking system!) and have been fitted.
So now that I've been able to wear it for the best part of a week, how's the accuracy?
Still spot on – not seen any deviation, irrespective of power reserve level.
Of course, come next weekend's end of BST, it'll be reset – but for three and a half months, it's been rock steady at ±0.25-0.5 sec, which is more accurate than a very accurate thing, and certainly more than I would've ever expected.
So now that I've been able to wear it for the best part of a week, how's the accuracy?
Still spot on – not seen any deviation, irrespective of power reserve level.
Of course, come next weekend's end of BST, it'll be reset – but for three and a half months, it's been rock steady at ±0.25-0.5 sec, which is more accurate than a very accurate thing, and certainly more than I would've ever expected.
I really like these. It should be virtually impervious to positional and temperature errors compared to a purely mechanical wristwatch, as there's no balance or hairspring to be upset by poising, heat and magnetism. I think they're an amazing idea from a technology, if not strictly watchmaking, point of view. I expected the rate to be really good, but that really is brilliant.
Do you know what the service intervals are? Without a fast-running escapement, I'd imagine them to go a long time between services. Is it possible to buy a little stockpile of the quartz bits as futureproofing against obsolescence? If it is, you could have the longevity of a mechanical with the accuracy of a quartz watch
Do you know what the service intervals are? Without a fast-running escapement, I'd imagine them to go a long time between services. Is it possible to buy a little stockpile of the quartz bits as futureproofing against obsolescence? If it is, you could have the longevity of a mechanical with the accuracy of a quartz watch
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