Finally a deserving video on Spring Drive. Imagine the amount of passion it took a man to pursue a single project for 3 DECADES!!! That's a lifetime job, and not giving up or getting bored or too frustrated to just toss it all and move on!! That is true passion and soul of watchmaking, a term too often used by marketing departments of brands that are all about business and making as much profit as possible with no respect for actual watchMAKING
Watch Geek That's really the Japanese way. There's a great quote in The Last Samurai that, despite being fictional, really captures their work ethic. The main character states how the Japanese would wake up and devote their entire day perfecting a craft. I'm not sure how he died, but assuming it was of natural causes, that's also telling. Many people will live for a longer time to see an important event and then pass on. Recently someone my father knew passed away a few days after he saw his daughter graduate. I'm sure seeing the Spring Drive complete was the ultimate closure.
Absolutely, Seiko is king. They have pushed horology and have made an absolute pinnacle of a movement. Also, holy shit, this is the very last place I would've expected to see you. No idea you were into watches and horology. I honestly clicked your name expecting an empty profile.
Respectful thoughts: Many traditional Swiss complications are more impressive, the basic concept of the spring drive (recycling the kinetic energy that is already produced as a result of the mechanisms friction and storing that energy in a battery) had already been implemented in car alternators since 1960 on a consumer level, being invented even earlier. In 1977 the spring drive was invented, 17 years later. To call it an engineering masterpiece is an overstatement. Frankly the escapement/pallet fork mechanism was far more innovative than spring drive, not to mention true marvels of ingenuity like perpetual calendars and minute repeaters. This is coming from an owner of multiple Seikos, and I love the company, I just think the genius of the spring drive is overstated.
@@giusepperesponte8077 But you misstate how the spring drive operates. There is no battery that is being topped off (as in a car). Induced magnetic braking replaces the escapement. Moreover, the tolerances of the engineering must be tiny to make this system work, as the current is also tiny.
The finishing is nowhere near a patek, vc, or ap which cost 2x-20x as much. I wish that rumor would stop. Grand Seiko is the Seiko middle range, Credor is Seiko’s brand which has some watches which compete in that realm.
The movement finishing isn't on par with those brands. The finishing on the hands, indexes, and dials very much do rival the entry level trinity pieces. The cases are harder to compare given the all brushed steal entry level pieces are the only fair comparisons. But if you enjoy things like black polishing, you really would have to get into the trinity tier pieces to see it used more often or even used at all outside of GS.
FP AB I own several of both Patek and Grand Seiko. The dial finishing is imo better than Patek. The GS hands are in a class way beyond Patek. The case finish of GS is on par with Patek. I now only buy GS except for complications they don't produce.
The finesse and explanatory effort behind this video are truly amazing. This here just opened a new dimension in how all watches and their history should be reviewed and told as a story. My colleague has a couple of Grand Seikos and watching the continuous sweep in real life is mesmerizing. Now everyone can understand the monumental effort behind making this movement a reality. Keep up the good work! :)
I own the GS GMT Spring Drive and I’m blown away by its quality, fit and finish & accuracy. Loved your presentation by the way. Very informative and a well deserved tribute to SEIKO
Yes it does. Bulova"s movement is very underrated an not appreciated enough.. Why?... All because is not a movement based off mechanical.. That simple... But guess what... When that movement dissolves an becomes a thing of the past.. I can happily say.. I own it... I have a precionist watch..... An when everyone who does own one.. Comes knocking on my door.. Begging to buy it off of me.... Crying over it..... I will glady say.... Fuck off.... Rolex sluts.....
That smooth sweek is, somehow, relaxing....not a frantic ticking, or a tick...tick..i, a simple guy, like my Citizen ecodrive (japan-only calibre, 10 seconds per year, a simple titanium dress watch), but the spring drive is a beauty, even if beyond my finances :-)
Spring Drive is mechanical with a modern and unique way of lashing down the spring power in ways that enable it to monitor and adjust it's speed silently and smoothly. In the realm of watches it's definitely an example of 'Having your cake and eating it, too'. Really good cake.
I watched this video twice. Because the first time I couldn't concentrate on what was being said, I was just enjoying the visuals. That sweeping hand is pure beauty! I love this movt. the most.
6:55 such little detail, like this one (the small hand that counts seconds meets the bigger chronograph hand) makes the video x10 more beautiful. Thank you and well done! 👏
That's gorgeous, & awesome technology! If it was made by an overhyped Swiss manufacturer there'd be another Zero on the end of the price tag... Interesting vid, Cheers 👍👍
Kilo Gone You can still clearly see the ticks in the Zenith Defy, so Spring Drive edges it out in that regard. They’re both accurate to a point where it doesn’t matter anymore.
Read the opinion of Robert Wrigley, Vintage watch collector, and amateur watchmaker. "Depends on what you mean by "Durable". Mechanical watches don't tend to deal well with large shocks and jolts. Modern (and by modern I mean anything less than 50 years old) watches make use of "shock protection" to try to help with that, but it's still very easy to exceed that protection and break a jewel or balance staff. That said, lots of people are walking around right now with watches that are 50, 100 or even 200 years old (although not many in that last category, I'd wager). As easy as mechanicals are to break, they're also easy to fix. Try to find or make a particular compatible stepper motor or microprocessor for a 70's quartz watch. Most quartz watch movements are designed to be disposable, and "fixing" an expensive quartz watch usually involves ripping out the defective module and replacing it with a new one. To me, that's not durable." And this is my opinionand experience too : )
My thought was in line with yours, thinking of durable as long lasting (given proper service and occasional repairs) and distinguishing it from resistant.
Most mechanical watches the fail, result in their parts being ripped out and replaced. Quartz watches can go much longer without servicing and the servicing tends to be cheaper. Yes, parts might be more difficult to replace given they are more complex. Then again there are plenty of older quartz watches still in use today, using the 70's when the technology first came out as an example isn't really fair to advances. Anyway that said the spring drive has some of those same parts that can't just be fabricated by a skilled watch maker, so the spring drive takes on those very same risks of a quartz. I have yet to hear of an independent watchmaker who will open up a spring drive.
Set aside the fact that a much larger proportion of quartz watches are made with an expiration date in mind vs. mechanical ones, it will be interesting to hear from a specialist how the wear and tear of the most fragile parts of a quartz compare to those of a mechanical watch in the long run; and how that affects the whole watch functioning. For example, after 50 or more years, what could be the effect of the wear and tear over battery life and overall use? (Thinking of the main mechanism replacement as a whole new watch)
Once again another extremely informative presentation all this time not knowing the intricate details of the Grand Seiko and the complicated movement involved... thank you for the share.
Definitely "have your cake and eat it" - clearly the most impressive change to mechanical regulation since the invention of the lever escapement. Imho the daniels escapement was a good leap forwards with the reduction of oblique friction but this... This is on another planet. Great video and so clearly explained. Thank you!
Just wanted to say that this video inspired me to get my first GS. I managed to get my hands on a SBGC249 and absolutely love it. Thank you for all your content and beautiful videos
Watchfinder, your explanation of the workings of the spring drive make it so much easier to understand hence understand and appreciate the stunning magnitude of Seiko’s achievement. Thank you for that.
Seiko revolutionize the watch industry with the invention of the spring drive that combine mechanical technology in the spring and quartz technology in the electrical and magnet escapement. Nice explanation of the spring movement Watchfinder I didnt know how it work. Beautiful Grand Seiko watch with big crowns.
Just bought my first GS today- the Snowflake. Lovely lovely watch, this decision to take the plunge has taken over 5 years but I’m really glad i did it at last!!
Thanks! The more I read, see, and hear the more I am finding myself reading toward a Greand Seiko Spring Drive, or Hi-Beat, as my grail watch. Forget the "Holy Trinity" or high end Swiss watches. They are nice, but the Seikos are true engineering masterpieces. Thanks!
I've been a watch enthusiast for many years, but never paid much attention to Seiko--or Grand Seiko for that matter. I merely thought of GS as the more luxurious Lexus version of Toyota. Only a few years ago, I learned about their Spring Drive technology and its accuracy. It's truly amazing. And that sweeping second is sight to behold. The best part is that their engineer is not just for gimmicks but seems more practical.
Thank you, now I’ll have to get one! I never realised the spring drives had this much story behind it. I wouldn’t want it to be my only watch, but pairing with my Nomos and a couple of vintage pieces, this is an amazing movement to glide away in my collection. Now I’ll just have to find a spring drive watch with a case that equally gets me, but I am sure I can
What I find interesting is that just one year later, Watchfinder saw fit to release a video profiling the exact same GS Chronograph - albeit with black dial - and they panned the watch. It leaves one asking just how “haute” the horological quality of this quartz-powered Japanese watch really is....
I wish I knew about these spring drive watches earlier. Absolute stunning movement and watching those hands glide across the dial. The only thing that could be improved upon the spring drive watch is a better case and dial, put it in something like their Presage SRPC03J or SSA346J and that honestly might be a perfect watch.
What an amazing watch and great video explaining the movement. I have been watching several things on Grand Seiko, and finally found a local dealer in Charlotte NC that carries them. They had several versions, but then showed me the new Seiko Prospex LX dive watch in the limited brown color, and I couldn't pass it up. Now my next will be a GS GMT or GMT CHRONOGRAPH! Thanks for your great videos.
Seiko and Grand Seiko is/are the most under rated watch brand(-s) in the world. If Rolex had developed the Spring Drive movement, all watch snobs would have orgasmed. Really
Agreed. I've got a small watch collection and my two best watches are a GS Spring Drive Snowflake and a JLC Reverso Duetto. The GS stands up to the JLC for build quality and craftsmanship, the GS is MUCH more accurate, but the JLC is a marvel of engineering and feels sturdier. I wish people would get over the brand name and see GS for how truly magnificent it is
Space Weevil Good on you mate. Snowflakes are one of the most underrated watches out there. The precision craftsmanship alone would make me buy it over a Submariner.
Zak H mate I'm so impressed with GS. With the exception of JLC (I absolutely love JLC) and Patek Philippe, Swiss watchmakers are being left behind by Japanese and German rivals. I'd easily take a GS over a Rolex (I did, in fact), I'd take a Glashutte Original over a Vacheron Constantin, and I'd take an A. Lange & Söhne over an Audemars Piguet. It winds me up (pun intended) when people can't see past Seiko being a cheap (but reliable) timepiece. A Grand Seiko is a Seiko in the same way that a Lexus is a Toyota
A nice concise and clear explanation of that unique Spring Drive movement. Fantastic to see it in action, it really is quite special. Its also very rare on the used market. This one had GMT and chronograph complications, which makes it quite a tool. You'll have to give us a history of their top end Marinemaster dive watches next!
Superb video on a superlative technology. Love the thought and detail in your videos, as well as the very close up macro's during the narrative. Every one has been an excellent production! Thanks for these. :)
You're 2 steps away from being a How It's Made episode, in the best possible way. I've always lusted at watches from afar. I'm now shopping, and I find the Seiko's to be solid, even if, as already noted, there's some snobby hate on them. I find your channel very informative, and helpful in my search / shopping. So thank you for a high quality, and useful posting.
Got to agree. Love Seikos in general, but they have yet to make a GS that really appeals and ticks all boxes for me. Seiko needs to get rid of that power reserve gauge! The mechanics is marvelous though. And that sweep... Mmmmm...
This is the most important thing in high end watchmaking today. Period. Amazing stuff. They could play at more and more accuracy if they wanted too....but this has a spring. Gears. Complexity. It has that soul....spring drive is a masterpiece. It is an order above a patek philipe for me...and that is an order above a rolex....it is that good.
Look the the beauty of that hand movement.... and the polish on the hands and markers. just amazing. the movement is beautifully decorated. The only thing I don't like are those big pushers.
Good video and elegantly explained but the main action from Spring Drive is missing here, and that is how it slows down or speeds up the second hand by referencing the quartz's oscillations to give it the quartz accuracy withe the automatic movement. I love it. Once I got enough money, I am getting my a Grand Seiko with Chorno and a Perpetual Calendar, until then I am just going to watch watches and work on my goals a little bit.
Thanks for your superb explanation. I finally understand what Spring Drive movement is about ! Have watched quite a few videos but none as clear as yours. On another note, Bulova's UHF movement is almost as smooth as the Spring Drive but at a fraction of the price 😄😅
@@fungus70 Oh, yes, Bulova is better by the same idiot logic of GS being better than a Rolex. And the new Citizen Caliber 0100 is the best Japanese watch to date. So GS is a crap
I actually saw this Spring Drive movement when I went to see a GS Snowflake in a nearby mall. It was heavenly! Definitely my dream watch to buy this year. 😍
I am patiently waiting for GS to replace their current designer. If they did what Tudor did a few years ago and changed their designs, GS would be dominating the market. If you tally up all the compliments GS gets, it's mostly: the spring drive! or the finish! or the handwork/craftsmanship! and the least amount of compliments is the looks. They need to realize that "less is more."
great video. I could very easily see me adding a GS to my collection some day. I'd get one "any day of the week" over a Rolex Subby. I love the idea and the execution.
Absolutely incredible and brilliant. The dials are extremely detailed as well. I have yet to see numerals though on any of the GS dials. May be it's me. Imagine if Seiko made cars?
I've got a well used Seiko GFA here that I doubt has ever had a service. It's running to specification after all this time (45+ years); a second a month. My Spring Drive doesn't do quite as well but it's pretty close.
thanks for the amazing video, it's makes me appreciate the GS that much more! The way you described how the spring drive works doesn't compare to the brochure!
Thank you for your coverage on the precision and technical marvel that is the Grand Seiko spring drive. I would love to see a follow up more focused on the ref SBGC001 photographed in your video. Perhaps a shootout alongside Rolex Daytona?! That’ll be a great bout to tune in for. It is a unique piece that houses springdrive, chronometer and GMT in a package celebrated by a true watch connoisseur. Tbh I own one and love the fact that a person in the street dismiss is as just being a seiko. And as the GS snowflake is slowly widening the brands appeal into more mainstream and early collector markets, I agree with David Bredan(ablogtowatch) that this chronograph is highly underrated and emerging as the real insider secret into one of the best pieces in the GS lineup.
Spring Drive is truly a revolution in regulating a mechanical watch movement. And precision achieved is something to be revered and admired. All it remains for SEIKO is to hire a good designer and even better marketing manager. As they conquered the art and craft of watchmaking already.
We know you want more watches…. click here: linktr.ee/watchfinder
Finally a deserving video on Spring Drive. Imagine the amount of passion it took a man to pursue a single project for 3 DECADES!!! That's a lifetime job, and not giving up or getting bored or too frustrated to just toss it all and move on!! That is true passion and soul of watchmaking, a term too often used by marketing departments of brands that are all about business and making as much profit as possible with no respect for actual watchMAKING
Watch Geek That's really the Japanese way. There's a great quote in The Last Samurai that, despite being fictional, really captures their work ethic. The main character states how the Japanese would wake up and devote their entire day perfecting a craft. I'm not sure how he died, but assuming it was of natural causes, that's also telling. Many people will live for a longer time to see an important event and then pass on. Recently someone my father knew passed away a few days after he saw his daughter graduate. I'm sure seeing the Spring Drive complete was the ultimate closure.
Patek Philippe & Rolex are you reading this comment? Thierry and the fake foundation only care about the profit.
Spot on as usual Watch Geek. Fair to say it is one of the great innovations in modern watch-making history.
Japanese are precise people. A quality watch requires precision. Its obvious what brand to buy.
That's something only a man can do, hyper focus on one thing for a long period of time. No woman would sacrifice her time in such a way.
It is nothing short of an engineering masterpiece and stands as a testament to what Seiko has accomplished over the years.
Absolutely, Seiko is king. They have pushed horology and have made an absolute pinnacle of a movement. Also, holy shit, this is the very last place I would've expected to see you. No idea you were into watches and horology. I honestly clicked your name expecting an empty profile.
Yes sir!!
Oh hi ken
Respectful thoughts:
Many traditional Swiss complications are more impressive, the basic concept of the spring drive (recycling the kinetic energy that is already produced as a result of the mechanisms friction and storing that energy in a battery) had already been implemented in car alternators since 1960 on a consumer level, being invented even earlier. In 1977 the spring drive was invented, 17 years later. To call it an engineering masterpiece is an overstatement.
Frankly the escapement/pallet fork mechanism was far more innovative than spring drive, not to mention true marvels of ingenuity like perpetual calendars and minute repeaters. This is coming from an owner of multiple Seikos, and I love the company, I just think the genius of the spring drive is overstated.
@@giusepperesponte8077 But you misstate how the spring drive operates. There is no battery that is being topped off (as in a car). Induced magnetic braking replaces the escapement. Moreover, the tolerances of the engineering must be tiny to make this system work, as the current is also tiny.
So happy your channel is covering the Spring Drive. Thanks for the amazing video
Pure genius. I'm sure 10,000 people told Akahane "can't be done". His tenacity and perseverance are hard to fathom. The guy just wouldn't give up.
GS’s dials are unmatched in their price range. Polishing rivals the Holy Trinity too. I love GS. This ref is kinda ugly tho. Gimme a Snowflake. ❄️
The finishing is nowhere near a patek, vc, or ap which cost 2x-20x as much. I wish that rumor would stop. Grand Seiko is the Seiko middle range, Credor is Seiko’s brand which has some watches which compete in that realm.
The movement finishing isn't on par with those brands. The finishing on the hands, indexes, and dials very much do rival the entry level trinity pieces. The cases are harder to compare given the all brushed steal entry level pieces are the only fair comparisons.
But if you enjoy things like black polishing, you really would have to get into the trinity tier pieces to see it used more often or even used at all outside of GS.
2008 a pair of Seiko Spring Drive Spacewalk wrist watches made it to the ISS with Richard Garriott and worn on EVA by Yuri Lonchakov
FP AB I own several of both Patek and Grand Seiko. The dial finishing is imo better than Patek. The GS hands are in a class way beyond Patek. The case finish of GS is on par with Patek. I now only buy GS except for complications they don't produce.
Snazzy Labs I own this watch and it really is a thing of beauty. It is a bit oversized but the dial is a work of art.
The finesse and explanatory effort behind this video are truly amazing. This here just opened a new dimension in how all watches and their history should be reviewed and told as a story. My colleague has a couple of Grand Seikos and watching the continuous sweep in real life is mesmerizing. Now everyone can understand the monumental effort behind making this movement a reality. Keep up the good work! :)
I own the GS GMT Spring Drive and I’m blown away by its quality, fit and finish & accuracy. Loved your presentation by the way. Very informative and a well deserved tribute to SEIKO
My grail movement. Nothing trumps the smooth sweep IMO. It's amazing.
Bulova's UHF movement comes very very close to this.
Yes it does. Bulova"s movement is very underrated an not appreciated enough.. Why?... All because is not a movement based off mechanical.. That simple... But guess what... When that movement dissolves an becomes a thing of the past.. I can happily say.. I own it... I have a precionist watch..... An when everyone who does own one.. Comes knocking on my door.. Begging to buy it off of me.... Crying over it..... I will glady say.... Fuck off.... Rolex sluts.....
That smooth sweek is, somehow, relaxing....not a frantic ticking, or a tick...tick..i, a simple guy, like my Citizen ecodrive (japan-only calibre, 10 seconds per year, a simple titanium dress watch), but the spring drive is a beauty, even if beyond my finances :-)
Spring Drive. The greatest thing since sliced bread.
lol.
Spring Drive is mechanical with a modern and unique way of lashing down the spring power in ways that enable it to monitor and adjust it's speed silently and smoothly. In the realm of watches it's definitely an example of 'Having your cake and eating it, too'. Really good cake.
Yes, is a mechanical quartz. Yay.
Grand Seiko, and more specifically the spring drive concept/ mechanics are nothing less than pure symphony in the world of watchmaking. Well done!
I watched this video twice. Because the first time I couldn't concentrate on what was being said, I was just enjoying the visuals. That sweeping hand is pure beauty! I love this movt. the most.
6:55 such little detail, like this one (the small hand that counts seconds meets the bigger chronograph hand) makes the video x10 more beautiful. Thank you and well done! 👏
I have the GS Spring Drive GMT and I’m blown away by its fit, finish & accuracy. It’s an incredible timepiece, a work of art well worth the price.
imo this is the most sophisticated movement you can have today
That's gorgeous, & awesome technology! If it was made by an overhyped Swiss manufacturer there'd be another Zero on the end of the price tag... Interesting vid, Cheers 👍👍
Couldn't agree more. I can't even imagine the price tag if this was made and sold by a comp like PP or AP. It could *easily* reach millions.
Piaget actually made a limited number watch with their version of SD 2-3 years ago and it went for ~$80K
As good as it can be. Zenith already rewrote the accuracy game with their defy series
Kilo Gone You can still clearly see the ticks in the Zenith Defy, so Spring Drive edges it out in that regard. They’re both accurate to a point where it doesn’t matter anymore.
So true
The best chronograph movement you can buy for the money.
Great idea, the precision of a quartz with the durability, beauty and convenience of a mechanical movement...
Quartz movements are much more durable...unless you're making a joke lol.
Read the opinion of Robert Wrigley, Vintage watch collector, and amateur watchmaker.
"Depends on what you mean by "Durable". Mechanical watches don't tend to deal well with large shocks and jolts. Modern (and by modern I mean anything less than 50 years old) watches make use of "shock protection" to try to help with that, but it's still very easy to exceed that protection and break a jewel or balance staff.
That said, lots of people are walking around right now with watches that are 50, 100 or even 200 years old (although not many in that last category, I'd wager). As easy as mechanicals are to break, they're also easy to fix. Try to find or make a particular compatible stepper motor or microprocessor for a 70's quartz watch. Most quartz watch movements are designed to be disposable, and "fixing" an expensive quartz watch usually involves ripping out the defective module and replacing it with a new one. To me, that's not durable."
And this is my opinionand experience too : )
My thought was in line with yours, thinking of durable as long lasting (given proper service and occasional repairs) and distinguishing it from resistant.
Most mechanical watches the fail, result in their parts being ripped out and replaced. Quartz watches can go much longer without servicing and the servicing tends to be cheaper. Yes, parts might be more difficult to replace given they are more complex. Then again there are plenty of older quartz watches still in use today, using the 70's when the technology first came out as an example isn't really fair to advances.
Anyway that said the spring drive has some of those same parts that can't just be fabricated by a skilled watch maker, so the spring drive takes on those very same risks of a quartz. I have yet to hear of an independent watchmaker who will open up a spring drive.
Set aside the fact that a much larger proportion of quartz watches are made with an expiration date in mind vs. mechanical ones, it will be interesting to hear from a specialist how the wear and tear of the most fragile parts of a quartz compare to those of a mechanical watch in the long run; and how that affects the whole watch functioning. For example, after 50 or more years, what could be the effect of the wear and tear over battery life and overall use? (Thinking of the main mechanism replacement as a whole new watch)
If I ever buy a watch with a price tag deep in the four+ digits, it'll be a Grand Seiko.
Once again another extremely informative presentation all this time not knowing the intricate details of the Grand Seiko and the complicated movement involved... thank you for the share.
Fascinating and incredibly well informed and excellently produced. Thank you.
Definitely "have your cake and eat it" - clearly the most impressive change to mechanical regulation since the invention of the lever escapement. Imho the daniels escapement was a good leap forwards with the reduction of oblique friction but this... This is on another planet. Great video and so clearly explained. Thank you!
Just wanted to say that this video inspired me to get my first GS. I managed to get my hands on a SBGC249 and absolutely love it. Thank you for all your content and beautiful videos
Watchfinder, your explanation of the workings of the spring drive make it so much easier to understand hence understand and appreciate the stunning magnitude of Seiko’s achievement. Thank you for that.
Seiko revolutionize the watch industry with the invention of the spring drive that combine mechanical technology in the spring and quartz technology in the electrical and magnet escapement. Nice explanation of the spring movement Watchfinder I didnt know how it work. Beautiful Grand Seiko watch with big crowns.
Just bought my first GS today- the Snowflake. Lovely lovely watch, this decision to take the plunge has taken over 5 years but I’m really glad i did it at last!!
Well deserved video spring drive is without a doubt one of the biggest leap in watch accuracy since the commercialization of the coaxial escapement
Love GS but don't like the pushers on this model. My favorite is the high beat GMT. Would love to have one.
When i see a seiko, I click like.
Thanks! The more I read, see, and hear the more I am finding myself reading toward a Greand Seiko Spring Drive, or Hi-Beat, as my grail watch. Forget the "Holy Trinity" or high end Swiss watches. They are nice, but the Seikos are true engineering masterpieces. Thanks!
I've been a watch enthusiast for many years, but never paid much attention to Seiko--or Grand Seiko for that matter. I merely thought of GS as the more luxurious Lexus version of Toyota. Only a few years ago, I learned about their Spring Drive technology and its accuracy. It's truly amazing. And that sweeping second is sight to behold. The best part is that their engineer is not just for gimmicks but seems more practical.
I just can't over that smooth second hand and the prints that show shadows beneath their surface
Thank you, now I’ll have to get one! I never realised the spring drives had this much story behind it. I wouldn’t want it to be my only watch, but pairing with my Nomos and a couple of vintage pieces, this is an amazing movement to glide away in my collection. Now I’ll just have to find a spring drive watch with a case that equally gets me, but I am sure I can
What I find interesting is that just one year later, Watchfinder saw fit to release a video profiling the exact same GS Chronograph - albeit with black dial - and they panned the watch. It leaves one asking just how “haute” the horological quality of this quartz-powered Japanese watch really is....
Man I really need this. Fucking beautiful.
Congratulations on Your Video Sir, well made. Thank You and You've made me want to buy one... GS finally... ehhh... lovin watches is difficult...
I wish I knew about these spring drive watches earlier. Absolute stunning movement and watching those hands glide across the dial. The only thing that could be improved upon the spring drive watch is a better case and dial, put it in something like their Presage SRPC03J or SSA346J and that honestly might be a perfect watch.
What an amazing watch and great video explaining the movement. I have been watching several things on Grand Seiko, and finally found a local dealer in Charlotte NC that carries them. They had several versions, but then showed me the new Seiko Prospex LX dive watch in the limited brown color, and I couldn't pass it up. Now my next will be a GS GMT or GMT CHRONOGRAPH! Thanks for your great videos.
Oh my goodness. Not only do you make your title more descriptive, but you do a video about Grand Seiko! Many, many thanks. Do keep it up!
Still amazes me how many snobs stick their nose up at Seiko.
Seiko and Grand Seiko is/are the most under rated watch brand(-s) in the world.
If Rolex had developed the Spring Drive movement, all watch snobs would have orgasmed. Really
Agreed. I've got a small watch collection and my two best watches are a GS Spring Drive Snowflake and a JLC Reverso Duetto. The GS stands up to the JLC for build quality and craftsmanship, the GS is MUCH more accurate, but the JLC is a marvel of engineering and feels sturdier.
I wish people would get over the brand name and see GS for how truly magnificent it is
They are better than Rolex's or breaking but people do snob at the zak
Space Weevil Good on you mate. Snowflakes are one of the most underrated watches out there. The precision craftsmanship alone would make me buy it over a Submariner.
Zak H mate I'm so impressed with GS. With the exception of JLC (I absolutely love JLC) and Patek Philippe, Swiss watchmakers are being left behind by Japanese and German rivals. I'd easily take a GS over a Rolex (I did, in fact), I'd take a Glashutte Original over a Vacheron Constantin, and I'd take an A. Lange & Söhne over an Audemars Piguet.
It winds me up (pun intended) when people can't see past Seiko being a cheap (but reliable) timepiece. A Grand Seiko is a Seiko in the same way that a Lexus is a Toyota
A nice concise and clear explanation of that unique Spring Drive movement. Fantastic to see it in action, it really is quite special. Its also very rare on the used market. This one had GMT and chronograph complications, which makes it quite a tool. You'll have to give us a history of their top end Marinemaster dive watches next!
Superb video on a superlative technology. Love the thought and detail in your videos, as well as the very close up macro's during the narrative. Every one has been an excellent production! Thanks for these. :)
This is one of the reasons why I’ve always liked Seiko. Brilliant engineering.
It’s not just the spring drive movement that is mind blowing, the Zaratsu finish is equally stunning.
You're 2 steps away from being a How It's Made episode, in the best possible way. I've always lusted at watches from afar. I'm now shopping, and I find the Seiko's to be solid, even if, as already noted, there's some snobby hate on them. I find your channel very informative, and helpful in my search / shopping. So thank you for a high quality, and useful posting.
I don't think those pushers are big enough! 😂
Nope, the watch itself is still bigger :-(
Got to agree. Love Seikos in general, but they have yet to make a GS that really appeals and ticks all boxes for me. Seiko needs to get rid of that power reserve gauge!
The mechanics is marvelous though. And that sweep... Mmmmm...
Yeah, this one is hideous. Looks like a chronograph with tumors.
28 years of development and over 600 prototypes is something special! Thankfully kept this one patented unlike their quartz movement :)
This is the most important thing in high end watchmaking today. Period. Amazing stuff. They could play at more and more accuracy if they wanted too....but this has a spring. Gears. Complexity. It has that soul....spring drive is a masterpiece. It is an order above a patek philipe for me...and that is an order above a rolex....it is that good.
The spring drive is an amazing innovation! A beautiful hybridization that achieves what other makers cannot!
Not only enjoyable, but informative. Never really ‘got’ GS before but now I understand a little better. Thanks!
I'd take a GS Spring Drive over a Rolex any day.
The problem is that if you own the GS you will always , always still be looking at a Rolex, the same never applies the other way round.
@@LG-kl3co But if you own a GS Spring Drive a Rolex would look like a stuttery mess
TJ I hav two GS (one SDrive and one 9f quartz)...I also have a Rolex Z blue Milgauss ...GS are better, but a Rolex is also something special
L G maybe they’ll always still be looking at a Patek after getting a GS, but why would they need a Rolex?
No. Rolex is much nicer.
Just became a huge GRAND SEIKO fan. AMAZING TECHNOLOGY.
I love spring drive. I love Seiko to. I see spring drive like a hybrid. The best of Both worlds. Gotta like that smooth sweep.
Look the the beauty of that hand movement.... and the polish on the hands and markers. just amazing. the movement is beautifully decorated. The only thing I don't like are those big pushers.
I can easily watch your videos for hours, great work. Likewise I could watch that second hand of the GS sweep round like that all day...
First I though the Spring drive was a battery and stuff. Now, now I want one. Great video as always!
This is a must for every collection. Seiko is at it again, revolutionizing the watch industry.
The GS range is really under appreciated for what they are. Great watches.
Good video and elegantly explained but the main action from Spring Drive is missing here, and that is how it slows down or speeds up the second hand by referencing the quartz's oscillations to give it the quartz accuracy withe the automatic movement. I love it. Once I got enough money, I am getting my a Grand Seiko with Chorno and a Perpetual Calendar, until then I am just going to watch watches and work on my goals a little bit.
with this brutal macro lens the GS is still perfect, I should get one of this
That chrono hand sweeps with no friction. !
Thanks for your superb explanation. I finally understand what Spring Drive movement is about ! Have watched quite a few videos but none as clear as yours.
On another note, Bulova's UHF movement is almost as smooth as the Spring Drive but at a fraction of the price 😄😅
So Bulova is better than Grand Seiko
@@Aramis_Production No...😅
@@fungus70 Oh, yes, Bulova is better by the same idiot logic of GS being better than a Rolex. And the new Citizen Caliber 0100 is the best Japanese watch to date. So GS is a crap
I actually saw this Spring Drive movement when I went to see a GS Snowflake in a nearby mall. It was heavenly! Definitely my dream watch to buy this year. 😍
Great video, that explains the tech in Spring Drive very good - I will have a GS with Spring Drive soon...
Fantastic review of a fantastic movement.
Technological masterpiece. Seiko pride themselves on innovation not snobbery
Probably one of the best videos you have published.
Thanks. :)
Great video as always! I love Grand Seiko's and the history, this one isn't my cup of tea, I love the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat Peacock!
Liam Carroll Archie fan located
I am patiently waiting for GS to replace their current designer. If they did what Tudor did a few years ago and changed their designs, GS would be dominating the market. If you tally up all the compliments GS gets, it's mostly: the spring drive! or the finish! or the handwork/craftsmanship! and the least amount of compliments is the looks. They need to realize that "less is more."
The Snowflake and their dive watch are clean but yeah this one i just too much.
Totally agreed
Danny Lee check out Credor.....Seiko’s premier brand and they’re simple , especially the eichi
Well I will buy because of it's looks.
A simply incredible watch. I stand on the "Having my cake and eating it too" side. Marvelous watch!
The sprig drive movement is simply amazing
I always wanted a spring drive and after buying a Seiko sharp edge GMT I bit the bullet and bought this exact watch 3 days later.👍🏴
Masterful explanation of a wonderful hybrid of old and new.
great video. I could very easily see me adding a GS to my collection some day. I'd get one "any day of the week" over a Rolex Subby. I love the idea and the execution.
The pusher on this GS is too large for the dial, making it look out of proportion. If the pushers are a bit smaller then I am sold.
Gary Liang try Grand Seiko Sbga211 Spring Drive
Absolutely incredible and brilliant. The dials are extremely detailed as well. I have yet to see numerals though on any of the GS dials. May be it's me. Imagine if Seiko made cars?
The spring drive is a masterpiece
I personally think that the spring drive is poetry in motion :)
I've got a well used Seiko GFA here that I doubt has ever had a service. It's running to specification after all this time (45+ years); a second a month.
My Spring Drive doesn't do quite as well but it's pretty close.
I adore my Grand Seiko SBGA211G very much... Thanks for the video!
It's a work of art in my opinion. I would love to own one someday.
I may be biased (as I own a cherry blossom 2019 USA-only GS), but this is remarkable engineering. Thanks for your video.
The Spring Drive is the single most interesting movement development in the last century. It's such an ingenious and completely original approach.
Your videos are always a pleasure to watch 👍🔥🔥🔥
holy shit this video exists when i actually was looking around for grand seiko. thank you
That sweep is mesmerizing..
Following the obsessive pursuit of excellence is what makes watch collection so rewarding. Pity these watches share a name with a $50-200 Quartz.
I can't have enough of looking at this watch, so gorgeous !!!
Finally some Seiko coverage on the channel 😁
An extremely elegant design of the escapement. Best of both worlds
GranD Seiko Spring Drive watches are truly pieces of art. One day I will own one for sure.
Incredible watch, leaves me with the feeling I'm going to have a GS in my future before many others I've been caught up on.
thanks for the amazing video, it's makes me appreciate the GS that much more! The way you described how the spring drive works doesn't compare to the brochure!
Thanks for the review of my awesome GS! A comparison between this chronometer and say a Daytona and others would be awesome.
Thank you for your coverage on the precision and technical marvel that is the Grand Seiko spring drive. I would love to see a follow up more focused on the ref SBGC001 photographed in your video. Perhaps a shootout alongside Rolex Daytona?! That’ll be a great bout to tune in for. It is a unique piece that houses springdrive, chronometer and GMT in a package celebrated by a true watch connoisseur. Tbh I own one and love the fact that a person in the street dismiss is as just being a seiko. And as the GS snowflake is slowly widening the brands appeal into more mainstream and early collector markets, I agree with David Bredan(ablogtowatch) that this chronograph is highly underrated and emerging as the real insider secret into one of the best pieces in the GS lineup.
Spring Drive is truly a revolution in regulating a mechanical watch movement. And precision achieved is something to be revered and admired. All it remains for SEIKO is to hire a good designer and even better marketing manager. As they conquered the art and craft of watchmaking already.
most instructive videos that a WIS can watch! never desapointed
A fantastic piece of technology, in a beautifuly crafted watch that you could hand down for generations with pride!
as someone once said: if Rolex would produce such a movement it would charge 50k+