Grand Seiko Spring Drive, how the movement works
An electromagnet regulates time without friction.
- Answers
- How does the Grand Seiko Spring Drive movement work?
- Topics
- design · review · watch
- Full article on willem.com
- https://willem.com/en/2021-06-05_wearing-grand-seiko/
Summary
Spring Drive is a Seiko movement in which an electromagnet frictionlessly regulates the speed of time. Instead of ticking, the hands sweep smoothly and silently, while a swinging rotor winds a spring from the motion of your wrist.
Full text
Unlike a conventional mechanical watch, Spring Drive regulates the speed of the movement with an electromagnet, without friction. The hands do not tick; they sweep in one continuous, silent flow with incredible precision. And unlike cheap watches on disposable batteries, it generates its own power: a swinging rotor captures the kinetic energy of your wrist and winds a spring, exactly like a traditional mechanical watch. I found mine at the Seiko boutique in Amsterdam. Photos hardly do the finishing justice; these watches must be seen in the metal. In daily wear the stainless steel case shrugs off water, dust and toys from the kid's corner. For an everyday watch with uncommon attention to detail, it beats chasing the status symbolism of the popular Swiss brands.