Seiko File: New Grand Seiko Hi-Beat - 9S85

Caliber - 9S85 is the latest mechanical movement of “9S caliber series”, which is manually manufactured piece by piece by highly skilled craftspeople. Every single piece is qualified for the “Grand Seiko Standard”, that requires a series of 17-day tests under various environments with six different positions at three different temperatures.

This is a high oscillation movement of 36,000 vibrations per hour, which is the first new development in 40 years. By increasing the number of vibrations, the new movement is more resistant to external disturbance, suppresses variations in accuracy and daily rates due to differences in position and consequently realizes higher accuracy.

The new movement is equipped with another innovation: a new kind of mainspring and balance spring as well as original escape wheel and pallet fork, all of which are essential to 36,000 vph with stability.
It has been realized because SEIKO is one of very few vertically integrated manufactures, who are capable not just of designing and assembling movements but also conducting R&D of the materials. The new material for mainspring ‘SPRON 530’ is developed in-house based on accumulated experience of more than 50 years of developing and manufacturing with excellent corrosion-resistant and magneticresistant properties and durability. Its high elasticity achieves as long as 55 hours of power reserve. Another new material for balance spring ‘SPRON 610’ is also developed by ourselves. As it is highly impact-resistant and magnetic-resistant, better stability is realized by reducing the internal loss of the movement of balance springs.

In order to resolve the problem of deterioration due to the higher vibration of 36,000 per hour, a new shape of tooth of the escape wheel has been designed, so that lubricants can be held to maintain the durability in the parts of engagement with the pallet fork.
Both escape wheel and pallet fork are manufactured by state-of-the-art MEMS technology, improving the smoothness of part surfaces and the reduction in part weight, bringing about stable accuracy and durability.

Can someone say SEIKO HARD ON?

Serioulsy, cool watches, great movements, enjoying you sharing your passion!

Thanks guys. Its really fun for me to know that I can bring these here and they'll be appreciated. I know Seiko is seen by many WIS as...well not-Swiss but I'm trying to show folks that seriously great watchmaking knows no ethnicity or bounds.

Docrwm wrote:

Thanks guys. Its really fun for me to know that I can bring these here and they'll be appreciated. I know Seiko is seen by many WIS as...well not-Swiss but I'm trying to show folks that seriously great watchmaking knows no ethnicity or bounds.

Terrific points there Doc !..Great watchmaking and watches is what
Seiko is about ! I think it's awesome how much you care about Seiko
as well !..Thanks for teaching us and spreading the word !..I DO appreciate
it !!!