Woman World Web

February 7th, 2010 by Simon P Jennings

After the success of the quartz Astron, SEIKO proceeded with the creation of the Spring Drive in 1969. The basic technology that forms the basis for this watch is all-mechanical. The mainspring forms an essential component of the watch. However, for time regulation, the watch makes use of a system that is entirely new. The Spring Drive watch is the product that came into existence as a result of collaboration between Seiko Epson and Seiko Instruments.

Other than the mainspring, the major components that can be found in the Spring Drive watch by SEIKO include an automatic winder, along with a barrel and a stem, which is used for storing watch energy. The Spring Drive watch offers unique accuracy, equivalent of one second a day. Other than that, the glide motion in the watch ensures the even movement of time.

The design was first time visualized by Yoshikazu Akahane at Suva Seikosha in 1977. And, patent was applied for 1982. First introduction was held in 1998 at Basel Watch Fair. A version, which included an automatic winder, was displayed in Seiko models at the 2005 Basel Watch Fair. Seiko Spring Drive Watch models were launched internationally in Paris on September 14, and went on sale the next day.

The traditional escapement is replaced with a device that Seiko calls a Tri-synchro Regulator. This device adjusts the unwinding of the mainspring. The regulator controls the use of the three forms of energies consumed in the Spring Drive mechanism, the first mechanical power of the mainspring, the electrical energy, which is generated from mechanical power, and energy from electromagnetic, which governs the rotation of the glide wheel.

The energy generated from electromagnetic is responsible for controlling the rotation of the glide wheel. The wheel rotates eight times per second. The frequency of the glide wheel is constantly adjusted using a variable braking force. All this regulation and rotation makes the system of the watch a very mechanical one.

The Tri synchro is a real innovation by SEIKO and it has become the basis of differentiation of the Spring Drive watch. Due to this new device, the Spring Drive watch does not tick. This is due to the fact that watches with Tri synchro do not let the movement to stop as is true in case of the escapement. The movement is slowed with the help of a brake.

This movement is being used in the Spring Drive International Collection and in some watches of Grand Seiko, CREDOR, GALANTE, PROSPEX series and IZUL. Problems include moon phase, power reserve, chronograph, sonnerie, GMT and calendar functions. These watches are very much expensive, with the least complicated models costing several thousand dollars. The most expensive one is Credor Sonnerie in Rose Gold, which is over $150,000.

The Spring Drive watch offers almost double power reserve, which is of 72 hours, as compared to the mechanical watches which offer that of 40 hours. The winding system in these spring drive watches is very faster; around 30 percent as compared to the mechanical winding. A mechanical watch or time pieces shows the accuracy of only +/- 5 minutes per month. Whereas the Spring Drive Watches show an accuracy of +/- 15 seconds per month. The needle for seconds moves continuously around the dial of the watch, whereas that of a mechanical or quartz moves once in a second. Spring Drive has its motion in one direction and has no escapement. Therefore, needles of Spring Drive Watches move in a very unique and silent way.

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