NEW VALUE Setting new standards
The new 4S movements were carefully adjusted and met the accepted global standard for precision. 500 of these specially adjusted movements were manufactured but the most important result was not the positive reception that theses watches received. It was that it gave the Grand Seiko team an appetite to go further. Much further. They started by setting a new standard that they thought honored the Grand Seiko tradition and then set out to create a watch that would meet it. Co-inciding with the release of the 9S caliber, the new Grand Seiko standard was published in 1998 and called for an average daily precision rate of -3 seconds to +5 seconds, 6 testing positions and 17 testing days, each of which was higher than the accepted global standard. These were the extremely demanding standards that Caliber 9S, the new mechanical movement developed exclusively for Grand Seiko, had to meet.
To achieve this new Grand Seiko standard required the creation of a completely new caliber and new design and manufacturing techniques were deployed to make it possible.
The caliber was designed using a CAD-CAM system developed by Seiko Instruments allowing 9S to be the first caliber to incorporate its advantages. Studies on new gear shapes and simulations of gear trains were conducted and compared to past design materials, and by employing this data, the Grand Seiko team was able to make rapid progress in the production of prototypes. With the invention of new alloys for the springs, the development of a new balance wheel and the introduction of a special inner edge curve in the configuration of the balance spring, Caliber 9S was able to meet the new Grand Seiko standard and to deliver a level of precision that was truly worthy of the Grand Seiko name.
In November 1998, two models carrying the completed 9S movement were launched. It was a landmark moment and ushered in a new era for Grand Seiko.
The new 4S movements were carefully adjusted and met the accepted global standard for precision. 500 of these specially adjusted movements were manufactured but the most important result was not the positive reception that theses watches received. It was that it gave the Grand Seiko team an appetite to go further. Much further. They started by setting a new standard that they thought honored the Grand Seiko tradition and then set out to create a watch that would meet it. Co-inciding with the release of the 9S caliber, the new Grand Seiko standard was published in 1998 and called for an average daily precision rate of -3 seconds to +5 seconds, 6 testing positions and 17 testing days, each of which was higher than the accepted global standard. These were the extremely demanding standards that Caliber 9S, the new mechanical movement developed exclusively for Grand Seiko, had to meet.
To achieve this new Grand Seiko standard required the creation of a completely new caliber and new design and manufacturing techniques were deployed to make it possible.
The caliber was designed using a CAD-CAM system developed by Seiko Instruments allowing 9S to be the first caliber to incorporate its advantages. Studies on new gear shapes and simulations of gear trains were conducted and compared to past design materials, and by employing this data, the Grand Seiko team was able to make rapid progress in the production of prototypes. With the invention of new alloys for the springs, the development of a new balance wheel and the introduction of a special inner edge curve in the configuration of the balance spring, Caliber 9S was able to meet the new Grand Seiko standard and to deliver a level of precision that was truly worthy of the Grand Seiko name.
In November 1998, two models carrying the completed 9S movement were launched. It was a landmark moment and ushered in a new era for Grand Seiko.
Caliber 9S5 series had a new balance wheel. The movement was beautifully finished, with a wave design on the bridge and rotors. (Model in the photo is Caliber 9S56 with a GMT function)
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Caliber 9S5 series had a new balance wheel. The movement was beautifully finished, with a wave design on the bridge and rotors. (Model in the photo is Caliber 9S56 with a GMT function)
One new standard. Two new designs.
The classical design, 1998 The heritage of Grand Seiko was reflected in this classical design. Made in 18K gold, with a dual curved sapphire crystal.
The contemporary design, 1998 Taking the Grand Seiko design a step forward, towards the future. Using Grand Seiko’s Zaratsu polishing techniques, the curved surfaces were honed to a brilliant, distortion-free surface.