How A Spring Drive Watch Works

Spring Drive was created by SEIKO after the quartz Astron in 1969. It is based on the principles of all mechanical watch technology. It contains a mainspring, but uses an entirely new system for time regulation. It delivers the equivalent of one second per day accuracy and unique features. Its glide-motion represents the continuous and even motion of time.

Seiko Epson especially collaborated with Seiko instruments for designing and creating the Spring Drive watch. The most important components of the Spring Drive watch are the mainspring, barrel and automatic winder.

At Suva Seikosha, Yoshikazu Akahane was the first individual to imagine the design of the Spring Drive watch. This happened in 1977. The patent for the watch was applied for in 1982, and the introduction of the watch for the very first time took place in 1998 at the Basel Watch Fair. Later on, in 2005, there was another introduction held at the Basel Watch Fair for the version of the watch that had an automatic winder. The launch of the model was done in Paris in September the same year.

In this watch, a component called the Tri-synchro Regulator is used. This has replaced the escapement, which can be found traditionally in the watches. The Spring Drive watch uses three different kinds of energies, and this regulator performs the function of controlling each of these energies. These three energies include the power generated from the mainspring, electric energy and the electromagnetic energy.

The glide wheel in the Spring Drive functions at a speed of eight times per second. This is compared with the quartz signal. Other than that the frequency of the glide wheel is also monitored constantly with the help of a variable braking force.

With the use of the Tri-synchro, there is no tickling of the watch, which used to be the case in the watches that used the traditional escapement. Hence, with this technology, the movement of the watch does not stop, like it does in the traditional watch that uses escapement.

The mechanical technology that forms an essential part of the Spring Drive is also being used in some other watches being made by SEIKO. These include Galante, Prospex, Izul, Credor and Grand Seiko. Some of the problems that have appeared in these watches include issues related to power reserve, chronograph, moon phase and calendar functions.

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.

Check out wide range of Seiko Watches and avail huge discounts on sale of these watches now.

Bookmark and Share

Possibly Related Posts:


Leave a Reply

(required)