SEIKO is set to expand sales of its high-end Grand Seiko wristwatches, until now limited to Japan and Taiwan, to start marketing its Mechanical 9S Series in other Asian countries.

Ever since Grand Seiko first went on the market in Japan in 1960, SEIKO’s most sophisticated technology has gone into its development as the company’s top brand. The concept behind Grand Seiko is supreme accuracy and unbeatable user-friendliness—all the things a quality timepiece was intended to embody. With the sales launch of these models in Asia, the SEIKO tradition of superior mechanical technology will be brought to the region.

The soon-to-be-released Grand Seiko Mechanical 9S Series is subjected to our company’s strictest standard, known as the Grand Seiko (GS) standard. Developed exclusively for the Grand Seiko series, this standard ensures top quality and performance, as well as superior utility and the ultimate in precision. The new GS standard is even stricter than the original standard applied when Grand Seiko first appeared on the market in the 1960s.

The unsurpassed precision of the Grand Seiko Mechanical 9S Series is a product of advanced parts design and high-precision processing technology, plus a special assembly process and precision fine-tuning, the work of select craftsmen.

SEIKO believes that Grand Seiko should be a timepiece that people are proud to own—and one that lasts for quite a long time—and the company is committed to making it even better in the future.

Features of Grand Seiko

1. Introducing the new GS standard

The concept behind Grand Seiko is that it should offer the absolute best in quality and performance. Accordingly, the new standard is stricter than ever before.

Due to gravity, precision in mechanical timepieces can be affected by the angle at which the wristwatch is held. Since the watch can be held in as many as six different positions, Grand Seiko precision standard testing covers all of them, while the Swiss Chronometer standard only covers five. Another factor that can affect accuracy is temperature. The models are examined for precision in a total of three different temperature zones: at 23 degrees Celsius, an approximate temperature at which a watch is worn; and at 8 and 38 degrees Celsius respectively, as set forth by the Swiss Chronometer standard.

Only timepieces that pass our wide range of calibration testing are sold as Grand Seiko watches.

2. The new movement designed for excellent precision

The superior precision of the 9S caliber has been developed through an unbeatable combination of cutting-edge design concepts, high-precision parts manufacturing technology, and assembly and fine-tuning by distinguished craftsmen. SEIKO has been able to realize consistent precision in these models through 1) simulating optimal gear combinations to minimize energy loss using the latest three dimensional CAD technology, 2) employing a high standard of energy transfer efficiency made possible by micro-level parts manufacturing technology, and 3) utilizing the new high-elasticity material called Spron510* in the mainspring.

*Spron510 is a registered trademark of Seiko Instruments Inc.

3. A design reflecting the substantial functions of the watch

A watch should be something very special to the wearer—something that offers a sense of comfort through all the ups and downs of life. A major feature of this design is its large, thick, five-facet-diamond-cut-finish hour and minute hands. Together with an anti-reflective coating for the sapphire crystal, they enhance the legibility to its maximum. Styling that makes a majestic impression—and a brilliantly polished mirror finish—gives the watch an unmistakably classy look.

4. Impeccable attention to detail

The stunning handiwork of our craftsmen is apparent not only in the finish of the exterior, but also right down to the parts you can’t see. Hand engravings decorate the watch movement, while star patterns, also hand made, grace the inner case back.—all the work of our superior watchmakers. Additional special features unique to Grand Seiko include the GS logo engraved on the crown, and the traditional lion emblem on the case back.