A new Grand Seiko Hi-beat 36000
The quest for high precision
A wristwatch's precision is the ultimate test of its quality, which is why, from the very start, the Grand Seiko team had always put precision at the top of the list of priorities. The company had long been honing the precision of its watches in Japanese chronometer trials but, wanting to test itself against the world’s best, accepted the gracious invitation of Neuchatel and Geneva Observatory chronometer accuracy competitions and participated from the early 1960’s, vying with the world's top watchmakers to make the most accurate watches. It was through this process that the Grand Seiko team became convinced that high-beat movements were the best way to achieve the greatest precision.
In every mechanical watch, the force exerted by the mainspring as it unwinds turns the gears while the constant rate of oscillation of the balance wheel applies a brake on the gears, resulting in the precise rotation of the hands. The precision of a watch therefore depends on the stability of the balance wheel. Just as a fast-spinning top is more stable than a slow-spinning one, the higher the oscillation frequency of the balance, the less susceptible is the movement to the impact of shock and other forces and the greater the precision.
Through its experience in the Observatory competitions, the team identified 36,000 oscillations per hour (10 per second) as the rate needed to achieve both high accuracy and durability and, in 1968, two different high-beat movements were created. The Suwa Seikosha team made the automatic-winding Caliber 61 series and Daini Seikosha the manual-winding Caliber 45 series. With these two new calibers, the company took its place among the select few manufacturers who successfully rose to the high-beat challenge.
By the 1990’s , advances in manufacturing and materials had opened new possibilities in Grand Seiko’s mechanical watchmaking and these advances were used to the full in the creation of the completely new 9S mechanical movement in 1998. Following its development, the engineers began pursuing even higher accuracy and durability and, in 2004, a new project was launched to develop a 10 beat movement that would take Grand Seiko’s precision to a new level.
Three special movements,
a new case and a unique dial
To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of 9S caliber, the Grand Seiko team has created a series of three limited edition timepieces, each of which pays homage, in its own way, to the remarkable heritage of the 9S caliber.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
Hi-Beat 36000 Caliber 9S85
The challenge of making a high-beat movement is one that only a few watchmakers choose to accept. With its higher oscillation rate of ten beats per second, greater accuracy is achievable, but this increased precision comes at a price because the faster rotational speed can take its toll on the power reserve and even the longevity of the whole movement.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
New dial pattern
The dial is exceptional. Its design incorporates the special mark used back in the 1960’s to designate watches made by Daini Seikosha, the company known today as Seiko Instruments Inc.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
A special oscillating weight
The watch is equipped with a special oscillating weight made of titanium and tungsten.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
*Anodic oxidation treatment
This is a surface treatment in which metals are subjected to electrolysis so as to generate artificially an oxide film.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO
*In an actual product, the case back direction might be different from the photograph.
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Technical specifications
Collection: HERITAGE
Model: Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 20th Anniversary Limited Edition
Ref. SBGH267G
Movement
Driving system: Automatic with manual winding mechanism
Caliber 9S85
Accuracy (when static): +5 to -3 seconds per day
Note: This accuracy is the result of measuring the loss/gain of the time for seventeen days before the inside movements of the watch are put in the case.
The measurement has been done in the factory where temperatures or position of the movements are controlled.
Normal usage accuracy: +8 to -1 seconds per day
Power reserve: Approximately 55 hours
Vibrations: 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second)
Jewels: 37 jewels
Case
Stainless steel case
Case back: stainless steel and sapphire crystal
Glass: Dual-curved sapphire crystal glass
Coating: Anti-reflective coating on inner surface
Size: Diameter 39.5mm×Thickness 13.0mm
Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push button release, secure lock and slide adjuster
Approximate recommended retail price in USD 6,300
Limited edition of 1.500 pcs
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Press Release - 2018
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www.Grand-seiko.com
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SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION
Mr Noboru Miyadera
2-8-10, Toranomon, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 105-8467
Japan
Telephone+81 3 6739 2150
Telefax+81 3 6739 2071
seiko-pr@seiko-watch.co.jp
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