There is something special about owning a watch that represents the pinnacle of engineering and craftsmanship. And when it comes to precision, beauty and innovation, it is impossible not to mention Grand Seiko’s Caliber 9S. Launched in 1998, this movement has become a pillar in Japanese watchmaking history and the basis for all modern Grand Seiko calibres produced to date. Today, as a tribute to its history, we write an article tracing the years of this movement and show you the two new products Grand Seiko has launched to celebrate the anniversary.
The Debut: 1998
Caliber 9S made its debut in 1998, marking a new era for Grand Seiko. This mechanical movement showed the world that Japanese watchmaking could compete with Swiss watchmaking in terms of precision and quality. The need for a new caliber stemmed from Grand Seiko’s desire to offer a higher performance movement than any the market was accustomed to. To achieve this, Grand Seiko adopted a CAD CAM system to facilitate the design, a new and larger balance wheel was made with an optimized axis to ensure perfect performance, and the power reserve was increased to about 50 hours.
Since its debut, over these 25 years, the 9S caliber has been the subject of the relentless innovation and research carried out by Grand Seiko and has provided the basis for all the most important calibres currently produced by the company: the 9S65, the 9S85 Hi-beat and the 9SA5.
The technological evolution
Over time, the 9S movement has evolved through technological advances and has been applied, in all its variations, inside some of the finest watches ever produced by Grand Seiko.
Among the most important elements within the movement are, first and foremost, the hairsprings. These tiny components less than the thickness of a human hair are all produced in-house by Grand Seiko, in a SPRON alloy consisting mainly of Nickel and Cobalt. This special composition allows for greater strength and durability, hence greater precision and reliability of the watch.
Each spiral is expertly adjusted by hand by the expert craftsmen of the Shizukuishi Studio Grand Seiko. Through the microscope they manage to juggle tolerances of a hundredth of a millimeter until the perfect swing is achieved.
These SPRON alloys, in addition to the hairsprings, are also used for the winding springs. These are also produced in-house by Grand Seiko and have the merit of greater strength and durability.
Another technological element that has over time become fundamental within Caliber 9S is MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems).This is a technology entirely developed in-house by Grand Seiko that is used to produce the escapement wheel and fork. Thanks to the MEMS system, these elements are produced with incredible precision (one thousandth of a millimeter) and can even be skeletonized so as to optimize their weight and consequently the efficiency of the entire caliber.
Of course, the presence of these technologies is not a sufficient condition that is enough for the brand’s watchmakers to deem a watch up to the “Grand Seiko Standard.” Today, before being inserted into the case, each mechanical 9S movement is evaluated over the course of 17 days in six different positions reflecting real-life use and at three very different temperatures, 8, 23 and 38 degrees Celsius.
All of these improvements, combined with others we will unveil shortly, culminated in Grand Seiko’s caliber 9SA5, the Japanese manufacture’s flagship high-frequency jewel.
The caliber 9SA5
Caliber 9SA5 is one of Grand Seiko’s most advanced movements and represents a significant step forward in the company’s watchmaking technology. Introduced in 2020 on the occasion of Grand Seiko’s 60th anniversary, the 9SA5 is a high-frequency mechanical movement with a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour (or 5 Hz), which allows for a more accurate time reading.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the 9SA5 is its “dual impulse” type escapement, which improves energy efficiency. The movement also benefits from a new hairspring, which helps maintain superior accuracy for a longer period of time.
In terms of design, the 9SA5 is also thinner and more compact than previous high-frequency Grand Seiko movements, which allows for the creation of thinner watches without sacrificing performance. This was enabled by the expedient of placing both the barrel and gear train horizontally and on the same plane. All this is also reflected in a far greater power reserve of as much as 80 hours.
The Art of Finishings
One cannot talk about the Caliber 9S without dwelling on the finish. Here, talk of technology and innovation can make sense up to a point. The real difference lies in the skilled skills of the craftsmen. Grand Seiko uses a range of traditional Japanese finishing techniques to make each movement a work of art. Of them all, the most iconic is Zaratsu polishing, carried out by a team of craftsmen who specialize in this true art form whose ho goal is to make every Grand Seiko timepiece “shine with quality.”
Another key element in the details of Grand Seiko watches is Nature, so much so that it is defined by a fascinating expression and incorporated within the brand’s philosophy with the expression “The Nature of Time. In fact, each model, each of the dial finishes, each color is inspired by the natural element typical of the Japanese landscape. Just think of the dials that take inspiration from the slopes of Mount Iwate or the iconic “White Birch” dial that takes inspiration from white birch trees.
The two new limited edition watches
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of their iconic Caliber 9S, Grand Seiko has launched two extraordinary limited editions.
The first, part of the Sport collection, boasts a charming blue dial that recalls the blanket of clouds around Mount Iwate, visible from Grand Seiko’s Shizukuishi Studio. This masterpiece is powered by the mechanical Caliber 9S86 Hi-Beat GMT, which operates at a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour.
The surprise? A sapphire crystal case back showing a titanium oscillating weight with blue hues, achieved by anodic oxidation. This is the first time Grand Seiko has offered an exposed case back in a watch with a water resistance rating of 20 bar. The rotating sapphire crystal bezel, with blue and white colors, completes the picture. This limited edition of 2,000 pieces has a retail price of EUR 8,600.00.
The second novelty is a piece of pure elegance. This limited edition for the Elegance collection sports a blue soleil dial inspired by the sky above Mt. Iwate. The case and bezel are finished with the famous Zaratsu technique, crafted by Grand Seiko’s skilled artisans. Inside the 39.5 mm steel case, Caliber 9S66 GMT is also visible here through the sapphire crystal case back.
In addition, the model offers an independently adjustable local time ball, maintaining time accuracy in each time zone. This limited edition of 1,700 pieces will be available from October 2023. If you are a watch lover, mark these dates on your calendar-these pieces will soon be cult objects!
Final remarks
Caliber 9S is more than a movement; it is a legacy, a symbol of Grand Seiko’s unwavering commitment to excellence. Since its debut in 1998, it has continued to evolve, maintaining its position as one of the most beloved and respected movements in the watch industry.
To learn more visit Grand Seiko’s official website.
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