Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Spring Drive Chronograph

[bordseye]

Finally found an everyday watch that I quite fancy, after haunting the Rolex forums for a long time. It seems to me to be a much better watch visually than the common Rolex "tool" watches, with an understated elegance about it. Intended for every day knock about use rather than as a dress up watch.

What do you think? What sort of reputation has Grand Seiko for reliability and toughness. My current Seiko Kinetic divers watch is as tough as an old boot. Even managed to run over it on my motorbike ( dont ask! ) without issues.

https://www.fraserhart.co.uk/sbgc251g-grand-seiko-...

[bazza.]

I had a chrono spring drive many moons ago it was great unit the auto winding stop working
and it cost around 700 to fix I dare say a service now cost around a grand

[bordseye]

Surprising cost - the routine 5 yearly service / capacitor change to my Seiko Kinetic costs about £80. What would be the equivalent Rolex cost if the auto winding failed?

[grumbledoak]

Is there a routine service schedule for the Spring Drive? I thought standing orders for most watches was "leave it alone unless it stops keeping time".

[bazza.]

bordseye said:

Surprising cost - the routine 5 yearly service / capacitor change to my Seiko Kinetic costs about £80. What would be the equivalent Rolex cost if the auto winding failed?

Kinetic and Spring Drive are very different movements they don't even make Kinetic watches anymore
Spring Drive are premium and start at around £5,000
Kinetic models are consider budget

If a Rolex stopped winding any watchmaker could fix it unlike a SD,
Normally an auto module service would sort it out at a cost of around £125 ish

Like this







Just found this on GS website

Periodic inspection and adjustment by disassembly and cleaning (overhaul) is recommended approximately once every 3 to 4 years in order to maintain optimal performance of the watch for a long time.
Service cost I'm guessing would be around £1,000 ish

Edited by bazza. on Sunday 22 September 11:40

[OMITN]

If always defer to Bazza’s knowledge on how watches actually work and would add to that some anecdotal experience of Spring Drive reliability.

I have two Spring Drives - both have he 9R65 movement. The newer was bought new by me in 2017 and has never been serviced. It keeps impeccable time. The older is a 2013 diver and I bought it second hand last year - therefore no definitive idea if it has been serviced - and it also keeps time superbly.

So from a reliability and longevity perspective, I would recommend Spring Drive. But I’m also under no illusion that no-one other than Seiko currently services them so it will be an expensive fix vs going to an independent watchmaker.

Edited by OMITN on Monday 23 September 11:24

[bordseye]

bazza. said:

Kinetic and Spring Drive are very different movements they don't even make Kinetic watches anymore
Spring Drive are premium and start at around £5,000
Kinetic models are consider budget

Obviously they are different but how different? As I understand it, both are quartz movements and the difference is the way that the power is generated either with the usual "flywheel" mechanism as in the kinetic or something similar where the energy is held by a spring.

Forget the "premium" bit - that wont alter the cost of the service, just the price!.

Moving on from there, SWMBOs old Rolex Datejust has stopped running altogether and needs a service. Its a very early model from the days when you altered the date simply by winding the hands forward for ever. Any service place near Cardiff / Bristol?

[troc]

No, the spring drive is a mechanical movement which additionally powers a braking mechanism instead of an escapement that electronically controls the watch to keep time.

[Ninjin]

That GS is HUGE, 45.3mm!!!

I have nothing against GS and can accept that the finish is better than the usual reference of Rolex...

However, until they introduce a on the fly clasp extension, it's not a watch I would consider.

[Bernt Tuakrisp]

I treated myself to an Ushio (Evolution 9 Spring Drive diver - SLGA023) on a trip to Tokyo last year. 5 day power reserve, impeccable finish and exceptional accuracy - quite a large watch but very wearable in titanium. It has an easy adjust bracelet as well. Significantly less expensive in Japan too - and what an experience buying from the Wako store. Staring at that sweeping second hand and ushio dial is addictive.

I’ll get it serviced when (if) it stops working, which by all accounts is years away. It’s also worth noting that an equivalent Rolex service, by Rolex is going to be similar money.