Just three words: THAT. SECOND. HAND. Could look at it for hours.

The more I see, and watch, and study, I am beginning to realize that the best VALUE in luxury wristwatches is Grand Seiko. An amazing watch.

So if I understood you correctly....there is a tiny Japanese engineer sitting inside the watch checking and regulating accuracy every now and then and if the watch deviates more than 2 secs in a day he will commit Harakiri. Impressive.

$4600 is not much considering the technology Seiko have invested in to achieve such a unique masterpiece.

This is the best, most straight-forward explanation of the Spring Drive system I've ever seen. Grand Seiko evokes such a polarizing contrast of opinions from the watch community for reasons that I don't really understand. I respect a watch enthusiast who doesn't care for the styling of their line of watches as they are quite conservative in their designs. But to not acknowledge what an ingenious leap in horological technology Spring Drive represents is quite puzzling to me. I believe we should embrace all types of technologies, from solar to hand-wind to automatic to kinetic to quartz to Spring Drive if we truly love watches.

Anyone who knows about engineering will appreciate this watch.

What's really amazing, the watch starts running the instant you wind the crown at all. You should've stopped after a fraction of a turn. Look: 5:02 When I got mine, stone cold from the UPS box, wound it slowly a fraction of a turn, second hand raced about 8 seconds then settled down as the tri-synchro regulator took over. Also now after 5 years it still has a full 72 hr reserve. At least. And the reserve indicator is as accurate as the time! The incredibly detailed craftsmanship is beyond any high end watch I have seen- many of which cost far more than my Spring Drive Diver's 200M.

The spring drive is now my dream watch. Wow it is amazing.

Beautifully explained. Seiko has always been my brand of choice . Now that I am in a position to afford an expensive watch the grand seiko is the one for me. Thank you .

Truly a milestone in watchmaking technology and innovation. A mechanical watch with the accuracy of a quartz.

I think the only reason these watches are still so relatively cheap is because most people can’t understand how much better they are than a classic mechanical watch from an engineering perspective. It’s really an achievement in engineering. I hope to own one soon.

This man is a genious of Watch wikipedia's. Absolutely splendid. MARC you are.

Now I know the difference between Spring Drive & Kinetic. You made it so easy to follow.

Mark, your efforts are appreciated. Horology is accessible thanks to you.

What a brilliant explanation (especially with your accelerator/brake analogy &2 watches in one- with the quartz being a reference point). I now have a better appreciation of just how a serious bit of kit my recently acquired SBGC001 (chronograph GMT with the big pushers) really is. Cheers.

Well done! That was one of the best explanations of a Spring-Drive I've ever found! Your background in engineering and the ability to relay complex intricacies into understandable word pictures is a true gift. All the best Mark. Please keep up the great work.

Its hard to appreciate the smoothness of Spring Drive until you see it in person, I mean other luxury watches are smooth to the naked eye but GS SD is on a whole new level of smoothness.

Seiko is a beast. Best brand for the price point.

I am thoroughly impressed. My local watch store got these in 3 weeks ago and I wasn't knowledgeable enough to appreciate their enthusiasm. I'll definitely be looking into this line. Thanks Mark!

Wow! Thanks! Now I not only understand the spring drive, I can also appreciate the marriage between the mechanical & electrical systems!

This is a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) watch, in which time is the feedback signal. A brilliant engineering design!

KZfaq should have a star grading system because this video definitely deserves a 5.

Thanks Mark...A truly revolutionary movement. A fusion of quartz and automatic technology, that drives a watch beautifully crafted in titanium.... Perfection.

Outstanding explanation of Seiko’s Spring Drive technology. Thank you.

Fascinating! A symbiotic relationship between quartz and automatic movements... great explanation - Grand Seiko worthy

Hands down the clearest, most understandable and relatable explanation of Spring Drive on the internet to date. Keep up the great work, Mark! Love the videos!

I agree with Lee! You gave the most straightforward and understandable explanation of this new Technology. I thoroughly enjoy all the engineering that I’ve had the Blessing to observe in my life time. The first Watch I purchased for myself was a Baylor (Zales brand - it’s claim to fame was a jeweled movement with the incabloc shock resistance system) Hand wind movement with a rotating time bezel and sold for about $25.00. For someone in High School in the latter 60’s that was a lot of money. As I commented to Lee, I was Blessed to work in the Jewelry Business in High School and learned about fine time pieces - I also became a “Watch Addict!” I still have the first expensive watch I purchased a Solid 14 Kt Gold Bulova Accutron 214. The “pin lever” was a jewel placed on index levers that were thinner than a hair. I do not recall how many times the index levers moved but the second hand “just seemed to float”. Omega won the Government Bid for our Astronauts and the Omega Speedmaster was NASA issued. Bulova was on Panels at NASA and instrument Panels of the Space Capsules. Dave Scott had his Crystal fall out On the Apollo 15 Mission and he had a personal Bulova Engineered for Space and he wore that August 2, 1971 and he completed the mission wearing the Bulova Lunar Model. (Citizen now owns Bulova, The reproduction has a Citizen “Tri-tuning Fork” operating at 262kHz) .. Seiko came out with a Quartz Movement that was very accurate and some people thought that was an end of Mechanical Movements. Watch makers proved mechanical movements could obtain a high level of accuracy... Now, Seiko has come out with Spring Drive! Thank You Marc, for your excellent explanation of this new Technology!!

Best description of how spring drives work for non-engineers I've heard. Now I understand the what's going on with this movement. Very interesting and thanks for posting.

Just bought a GS SBGR311 20th anniversary. Came to this video to further understand about the movement. Perfectly short explained about the spring drive Thanx Mark 👌

Fellow engineer here Mark, first time I have really heard how spring drive operates. A very impressive system indeed, thanks for the review!!!

That’s the best description of spring drive so far, thank you

They really are too humble. I've got 3 seconds fast in 6 months. Insane.

The sweep of that seconds hand is just mesmerizing to watch.

I greatly appreciate Mark's earnest and unpretentious technical presentations. It's a pleasure to listen to instruction intended to teach and impress the viewer about the subject, rather than teach and impress the viewer about the teacher.

haven't looked into how this works until I watched this video. This is really incredible. My next luxury watch purchase might have to be a spring drive seiko. Let's be honest, they deserve the business

'Hands down' the best explanation I've seen for this movement.

Wow, just amazing ! 😱🙌 As a graduate in mechanical engineering a totally get it. This is amazing tech in such little space. They took the positives of each technology and make them " talk to each other ". They deserve more credit. 😎

Price of this watch shows how absurd swiss watch prices are

Wow I knew a bit about it but I didn't understand how it worked. Truly revolutionary. Excellent breakdown. Thank you!

I am literally lusting after this watch. I have a Seiko SGG599 Titanium that I love to wear daily but this one is just stunning. I think what I like most about it is the color of the dial and the beautiful hands. Wow!

I am so glad Seiko came up with this most amazing technology, when I first learned about spring drive my whole thought process was how the hell is that any different than a kinetic engine?.. the more I learned, the more fascinated I became. It was only right The Japanese came up with this tech that marriages quartz and mechanical in such a harmonious way. I can almost certainly say, the Swiss had no interest whatsoever in doing anything remotely close to this.

Amazing . I understand it all now . Some watch guys say they would never own one . Wtf. It's beautiful . Thank you Mark.

Just came across this video, and I'm glad I did! Great explanation, thank you.

Another good lesson. Spring-drive, my favorite movement.

The way the hands catch the light is so beautiful 😍

What a great video! Thanks for bringing the engineering light to shine on time-keepers!

This is a great way to demonstrate how the glide wheel is really just a brake, and without that brake, how fast things would run. For those that say it’s a quartz and not worthy of being called mechanical, this shows how, like a normal escapement, the power would run out quickly if there wasn’t some form of a brake. It’s simply a different way to do it, but still fully mechanical in my opinion.

Man that watch is awesome! I am becoming more and more appreciative of Grand Seiko's line of watches. I would really like to get my hand on one of the titanium dive watches. Thank you Mark.

Even 2 years later, your videos Rock!

Wow. I’m impressed by this watch technology.

Amazing tech not heard of this type of movement before. thank you for a great video.

Finally a watch that displays the true nature of the passage of time: continuous movement.

The Spring drive movement is hypnotic

Great explanations, I finally got it straight in my head!

Just saw the video on the Grand Seiko Spring Drive technology. Truly fascinating, one of your best. I'll have to start saving my pennies!

Mark - thanks for the best discourse on the ingenious yet easily misunderstood Spring Drive technology I have heard. For many, a Rolex or other high end Swiss piece is on their ultimate collection wish list. A Seiko Spring Drive is on mine.

I was surprised to hear it not being officially certified, it being such a finely engineered mechanism. I hope to own one of these fine watches some day. Thank you for this review.

Amazing review -- way better than many technical talks I hear in conferences.

Mark thank you for this fantastic review. With this video you drew me to the Spring Drive and then ultimately the purchase of one. Mine is simply the most beautiful piece I've seen. You were right , the fit and finish is simply amazing.

As I said in my last comment - great episodes about the "other" technologies in modern watchmaking! Really love the Spring Drive concept, truly amazing. Will definitely have a Grand Seiko in my collection one day. Thanks Mark!

Amazing watch! And that dial and minute hands look perfect🤩

Awesome video, thanks man. I had no idea how they worked before, now I have a good idea, so good job.

This is the Grand Seiko model I so want. Thanks for the eye candy Mark.

So the VTec kicked in at the beginning.

Thank you for this fantastic video. You could be the only one outside of Seiko able to explain how his beast functions. Most so called "professional" or "experienced" watch lovers or collectors seriously prejudice and criticise about the branding of this watch, ignoring the fundamentals of watch appreciation such as time accuracy and innovations. They should be shameful about themselves. Thank you for the video again. You are the best.

Mark thank you so much for this wonderful totally informative explanation of this amazing watch and it's technology. I'm saving up now to buy one. As with people, it's what's on the inside that matters most to me. Yes the finish and quality is second to None, but for me wearing such a watch as this, knowing the beauty that sits inside it is what makes me smile, all those years of development and the pain staking dedication to perfection makes such a watch as this such a joy to wear with utter pride. Thank you again for your openness and experienced wisdom through great gain of knowledge. Regards Steve 👍😊👍

Absolute brilliant video, I feel a little wiser. Thank you.

Wow! Seiko is truly an innovative brand.

My Seiko Spring Drive is currently running at +0.1 seconds per day. I’m a gardener and give it hell, and yet I’m still getting this accuracy. It blows my mind how Seiko created a movement this accurate.

thanks for making this. you did a great job explaining all the parts someone just getting started in the watch game

I have a Seiko 5 snxs77. It looks good, keeps great time, is purely mechanical and will probably never be serviced and still outlast me. It cost under £50. About 1% of a spring drive. Now that IS amazing!

OLD IS ALWAYS GOLD............

Who are the freaking tools giving this a thumbs down? Thanks for a great first hand look at the Grand!

I love your passion for watches. Great knowledgeable video

Thank you for the detailed explanation.

Fantastic tutorial of a spring drive basics. Thank you.

Beautiful watch,Marc. This is the watch,along with the snow flake, I'd love to own someday. Thanks for sharing. Best regards from Adrian in Sheffield England 😀

Good explanation,thanks Mark, now I appreciate GS more !

Good review on spring drive technology. It has got the heart and muscle of traditional watch with a brain of modern tech - perfect marriage of tradition with contemporary elements. Quartz are used in the Microcontroller as timekeeper, it is the revolutionary tech of this century. Seiko has done a perfect job with Spring drive, respect the tradition while evolving. A watch that teases the geek out of me, and at the same time sings to me the traditional value of timekeeping..

I love these watch and learns. Spring drive has interested me for a while now. I think throwing in a few pictures, if only as analogies, might've helped a little bit, but the explanation was otherwise very concise and contained a lot of information missing from other spring drive intro videos out there.

I throughly enjoyed your Video! Thank You for the links! In high school my 2nd job was in a fine jewelry store and a diamond brokerage. We carried all ranges of fine watches. I learned about China, Silver, Gemology, Fine writing instruments and watches! The least expensive watch was s Bulova Caravelle. Other lines Breitling, Longines, Witnauer, Omega, Rado, Rolex, and had access to AP and other fine watches through a relatives store in San Antonio. I became s “Watch Addict!” My first “expensive fine watch” was a Bulova Accutron 214, in Solid 14Kt Gold, a Beautiful Cushion Shape and I just put a new battery in it a couple of Months ago. I still love the sound of the tuning fork “hum”.... It’s still very accurate and s beautiful time piece! Citizen now owns Bulova, I recently purchased a Bulova Lunar with s “Tri-Tuning Fork” and while it doesn’t hum, it has a movement that operates at 262 kHz. Very Accurate, The Omega Speedmaster wasn’t the only “watch in space”... I have 7 Seiko’s in my collection. I just put a battery in a Seiko Sports 100 Chronograph! Awesome Quartz time piece, Black Dial White Hands and Markers. Still very accurate! I love the looks of Seikos, and “Seiko” looks to be hand carved, Underneath the word Quartz, in Script under that “Chronograph”; Under that Painted “Sports100”... I love their attention to detail and this Chronograph has my Monogram engraved on the bracelet Clasp. I enjoy all my watches especially my Seikos. I will have to save up for a spring Drive but like all Seiko Products - I will have Seiko Deisgn, Engineering, Attention to Detail and their quality. All my Seikos second hands and in case of a analog chrionograph land directly on the indices of the dial. I am Blessed to have Bulovas, Casios (low to high - I love the Pro Trek 6000Y) Citizens, and Yes, I have some Swiss Brands... and quite a few Solar Models! I like engineering and technology. My Kids have Apple Watches and I like the technology... however, I like looking at my Analog Watches and immediately know what time it is.... call me old fashioned - I also still love the Mechanical movements! I love technology and engineering and most of all I love quality! Yes, I want a Spring Drive!

Great overview of Spring Drive. Thanks, Mark.

The second hand movement is hypnotic 👌🏻

this model Seiko looks even better in the flesh. it's very nice. thanks for the vid

That is some gorgeous watch. thank you for the review/explanation.

Nice watch, love the technology used in this watch.

Awesome video! i understand a little more about spring drive after this video. previously i totally have no idea how its work. using car as a reference to explain was a brilliant idea.

IMHO, this is the benchmark of timepieces. It's stunning in every respect.

Unbelievable technology extremely well explained. Fantastic video.

Spring drive is a beautiful movement..!!!

Excellent presentation of a unique watch. keep up the good work. learnt so much.

Great Stuff. GS is so very underrated. I have the spring-drive, the hi-beat, the quartz, but, it's the Three Centre Hands Manual Winding mechanism that gives me the most satisfaction. The epitome of high horology is the Three Centre Hands manual wind mechanism, with a long minute hand, and an even longer second hand. Even in Patek and Lange, the manual wind watches are either 2 hands or with a sub second hand. They reserved the Centre Three Hands for their highest range, so high that hardly anyone can reach them. For a connoisseur, a luxury watch maker must have a Three Centre Hands collection in their stable, the basis of all other good mechanical watches. For GS, there is the SBGW series. I bought the SBGW231, the latest for 3K. It runs for more than 3 days fully wound, and only off by +1 sec in that three days. The hands and indices sparkle like diamonds against an equally beautiful custard dial. My calatrava which cost many times more just cannot match up. The back case has more details than my Nautilus which is plain. As for the finishing of the mechanism itself, you put the two together and see for yourself. And mind you, the Nautilus cast a lot lot more. Then again, both the calatrava and the nautilus are not the Three Centre Hand mechanism. You need a very good mechanism to carry a long minute and second hand. I can see that my Hulk and Batman has very short minute hand as compared to my other GS sport watches. Where are all the good man!

Great video man. Very very interesting. Very well explained. Thank you very much for taking the time to produce it. ❤️❤️❤️⌚👍💯

Beautiful Grand Seiko watch, Seiko Spring Drive technology combining a quartz and mechanical technology revolutionize the watch industry.

A brilliant explanation in layman terms of the movement. Your videos are great. Keep it up.

Awesome video! Explanation was perfect!

Beautiful watch and truly a marvel in terms of it's movement

great demo of SD. Appreciate your clear & succinct explanation.

This watch looks amazing. Very beautiful detail.

Closed loop control.. It's just genious!