All watch movements have two major factors: where it gets power from, and how it regulates it's timekeeping.

Let's start with the Spring Drive Power Source:

In a Spring Drive movement, the power source is made up of a Barrel and a Mainspring. After the watch is wound, either manually or automatically, the mainspring proceeds to unwind, and that force then turns the barrel, and triggers the gear train.

Gear Train?

The energy is controlled via the Gear Train, a 5-Wheel piece that is driven by the motion of the aforementioned mainspring and barrel. The gear train is made up of 5 wheels total, with the 5th being a Glide Wheel. The Glide Wheel connects us to the Tri-Synchro Regulator, and serves a pivotal role in the time regulation.

Tri-Synchro Regulator?

Spring Drive movement's have an element called a Tri-Synchro Regulator (TSR), and it acts as an escapement, meaning it regulates the speed at which the mainspring unwinds. As you may have picked up from the "Tri" in it's name, the TSR employs three energy sources to perform:

1. Mechanical power: from the motion of the mainspring
2. Electrical power: Electricity is generated from the motion of the glide wheel near a coil and coil block; this electricity powers an integrated circuit and a quartz crystal oscillator (allowing for that high-precision frequency we love about the Spring Drive!)
3. Electromagnetic power: the connection matching the quartz oscillator with the rotational speed of the glide wheel. An electro-magnetic brake is applied to the glide wheel, ensuring an exact 8 rotations per second. 

8 Rotations is... Good? 

Excellent. It means that your Spring Drive is going to keep precise time, and function within it's regulation of +1,-1 second/day. 

The Hi-Beat is a feat of accomplishment by Grand Seiko; it is a Mechanical Automatic movement, with a high frequency of 36,000 beats/hour. 

In general, most automatic watches feature a frequency of 28,800 beats/hour (BPH). Grand Seiko's 9S Hi-Beat allows for higher stability and accuracy (due to the higher BPH) while maintaining a 55-hour power reserve, and precision (-3/+5 seconds per day). 

While the power source is the same as the Spring Drive - the Mainspring and Barrel - and we have the Gear Train as the energy transmission, the Hi-Beat regulates timing through a Lever Escapement, instead of the TSR we saw in the Spring Drive. 

Instead of that gear-train energy being delivered to the TSR, it is delivered to an escape wheel, and then on to a balance wheel. The Balance Wheel oscillates and propels itself back and forth from the tension that's built on the hairspring (that wirey spiral you see in the middle of the balance wheel). 

The Balance Wheel oscillation determines the accuracy of the watch by maintaining a balanced, even pace of back-and-forth movement. 

Highlights of a Hi-Beat: 

• the benefit of a higher frequency is a greater stability in timekeeping and resistance to shock effects in the balance wheel. 
• Rigorous testing procedures, including secondary testing for performance under various temperatures. 
• 10x higher precision 
• A more unique approach to an Automatic
• A smoother sweep of the secondhand
• The Grand Seiko proprietary springs allow for greater resistance to shock and magnetism

While the development and craftsmanship of a Mechanical movement, such as the Spring Drive, have given us powerful, reliable timekeeping without the need to keep up with battery changes every year, the ease and continual timekeeping of a Quartz are certainly not forgotten. 

The Grand Seiko Quartz movement introduces an advanced form of a battery-powered movement, one that speaks to high performance and heritage quality. 

For a Quartz watch, the power source is a battery and requires no manual operation. In a Grand Seiko movement, the technical design allows the battery to to drive the watch for 2-3 years before requiring a change out. 

The Quartz movement has a Gear Train, which we're familiar with now, however it's timing is regulated by a Quartz Oscillator, an Integrated Circuit, and a Step Motor. 

When a small bit of electricity is applied, the Quartz Oscillator vibrates at a high rate. That near-perfect frequency is divided and converted to a pulse of energy delivered through the movement via the Gear Train.

Most quartz watches provide one pulse/second, however with the Grand Seiko 9F Quartz, we find two pulses/second, allowing for a higher torque and greater regulation. 

What We Love About the 9F Quartz Movement:

• Excellent precision (+/-10 sec/year)
• Unique Shield Construction prevents dust from entering the gear train during battery changes, and preserves the lubricant for high longevity
• Each hand has an independent axis, so there is no "twitch" that is often found in a quartz adjustment 
• The Grand Seiko signature movement is built for low power consumption, allowing an extended battery life 

It is recommended to have your Spring Drive timepiece inspected every 3-4 years, even if it is running perfectly. Minor inspections and adjustments allow the watch to run flawlessly and maintain it's high precision. 

As a reminder, all new Grand Seiko timepieces come with a built in 5 year international warranty.