Spring Drive

Seiko Credor Spring Drive Minute Repeater Watch

Seiko's most compelling new watch offering for 2011 was easily their new Credor Spring Drive minute repeater. Credor is a special high-end subbrand from Seiko that is more or less only available in Japan. It contains Seiko's high-accuracy Spring Drive movement that is a pleasing hybrid of mechanical beauty and accurate quartz crystal regulation. The watch follows up the Credor Sonnerie (also a form of chiming watch) from a few years ago.

Tags: 2011, credor, minute repeater, review, seiko, spring drive, watch

Continue reading “Seiko Credor Spring Drive Minute Repeater Watch”

Seiko Ananta Spring Drive Moon Phase Watch Hands-On

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The new classy contender for 2010 from Seiko (at least in the US) is the Seiko Ananta Spring Drive Moonphase watch (ref. SNR023). Ananta, the highest-end world model for Seiko has split in two to personalities - sport models and suit models. The new "suit" model (suggesting they are more classy watches meant to be worn with more formal attire) is the pretty new Spring Drive Moon Phase. The powerfully sophisticated Spring Drive movement now comes with a moon phase complication in the Ananta range. Though this isn't the first time a Moon Phase has been included in a Spring Drive watch. The special "blade" polishing on the 46mm wide steel case is impressive. Despite the glimmer and shine, the watch is very legible. Unlike the sporty models, the bezel is totally mirror polished for a different type of look.

Inside the watch is the Seiko in-house made in Japan Spring Drive 5R67 automatic movement. Functions include the time, date, power reserve indicator, and moon phase. The movement is beautifully decorated and visible through the sapphire caseback window. The front facing crystal over the dial is also sapphire, and coated with AR to reduce glare. Those not familiar with Seiko Ananta collection watches will easily see the superior quality compared to lower priced Seiko watches they may be familiar with. While Seiko still places function and utility first, these are very impressive luxury watches that even impress big shots of the Swiss brands (even though they don't always admit it publicly).

Seiko Ananta Spring Drive watches are beautiful to look at and really comfortable. The large hour markers are diamond polished for a fantastic look shine and luxurious appearance. The movement has three days of power reserve and is accurate to about 1 second a day. In Europe, the Ananta Spring Drive Moon Phase will retail for 4,000 euros, with the price in the US being in the same range give or take a bit. Click "READ MORE" below for more images of this Seiko Ananta Spring Drive Moon Phase watches.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: moon phase, seiko, SNR023, spring drive, watch

Continue reading “Seiko Ananta Spring Drive Moon Phase Watch Hands-On”

Seiko Galante Spring Drive 5th Anniversary Special Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Wow, has it already been five years of deprivation from this awesome watch? Only in Japan can you (officially) get one of these very cool timepieces. This is the Galante Spring Drive watch. Galante is a Seiko sub brand, and has been spicing things up for Seiko in Japan for the "youthfully stylish - but wealthy" demographic. I understand that they are growing in popularity there.

The Galante watches are far from just image. These are extremely well constructed and designed, hand assembled watches that include the very impressive (and accurate) Seiko Spring Drive mechanical hybrid movements. They are the best of what Seiko offers and are considered by many to be a modern pinnacle of mechanical watch making.

I haven't handled this specific 5th Anniversary Special Edition model, but have handled very similar Galante watches on the metal bracelet. I was quite wowed by them, especially given the jewelry-like quality and feel of the steel bracelet. The design as I said is youthful and inspired, with unique decoration. As you can see, the rotating bezel is engraved with a form of floral decoration, and if you look closely on the dial, you can make out the forms for roses (as see from the side) that are part of the dial design.

The watch is nicely sized at 44.5mm wide, and houses the Seiko 5R66 Spring Drive movement that includes the time, power reserve indicator, date, and GMT hand. Seiko makes sure that each of its luxury watches are a complete timepiece package. Meaning they are well made, function well, and look good. Price is gonna be over $5,000 (not sure of exact amount) and as far as I know you'll have to contact a Japanese Seiko dealer if you want one.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 5th, Anniversary, Galante, Japan, Seiko, Special Edition, SpecialEdition, Spring Drive, SpringDrive, watch, watch of the day, WatchOfTheDay

Seiko: The Luxury Watch Brand You Didn't Know Existed

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Have you, or anyone you know, ever complained about how Japan gets cool stuff that the rest of the world is left longing for? Electronics, games, cars, and also luxury watches. Sure you can get Seiko watches all over the world. In fact, Seiko is one of the most popular watch brands on the planet. Not all Seiko watches are made alike though. One the one hand you have most 'rank and file' Seiko watches that are known to be inexpensive and reliable watches. The "Toyota of watches" as many people call them.

On the other hand, there the other side to Seiko, the luxury watch maker. Deep inside Japan are several Seiko watch manufacturers making some of the best and most reliable luxury watches ever created. These are the "Lexus of watches." Until recently such highly desirable watches have been mostly for the Japanese domestic market only. Bearing such names like Grand Seiko and Credor, most Westerners didn't even know of their existence. There also exists a large population of American and European (among other places) watch lovers who are aware of the Seiko treasures in Japan, and are almost pained by the fact that they cannot get them locally. The good news is that is about to start changing.

Enter the Seiko Ananta line of watches. Finally a global high-end product from Seiko that contain the high-end 100% manufacture-made movements and watches. Why the important of "manufacture-made?" Today everyone speaks about "manufacture movements." These are movements in watches made all in-house by the manufacturer with out having third part companies make them. Such in-house movements are considered to be at the top of the heap for luxury watch desirability. The majority of watch brands don't make their own movements. Seiko does however. In fact, Seiko is of the few totally vertically integrated watch makers in the world.

Gallery: seiko ananta watches