Spring Drive is a motion know-how developed in-house by Seiko Epson, previously often called Suwa Seikosha, within the Nagano Prefecture of Japan. Growth of the know-how began in 1977, and debuted in 1999 in restricted amount in Japan. In 2004, Spring Drive grew to become obtainable globally in Seiko, Credor and Grand Seiko watches. On the June three, 2019, assembly of the Horological Society of New York, Joseph Kirk will focus on the various hurdles that Seiko overcame with Spring Drive earlier than it may very well be launched to the world.
Spring Drive actions mix the most effective features of mechanical watchmaking, similar to the ability supply of a wound mainspring, together with a novel regulating system as its escapement. The precision of a quartz oscillator and an electromagnetic braking system present extraordinarily excessive accuracy and unidirectional movement, with no collision. That is solely achieved with the mechanical vitality derived from the mainspring, eliminating any want for a battery. The top result’s a spring pushed watch that achieves quartz like accuracy. This distinctive motion sort expresses time not like others, with a totally steady gliding seconds hand with no sweep or tick. For extra on Spring Drive, try our three-part video sequence proper right here.
About Joseph Kirk
Joseph Kirk is the Nationwide Coaching Supervisor for Grand Seiko Company of America. Kirk has labored within the watch trade for practically 15 years, in numerous codecs. His data of Spring Drive was gained by hands-on expertise with the actions, and with the assistance of many watchmakers from the producer itself.
Particular Visitor: Kazunori Hoshino shall be in attendance from the Seiko Epson producer, situated in Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Hoshino started his profession with Seiko Epson in 1996 after learning industrial design in engineering at Chiba College. His most notable work consists of motion design aesthetics for the famend Micro Artist Studio actions such because the Credor Eichi II, the Grand Seiko eight Day 9R01, and the brand new Grand Seiko 9R02 caliber.
Particular Visitor: Akio Naito, Chairman and CEO of Grand Seiko Company of America, shall be in attendance. Along with his work at Grand Seiko Company of America, Naito oversees the remainder of the Americas and European marketplace for each the Grand Seiko and Seiko companies. Naito additionally serves concurrently as Senior Government Vice President for Seiko Watch Company, Chairman of Seiko UK Ltd., in addition to a member of the Board of Administrators for Seiko’s subsidiaries in France and the Netherlands. Naito brings over 35 years of dedication to the well-known worldwide watchmaking enterprise, having held management roles additionally in Australia and Japan.
Monday, June three, 2019, 6:00-9:00 PM at The Basic Society Library, 20 West 44th Road, New York, NY 10036
Doorways open at 6:00 PM; lecture begins promptly at 7:00 PM. Free tickets are required to attend.
All HSNY conferences are free and open to the general public, and all lectures are video recorded.
HODINKEE is a sponsor of the Horological Society of New York.
