A Look Inside Grand Seiko's 9F Quartz Movement

Quartz watches tend to get a bad rep with watch lovers, but not all quartz watches are the same. Enter Grand Seiko. The high-end Japanese marque is known for their classic mechanical and Spring Drive calibers, but they also makes some of the most impressive quartz watches currently on the market. In fact, it’s not an understatement to say that Grand Seiko’s 9F quartz calibers, and the watches they live inside, are entirely different beasts altogether. These movements are built and finished to an exceptionally high standard, and they feature full-metal construction and utilize a catalog of in-house technologies to ensure long-term operation and highly-accurate timekeeping. In this video, we'll take a look at what makes these incredible movements tick. For the full article on Worn & Wound, visit: bit.ly/3basoct
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[@SuperAJ360]

Most of us are introduced to watches through quartz, now GS made us look at quartz again in a new perspective, awesome video!

[@pepo4559]

Quartz watches are underrated!

[@1000lightyrs]

My GS is in the process of killing off my large watch collection. 1 Rolex, 1 Omega, 1 Cartier and 1 Panerai gone so far. It's a destroyer!

[@1000lightyrs]

Make that 2 Rolex's out, and I ain't done yet!

[@nathanncohen793]

1000lightyrs is it a quartz gs?

[@Peter_WongVI]

Excellent video! We really needed a credible and comprehensive explanation of Seiko's 9F movement- thanks W&W. I think high-end quartz has a place in high-horology: it's the technology and craftsmanship that make these watches legit!

[@wornandwound]

Thanks Peter!

[@xekret]

Peter Wong Check out FP Journe Elegante, it takes it to a whole new level.

[@paulclement4222]

My first, but not last GS, is the SBGN009, and the only watch for which I broke my 'no quartz' rule. It's a spectacular piece in every way.

[@MrPician]

I just got the same reference, and I totally agree with what you said.

[@ethon711]

I had no idea that there was a quartz movement with a hairspring, nor had i seen the double step motor. Great video, thanks for the insights.

[@SWatchik]

Great video. So glad to see diverse, consistent and quality content on this channel at a higher frequency this year

[@mdo5121]

I own the Gmt shown here...they did not skimp on the polishing and finishing....and oh my that black lacquered dial is spectacular.

[@wornandwound]

It's an incredible watch that really pops in the metal.

[@jojojeep1]

In the beginning of your video if that Was Carroll St., Brooklyn. That’s where my dad was born 84 years ago and he still Kickin

[@superfast30]

Incredible movement. More engineering and far more special than most sub 7k mechanicals!

[@ravenwatches]

Great video Ilya, I'm wearing my Grand Seiko Quartz GMT as I am watching this, and your video reminds me again why I bought it, so thank you! -Steve

[@wornandwound]

Thanks Steve!

[@kelvin108]

Great video! I have the same model watch in this video except in grey and absolutely love it!

[@dromadrosis]

I am a very happy owner of the SBGN005 and loved this video enormously. Thank you!

[@masqueman01]

A wonderful look at an often over-looked movement like only W&W can do. People need to get over their quartz-snobbery and the 9F is a connoisseur's choice to do this. This movement has cool tech and is "real watchmaking". The slow-mo double tick... mindblowing... Thanks, Ilya.

[@jesusmgw]

The edition and narration absolutely makes this watch justice. Masterful film-making.

[@robertorizzo3159]

wow! this is what a call a beautiful shot video! - I have this exact GMT and its a beauty, it's nice to know that the finishing the accuracy and the quality is there, not even mentioning the case and finishing, I ll take this over a Rolex Explorer ii every day--

[@daren91]

Brilliant video! Great insight into higher end quartz movements, Grand Seiko in particular. 👍🏻

[@wornandwound]

Thanks!

[@Ilove2377]

Hands down the best watch I own. Grand Sieko is art. Plain and simple.

[@vipeton.8927]

Perfect one watch collection.

[@canonyeo4286]

Excellent video. I have two 9F, sbgn005 and sbgv237 which has the most beautiful case I have seen on GS. It also has a very nice bracelet. It's a shame that the equally beautiful mechanism is hidden. They should put a glass back case on all the 9F. I thought I would only limit myself to two 9F, but, after watching this video, I am now considering the latest SBGP015.

[@Inshallowseaswesail]

Great video 👊🏻

[@jeffreyb.1657]

I just bought a used SBGN003 (gmt) that the prior owner kept timing records on - over years it was +/- 0.0s. How can you beat that? Real world data. New battery and off we go! Great tech.

[@EverydayWatchGuy]

Great video! I appreciate my quartz Grand Seiko SBGN003 (GMT) even more now :)

[@ride-paddle-repeat]

It's such a nice looking watch, let alone the amazing tech inside it.

[@malikknows3510]

Nice video. I own that watch myself. I was surprised to learn the Bulova Moonwatch also keeps similar time, at a fraction of the price. All the best!

[@heljar74ify]

No it doesn't, have boat myself and GS is much more accurate Seiko is quite conservative on their specs for 9F it also beats ETA super quartz movements,I have 2 Breitlings.

[@simonzinc-trumpetharris852]

Quartz naysayers need to watch this.

[@jonandresen1483]

Great video. True high horology.

[@q3813]

I bought a GS SBGX093 2 weeks ago. Love it.

[@wornandwound]

Congrats!

[@craig2100]

Well done

[@berntanders]

Does anyone know the reference number of the watch with the yellow details at the start of the video?

[@zogzog1063]

Thanks for vid. I aspire to a GS.

[@paratrooperlane7022]

Very nice.

[@BMH1965]

I bought a new SBGP009G quartz GS last month (see at 02:40). No regrets. Had to travel to select and buy as only two (2) retailers in Denmark - although there are others that claim to source GS watches.

[@sunflash101]

I hope GS will eventually add a Hi-Beat or Spring Drive movement to the SBGN lineup

[@jeanlefranc3817]

Wasn’t looking at the screen, so I thought for a moment it was Stephen J Pulvirent waxing lyrical about the GS Quartz 😂

[@ichris2011]

If seiko could make these solar powered or kinetic with independently adjustable hour hands, they’d literally be perfect, no reason to ever take it off, watches

[@tonyallen7846]

We have it now

[@USS_Liberty]

The 9f GMT has an independently adjustable hour hand.

[@cvb6089]

🤔 The Seiko kinetic gmt diver i own sun045 already has this....

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Ugh solar, leave that for low end watches.

[@yuchenjia9396]

Can I ask for the background music??? Please!! Thanks!

[@okavipra]

whats that watch in the thumnail

[@seikocitizenwatches]

It’s incredibly accurate it is off only 1 second fast against atomic clock signal after one year.

[@RiderReview]

That was a nice touch two ticks per second

[@yuchenjia9396]

Help! Background music pleaswee i need it!!

[@Hollyrock712]

I own three GS Quartz watches.. Also the Snowflake. Own two Rolex , Three Omegas... Not bragging, but I’ll take the GS Quartz over any of them.

[@VmanStudioz]

As an historical quartz watch snob, this watch has changed everything I thought I knew about quartz. I’m a big big fan of this watch, this is my only true quart in my collection, excluding my snowflake.

[@SebastianElgarCocks]

What's the music track name?? Beautiful

[@kolera25]

Let just hope they release their thermocompensated movement for small brands before the world ends

[@evh4611]

But still no micro adjustment on the clasp

Its not a rolex knock off from China

[@sean550]

Hi I bought a sbgx002 from a shop.Has 9f62 movement, mine has gone 4 seconds fast in 28 days..not what I expected. I got six month warrany but dealer will not service but give me credit note...what you think...i asked them to send back to grand seiko for service.

[@dariuszwojcik1601]

That is not good. My sbgp gained 4 seconds in one year. I would send it to Seiko or at least email them to see if they can do anything about it.

[@peoplewithpixels]

Anybody notice how the minute hand slightly moves with each movement of the second hand?

[@jeeperspeepers8323]

How would you suggest the minute hand advance?

[@Goldenbaba430]

Hey, it’s Paul yes? What about it? Definitely cool to see in macro.

[@peoplewithpixels]

goldenbaba for such an advanced movement I’d expect it to stand still and move only when needed, like when advancing one minute

[@cavshepherd4938]

"Battery life around 3 yrs." But does the 9f require a professional servicing to change the battery? I'd like to think any watchmaker could do this with normal tools?

[@ams914]

I would guess anyone could do it, but opening case-back may compromise WR as it would with any watch.

[@heljar74ify]

Any watchmaker can replace the battery. But I prefer to take mine to ad, costed me ca 30 dollars... and if I remember correctly seiko stipulates service every 50 years on 9F movement.

[@anandanil8158]

why is he staring into my soul

[@Tempusverum]

Because he has none

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Bearing in mind the 9f is nearly 30 years old GS must have a new movement in the works, longer battery life and even better accuracy must surely be the driver for a new movement.

[@eightosaurusspelunk1598]

Maybe some slight changes, but I doubt an entirely new quartz movement. This is most likely pinnacle at least for a few years to come.

[@shaagaknowsyou5295]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it

[@japd7897]

Mechanical watches have soul!!! and the absence of battery is a philosophy, specially in theese days of all sort of wearables.

[@japd7897]

P.D.: nice video

[@pittss2c601]

No watch has a soul. You have been fooled by marketing.

[@arnavramanujam9606]

@@pittss2c601 Watches do have souls to some extent, just like most art

[@fraybentos9854]

I would pay $5,000 for a 9F powered Tuna. The "Giga-Tuna".

[@gootarguy2320]

I’ve switched over from mechanical to Quartz. Something underdog about it. And much safer buying vintage Quartz than vintage mechanical.

[@kongmw]

0:11 Grant Stones?

[@wornandwound]

good eye!

[@tonyprice7068]

Big fan Quartz is so underrated! Why would you go back to something that is worse at what you want to do!?

[@rajgill7576]

Looking at these videos in the past, I must admit I felt disconnected. Used to lust over Grand seiko left and right. Now, I own a few of them and if you read this and you're working towards one, never give up! They're better than everything you hear. My oldest one hit 50 years old this year and its in gold and still looks perfect! My most recent is an SGBS001, the first quartz GS. Gorgeous

[@arnoldtm31]

It is good looking when compared to any other quartz movement available in the west. But when you look at it's main competition or the watch that beat the 9f since the 90s, the citizen chronomaster, it looks rather tame..

[@nibbleenglish4958]

The seconds hand on at lest 3 occasions didn't hit the markers I have a Seconda that can do that!

[@isbestlizard]

It would be cool if you could hack the IC to do a single pulse every 0.5 seconds and get like a ticktickticktick rather than TICK....TICK....

[@mkyhou1160]

If they added Seiko solar tech - I’d consider one. Changing battery every few years isn’t appealing.

[@mdo5121]

I would guess manual winding a watch every couple days might not do it for you as well

[@MrKellyHiggins]

Please cut the music. Can't hear what you're saying.

[@DutchClawz]

F#ck me these guys know how to make watches.

[@daveogle4239]

I’m never getting past the tic tic tic of quartz. I hate them. Lol!! I

[@metallicarockacion]

9F is the second greatest quartz in the world. #1 Is the citizen 0100.

[@rickmann1587]

Thanks for the great video! But why is a logo made with European Middle Ages gothic lettering representing a Japanese high tech company that stands for watch innovation pointing to the future, as its spring drive movement attest? It is an absolute crude mistake in brand identity, and rather unjustifiable these days. I'm sure the watches are mechanically perfect, but those anachronistic big GS gothic letters need to go asap! It would be in their best interest if you could pass along this message to Grand Seiko themselves. Cheers,

[@ZGangsta]

I believe either W&W or Hodinkee have a video on the Grand Seiko Grammar of Design. Might help you understand the thought process better. Everything they do is intentional.

[@andpinto1]

It is your opinion. Most people I know find it beautiful.

[@NikonFM2n]

What's quartz?

[@pittss2c601]

He explained the technology in the video. Watch it over & over until you get it.

[@Davyjones5454]

GS 9F movement is overrated marketing. The Longine VHP movement is more accurate with a perpetual calendar and much lower cost.

[@dariuszwojcik1601]

I respectfully disagree. Movements and the way they work is different. In regards to accuracy also I would argue. I would suggest to visit Longines forums and look how many people hand issues with accuracy not being as advertised. For me at the end they both fantastic watches but at different price bracket and for different people:) have a nice day

[@NikonFM2n]

Yeah, yeah yeah. That's all nice and well but that technology almost completely put an end to the art of fine watch making. So no! I don't support any of it. If we fail to remember the past we're doomed to repeat it. And I'm a commercial electrician!

[@pittss2c601]

A commercial electrician would know nothing about mechanical engineering. You should be a quartz technology lover.