Spring Drive Explained: How Seiko's Hybrid Movement Works
Spring Drive is Seiko's hybrid movement: a mechanical mainspring supplies all the power (no battery), while a quartz crystal vibrating at 32,768 Hz provides the timing reference. Its Tri-synchro regulator replaces the escapement with an electromagnetically braked glide wheel, producing a silent, continuously gliding seconds hand. Standard 9R calibers keep time to about ±1 second per day (±15 seconds per month).