Joseph Kirk, Brand Curator and National Training Manager, Grand Seiko Corporation of America
Akio Naito, Chairman and CEO of Grand Seiko Corporation of America
Takuma Kawauchiya, Product Development Department of Seiko Watch Corporation
November 2, 2020
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For the Horological Society of New York’s (HSNY) record-breaking virtual attendance for its November 2020 lecture, Joseph Kirk of Grand Seiko Corporation of America returned to present Grand Seiko’s Caliber 9SA5 Hi-Beat 36000 80 hours with Dual Impulse Escapement and the concept creation T0 Constant Force Tourbillon, along with Grand Seiko’s Akio Naito and Takuma Kawauchiya.
Kirk began the lecture with a brief history of Grand Seiko’s beginnings in 1960 and the evolution of their mechanical movements:
Caliber 3180: 18,000 beats per hour (bph) and the first watch in Japan to be tested chronometer compliant
Caliber 430: Evolution in practicality such as increased water resistance and quick set date
Caliber 5722A: This caliber stemmed from the 430
Caliber 5722B: Its rate was increased to 19,800 bph
Caliber 052: Two variants with differing beats per second (bps) were made - 10 bps (36,000 bph) and 20 bps (72,000 bph)
Caliber R-45: 10, 15 and 20 bps were ideal for performance competitions
In 1968, Grand Seiko launched three 10-beat calibers:
Caliber 45GS - manually wound
Caliber 61GS - automatic 10-beat
Caliber 19GS - ladies hi-beat 36,000
The need for higher quality testing made use of the VFA “very fine adjusted” label, and was exemplified by the 45GS VFA, 61GS VFA and 19GS VFA calibers. In November 1988, a new era developed a new movement - the 9S series with the 9S55 caliber. The series range extended to the 9S5, 9S67, 9S85.
Before Kirk introduced Akio Naito, Chairman and CEO of Grand Seiko Corporation of America, he explained that 2020 happens to be Grand Seiko’s 60th Anniversary and in Japanese culture, reaching 60 is a very special celebration known as Kanreki. It is a completion of the full zodiac cycle and the event is symbolized by wearing a red color vest and hat. It was fitting that for Grand Seiko’s Kanreki, the logo is adorned with the red vest and hat.
Naito discussed the following in regards to the 60th Anniversary:
Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi opened this year that was designed by the renowned architect Kengo Kuma who is known for using natural materials. Fun fact: Kuma is also a fan of Grand Seiko.
The 9SA5 was the first caliber made in the new studio and is Grand Seiko’s finest caliber to date with its 36,000 hi-beat and 80-hour power reserve.
Kirk continued the lecture by further discussing Grand Seiko’s new movement and introduced Takuma Kawauchiya who designed the T0 constant force.
Hisashi Fujieda is the movement designer of the 9SA5 and three components within the movement make it special: the dual impulse escapement, the free sprung balance and the horizontal gear train.
Considering the T0 acronym: T is for torque, and the zero is for hours passed from a full wind of the mainspring. Along with the T0 focus on energy efficiency and precision, Kawauchiya talked about what inspired him to make the piece as well as producing a very unique ticking sound which has an exact 1/16th note.
HSNY thanks Joseph Kirk, Akio Naito and Takuma Kawauchiya for their fascinating lecture!
Submitted by Melody Benloss, Recording Secretary & Associate Librarian