In 2007, SEIKO introduced Spring Drive Chronograph (reference SPS001), the world’s first chronograph with a Spring Drive movement.
Seiko’s Spring Drive technology is the perfect platform for a precision luxury chronograph. Like the time-of-day hands, the chronograph hands move in glide motion, recording elapsed time smoothly and continuously, without a tick, and reflecting the true nature of time itself. No fraction of a second is missed; the chronograph second hand stops precisely when the button is pressed, not at the nearest second or 1/10th of a second.
The precision of the Seiko 5R86 Spring Drive Chronograph movement, which has 416 parts, is assured by 50 jewels. It features not only a chronograph accurate to one second a day but also a G.M.T. indicator, a date and a 72 hour power reserve. The movement uses a column wheel for maximum reliability and stability, and vertical coupling ensures that the chronograph operation is of extreme precision and accuracy.
History of SEIKO chronographs
SEIKO has a long history of developing chronographs; this heritage of technological development ensures reliability and stability. Especially for the automatic chronograph, SEIKO started research and development in the 60s and successfully launched the automatic chronograph in 1969.
While two other companies launched automatic chronographs in 1969, SEIKO’s was the world’s first automatic chronograph which incorporated a vertical coupling and a column wheel for stability and precision.
Although the vertical coupling and the column wheel are now becoming the standard for high quality automatic chronographs, SEIKO has incorporated them since 1969. In addition to this automatic chronograph, SEIKO has introduced three other world’s first chronographs: the digital quartz chronograph in 1975, the analog quartz chronograph in 1983 and the Ultimate Kinetic chronograph in 1999.
SEIKO Spring Drive Chronograph
The SEIKO Spring Drive Chronograph SPS001 houses the Cal. 5R86 movement, finished to the highest standards of luxury watch making. The bridge and rotor are engraved with a unique pattern, symbolizing the circular concept of Spring Drive and the glide wheel at the heart of the movement stands out in gold and can be seen through the sapphire crystal case back. The clearly visible glide wheel turns exactly 8 times per second, regulating the movement of the hands.
The watch comes with a 44mm diameter case in high-intensity titanium, an advanced material that has the strength of stainless steel but the lightness of titanium. High intensity titanium is also highly resistant to corrosion and allows exquisite detailing on the case surfaces, both polished and with hairline.
The SEIKO Spring Drive Chronograph SPS001 boasts a panda style dial design featuring silver-color outer dial and a grey inner dial. The watch displays the date at 3 o’ clock. It has four centrally placed hands: Hour, minute, chronograph 60 seconds and GMT (red). The centre part of the dial features three sub-dials (small seconds and chronograph registers for 30 minutes and 12H) and the power reserve indicator. The outer 24-H dial features indices for even hours and Arabic numerals for odd numbers.
A major attraction of the SEIKO Spring Drive worldwide campaign during 2007, this timepiece was limited to 300 pieces worldwide.
Technical details
Model: Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph SPS001 (SPS001J1)
Movement
Spring Drive Chronograph, Caliber 5R86
Hour, minute and second hands with calendar, G.M.T. hand
Power reserve of 72 hours
Chronograph to 12 hours
Case
High-intensity titanium (case body with satin-finishing and bezel with polished finish)
Case diameter: 44mm
Case thickness: 16mm
Glass: Sapphire crystal
Case back: See-through sapphire crystal
Water resistance: 10 Bar
Bracelet
High-intensity titanium bracelet with deployment clasp and push button release
Finishing: Satin
Edition
Limited edition of 300 pieces
Retail Price
Recommended retail price: €5,500
