Anyone own a springdrive?

[Takonwong]

I'm really really looking into buying a GS springdrive, for me the most important factor about a mechanical watch is its accuracy. Before reading about springdrive I thought Rolex was about as accurate as it gets but springdrive appears to blow anything out of the water for accuracy.
Does anyone have one who can give an opinion or insight to the watches?
Only downside for me at the moment is that none of the dials I've seen 'do it' for me. I am not really fond of white / silver dials plus I have one already!

[the_natural]

Not yet, but one day I'll be adding one.

[PJ S]

Yes, and from well before Grand Seiko models were officially exported.
The technology is astounding, given how the micro-power required for the electronics and XO is generated off of the mainspring, and the accuracy far exceeds the stated specs.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=25797 – I have the white one, which has a subtle pearlescent iridescence when the sun hits it.
Don’t necessarily write off all the light coloured dials, but there are other options, if you spend time getting up to speed with what all exists…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Authentic-S...3/273073447835
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pre-owned-M...0/162894519084
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pre-owned-S...d/253419055465
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Grand-Seiko...d/173174963951
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Free-Shippi...0/253422716689

If you fancy something slimmer, as a result of using the manually wound 7R movement, then look at the Credors.
Grand Seikos are rare enough, and fly under the radar – Credor knocks that up by a factor of 10, and are practically invisible to all but those who really know their watches!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Seiko-node-...8/162877140501
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Seiko-cradl...5/162877147100
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Seiko-cradl...9/162877151315

[stockae92]

I handled my friend's GS SD, its very nice and I can stare at that gliding second hand all day :)

[daveo5]

I own a first model spring drive. Not a Grand Seiko, but the first exhibited at Basil. I wear it only occasionally but I'm always amazed when I wind it and put out on. Great feel(ing).

[dakota.destiny]

Yes very well made watches , and worth every penny.

[Mainspring13]

own a MarineMaster Spring Drive 600m "Tuna".

only had for a few weeks but nothing but positive things I can say about the movement.

long power reserve(72hours), winds up very fast, and accuracy so far maybe +1 second in 2 weeks, if that.

and then you got the gliding seconds hand... sweetest thing you'll see.

great movement. it is all that has been written and talked about. did not disappoint. worthy of it's hype, imho.

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by Takonwong

I'm really really looking into buying a GS springdrive, for me the most important factor about a mechanical watch is its accuracy. Before reading about springdrive I thought Rolex was about as accurate as it gets but springdrive appears to blow anything out of the water for accuracy.
Does anyone have one who can give an opinion or insight to the watches?
Only downside for me at the moment is that none of the dials I've seen 'do it' for me. I am not really fond of white / silver dials plus I have one already!

They are great watches but the most important question is, can you stand wearing a Seiko on your wrist? Can you stand it when people dismiss your watch?

I have the GS 8 days and while my watch collecting friends acknowledge it's a great watch with finishing above pretty much any Swiss brand, no way in hell will they wear a Seiko.

Edit: Just saw you have gotten the Snowflake. Well, in that case, enjoy it.

[Takonwong]

I am enjoying it very much thank you, it's a great great watch and it's very much in my rotation. I have no problem with wearing a "Seiko" either!

[kertong]

Yes. The accuracy was fantastic, but what I loved even more was that gliding motion.

One of my favorite videos on youtube showing this off: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsBTXgksr4s

And a quick video I filmed a while back using the 240fps slomo feature on the iphone; even at ultraslowmo, there is no visible step or tick in the seconds hand. :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXQlPLG8OBQ

[jason042779]

Used to own a SD Tuna. The seconds hand is mesmerizing. I WILL own a GS SD someday...

[benlee]

Originally Posted by Takonwong

I'm really really looking into buying a GS springdrive, for me the most important factor about a mechanical watch is its accuracy. Before reading about springdrive I thought Rolex was about as accurate as it gets but springdrive appears to blow anything out of the water for accuracy.
Does anyone have one who can give an opinion or insight to the watches?
Only downside for me at the moment is that none of the dials I've seen 'do it' for me. I am not really fond of white / silver dials plus I have one already!

I own one. The GS LE SBGA103 Springdrive with a silver dial ( as per my avatar ). I believed there are other dial colors besides white and silver, maybe from past catalogs. From current catalog, you can check out the SBGA275 that features a blue dial.

The accuracy of my Springdrive is insane, and hands down the most accurate of all my timepieces in my collection. Which is not surprising since it is a hybrid quartz/mechanical movement. I find the smooth sweeping second hand very calming visually.

Originally Posted by tom2517

They are great watches but the most important question is, can you stand wearing a Seiko on your wrist? Can you stand it when people dismiss your watch?

I have the GS 8 days and while my watch collecting friends acknowledge it's a great watch with finishing above pretty much any Swiss brand, no way in hell will they wear a Seiko.

Edit: Just saw you have gotten the Snowflake. Well, in that case, enjoy it.

That's very sad to hear. Some of the most knowledgeable and biggest watch collectors I know love and wear Seiko. So imho, your friends aren't true watch collectors if they will thump their noses at Seiko. Maybe they are buying watches to show off instead.

[Jim Smyth]

I have a Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGA031. Its the most accurate watch I have. Its so accurate its boring. After like 6 months of checking its like 1-2 seconds off so no need to check any more. So I actually use it to set my other watches when swapping them out of the safe.

[mask1196]

Like you, I've only come to learn about the accuracy of Spring Drive watches lately. It is my 2nd month of owning my SBGE201 now, and I have to say, it is beyond accurate. I'm seeing about +/- 1 second PER MONTH. The watch is downright beautiful, not to mention the ultra ultra smooth (gliding) second hand...hope to see you with one soon

[Jim Smyth]