Hi Beat vs Spring Drive?

[aikiman44]

So I’ve been checking out some of Toppers’ Grand Seikos.
Any feedback would be appreciated, movements or otherwise.

[hoppyjr]

While I like both, the Spring Drive leaves me with more concerns for the future. The high beat seems more classic.

What you need is a 9F GS quartz. I know a guy... ;-)

[abuemily]

I know a guy... ;-)

Don’t you have a t-shirt that says that?

[aikiman44]

Looking at this:

https://shop.topperjewelers.com/product ... on-sbgh269

Real world pics.

[hoppyjr]

^ do it. Lovely.

[matt.wu]

Hi-beat all the way! Wearing mine today.

[aikiman44]

Hi-beat all the way!

Why’s that?

[matt.wu]

Basically, I have a hard time convincing myself, despite reading everything that’s out there, that Spring Drive is anything all that special.

Part of what I like about mechanical watches is the level of precision required to tune a fully mechanical watch to be accurate for an extended period of time. Spring drive removes that requirement by integration of an electronic regulator into the movement. The engineering feat required to do such an integration is less impressive to me than a fully mechanical watch keeping accurate time apart from an electronic regulator.

Plus, in general, I just think their best looking models are the hi-beats. Seiko’s power reserve indicators are a bit clumsy.

It wouldn’t prevent me from owning a Spring Drive watch. I have owned many and will likely own more in the future. But if you ask me to choose between the two, it’s a no-brainer for me.

[TSD]

I agree. Hi Beat has more soul. Seiko at its best. Spring Drive is very cool tech, and the ultimate grab n go IMO. But GS dials are amazing, especially without the clutter of a PR complication.

[blkgsl]

Basically, I have a hard time convincing myself, despite reading everything that’s out there, that Spring Drive is anything all that special.

Part of what I like about mechanical watches is the level of precision required to tune a fully mechanical watch to be accurate for an extended period of time. Spring drive removes that requirement by integration of an electronic regulator into the movement. The engineering feat required to do such an integration is less impressive to me than a fully mechanical watch keeping accurate time apart from an electronic regulator.

Plus, in general, I just think their best looking models are the hi-beats. Seiko’s power reserve indicators are a bit clumsy.

It wouldn’t prevent me from owning a Spring Drive watch. I have owned many and will likely own more in the future. But if you ask me to choose between the two, it’s a no-brainer for me.

Yep, I couldn’t have said it better. 100% agree.

[matt.wu]

[aikiman44]

Excellent answers. Thank you.

[JP Chestnut]

I like the old dial better, and my preference for it is increasing as time passes. I don’t like the new one at all.

[JDC222]

I wish I had this one back, Spring Drive Landmaster...

[Jeep99dad]

I can’t get with the Spring Drive.. the added in modern Quartz tech to a mechanical piece. I want all mechanical not a combo. Plus their PR indicator ruins some of the truly awesome dials they make. Finally I wonder how they’ll fare long term and service is more $ if you keep it

[JP Chestnut]

Spring Drive seems like the worst of both worlds - it lacks "soul" like a quartz and requires shitty expensive service like an automatic.

[TSD]

it lacks "soul" like a quartz

That part’s true. But there’s still something about the GS Spring Drive diver that I love, despite that. They are fantastic under the radar watches, especially with the OG dial. I usually vacation or travel with mine because it’s “just a Seiko.” They don’t get magnetized by TSA at the airport, or when thrown in the hotel safe with a laptop. They can sit for days and still be keeping perfect time until the PR finally runs out. The ultimate grab n go.

[JP Chestnut]

it lacks "soul" like a quartz

That part’s true. But there’s still something about the GS Spring Drive diver that I love, despite that. They are fantastic under the radar watches, especially with the OG dial. I usually vacation or travel with mine because it’s “just a Seiko.” They don’t get magnetized by TSA at the airport, or when thrown in the hotel safe with a laptop. They can sit for days and still be keeping perfect time until the PR finally runs out. The ultimate grab n go.

They’re nice watches for sure. I just think they’d be nicer if they where either all automatic, or had ultra long service intervals.

Also, every GS is approximately 20% thicker than needed.

[aikiman44]

Tom, that blue diver of yours is beautiful.

[TSD]

Thanks, Jay. The dial is my favorite part.

You’re going to love that Hi Beat.

[Ray916MN]

I own multiples of both.

One of the most fundamental aspects of liking watches for their mechanics is the notion that complication is good. There are more accurate and less expensive ways of keeping time than a mechanical watch and there are a wide variety of ways to construct a movement. Almost all movements don't sweep, they step in increments. The Spring Drive is the only movement which sweeps. The only interruption to the sweeping motion is the braking of the regulator which is asynchronous. To accomplish this unique characteristic takes quite a bit of complication as evidenced by the parts count of a Spring Drive movement which is almost always higher than the parts count in a traditional balance escapement movement. The complexity is enough to make it necessary to hand assemble Spring Drives, whereas some common traditional escapement movements can be largely assembled by machine.

Whether you want a SD or a Hi Beat to me boils down to how much you mechanical complexity and differentiation do you want in your watches.

[bedlam]

Against the flow I guess, but I'm a spring drive fan. Near perfect time-keeping with seductively smooth seconds hand. The best of both worlds

Hearing talk of 'soul' in watches makes me through up in my mouth a little.

I don't see how you can go wrong in a choice between sprind drive and hi-beat though.

[Luckyshot]

Hello to all, brand new here. I love both movements but I went with the GS GMT SBGE 211 I have zero regrets. It’s only been with me for about three months so we’ll see how reliable it is.

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