A Spring DriveSpring Drive A Spring Drive movement, pioneered by Grand Seiko, is a type of mechanical watch movement that combines the traditional mechanics of a mechanical watch with the precision of a quartz watch. It uses a mainspring as the source of energy, just like a mechanical watch, but instead of using an escapement, it uses a quartz crystal to regulate the release of energy. The Spring Drive movement is considered to be highly accurate, and is known for its smooth, gliding seconds hand. [Learn More] movement, pioneered by Grand Seiko, is a type of mechanical watch movement that combines the traditional mechanics of a mechanical watch with the precision of a quartz watch. It uses a mainspringMainspring The mainspring is a spiral-shaped metal spring that stores energy in a mechanical watch movement. It is located inside the barrel, a cylindrical container. The mainspring is wound by the wearer, either manually or automatically, through the movement of the wearer's wrist. The mainspring is the source of energy for the watch, and the tension in the mainspring determines the power reserve. The mainspring unwinds over time, and the watch will stop running when the mainspring is fully unwound. [Learn More] as the source of energy, just like a mechanical watch, but instead of using an escapementEscapement The escapement is a mechanism in a mechanical watch movement that regulates the release of energy from the mainspring and keeps the watch ticking at a steady rate. The escapement is made up of two main components: the escape wheel, which is a gear with peculiar teeth, and the pallet, which is a lever that works in conjunction with the escape wheel. The escapement is responsible for the ticking sound of the watch, and more importantly it ensures that the watch runs at a consistent rate. Every time the escape wheel rotates forward, it locks and unlocks with the pallet, allowing a small amount of energy from the mainspring to be released. This causes the balance wheel to oscillate and the watch to tick. [Learn More], it uses a quartz crystalQuartz Crystal A quartz crystal is a piece of quartz that has been cut and shaped to vibrate at a specific frequency when an electric current is applied to it. This frequency is known as the resonant frequency, and is determined by the crystal's size and shape. The quartz crystal oscillates at this precise frequency and generates a very stable electrical signal, which is used to keep time in quartz watches. The quartz crystal is placed in a circuit, called the oscillator circuit, that uses the electrical signal to drive the watch's motor, which moves the watch's hands. [Learn More] to regulate the release of energy. The Spring Drive movement is considered to be highly accurate, and is known for its smooth, gliding seconds hand.