Grand Seiko 9S68

The 9S68, also known as Cal. 9S68, is an automatic mechanical movement developed and produced by Grand Seiko. This caliber serves as a foundational component in several of the brand's timepieces, providing essential timekeeping functions through its robust design. As an automatic movement, the 9S68 winds itself through the natural motion of the wearer's wrist, eliminating the need for manual winding when worn regularly. This feature contributes to the convenience of the timepiece. The movement incorporates 35 jewels, strategically placed synthetic rubies that reduce friction at critical pivot points, thereby contributing to the longevity and consistent operation of the gears and escapement. The balance wheel operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (vph), which translates to 4 Hz. This rate allows the seconds hand to advance in smaller, smoother increments, eight times per second, and is a common frequency for modern mechanical movements. A significant practical attribute of the 9S68 is its 72-hour power reserve. This means that a watch powered by this caliber, if fully wound, can be removed and remain running for up to three days without needing to be rewound or reset. For the wearer, this offers the flexibility of taking the watch off for a weekend and finding it still operating on Monday morning. With a diameter of 28.4 mm, the 9S68 is sized to fit within a range of watch cases, providing versatility in watch design. The 9S68 provides three fundamental complications: hours, minutes, and seconds. The hours and minutes hands indicate the primary time, while the central seconds hand offers a continuous sweep, useful for precise timing or confirming the watch's operation. These complications provide the core functionality expected from a time-only watch. The Grand Seiko 9S68 powers a selection of watches, demonstrating its adaptability across different case materials and sizes. These include the Grand Seiko Automatic Date Stainless Steel / Silver/ Bracelet (Ref. SBGR307) with a 42mm case, the Grand Seiko Automatic Date Stainless Steel / Black / Bracelet (Ref. SBGR309) also at 42mm, the Grand Seiko Spring Drive White Gold / White / Bracelet (Ref. SBGA361) at 40mm, the Grand Seiko Spring Drive Pink Gold / White / Bracelet (Ref. SBGA364) at 40mm, and the Grand Seiko Spring Drive Pink Gold / Snowflake / Strap (Ref. SBGA292) with a 39mm case. The integration of the 9S68 into these models highlights its role in providing reliable and convenient timekeeping across various Grand Seiko offerings.

Specifications

Complications

Also Known As

Watches Using This Caliber(8)

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