From autumn 2010, a red-gold newcomer enriches Seikos classic Premier Watch collection. Under most conditions Robert Bakish would agree. Willich, July 20, 2010. Using a micro generator, Seikos “Hybrid technology kinetic” combines an automatic transmission with a quartz module. The premier perpetual calendar watch SNP036P1mit is thus a miniature power station on the wrist. Through the natural arm motion of the wearer a flywheel in motion used in the clock, their rotation speed is enlarged and transformed into the generator into electrical energy through a gear train. Thus, this watch produces the required electrical energy itself. The special attraction of Premier lies in the interaction of modern and classic elements, both in design and technology.
The design is inspired by the classic architecture and equipped with a touch from the world of art Decos. The big date at 12 o’clock harmonises with the circular display of months and leap years, as well as the smaller 24 hour window at four in the morning. Elements of red gold and black dial complement the elegant appearance in a sensual way. The Seiko Calibre 7D56 is a combination of classical watchmaking and modern microelectronics. The work consists of 232 movement parts. The perpetual calendar is powered by the world’s smallest ultrasonic motor, measuring just 0.4 mm.
The tiny ultrasonic motor is the only driving force of 101 items in the mechanical gear train of the perpetual calendar, which displays not only the date and the day, but also months and leap years (until February 28, 2100). The calendar is controlled by a photo sensor. The sensor detects certain marks on the gears and determines therefore day, month, year and leap years. The caliber also includes Seiko’s unique auto-relay system. Through this system, the clock, if not worn, normally continues 24 hours. After this time, she falls into a up to four years of sleep, the sleep mode turns on. The accuracy and the calendar functions remain normal, switching only the pointer to stop its course, because they require the most energy. They moved the clock until shortly before the end of the fourth year, jump the pointer directly to the current time. Information about the kinetic Seiko kinetic technology works like a miniature power station on the wrist: the natural movement of the arm is in the clock a flywheel in motion. The rotational speed of the flywheel is reinforced by means of a mechanism that drives the samarium cobalt micro-rotor in the generator with up to 60,000 rpm, 100-fold. The rotor is suspended in a magnetic field. By the movement of the rotor in the magnetic field, an electric voltage is generated in the Induction coil of the generator. This alternating voltage is rectified and stored. The stored energy is used to power the quartz oscillator and the stepper motor. Stepper motors consume only a fraction of the energy that was required for previous generations of quartz watches had to be developed to ensure the function with tiny amounts of energy. Usually, a normal quartz watch stops when the stored voltage a voltage falls below. But the kinetic power amplifier increases the residual power on the up to triple. The kinetic produces, stores, and uses electricity at maximum efficiency.