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Old Expat Beast · 1 March 2021, 06:36 PM

I set these three watches to the time.is website today at 4pm. The one on the left, with early Snowflake dial, was quite expensive in its time, at 50,000 yen, which was about the same price as a mechanical Grand Seiko mechanical back then.

The middle watch was the most expensive and accurate stainless steel watch offered in Seiko's catalogues in the 1970s, priced at 230,000 yen and promising accuracy of an incredible five seconds a year.

On the right is a modern Grand Seiko 9F quartz, which is rated to 10 seconds a year.

I wonder which is most accurate today. I will be checking back every month for the next few months to share updated results for anyone interested.

See you in April

Andad · 1 March 2021, 06:42 PM

Subscribed.

I’m interested to see how they all perform Adam.

Jay (Eire) · 1 March 2021, 11:05 PM

Interesting study Adam. Will be watching.

Old Expat Beast · 2 March 2021, 09:50 AM

Thanks guys

sensui · 2 March 2021, 10:46 AM

Cool experiment.

Old Expat Beast · 7 March 2021, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensui

Cool experiment.

One week in and it's extremely close.

See you on April 1!

Old Expat Beast · 1 April 2021, 12:22 PM

Results for the first calendar month are in!

The 2017 Grand Seiko is still dead on, the 1978 Superior has gained 4 seconds and the 'underdog' 1976 Snowflake has gained just two seconds.

We'll be back again on May 1

Aussiexplorer · 1 April 2021, 01:20 PM

My sbgn007, with the little star on the dial, states 5 seconds per year, but in my experience, it's much better than that. The only time it's out is when I accidently hack it when changing the date every few months.

Great timekeeping investigation! I'll be checking back in for the results.

Old Expat Beast · 1 April 2021, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussiexplorer

My sbgn007, with the little star on the dial, states 5 seconds per year, but in my experience, it's much better than that. The only time it's out is when I accidently hack it when changing the date every few months.

Great timekeeping investigation! I'll be checking back in for the results.

Yes, I'm going to have to be careful with that at the end of this month

munichblue · 1 April 2021, 04:00 PM

Very cool, please keep us updated.

Old Expat Beast · 2 April 2021, 08:08 AM

Thanks, will do!

Old Expat Beast · 30 April 2021, 04:30 PM

Look out for the monthly reveal tomorrow, if I remember to update

ppfl · 30 April 2021, 04:48 PM

Can I assume that the 4803 is not thermo-compensated?

ps. excited for the results!

Old Expat Beast · 30 April 2021, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppfl

Can I assume that the 4803 is not thermo-compensated?

ps. excited for the results!

Yes, I think that's safe to say. The first Grand Quartz used the 4843 movement, which was slightly higher rated (+/- 5 secs per month) but was not, as far as I know, TC. The 4803 in this study, though, is somehow keeping Grand Quartz time

Old Expat Beast · 1 May 2021, 12:27 PM

Ok here are the results for the second calendar month!

The 2017 Grand Seiko is still exact. The 1976 Snowflake has added 5 seconds in the last month, for a two-month gain of 7 seconds, and the 1978 Superior has remained stable, adding another 4 seconds for a two-month total of 8 seconds.

I was able to quickset the date from 31 to 1 on all three watches without accidentally hacking the movement.

rjd1 · 1 May 2021, 09:52 PM

Fascinating stuff - just amazing. Thanks for sharing this!!!

sherlock40 · 2 May 2021, 03:02 AM

I also have the SBGT235 and can report similar results. The accuracy is incredible.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

FrenchBigCrown · 2 May 2021, 06:34 AM

Great thread. Subscribed. :)

Old Expat Beast · 2 May 2021, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjd1

Fascinating stuff - just amazing. Thanks for sharing this!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrenchBigCrown

Great thread. Subscribed. :)

Thank you

Old Expat Beast · 4 May 2021, 08:27 PM

Just for reference, here's a Seiko chart showing the expected accuracy of their higher-end quartz movements during the 1970s, and showing the 9983 as the most accurate.

Old Expat Beast · 1 June 2021, 12:18 PM

Ok, so we’re three months in and these are the latest results.

With a significant summer temperature increase here in Hong Kong over the last 30 days or so, the 1976 Snowflake gained six seconds in May for a total of 13 seconds over three months (2+5+6). That’s still one second better than its originally advertised monthly variation of -/+ 15 seconds per month.

The thermo-compensated 1978 Superior has held steady for a third consecutive +4 second gain, making a total 3-month gain of 12 seconds (4+4+4). Not quite the originally advertised 5 seconds per year, but on target for well under one minute per year. Not bad for a quartz watch marking its 43rd birthday this month.

The 2017 Grand Seiko is still exact, with no variation (0+0+0).

munichblue · 1 June 2021, 08:04 PM

Thanks so much for regularly sharing your results!

Old Expat Beast · 1 June 2021, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by munichblue

Thanks so much for regularly sharing your results!

You're most welcome. Thanks for your interest

Aussiexplorer · 2 June 2021, 10:46 AM

Great information. I love having my (+-5 seconds per year) GS quartz in my watch box. I do think they perform better than advertised too!

rjd1 · 3 June 2021, 02:32 AM

Just amazing - so cool, thanks for sharing.

Tbonewalk · 3 June 2021, 09:25 AM

Had this a few years now, like it a lot and the accuracy is almost boring lol Seems like it never changes. Thanks for hipping us to 'em, you have some beauties!!!

Old Expat Beast · 3 June 2021, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussiexplorer

Great information. I love having my (+-5 seconds per year) GS quartz in my watch box. I do think they perform better than advertised too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjd1

Just amazing - so cool, thanks for sharing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbonewalk

Had this a few years now, like it a lot and the accuracy is almost boring lol Seems like it never changes. Thanks for hipping us to 'em, you have some beauties!!!

Thanks guys

Devildog · 10 June 2021, 08:28 PM

Great thread Adam - can't believe I missed this!

Thanks for taking the time (groan

) to do this

Old Expat Beast · 10 June 2021, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devildog

Great thread Adam - can't believe I missed this!

Thanks for taking the time (groan

) to do this

Cheers Scott, I'll be back again on July 1!

Old Expat Beast · 1 July 2021, 12:26 PM

Ok, it's July 1, four months are up, and here are the latest results.

In June, the 1976 Snowflake gained six seconds, as it did in May, having now perhaps settled into the summer temperatures.

The 1978 Superior gained another four seconds, as it has every month so far.

The 2017 Grand Seiko is still exact.

So after four months . . .

1 March 2021, 06:36 PM	#1
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2025 Titanium Yacht-Master Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: MQ-24-7B2LLJF Posts: 28,952	Vintage SEIKO High Accuracy Quartz (HAQ) Test I set these three watches to the time.is website today at 4pm. The one on the left, with early Snowflake dial, was quite expensive in its time, at 50,000 yen, which was about the same price as a mechanical Grand Seiko mechanical back then. The middle watch was the most expensive and accurate stainless steel watch offered in Seiko's catalogues in the 1970s, priced at 230,000 yen and promising accuracy of an incredible five seconds a year. On the right is a modern Grand Seiko 9F quartz, which is rated to 10 seconds a year. I wonder which is most accurate today. I will be checking back every month for the next few months to share updated results for anyone interested. See you in April Attached Images __________________ _______________________

1 March 2021, 06:42 PM	#2
Andad 2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Eddie Location: Australia Watch: A few. Posts: 37,759	Subscribed. I’m interested to see how they all perform Adam. __________________ E

2 March 2021, 09:50 AM	#4
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2025 Titanium Yacht-Master Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: MQ-24-7B2LLJF Posts: 28,952	Thanks guys __________________ _______________________

1 April 2021, 12:22 PM	#7
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2025 Titanium Yacht-Master Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: MQ-24-7B2LLJF Posts: 28,952	Results for the first calendar month are in! The 2017 Grand Seiko is still dead on, the 1978 Superior has gained 4 seconds and the 'underdog' 1976 Snowflake has gained just two seconds. We'll be back again on May 1 Attached Images __________________ _______________________

2 April 2021, 08:08 AM	#11
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2025 Titanium Yacht-Master Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: MQ-24-7B2LLJF Posts: 28,952	Thanks, will do! __________________ _______________________

1 March 2021, 11:05 PM	#3
Jay (Eire) 2025 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: @jb.watching Location: NYC Posts: 1,497	Interesting study Adam. Will be watching.

2 March 2021, 10:46 AM	#5
sensui 2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 12,471	Cool experiment.

1 April 2021, 01:20 PM	#8
Aussiexplorer "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 181	My sbgn007, with the little star on the dial, states 5 seconds per year, but in my experience, it's much better than that. The only time it's out is when I accidently hack it when changing the date every few months. Great timekeeping investigation! I'll be checking back in for the results.

1 April 2021, 04:00 PM	#10
munichblue "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Munich Posts: 106	Very cool, please keep us updated.

30 April 2021, 04:30 PM	#12
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2025 Titanium Yacht-Master Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: MQ-24-7B2LLJF Posts: 28,952	Look out for the monthly reveal tomorrow, if I remember to update __________________ _______________________

30 April 2021, 04:48 PM	#13
ppfl "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Asia Posts: 69	Can I assume that the 4803 is not thermo-compensated? ps. excited for the results!

1 May 2021, 12:27 PM	#15
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2025 Titanium Yacht-Master Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: MQ-24-7B2LLJF Posts: 28,952	Ok here are the results for the second calendar month! The 2017 Grand Seiko is still exact. The 1976 Snowflake has added 5 seconds in the last month, for a two-month gain of 7 seconds, and the 1978 Superior has remained stable, adding another 4 seconds for a two-month total of 8 seconds. I was able to quickset the date from 31 to 1 on all three watches without accidentally hacking the movement. Attached Images __________________ _______________________

1 May 2021, 09:52 PM	#16
rjd1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Rich Location: CT, USA Watch: Can't pick just 1 Posts: 340	Fascinating stuff - just amazing. Thanks for sharing this!!!

2 May 2021, 03:02 AM	#17
sherlock40 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: USA Watch: Datejust 41 Posts: 87	I also have the SBGT235 and can report similar results. The accuracy is incredible. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2 May 2021, 06:34 AM	#18
FrenchBigCrown "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: France Posts: 1,076	Great thread. Subscribed. :)

4 May 2021, 08:27 PM	#20
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2025 Titanium Yacht-Master Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: MQ-24-7B2LLJF Posts: 28,952	Just for reference, here's a Seiko chart showing the expected accuracy of their higher-end quartz movements during the 1970s, and showing the 9983 as the most accurate. Attached Images __________________ _______________________

1 June 2021, 12:18 PM	#21
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2025 Titanium Yacht-Master Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: MQ-24-7B2LLJF Posts: 28,952	Three months Ok, so we’re three months in and these are the latest results. With a significant summer temperature increase here in Hong Kong over the last 30 days or so, the 1976 Snowflake gained six seconds in May for a total of 13 seconds over three months (2+5+6). That’s still one second better than its originally advertised monthly variation of -/+ 15 seconds per month. The thermo-compensated 1978 Superior has held steady for a third consecutive +4 second gain, making a total 3-month gain of 12 seconds (4+4+4). Not quite the originally advertised 5 seconds per year, but on target for well under one minute per year. Not bad for a quartz watch marking its 43rd birthday this month. The 2017 Grand Seiko is still exact, with no variation (0+0+0). Attached Images __________________ _______________________

1 June 2021, 08:04 PM	#22
munichblue "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Munich Posts: 106	Thanks so much for regularly sharing your results!

2 June 2021, 10:46 AM	#24
Aussiexplorer "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 181	Great information. I love having my (+-5 seconds per year) GS quartz in my watch box. I do think they perform better than advertised too!

3 June 2021, 02:32 AM	#25
rjd1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Rich Location: CT, USA Watch: Can't pick just 1 Posts: 340	Just amazing - so cool, thanks for sharing.

3 June 2021, 09:25 AM	#26
Tbonewalk "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: USA Posts: 869	Sbgx271 Had this a few years now, like it a lot and the accuracy is almost boring lol Seems like it never changes. Thanks for hipping us to 'em, you have some beauties!!! Attached Images

10 June 2021, 08:28 PM	#28
Devildog "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Real Name: Scott Location: UK Watch: ^^^ for now Posts: 5,834	Great thread Adam - can't believe I missed this! Thanks for taking the time (groan ) to do this __________________ Past: 6239 (yes, I know...), 16610, 16600, 116515, 116613LN, 126600, 126711 CHNR Present: 16600, 116509, Cartier Santos Green.

1 July 2021, 12:26 PM	#30
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2025 Titanium Yacht-Master Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: MQ-24-7B2LLJF Posts: 28,952	July 1 Update Ok, it's July 1, four months are up, and here are the latest results. In June, the 1976 Snowflake gained six seconds, as it did in May, having now perhaps settled into the summer temperatures. The 1978 Superior gained another four seconds, as it has every month so far. The 2017 Grand Seiko is still exact. So after four months . . . Attached Images __________________ _______________________

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