In Depth Article about the Seiko 9F Caliber from SJX

SJK has posted a great article about the Seiko thermocompensated 9F quartz caliber with some great pictures too.  Included are clear explanations of characteristic features of the 9F such as the twin pulse, backlash adjust, independent axis for each hand, instant date jumper as well as some cool pictures of Seiko's manufactured quartz crystals which I've never seen before.

Click HERE for the article.

Seiko Celebrates 20 Years of 9F Caliber

Coupled with the celebration of 100 years of wrist watchmaking, Seiko is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of the thermocompensated high accuracy quartz 9F caliber.  With a normal accuracy specification of +/-10 seconds per year in standard 9F,  the special release, limited edition 9F caliber will utilize specially selected quartz crystals to provide a heightened accuracy specification of +/-5 seconds per year.

Of course nobody will just buy the caliber!  The special edition 9F caliber will be dropped into a Grand Seiko model SBGX103.  This model will feature a beautifully embossed dial and commemorative labeling on the caseback.  The SBGX103 will be limited to 2,000 production pieces to be released internationally and will be priced at 315,000 Yen.

For more information on the 9F caliber as well as the SBGX103, be sure to click HERE to view the press release.

The Return of the Grand Seiko "Milgauss"

Grand Seiko "Red Logo" SBGX089 Limited Edition

(Photo: Seiko Watch Corporation)

That's right folks, Seiko Japan announced earlier this morning the return of the high performance anti-magnetic Grand Seiko watches after a hiatus of several years from the Japan domestic market. In the press release, Seiko announces the release of two new "Red Logo" models, one quartz sporting the thermo compensated caliber 9F61 with no date display (Rated to -/+ 10 seconds a year) and one mechanical model using the caliber 9S65 movement (Rated to +5/-3 seconds per day). There will be a total of  four variants (2 quartz and 2 mechanical) being introduced as follows:

More Details Are Released About the new Solar Citizen" Chronomasters"

Photo courtesy of Citizen Watch Corporation, LTD - Japan

Citizen Japan released today more details about the most significant product update done to the "The Citizen" line since 2005. Right now we know more about the watches and the new solar high end quartz movement that powers them. We now also know that they will be released in the Japan domestic market at the end of June, 2011.

The Citizen Chronomaster CTQ57-0961 has Been Discontinued

Citizen "The Citizen" Chronomaster CTQ57-061

"Close to the hearts of people everywhere"

(Photo Courtesy of http://www.012.co.jp)

From the "Chopping block" file comes official word that the Chronomaster CTQ57-0961 has been discontinued by Citizen Japan after a 6 year tenure.

The watch was reviewed earlier last week here

This model was my favorite in the Chronomaster series. Not just because I happen to own this wonderful watch but because it was the most affordable 38mm "Oyster case/bracelet" variant, made in stainless steel with Citizen's Duratect surface treatment and lumed hands and dial markers. The photo caption above shows the fairly bright and long lasting luminosity of this watch. Probably one of the best among high end dress watches.

The steel CTQ57-0961 was introduced in 2005 along with the more expensive Titanium + Duratect 38mm oyster case variants with black, blue, white and champagne colored dials.

This watch retailed in Japan for 231,000 YEN. I can say that this is a lot of watch for the money. From build quality, finish, attention to detail and high end A660 thermo compensated quartz movement with perpetual calendar, independent set hour hand and -/+ 5 seconds per year accuracy, this watch is probably the only timepiece you'll ever need (For those of us hot and heavy into this hobby, there is no "One watch", but you get the idea).

Unfortunately, the main online Japan based retailers report "Sold out" status with this model. It is also not clear at this time if other Chronomaster models have been discontinued as well.

Looks like it will be replaced with the all new "Eco-Drive" solar powered Chronomaster unveiled at Basel World in March. See Jikan article here.

The new solar models will be released later this summer and have a lower retail price of 210,000 YEN. As more details about the new Eco-Drive models become available, rest assured that Jikan Watch Blog will bring you all the latest details and photographs right to your browser.

Jikan Video Review: Citizen Chronomaster CTQ57-0961

Hope our dear readers enjoy this video review I recently prepared about this fabulous watch:

Seiko Diver SBCM023 Discontinued

Just saw a tweet from Chino Watch that the Seiko Diver SBCM023 has been discontinued.  This model was a professional diver with the venerated 8F35 caliber inside delivering 20 seconds per year accuracy, perpetual calendar and 8 year battery life.  Many consider the 8F to be an example of high-end quartz and with its relatively low price it offered a good entry point for both quartz and diver fans.

Picture from Chino Watch

Citizen Baselworld 2011: New "The Citizen" Eco-Drive Models Unveiled

The biggest news coming out of Baselworld this year for Citizen Watch Co., are the introduction of the first ever "The Citizen" high accuracy quartz watches using a yet to be specified Eco-Drive caliber with adjusted factory accuracy of -/+ 5 seconds per year!

Citizen Chronomaster CTQ57-0961 Date Change Over from 2/28 to 3/1

Last night I shot this two minute and fifty seconds HD video showing the perpetual calendar complication of the A660 Citizen Chronomaster in all its glory:



The date change starts to take place at around 12:00:17 AM.

The A660 movement in the Citizen Chronomaster uses a high speed motor (10,000 revolutions per minute) that drives the calendar wheel and it is fully independent from the motors that drive the hour/minute and seconds hands.