Interesting facts about the brand Seiko 7s26
Seiko, a Japanese watchmaking company founded in 1881, has a rich history in watch production. One of the significant milestones in this history is the development and implementation of the caliber 7S26. This mechanical movement, first introduced in the second half of the 20th century, marked a significant leap forward in the realm of automatic watches in terms of reliability, durability, and affordability. In this article, we will delve deeper into the Seiko 7S26 - its development, features, and significance for the watchmaking industry.
Development of Seiko 7S26
Seiko began the development of the caliber 7S26 in the 1970s with the aim of creating an affordable, reliable, and durable mechanical movement for its automatic watches. Up until then, automatic watches were considered more prone to malfunctions and more expensive to maintain than quartz watches. However, Seiko was determined to change this situation.
The engineers at Seiko worked on creating a movement that would be simple, rugged, and require minimal maintenance. The result was the caliber 7S26, which featured several key innovations:
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Open Caseback without Cover: Unlike some other automatic movements that had a covered caseback, the 7S26 had an open caseback. This allowed easy access to the internal components of the movement for maintenance and repairs.
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Ceramic Ball Bearing System: The 7S26 was equipped with a special ceramic ball bearing system. This meant less friction and wear, contributing to a longer lifespan of the movement.
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Bi-Directional Winding Mechanism: This mechanism allowed the movement to be wound in two directions, both when the wrist moved up and down. This led to more efficient winding and greater consistency in the performance of the movement.
Features and Significance
The Seiko 7S26 became a cornerstone for many popular models of Seiko's automatic watches. This movement was a significant breakthrough in the industry due to its affordability and reliability. Thanks to its innovations, it was able to compete with quartz watches, which were highly favored at that time.
One of the notable features was its self-winding capability. The Seiko 7S26 was equipped with an automatic mechanism that allowed the watch to be powered by the movement of the wearer's wrist. This was particularly convenient as users didn't have to manually wind the watch or replace batteries.
Due to its robust construction and durable components, the 7S26 became a favored movement for sports and outdoor watches. These watches often face challenging conditions, requiring a movement that is reliable and resistant to shocks and moisture.
Legacy and Impact
The Seiko 7S26 left a significant mark on the history of horology. This movement made automatic watches accessible to the masses, which had largely been reserved for the luxury segment of the market at that time. Its simple design, reliability, and self-winding ability contributed to its popularity and recognition among watch enthusiasts.
In conclusion, the Seiko 7S26 played a pivotal role in changing the perception of automatic watches and paved the way for further innovations in the field of horology. Its legacy lives on in modern Seiko models that still embody the principles of reliability and accessibility that this movement brought to the world of watches.
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