Features of the Seiko VH31 Caliber Movement:
- Thickness: 3.45 mm
- Diameter: 23.70 mm
- Jewels: 2
- Quartz Oscillation Frequency: 32.77 Hz
- Display: Central hour, minute, and second hands
- Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month
- Battery Life: 2 years
About Seiko
Seiko's journey began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori opened a watch sales and repair store in Tokyo. Over a decade later, Hattori started producing clocks under the name Seikosha after acquiring a disused factory. Determined to compete with Swiss watchmakers, Seiko launched its first pocket watch in 1885 and introduced wristwatches a few years later. The "Laurel," Seiko's first wristwatch, debuted in 1914. Throughout the 20th century, Seiko introduced numerous innovations aimed at enhancing watch performance, such as their anti-shock system and automatic winding mechanical watches. In 1969, Seiko revolutionized the watch industry with the Seiko Quartz Astron, the world's first quartz watch, which offered greater accuracy than traditional mechanical watches.
Seiko Instruments (SII) Caliber VH64
The VH64 is part of Seiko's VH family of high beat rate quartz movements, known as the Sweep Second Quartz Series. This no-date, 3-hand movement features two jewels and is manufactured in Japan. Introduced in 2015, the VH series is often associated with mecaquartz movements due to its sweeping second hand, which mimics the look of a mechanical watch. Although the term "mecaquartz" is widely used by the watch community, Seiko does not officially use this term for any of their movements. The interpretation of "mecaquartz" varies, with some viewing it as referring to a movement with mechanical elements, while others see it as simply having a sweeping second hand.
VH31 Technical Details
- Introduction Date : Officially introduced on September 9, 2018, with technical documentation dating back to August 2016.
- Sweeping Seconds : Unlike most quartz watches with a ticking motion, the VH31's second hand moves smoothly at 4 beats per second (2Hz), which is slower than a typical automatic movement (e.g., the NH35A at 6 beats per second) but smoother than the standard 1 beat per second quartz movement. This smoothness is achieved through a step motor that rotates 4 times per second instead of once per second.
The VH64's unique features and smooth sweeping second hand make it a popular choice for those seeking the aesthetics of an automatic watch combined with the reliability and precision of quartz technology.
