====== Seiko 9S Family ======

{{wst>author|[[Foskett, Stephen|Stephen Foskett]] ([[https://grail-watch.com/|Grail Watch]])}}

The **9S** family of high-end watch movements is the flagship mechanical watch product of [[Seiko]]. It includes the initial **9S5x** range along with the less-decorated and unadjusted **8L** family, the [[Hi-Beat]] **9S8x** family, and the "3 Days" power reserve **9S6x** movements.

The **8L/9S** family is intended to compete with limited-production Swiss movements from companies like [[Rolex]]. Most are [[automatic]], unlike the ultra-thin [[Seiko 6800]] family, though there are manually-wound versions. The 9S family are carefully finished with Tokyo Stripes and [[rhodium]] plating and are adjusted to six positions, while the 8L family has a brushed and gilt finish, with [[colimaconnage]] on the [[rotor]] and is unadjusted. "9S" models are only used in Grand Seiko watches, while "8L" models are used in other ranges.

The 9S family includes many notable Seiko movements 

  * [[1998]] reintroduction of mechanical [[Grand Seiko]] models after over 20 years with the [[Seiko 9S51|9S51/9S55]]
  * [[2001]] introduction of the hand-wound [[Seiko 9S51|9S54]]
  * [[2002]] launch of the [[GMT]] [[Seiko 9S51|9S56]], a first for the family, and was followed later by a rare Credor twin, the 8L36
  * [[2006]] creation of the "3Days" movement [[Seiko 9S67|9S67]], a second-generation of modern Grand Seiko
  * [[2008]] "Super Hi-Beat" [[Seiko 9S85|8L88]] featuring a 12 Hz (43,200 vph) design
  * [[2009]] resurrection of [[Hi-Beat]] 10 Hz (36,000 vph) [[Seiko 9S85|9S85]], following a tradition begun with the "Hi-Beat" automatic [[Grand Seiko 61GS]], manual [[Grand Seiko 45GS]], and ladies' [[Grand Seiko 19GS]] from the 1960's

The Calibre 8L and 9S families are assembled at Seiko's [[Shizukuishi Watch Studio]] in Morioka, Iwate prefecture, Japan, along with other high-end Seiko movements.


{{wst>template_seiko_9s_family}}

===== External links =====
  * [[http://people.timezone.com/library/cjrml/cjrml0024|Four Hundred Years After, Part II, The Legacy of Seikosha]]
  * [[http://fnord.phfactor.net/2008/03/20/where-my-watch-came-from/|Where My Watch Came From]]
  * [[http://www.shizukuishi-watch.com/eng/products.html|Shizukuishi Watch Studio]]
  * [[http://www.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-657/pi-5568098/ti-824423/t--interview-akira-ohira-watchmaking-father-of-modern-mechanical-grand-seiko/|Interview: Akira Ohira - watchmaking "Father" of modern mechanical Grand Seiko]]


{{tag>Seiko_calibres Seiko}}