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Everyone is different: some are more talented than others; some are clever with their heads, while others are simply clumsy. It was a challenge for me to find an adjuster who could adjust the watch as well as the numbers on the certificate indicated. I can't say it was easy—not everyone is qualified to work with VFA. This was the deciding factor in appointing an adjuster for my wristwatch.

Historically, Seiko has never supplied any VFA spare parts to third-party suppliers and has performed all work in-house, appointing the most skilled adjusters. Therefore, I didn't end up with a Seiko trainee, although they certainly have beginners on staff.

So, my journey led me back to the official service center for premium watches in Ginza, which I've used since 1986, where they recommended two skilled adjusters. I only asked them to adjust my watch no worse than the certificate`s copy indicated. I understand the task wasn't easy, but corporate pride promised me everything would be fine. A month later, I received the completed VFA and SBGR 025. This pair meets the parameters of an observatory chronometer.

I tested my Grand Seiko SBGR 001 for a couple of years until I became completely confident in their superior accuracy and stability.
At first, I doubted the SBGR 001's performance, as Seiko ceased production of mechanical watches in 1975. The adjusters retired, taking their spare parts and skills with them to start their own businesses.
But everything turned out better than I expected. The SBGR 001 showed +30 seconds after six months on my wrist. I decided to find the most accurate examples. This was my chance to review the certificates and choose the best. I looked through several hundred certificates until I found a couple that satisfied me. These were the SBGR 025 and SBGR 007 models, with very excellent results in certificates very similar to observatory chronometers. You can see the SBGR 025 and the certificate in the photo. The accuracy was +12 seconds over six months on my wrist, both day and night. Only 0.5% of Grand Seikos produced come close to this certificate in parameters. I made it!

Starting in 2004, Seiko expanded production and switched to the 9S65 and 9S85 calibers, and the staff of Japanese adjusters couldn't keep up with the growth in production; robots helped meet demand. Consumers wanted watches with beautiful colored dials, and no one looked at the certifications. On both of these calibers, the balance shaft became thicker from 0.007mm to 0.008mm (increasing friction), and the 9S85 caliber added an extra parasitic gear, which increased friction, affecting long-term stability. Marketing won. There was no longer a careful attention to adjusting. The certification became generic (communistic? the same and equal for everyone), like it simply corresponds to something.

I'll be back in a couple of days...

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https://preview.redd.it/9jtef3ygb3zg1.jpg?width=840&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a4d230d47380e7f8333dbf46c174507b14888867

Most people judge the watch by it`s dial... It is strange and interesting.

Here are 2 certificates issued by seiko :

1. 001822 Sep 1999 y for SBGR 001

2. 021457 Aug 2004 y for SBGR 025

I can calculate the production as 19 635 watches for 6 years or 3 272 per year= 2 727 per/m

Just 9 watches per day ! with 2-3 adjasters in the staff- that mean all watches were carefully regulated by japanese hands. They were proud to show the results in Rating Certificate.

I already had VFA 6186 on my wrist when bought for test some SBGR 001 in November 1999 ( for JPY 250 000) in Tokyo and in some time was impressed by accuracy and durability of 9S55 caliber . That was a chance!

After Seiko made me an observatory chronometer based on the SBGR 025 or new VFA testing results, everything in production changed. Calibers 9s65 and 9s85 appeared in huge quantities, with design flaws that led to a deterioration in accuracy.

Manual adjustments to the movement's parameters are no longer so important. Adjusters are few, but production has increased dramatically. A crowd of consumers buys GS watches based on dial color. This is the new reality.

I'll continue talking about my titanium Grand Seiko SBGR 025 in a couple of days.