I'm almost tempted to mail you my watch

so you can tear it apart and critique it

What do you think about the MEMS vs Silicon escapement? I always thought the main benefit to silicon was its ultra precise manufacturing and antimagnetic properties, but then again if we're sometime in the future it wouldn't be possible to make a spare part (be it a wheel or the hairspring) that was originally silicon and thus that would in some ways affect longevity.

Grand Seiko's Mechanical Technology - 9S6X/9S66 in the SBGM031/21/23

By: Ed. W : February 16th, 2013-12:34

In considering a recent purchase, I scoured the internet for any technical information pertaining to Grand Seiko's lates 9S6X series calibers. This is what I summarized. I really hope Seiko makes all this information much easier to find some day! Grand Se...

so you can tear it apart and critique it :) What do you think about the MEMS vs Silicon escapement? I always thought the main benefit to silicon was its ultra precise manufacturing and antimagnetic properties, but then again if we're sometime in the futur...

The reason Seiko did not adopt silicon

By: SJX : February 17th, 2013-01:28

is that under certain conditions it is fragile and more prone to cracks or fracturing than metal parts. This is according to the engineers at Seiko Shizukuishi Watch Studio. - SJX

And who knows the behaviour of silicium parts in 15 or 20 years? [nt]

By: foversta : February 17th, 2013-02:43

Good point, I think Seiko's philosophy

By: Ed. W : February 17th, 2013-09:18

is to maximize the potential of all conventional technologies.

I didn't know that Si had weaknesses too

By: Ed. W : February 17th, 2013-09:12

but then which company who's currently or planning to use it will admit any weaknesses to the wonder material right? Thanks for the insight SJX!

I still haven't taken mine apart yet so...

By: ei8htohms : February 17th, 2013-14:54

And it's certainly long over due (I got it in 2003). A watchmaker friend of mine frowns at me whenever he sees me wearing it, but hey, if it ain't broke... I am ill-equipped to speak intelligently about MEMS or silicon components in watches. Smarter minds...

Seiko