One would think that the accuracy of the Grand Seiko is because of the rigorous testing done after assembly. That is only half the story. The process of assembly is quite extraordinary. The level of effort that goes into ensuring the environment is perfect, absolutely perfect, is unbelievable.
For a start, the assembly room is a clean room. Everyone going in has to dress up – coat, hat and shoe covers – and then pass through an air shower. As a result everyone inside resembles a cross between a nurse and a chef.
No other watch factory I have seen performs assembly in an industrial-level clean room (I think it is a grade 1000 clean room). The room is so clean and so quiet you are afraid to breathe lest you contaminate the air.
And the set-up for each watchmaker is designed to ensure he or she has the most conducive environment possible to assemble the watches. Every bench looks absolutely identical, but each of them is customised for the particular watchmaker so each bench is a different height.
In fact, the beautifully made desks and drawers decorated with elaborate metal work are a traditional Japanese type known as Iwayado Tansu. Naturally these are made by a company located in the same prefecture. But tradition and modernity co-exist – each watchmaker sits in an Aeron chair.
There are various specialists in the assembly department. Mr Mamoru Sakurada, who is recognised as a contemporary master craftsman, specialises in assembling the ultra-thin cal. 68.
Other watchmakers are adjustment specialists, who regulate the completed movement. All Grand Seiko watches assembled here are then tested for 17 days to ensure they conform to the Grand Seiko accuracy standards.
This message has been edited by SJX on 2011-02-05 23:04:10