Credits: Article and images by Cheryl Chia @ Revolution Watch Magazine. See the original article here - https://revolutionwatch.com/grand-seiko-slgw002-slgw003/
At the heart of the movement is the Dual Impulse escapement. It is self-starting and provides two impulses per cycle — one in each direction — making it resistant to shocks. While the Swiss lever escapement provides two impulses indirectly via a lever, the Dual Impulse escapement, like the Co-Axial, adopts a mixed impulse system: one impulse is given directly to the balance wheel, while the other is delivered indirectly via a lever. It essentially combines the solidity of the Swiss lever’s locking and unlocking system with the direct impulse action of the detent escapement. As a result, the escapement operates much more efficiently than the lever and provides greater long-term rate stability.
The pallet fork and lever are produced using LIGA, allowing components to be fabricated with extreme precision, resulting in its intricate, skeletonized geometries that are lighter to ensure quicker acceleration of parts, which is crucial in a high beat movement. Additionally, the balance wheel is free sprung, secured on both ends by a balance bridge for greater stability, and is attached to an overcoil hairspring with a proprietary curve.
Beyond that, the shapes of the bridges are visually attractive and exhibits a natural and logical arrangement that accentuates the prominence of the winding click and balance wheel. The finishing, as always, is exceedingly clean and attractive. It is decorated with perlage on its base plate, striping on its bridges which even continues unto the balance bridge, polished countersinks as well as mechanically applied anglage. The limited edition rose gold SLGW002 commands a considerable premium at US$45,000, while the titanium SLGW003 is priced at US$10,700, which, although more expensive than the 9SA5-equipped models, still offers great value given its exceptional technical qualities, for which there is no equal in its price bracket and even beyond.
Credits: Article and images by Cheryl Chia @ Revolution Watch Magazine. See the original article here - https://revolutionwatch.com/grand-seiko-slgw002-slgw003/