Written by: Alexandra Ackourey

Seiko Ananta SNR023J1 Spring Drive Watch

Earlier in 2011, Seiko Watches launched a campaign aiming to revolutionize the longevity of the watch battery and the impact watches have on the environment. The project, called Clean Energy, created energy-efficient watches using four different elements of watch making to maximize power reserves and energy efficiency in each model.

The first element, the spring drive, completely eliminates any environmental impact by removing the battery altogether. Seiko is the exclusive manufacturer of watches featuring the spring drive, which works by using a magnetic rotor to generate energy and thereby power the springs to make the hands move. This requires an astonishingly low amount of energy, a mere 25 nano watts, which according to Seiko would take six billion spring drives just to power one 150 watt light bulb. The drive is accurate to one second a day, and during a test drive on a trip to the international space station in 2008 it was proved to be fully functional under extreme weather conditions. Models with the spring drive include the Grand Seiko SBGC001 and the Ananta SNR023J1.

The second type uses kinetic motion to generate the energy necessary to power the functions of the watches. One of the unique functions of the kinetic energy watch is the hibernation technology, which causes the watch to stop moving when not being worn, and automatically “remember” the time and reset to the correct day and time when put back on. The kinetic energy motion uses less than 3% of the energy of the original quartz watch, which coupled with the hibernation feature means more infrequent battery replacement and therefore less waste released into the environment. Kinetic watches include the Premier SNL039P1, the Arctura L060P1, and the Sportura SRG005P1.

The third element is solar technology, which stores light energy gathered throughout the day to power the self-recharging battery. Because the battery is solar-powered, it, too, never requires replacing, eliminating waste in the environment. The battery only requires one to two minutes of solar exposure to power for one hour, and retains its power supply for up to six months even if left in the dark. Solar models include the Men’s SNE039P and the Women’s SUT027P1.

The fourth and final element is mechanical, the more traditional source of energy in watches. What makes Seiko’s mechanical technology unique, however, is the “magic lever,” which uses the rotor’s energy to create both clockwise and counter clockwise motion, which enhances the transfer of power to the springs. Mechanical models include the Grand Seiko SBGH001 and the Ananta SPB019J1.

With four different ways to reduce the impact on the environment, Seiko watches’ Clean Energy technologies are paving the way for energy efficiency in battery-powered and solar-powered devices.