Turn on Slow Motion. You will clearly see the "Standard" watch (21,600 bph) takes 6 small steps per second, while the "Hi-Beat" (28,800 bph) takes 8 steps. The more steps, the smoother the illusion of flow.
Grand Seiko's Spring Drive has zero steps. It uses a glide wheel brake instead of a locking lever, creating the only truly continuous motion in watchmaking.
The "smoothness" of a watch hand is determined by its Frequency, measured in Vibrations Per Hour (VPH) or Beats Per Hour (BPH).
| Type | Frequency | Ticks/Sec | Visual Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quartz | 1 Hz | 1 | Jerky ("Tick") |
| Standard Auto | 3 Hz (21,600) | 6 | Slight Stutter |
| Swiss Hi-Beat | 4 Hz (28,800) | 8 | Smooth Sweep |
| Spring Drive | N/A | ∞ | Perfect Glide |
Generally, yes. A higher beat rate (like 28,800 or Zenith's 36,000) divides time into smaller chunks, making the movement more stable against shocks and gravity. However, high-beat movements consume more energy (lower power reserve) and require more frequent service than standard 21,600 bph workhorses like the Seiko NH35.