Seiko Kinetic, Ref. SK J080

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Hello Guys & Gals,
This isn't gun related except the purchase was made while attending a small Gun Show this past week-end. I found this wrist watch on an old guy's table and liked it looks, since it is kinetic my interest peaked and the purchase was made. After being snickered at for the exercises I was doing trying to get it wound sufficiently I resigned to the fact that winding wasn't going to solve the problem. I went on line looking for further information but found none pertaining to the Ref. # quoted. There was no paperwork included and only the tag with said ref. number in the box.
By chance is there anyone here who may be able to direct me to more information? My understanding is that the weighted plate that is the winding mechanism recharges a battery instead of actually winding the watch but am only repeating what was told to me.
Description of the watch is the normal stem for setting the hands, date & day with an additional push button about two o'clock, 50 meters Water Resistant, Sapphlex Crystal and is a Limited Edition. Stainless case with gold circ. around crystal and a see through back where the winding mechanism can be observed. There are additional numbers on the back if anyone needs them I'll be glad to add them upon request.
Any help will be appreciated and an approximate age would be good to know also.
Thanks for any and all information!
 
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cowart & boat

cowart:
If you included anything with your reply it didn't make it.

boatme99:
I visited the site you referenced but was unable to find anything with the Ref. # number I listed, however I will continue the search. Also I wanted to join the forum but they left no choice but for me to become "Facebook" member which I refuse to do!

Thank you both for your effort!
 
There should be a movement # on the case back. For example: 7T32-7C69 (number on a Seiko that I own). Google that number and you should get a lot of hits. I know that Kinetics had a lot of capacitor problems.

Jeff
 
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I own one and it's junk. Had to send it back to the factory service center under warranty and it worked until I let it run down. It refuses to take more then a minimal charge from dead. I'm not going to throw good money after bad by paying for an out of warranty repair. Off to the old watch drawer with it. Looking for a good mechanical now.
 
cowart:
If you included anything with your reply it didn't make it.

boatme99:
I visited the site you referenced but was unable to find anything with the Ref. # number I listed, however I will continue the search. Also I wanted to join the forum but they left no choice but for me to become "Facebook" member which I refuse to do!

Thank you both for your effort!

No, you don't have to be on Facebook, I'm not.
I'll look into it.
 
I have a Seiko Kenetic that I've owned for over 20 years. It worked great for the first ten - fifteen years when I wore it daily, but I stopped wearing it when I purchased a Seiko Automatic divers watch. I recently tried using the Kinetic for a few days and the capacitor would only take about 1/3 of a charge and the watch would stop while I was sleeping. It was a great watch and I feel that I more than got my moneys worth out if it, but apparently the capacitor or the inertia generator can go bad; either from inactivity or simply over time.

As I understand it, an automatic uses an inertia weight to wind a spring(s), while a Kinetic uses an inertia generator to charge a capacitor. The little button near the stem causes the second hand to display the amount of charge when pressed. If the second hand moves 30 seconds when the button is pressed, the capacitor is fully charged. 15 seconds indicates half charged. My guess is that service would be cost prohibitive (over $100). IIRC, I paid about $220 for the Kinetic at a discount jewelers back when.

FYI, the stock number of mine is SM43-OA48 T 2 and is located at the bottom of the face. I needed to use a loupe to read it.
 
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I own handwinds, autos, and quartz, but I never bought into the kinetic or solar technology.
Now I'm glad I didn't.
 
I have a seiko kenetic diver most accurate watch I've ever owned I have had it about a year now spot on to the atomic clock maybe a sec difference I recommend manually shaking the watch about 200 motions a day to insure it's fully wound I read that on a seiko watch forum and so far it's worked well I love this watch it's replaced my tag as my fav watch I bought mine on eBay nib for 175.00
 
I have a seiko kenetic diver most accurate watch I've ever owned I have had it about a year now spot on to the atomic clock maybe a sec difference I recommend manually shaking the watch about 200 motions a day to insure it's fully wound I read that on a seiko watch forum and so far it's worked well I love this watch it's replaced my tag as my fav watch I bought mine on eBay nib for 175.00

So you have a $200 watch that you have to shake 200 times a day to make sure it runs . . . think I'll keep looking for a mechanical
 
Thanks for all the links and suggestions

Now that I have something to go on and look for I'll see what information I am able to gather before spending any more money for repairs. No local Jewelry stores have anyone qualified to service it in this little town.
I do appreciate you all taking the time to respond and offer your help, this really helps.
thanks!!!
 
"I visited the site you referenced but was unable to find anything with the Ref. # number I listed, however I will continue the search. Also I wanted to join the forum but they left no choice but for me to become "Facebook" member which I refuse to do! "

Assuming the site was watchuseek.com, they don't require you to join Facebook. Great site.

"So you have a $200 watch that you have to shake 200 times a day to make sure it runs . . . think I'll keep looking for a mechanical"

If you're not philosophically opposed to Chinese watches, I really like my Sea-Gull M222S. They have a US distributer at usseagull.com.
 
I have a nice titanium Seiko kinetic
my wife bought me. Beautiful, light watch. It doesn't work. Been in for repairs twice and finally gave up on it. It would work for a few months then stop or lose time excessively.
I don't think they've perfected that kinetic thing-a-ma-bob yet.
 
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Smitholdtimer:

I have a self-winding Seiko dating back to 1977, and have owned two quartz Seikos (one from the 80's & one from the 90's). I bought a Seiko kinetic before Christmas last year & I love it!! Just treat it like a self winder, set it, wear it daily, & forget about it. I'm sure it will give you a decade or two of trouble free wear.

If you like wearing different watches routinely, and won't keep this one charged, they sell those moving thing-a-ma-bobs (industry term) that do it for you. But my Seikos have always been daily wear watches, and I swear by them. I left Timex over a quarter of a century ago & never looked back.

With this new kinetic, I may go a day or two wearing a Buliva quartz I have, or break out one of my 14 K Longines or my Movado for a night out on the town :cool:, but the Seiko does not loose it's charge. They say they can go a month without wear, but I never go without wearing it for more than a few days. (I even sleep with it -- I love the bright luminous hands 'cause with a quick glance they keep me from twisting my neck in the middle of the night trying to see the clock to know what time it is.)

There is NOTHING special to learn from the manual though, I promise. Just set it and wear it. Change the date as needed & the time every six months at day light savings time. The date & time set pretty much like any other Seiko (or many other watches for that matter). If you have any trouble, just ask a jeweler to show you. It's easy.

Good luck & enjoy!

(hope this helps)
 
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