Seiko Watch Question

[Texas Star]

I've seen some Seiko watches on the Net that seem to have automatic movements with 23 jewels and say Sport 5 on the faces and have a depth limit of 100 meters.

Ads for some have appeared on this board since I Searched for some watches. Do you other guys see the same banner ads? Maybe some ads are keyed to what you've been Searching for. (Orvis stuck an ad in here after I tried to find their loop optic drinking glasses, which they no longer seem to have. Their ad also suddenly appeared on another board where I'm a member.)

Anyway, I think I saw in the ad here that Amazon.com is selling these watches for about $60.

Do our watch experts know anything about them, and if they're new production, or left over after Seiko went to making mainly quartz and kinetic watches?

Will Seiko's US dealers clean and service them? Might cleaning an automatic watch not run into a lot of money, as is the case with Rolex? I'd hate to think I got a bargain on a watch for $60, only to have to pay a few hundred in a decade or sooner to have it serviced.

On the other hand, I bought a couple of bottles of Folger's coffee last night for $2.69 instead the usual $6.89, because Kroger was discontinuing that style of bottle. Maybe this is my week to find bargains...

I have a perfectly good Seiko quartz watch that I bought about 1985 that still runs great and a TAG-Heuer, but sort of want another Seiko for variety and as a spare.

Anyone here used an automatic Seiko, and did you like it? Did it keep close time, if not to quartz standards?

Thanks.

 

[Porterb123]

I've had a few of their dive automatics. They keep decent time for an inexpensive auto. They can be regulated by most local watch repair places. Service intervals depend on how much you wear it. I have a few with japanese auto movements over 10 yrs old that have not been serviced, but do not wear them daily. Local watch repair can do the service, lube, gaskets.

 

[7Iron]

I have an automatic diver (200 meters). The Sport 5 watches, I believe, are current production. Don't know how to compare the divers and the sports, but I'm sure the might web can provide some information. I do like mine. Reasonably priced and pretty much bullet proof.

 

[jaykellogg]

The trouble with an automatic watch is it runs down if you don't wear it (or wind it) every day.I looked on Amazon and they have several Seiko Sport 5 watches for $63 shipping included and one for $58.98 shipping included. Some descriptions say they have Japanese movements. IMO that would be preferable to a Chinese made movement. I have a Seiko quartz on right now. It is about 11 years old and keeps perfect time.

 

[old bear]

T.S. for $60.00 if one goes south in a few years the heck with a decade just pitch it and get another. It would be less money to replace than repair. I have an old "black Monster" dive watch that has given great service as a beach/work in the yard watch for 8 or 10 years now.

 

[DWalt]

I bought a Seiko self-wind 21 jewel watch while I was working in Colombia over 40 years ago. I wore that watch daily for over 20 years, then it started stopping on me. It probably needs a cleaning, but I just got tired of it and got something else. It's still in my dresser drawer.

I have been wearing a quartz Swiss Army which I got about 7 years ago, no problems except for one battery change needed. I love it.

Watch out for phony Seikos. There are several very reputable internet sellers of genuine Seikos at pretty good prices. I don't know how much I trust buying one from eBay. Check here:
Seiko Kinetic Watches and http://www.princetonwatches.com/shop/seiko-automatics.asp

I'm not on their payroll, but I recently bought my wife a Seiko ladies' watch from them, no problems at all.

 

[Texas Star]

The Swiss Army watches by Victorinox seem pretty solid and I think they'r all quartz. I'm toying with getting one instead of a Seiko, but those Seiko prices stunned me for a quality watch.
That's why I thought they might be remainders that were discontinued. I am also wary of gray market Seikos whose warranty may not be honored by US dealers.

The Swiss items seem to use ETA movements. Are these definitely better than the Japanese movements? About equal? (I mean quartz movements now.)

I haven't priced the Swiss watches yet, but I bet they average higher than the Seikos referred to above. I'm on a limited income, so price matters, but I'm not buying any junk.

I'm sure that Victorinox and Wenger don't make their branded watches; they're cutlery companies! But surely, they choose Swiss watch companies who deliver a sound product for the money. I've never seen anything sold by Swiss Army Brands that wasn't a quality product.

 

[labworm]

I have a Seiko sport watch which I purchased in the 1980's for $99.99.

Change the battery when needed, and still wearing it everyday.
But that was when all Seiko's were Made In Japan and manufacturers understood what the word quality meant.

 

[BruceB]

The Seikos that use the 7S26 automatic movement are pretty bullet-proof. I have a daily wear Orange Monster that's been great. They tend to run a bit fast - few seconds a day - when new, but are easily regulated.

I've been collecting and servicing self-winding/automatic watches for quite a while, and with few exceptions, they really are not more trouble to service than any other mechanical watch. The autowind rotor and gears generally sit in a self-contained unit on top of the movement, and once out of the way, it's like any other hand wind watch.

Now, the real Heuer microrotor automatics are a different story. You dang well better know what you are doing before breaking into one of those!

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Well here go's''''''''''''''

Yes I collect watches, pockets, wrist and Lord forgive me and shut my wife up from complaining.....clocks too!

Seikos, in general, one of the very best everyday timepieces you can buy. Self wind or quartz, they're a working mans quality timepiece. I have many and everyday I wear a multiple dial chronograph. I own several Rolex, and many , many other high end watches but, in the shop or out and about, I go Seiko. Takes a lickin'.....and keeps on tickin'...Sorry Timex, no offense. For the cheapskates.....just use your cell phones....Lord I hate recent technology.

Cheers;
Lefty

 

[brucev]

Bought a Sekio quartz diving watch in 1990. It has had the battery replaced from time to time. Otherwise, it has kept absolutely perfect time. The crystal has a small scratch, the red/blue bezel is worn/faded, but that is all. Even now am considering sending it back to have a new crystal and bezel installed... new gasket and general cleaning. I've not owned many watches. Hope this one will last another 20 years or so... maybe.

 

[Packard]

A co-worker bought two. One for himself, and one for his son. He is a watch collector and has several watches that cost several thousand dollars each. But he wears the Seiko to work most days. He's had them for over a year and he swears that they are as rugged and accurate as his Omegas and Tag Heuers.

I personally have a Micky Mouse watch with an automatic movement that I bought from BJ's Club. It has a crystal face, and back, and the movement shows front and back. It has a stainless steel bracelet with a latching deployment. The case is stainless steel, and the watch is rated "water resistant to 3ATM". It is extremely accurate and will stay wound for 3 days.

The single feature I like best was the $20.00 retail price.

 

[Snapping Twig]

I have three, plus a couple Rolex Divers.

I have access to a former long time Seiko mechanic that's running his own business from his home. He calibrated my Seiko's and they are frighteningly accurate - and durable!

7S26 is a fantastic movement, especially considering the cost. Kind of like a Rolex in being totally "in house", but with the dramatic exception of never being touched by a human hand - exactly opposite of Rolex.

One of mine is an old 6105 with the more rudimentary version of the 7S26, it was made in June 1974 and after a relatively inexpensive service, it's like new again.

Buy an automatic Seiko with confidence.

Just for chuckles, check out the Marine Master by Seiko. It's a direct competitor to the Rolex Submariner. Very nice indeed!

Seiko makes one of the best 'bang-for-the-buck' watches you can buy.

 

[labworm]

Bought a Seiko automatic stainless diver's watch while on R&R in Bangkok in 1971 for $35.

It kept perfect time till 2002 when started slowing down and needed a good cleaning.

I retired it and bought an identical model at that time (ten years ago). List price then was $500...talk about inflation.

Anyway, 31 years of hard service without cracking the case says a lot about their workmanship.

Did you go to Happy Happy Turkish Bath & Massage, 69 SOI NANATAI. Spent about 8 hrs. a day there during my 5 days of RR

 

[bummer]

Did you go to Happy Happy Turkish Bath & Massage, 69 SOI NANATAI. Spent about 8 hrs. a day there during my 5 days of RR

Patpong 1 and 2.

 

[LedFowl]

I have a Seiko Criterian automatic I bought a few years ago. It's been dependable and was pretty accurate right out of the box.

 

[jdh]

That is the one I was looking for when I settled for a 7T94-OBR8.

 

[Texas Star]

Is there any real advantage to having an automatic watch for diving over a quartz model?

Isn't there some famous expensive dive watch with an orange face like that? I think it's in the adventure books about some character. Some watch fan posted about it here months ago.

I understand why some want an automatic movement in a fine watch that costs thousands. It's a fine mechanism, sold on a basis of craftsmanship and complexity.

But why do Seiko or other normally-priced watch makers still offer auto watches? I do sort of like seeing the second hand move withut jerking, and the idea of a finely-fitted mechanismm does appeal.

I used have a Rolex auto and it kept good time after being taken three times for adjustment by a certified Rolex specialist. He got it to where it'd stay accurate to about 30 seconds a week. My quartz Seiko has always been dead-on, as has my quartz TAG -Heuer. (I do understand that quartz watches are simply more precise than auto watches.)

Where do kinetic watches fit in? How do they work, and are they quartz -accurate?

 

[LedFowl]

Is there any real advantage to having an automatic watch for diving over a quartz model?

Isn't there some famous expensive dive watch with an orange face like that? I think it's in the adventure books about some character. Some watch fan posted about it here months ago.

I understand why some want an automatic movement in a fine watch that costs thousands. It's a fine mechanism, sold on a basis of craftsmanship and complexity.

But why do Seiko or other normally-priced watch makers still offer auto watches? I do sort of like seeing the second hand move withut jerking, and the idea of a finely-fitted mechanismm does appeal.

I don't know of an advantage for automatic dive watches. I suspect that digital watches do the job better, with more features.

I do think the automatic/mechanical watches, even the relatively inexpensive ones, have an appeal much like revolvers do.

 

[Texas Star]

Seiko SNZG15 J1 review


I found this review which was very revealing. It covers one of these Sport 5 automatic models that I was considering.

I have the impression that it isn't as high up the Seiko totem pole as the two quartz models that I bought here in jewelry stores. But it seems sound value for money given the price.

I read another review from a man who ordered his from Singapore and paid about $100, with shipping. With the Amazon price of about $60, it's probably a good deal, if you can tolerate the 4-10 seconds or so time loss or gain per day that some have before regulating. The crown does NOT screw down, but the watch is rated for 100 meters depth.

Seiko has repair facilities in Los Angeles and in New Jersey. I may call and see if they service these watches and if they carry US warranties.

What did surprise me was that I called several local jewelry stores inc. one where I bought a Seiko a few years ago, and they no longer handle that brand!

Oh, well. I hope some of you enjoyed this. I'll root around a little more before I decide what to do. The matter is fun to research, and I've learned a lot.

In the meantime, I dug out that Seiko bought maybe five years ago and will take it in to a dealer that no longer handles anything other than high end Swiss brands, but who will still change the battery and check the gasket/seal and clean the insides. That'll cost $45, but get back in service a watch for which I paid $150 plus tax. Could probably get another store in that mall to do this cheaper, but they might not do the job as well and scratch up the back of the watch.

With a new battery, it should be good to go another 5 or so years.