Seiko Kinetic Watches

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FullerH

Joined
Nov 25, 1998
Messages
12,632
These seem like a really great idea to me. Do any of you have any experience with them? How well do they work? How well are they sealed against crud build-up wehich requires perioidic cleaning, always what had killed kinetics for me in the past? What is the night lighting arrangement? They say "luminous", but does that mean permanent or light activated lumnious? Finally, how well do they hold up?
 
FullerH said:
These seem like a really great idea to me. Do any of you have any experience with them? How well do they work? How well are they sealed against crud build-up wehich requires perioidic cleaning, always what had killed kinetics for me in the past? What is the night lighting arrangement? They say "luminous", but does that mean permanent or light activated lumnious? Finally, how well do they hold up?
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I have the 5M63, which is like a Seiko Sea Dweller, ordered from Princeton Watches for less than $300. It is the only Kinetic that I have owned. Many chimed in when I was considering the purchase to say that the Citizen Eco-Drive was a more robust, and long-lived mechanism. Well, that may be so, but my wife's Eco Drive took a dump after 3 years, and last year, they replaced the mechanism. It stopped working last month. They do have great customer service.

The dive watch I own is very well sealed against crud accumulation, and is water resistant to 200 meters.

The lighting is of the SuperLuminova variety, which requires external lighting.

Three more things:

1. Mine came with a Jubilee bracelet, which I found cheap, and unattractive. I have since replaced it with an aftermarket Presidential.

2. The Kinetic mechanism is somewhat loud when working, sort of like a noisy automatic.

3. This watch seems to be very robust, and came with a sapphlex crystal, which is a bonus if you are prone to crystal scratching, which I am.

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
 
Thanks. How do you tell time with the watch after dark if the luminosity requires an outside light source? I currently use a Luminox as I am very taken with the tritium markers.
 
I charge my watches that use luminous paint with a purple or UV Photon Freedom.

This keeps the watch quite bright for about 8 hours, which should be all you need.

I like the Luminox watches myself, but I prefer the aesthetics of the Rolex Submariner/Sea Dweller case.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
I like the Luminox watches myself, but I prefer the aesthetics of the Rolex Submariner/Sea Dweller case.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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I look upon my Luminox Navy Seal Model, the least expensive version, as the Henry Ford school of automobile design; any color so long as it's black and no more cylinders than a cow has teats; in other words, pretty basic. And I really would rather that they called it something else as I an NOT a SEAL wannabe.
 
FullerH said:
I look upon my Luminox Navy Seal Model, the least expensive version, as the Henry Ford school of automobile design; any color so long as it's black and no more cylinders than a cow has teats; in other words, pretty basic. And I really would rather that they called it something else as I an NOT a SEAL wannabe.
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I had mine (ss body/resin bezel) Yaoized, and sterilized the back myself. They are super cool watches, just very limited to certain styles. If they did a round traser, Sub style, in automatic, it would be the only watch that I would feel the need to own.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Fuller,I have worn a Kinetic for over 2 yrs. as my work watch and have beaten the hell out of it.So much so I have had the crystal replaced.That is running a 1.5" impact gun and swinging a 20 lb sledge on a regular bases.It is a heavy watch as heavy as my SMP.It still keeps very accurate time.The only real problem I have had is bending the pins that hold the bracelet on,too much impact I guess.Good luck with your search.
 
I had a Seiko Kinetic around five years ago. It broke down after two years, and despite repeated repairs it never worked properly again. I haven't worn a watch since then.
 
I am wearing the Ti Sports 100 with the clear backing so you can see the gearing. This is the lightest watch I have ever owned.

I absolutely love my watch, and my father-in-law as well. Thanks, Morgan.

The face absorbs light, and works well for me.

I highly recommend them.
 
I have an older kenetic that keeps perfect time. It's about as thick as a rolex
and as heavy. It has a divers strap with the flip over piece to prevent unwanted loss of the watch. The only thing I don't like is if it has run down, you have to shake it in your hand for a long time. I hope they now have the
ability to wind with the stem.
 
I've got one I bought back in '85. Keeps time, still water-proof, etc. Never been opened, thought the adjustment nob did come loose (I work around that).

I have a sneaky suspiscion that the newer products aren't as good as the older products (like so much else).
 
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