This morning my Seiko Kinetic SKA427 stopped. I shook it a few times and the minute hand remained motionless. I shook it again. Nothing.
Panic set in. Was I going to have to take my Seiko, purchased only 6 weeks ago, in for repair?
I shook it again for about a minute and the minute hand started ticking. I think I'll wear it every day for a while to give it a charge.
My guess is that it takes longer for a kinetic Seiko to "communicate" with the rechargeable battery that it's getting charge and may take a good minute of shaking before you see the second hand ticking. In contrast, my Seiko automatics, like the Black Monster, start ticking within a few seconds.
Jeff - I thought Seiko Kinetics are supposed to have far more power reserve than Seiko Automatics. If you've been wearing this watch often, I wonder why it didn't charge more.
Posted by: Gary | January 22, 2013 at 12:23 PM
By the way, I've found the power reserve of my Casio solar watches to be great. Once they are charged up to "Hi" they seem to stay that way by wearing them outside occasionally and leaving them pointed toward a window 20 feet away when not in use.
Posted by: Gary | January 22, 2013 at 12:27 PM
I've been wearing it around the house, reading, lounging, doing some dishes. You have to walk to get real movement on these things.
Posted by: herculodge | January 22, 2013 at 01:45 PM
I'm wearing my SKZ267 right now because it stopped again. But it is weird - my SKZ267 and SKX779 have never fully charged enough to hold it for more than a week or so without wearing, while the SKA425 has held its charge since I got it two months ago. Strangely enough, the SKA425 wasn't moving at all when I got it but the other two were. I ended up shaking the SKA425 back and forth for quite some time while watching a movie...maybe I need to do the same with the others.
One of the nice features on the SKA425 is that it has an extra button that you can press to check the power reserve - you hold it down and then the second hand advances. Anyhow, it takes a bit of anxiety out of knowing whether or not it needs to charge.
Posted by: jonnybardo | January 22, 2013 at 03:50 PM
I think all the kinetics, including my SKA427, have that charge button.
Posted by: herculodge | January 22, 2013 at 04:10 PM
My SKX779 and SKZ267 don't.
Posted by: jonnybardo | January 22, 2013 at 04:32 PM
Jonny, they don't because they are entry-level automatic watches. Kinetics on the other hand are auto-quartz, the auto movement feeds the rechargeable quart battery.
I believe Orient and other Seikos may have the charge feature on non-kinetic, just automatic versions.
Posted by: herculodge | January 22, 2013 at 04:36 PM
OK, I didn't realize that there was a difference. Good to know.
So to answer your question, I've had a much easier time with my one kinetic than my two automatics. When I got the kinetic--the SKA425--it wasn't charged at all. I shook it for a while and wore it for a couple weeks and since then, about two months, I've maybe worn it once a week at most and it has kept its charge.
Posted by: jonnybardo | January 22, 2013 at 05:55 PM
Seiko is the only watch company that makes a kinetic watch. My SUN007 has kept its charge with minimal wear but not my SKA427. Very interesting. Perhaps when I got my SUN007, I got it charged up well. I am in the process of doing that now with my SKA427 since it's probably my favorite watch though close with the Black Monster.
Posted by: herculodge | January 22, 2013 at 07:13 PM
I thought your new Velatura was head and shoulders above everything else? Not wearing it much? Has the initial shine faded a bit? Or is it a case of "too nice to wear frequently?"
Posted by: jonnybardo | January 22, 2013 at 07:17 PM
While I love the Velatura and will be wearing it this weekend for a dinner date, by virtue of it being a quartz watch makes me less connected to it than an "every day" auto. In other words, the Velatura is my favorite dress up watch while my gunmetal SKA427 is my favorite every day watch. I hope that clears it up. BTW, I'm jonesing for that SKA293 you posted on your blog a week ago. But another kinetic in the collection? I don't know.
Posted by: herculodge | January 22, 2013 at 07:33 PM
I think Swatch had a kinetic type watch - I think it was called auto quartz or something to that effect. Same type of tech - uses a rotor to charge a capacitor or battery.
If you've got a watch winder, they work pretty well for me to charge my kinetic.
- Adam
Posted by: Adam | January 22, 2013 at 08:36 PM
http://www.crowdfunder.com/campaign/114
Don't know if this company has been covered here previously. It's interesting. But the "catch" is that these movements are NOT made in the U.S.A.! They're Swiss----for now.
Posted by: Angelo | January 23, 2013 at 06:15 AM
OK, I hear you Jeff. I have a similar thing with my SKA425 which I don't wear very often but has a special charm that my inner 12-year old loves. I'd say my Black Monster is my favorite "every day" watch, my Velatura my favorite "fancy" watch and the SKA425 my favorite "cool" watch.
Re: the SKA293 - sorry about inspiring a jones. When I saw that I thought of you - I really like it but it looks more your style. It sort of has a "manliness of the future" vibe.
Posted by: jonnybardo | January 23, 2013 at 06:43 AM
Too bad I get over anxious when my autos stop. Otherwise, I'd be more eager to add more to my collection.
Posted by: herculodge | January 23, 2013 at 07:36 AM