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[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: norxam

This manual seems to leave out some features. Does anyone know where i can find a Seiko 5 manual?

What features specifically? The Seiko manuals don't generally have any info about servicing the watches, and that manual addresses all the features of the 7S26 that is common to nearly all Seiko 5s. I imagine I can walk you through any other issues you might be having. The only Seikos that are not totally intuitive IMO are the quartz chronographs, which are sometime tricky to figure out.

 

[Aharami]

hey nice watch! and a DAMN good price as well! im sportin a SEIKO too. but i dont have a Seiko 5. is your watch waterproof?

 

[norxam]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: norxam

This manual seems to leave out some features. Does anyone know where i can find a Seiko 5 manual?

What features specifically? The Seiko manuals don't generally have any info about servicing the watches, and that manual addresses all the features of the 7S26 that is common to nearly all Seiko 5s. I imagine I can walk you through any other issues you might be having. The only Seikos that are not totally intuitive IMO are the quartz chronographs, which are sometime tricky to figure out.

What i want to know are the specs of the watch. Such as depth under water, max/min operating temp, and how long it will keep time with no movement.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: norxam

What i want to know are the specs of the watch. Such as depth, temp, and how long it will keep time with no movement

That stuff won't be in the manual.

The 7S26 is pretty good in terms of power reserve - it will keep time for about 40 hours fully-wound, without being moved.

Unless the watch is marked with any information about water resistance (it would have a depth rating in meters, like 100m or 200m, or in bar, like 10 bar), you can assume it is "water-resistant" and rated at 50m. Essentially this means you can safely wash your hands or walk in the rain, but I wouldn't swim in it or submerge it.

As for temp range, the watch's accuracy shouldn't be meaningfully affected by any temperature safe for humans. You MAY see slight fluctuations in accuracy depending on temperature, but they won't be major.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Here is what Seiko has to say on water resistance:

Question: What does water resistant really mean?

Answer: Two-thirds of all Seiko watches are designated water resistant. (Government guidelines prohibit manufacturers from labeling their watches "waterproof.") While you might think a water resistant rating such as "water tested to 50 meters" would mean that someone could safely wear a watch, say, scuba diving, it's really not that simple. Why? Because testing is done in still water, with a stationary watch. Movement greatly increases pressure, so it's necessary to translate the water resistance ratings into practical guidelines.

From the least to the most water resistant, the ratings are as follows:
Water Resistant These watches have withstood testing to depths of 24 to 30 meters (100 feet) and will tolerate splashes of water or rain, but should not be worn while bathing, showering, washing dishes, swimming or diving. Watches with this designation will have the words Water Resistant engraved on the caseback.
Water tested to 50 meters (165 feet) Okay for showering, bathing, dishwashing and swimming in shallow water. Not while snorkeling or scuba diving. The designation engraved on the caseback will be Water Resistant 5 BAR (BAR is a European equivalent of the international measurement ATM, or "atmospheres." To calculate the water-tested depth in meters, multiply the BAR number by 10.)
Water tested to 100 meters (330 feet) These watches are suitable for swimming and snorkeling, but not scuba diving. The caseback designation will read Water Resistant 10 BAR.
Water-tested to 150 meters (500 feet) These watches can be worn for general water sports, including snorkeling. The caseback designation is Water Resistant 15 BAR.
Water tested to 200 meters (660 feet) These watches can be worn for general water sports, including snorkeling and skin diving (without scuba gear). The caseback designation is Water Resistant 20 BAR.
Diver's 150 meters (500 feet) Meets ISO standards and is suitable for scuba diving.
Diver's 200 meters (660 feet) Seiko's diver's watches with the Water Resistant 20 BAR designation on the caseback are our most water-resistant models. They can be worn for recreational scuba diving but not for professional deepwater diving.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: fr
What's the difference between Kinetic and Automatic?

Kinetic is a quartz movement powered by the movement of your wrist. Automatic is a mechanical movement powered by the movement of your wrist. It's widely thought that Kinetic is more "cool," but Automatic is more "traditional."

I thought there were solar cells hidden in the watch face of the kinetic. Or am I mistaking the Kinetic with Citizen's EcoDrive?

I like the Seiko 5 as well, but I ended up with this. I wanted an everyday watch since I already have an old Longines that used to be my grandfather's to wear on dress occasions and the Vostok just looked as though it could take more beating. It has a 31 jewel movement which has gotten some nice reviews over on the Poor Man's Watch Forum. It's a solid watch, cheap plastic crystal but for $23 I'm not disappointed. And it's not that bad to have a jeweler replace the crystal later on with something a little more durable. The rest of the case looks and feels like it could survive a sledgehammer.

ZV

 

[norxam]

Originally posted by: DonVito
Here is what Seiko has to say on water resistance:

Question: What does water resistant really mean?

Answer: Two-thirds of all Seiko watches are designated water resistant. (Government guidelines prohibit manufacturers from labeling their watches "waterproof.") While you might think a water resistant rating such as "water tested to 50 meters" would mean that someone could safely wear a watch, say, scuba diving, it's really not that simple. Why? Because testing is done in still water, with a stationary watch. Movement greatly increases pressure, so it's necessary to translate the water resistance ratings into practical guidelines.

From the least to the most water resistant, the ratings are as follows:
Water Resistant These watches have withstood testing to depths of 24 to 30 meters (100 feet) and will tolerate splashes of water or rain, but should not be worn while bathing, showering, washing dishes, swimming or diving. Watches with this designation will have the words Water Resistant engraved on the caseback.
Water tested to 50 meters (165 feet) Okay for showering, bathing, dishwashing and swimming in shallow water. Not while snorkeling or scuba diving. The designation engraved on the caseback will be Water Resistant 5 BAR (BAR is a European equivalent of the international measurement ATM, or "atmospheres." To calculate the water-tested depth in meters, multiply the BAR number by 10.)
Water tested to 100 meters (330 feet) These watches are suitable for swimming and snorkeling, but not scuba diving. The caseback designation will read Water Resistant 10 BAR.
Water-tested to 150 meters (500 feet) These watches can be worn for general water sports, including snorkeling. The caseback designation is Water Resistant 15 BAR.
Water tested to 200 meters (660 feet) These watches can be worn for general water sports, including snorkeling and skin diving (without scuba gear). The caseback designation is Water Resistant 20 BAR.
Diver's 150 meters (500 feet) Meets ISO standards and is suitable for scuba diving.
Diver's 200 meters (660 feet) Seiko's diver's watches with the Water Resistant 20 BAR designation on the caseback are our most water-resistant models. They can be worn for recreational scuba diving but not for professional deepwater diving.

Thanks for the info. I guess i will just have to wait until my watch arives from Japan and see what it says.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I thought there were solar cells hidden in the watch face of the kinetic. Or am I mistaking the Kinetic with Citizen's EcoDrive?

I like the Seiko 5 as well, but I ended up with this. I wanted an everyday watch since I already have an old Longines that used to be my grandfather's to wear on dress occasions and the Vostok just looked as though it could take more beating. It has a 31 jewel movement which has gotten some nice reviews over on the Poor Man's Watch Forum. It's a solid watch, cheap plastic crystal but for $23 I'm not disappointed. And it's not that bad to have a jeweler replace the crystal later on with something a little more durable. The rest of the case looks and feels like it could survive a sledgehammer.

ZV

The Kinetic is powered by body movement. You're right about the Citizen EcoDrive, and Seiko has a similar solar-powered movement.

I wouldn't rush to replace that acrylic crystal. I actually really like acrylic crystals, because they are naturally glare-resistant, and scratches can be removed using Polywatch. IMO sapphire is the best crystal material, but I'd rather have acrylic than mineral glass, which is the most common material, and which lacks the scratch resistance of sapphire and the repairability of acrylic.

The Russian watches offer great value, and have made great strides over the years, but the Vostoks are never going to offer the fit and finish of a Rolex. Actually I think my next watch will probably be a Poljot chronograph - I don't own any mechanical chronographs, and they are by far the most affordable decent ones. Too bad the dollar is so weak - these watches used to be a lot cheaper for us Yankees than they are now.

 

[adlep]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: ApacheXMD
is that $47 price NEW? man i might have to get me a new watch

-patchy

Yup, brand new. No box, no manual, but protective decals and the Seiko tag were all on the watch. I'm guessing it's grey market or it's simply overstock that Seiko liquidates to dealers.

And its made in China...

 

[norxam]

Originally posted by: adlep

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: ApacheXMD
is that $47 price NEW? man i might have to get me a new watch

-patchy

Yup, brand new. No box, no manual, but protective decals and the Seiko tag were all on the watch. I'm guessing it's grey market or it's simply overstock that Seiko liquidates to dealers.

And its made in China...

I think they are made in Japan

 

[adlep]

Originally posted by: norxam

Originally posted by: adlep

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: ApacheXMD
is that $47 price NEW? man i might have to get me a new watch

-patchy

Yup, brand new. No box, no manual, but protective decals and the Seiko tag were all on the watch. I'm guessing it's grey market or it's simply overstock that Seiko liquidates to dealers.

And its made in China...

I think they are made in Japan

Yes, but they are being counterfited in China...
I can get a "Seiko" watch for $40.00 any day....But it won't be a Seiko, I can guarantee

 

[norxam]

I think they are made in Japan

Yes, but they are being counterfited in China...
I can get a "Seiko" watch for $40.00 any day....But it won't be a Seiko, I can guarantee [/quote]

Do you have anything to back this up. How can this Guarantee of yours be made?

IM not to worried about it myself, a $42.00 fake Seiko i can live with.

Are you trying to say these watches are fakes? I guess they could be anything could, but with the amount sold on eBay by this guy im guessing someone would have figured it out by now.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

The Seikos sold by reputable vendors on eBay are not Feikos - they are genuine. Jumpr's watch is real. I don't think you'll find any automatic Feikos made in the last 15 years or so - they are pretty nearly all quartz.

Seikos are made in Japan and Singapore (and perhaps elsewhere as well).

 

[adlep]

Originally posted by: norxam

I think they are made in Japan

Yes, but they are being counterfited in China...
I can get a "Seiko" watch for $40.00 any day....But it won't be a Seiko, I can guarantee

Do you have anything to back this up. How can this Guarantee of yours be made?

IM not to worried about it myself, a $42.00 fake Seiko i can live with.

Are you trying to say these watches are fakes? I guess they could be anything could, but with the amount sold on eBay by this guy im guessing someone would have figured it out by now.[/quote]

Relax, I was only kidding...
Yeah, Jumpr's deal was a steal...

 

[BigSmooth]

Nice deal, nice looking watch. I'd try eBay myself but watches are one of those things that I like to try on before buying.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I thought there were solar cells hidden in the watch face of the kinetic. Or am I mistaking the Kinetic with Citizen's EcoDrive?

I like the Seiko 5 as well, but I ended up with this. I wanted an everyday watch since I already have an old Longines that used to be my grandfather's to wear on dress occasions and the Vostok just looked as though it could take more beating. It has a 31 jewel movement which has gotten some nice reviews over on the Poor Man's Watch Forum. It's a solid watch, cheap plastic crystal but for $23 I'm not disappointed. And it's not that bad to have a jeweler replace the crystal later on with something a little more durable. The rest of the case looks and feels like it could survive a sledgehammer.

ZV

The Kinetic is powered by body movement. You're right about the Citizen EcoDrive, and Seiko has a similar solar-powered movement.

I wouldn't rush to replace that acrylic crystal. I actually really like acrylic crystals, because they are naturally glare-resistant, and scratches can be removed using Polywatch. IMO sapphire is the best crystal material, but I'd rather have acrylic than mineral glass, which is the most common material, and which lacks the scratch resistance of sapphire and the repairability of acrylic.

The Russian watches offer great value, and have made great strides over the years, but the Vostoks are never going to offer the fit and finish of a Rolex. Actually I think my next watch will probably be a Poljot chronograph - I don't own any mechanical chronographs, and they are by far the most affordable decent ones. Too bad the dollar is so weak - these watches used to be a lot cheaper for us Yankees than they are now.

I'm in no rush to replace it. Once it gets beat up beyond repair, I'll replace it. No sense in spending money to replace something that's not broken on a watch that's my everyday "beater".

And yeah, I certainly didn't expect a high-quality fit and finish. I wanted, and got, an inexpensive mechanical watch that will never need a new battery, keeps time better than my VCR, and has a solid stainless case. It's a watch to wear that I don't have to worry about, and it has its own "clunky slavic charm". It's like most things Russian, simple, rugged, and a little rough around the edges.

I love the Poljots, but they definitely weren't in my price range when I was looking at the Vostok.

ZV

 

[BigSmooth]

Well, just thought I'd add that I just couldn't resist the eBay prices and I picked up an automatic 5 myself, model number SNXF03K. Bracelet feels a little cheap but overall the watch looks great and from everything I've heard it should be a very reliable timepiece. Thanks also to DonVito who gave me some great info via PM. :thumbsup:

 

[kru]

damn yew. that watch looked pretty nifty so i bid on one of the guy's other watch auctions. ends in about 4 minutes. ATOT + eBay + paypal = impulse buys.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

I've bought two now...latest: very heavy

 

[wfbberzerker]

what i want is one of these

 

[UNCjigga]

How does Seiko Kinetic compare to Citizen Eco-Drive? I love my Eco-Drive and I bought it because I thought it looked better than similarly priced Seikos, though I hear Seiko is a better brand.

 

[Cuda1447]

Ive had a Seiko Kinetic for about 2 years now. Got it for my graduation present from my mom, and its DAMN nice. Must have been extremely expensive.