If your Seiko Kinetic stops soon after you have stopped wearing it (overnight), it will require a Service, which includes a new "Seiko Upgrade Kit".
Technical
Seiko Kinetic watches are designed with a very special circuit that compensates for heavy loads, such as when the Day/Date is changing at midnight or if the watch is knocked as the seconds hand is moving.
When a heavy load is encountered the watch switches to high power mode to keep it at the correct time, the power used jumps from 0.7 Micro Amps to over 8 Micro Amps and this is about twelve times the normal power.
The problem is that the watch will eventually stay in this high power mode. This is caused by the gas escaping from the Capacitor over the years; this gas cannot escape out of the watch case and condensates on the mechanism and contaminates the oils making the movement very stiff. The only solution is to clean the movement thoroughly.
It is no use just changing the cell without cleaning the movement as it is just a waste of money, it will not hold a charge for more than a few weeks.
We fit the new "Seiko upgrade kit", containing a rechargeable Accumulator (Titanium Carbon Lithium Ion), which is fitted in Seiko's new Kinetic watches, metal clamp and insulator.
This Seiko upgrade kit will provide power for months of inactivity as it is 30 times more powerful and should last 20 years.
There are people just changing the cell for about £40 on eBay, with no guarantee; so why not get it done properly.
What We Do
Our Seiko full service procedure is designed to ensure that every timepiece leaving Kinetic Repairs workshop complies with its original functional specifications.
Timekeeping accuracy and water-resistance are rigorously tested to guarantee the level of quality and reliability you naturally expect from a Seiko watch.
The movement is dismantled and each component is ultrasonically cleaned in specially formulated solutions to remove the contamination from the capacitor.
After cleaning a watchmaker closely examines each individual component of the movement and identifies which components require replacement. Only genuine replacement Seiko parts are fitted and there is no extra charge.
Using the most advanced lubricants, each functional component of the movement is carefully lubricated to minimise friction and prevent wear. This ensures that the movement of your Seiko timepiece will continue to give your Seiko watch many more years of extremely high accurate timekeeping.
We upgrade the old capacitor with the very latest cell (Titanium Carbon Lithium Ion). Or if it is a Quartz watch, a high quality watch battery is fitted.
The case is carefully reassembled and the seals replaced to guarantee the water resistance to the original pressure. The compression test – will reveal the presence of even the smallest leak.
Rigorous quality checks are carried out at each stage of the servicing process. During the final check, the power reserve, the power being used and the accuracy of your watch are verified one last time against manufacturing specifications to guarantee the highest possible standard of quality.
We return your watch in 7 to 14 days (average 9 days) with no hidden charges and by Royal Mail Insured "Special Delivery" to any UK address.
We also ultrasonically clean your watch bracelet to get the dirt and grit out of it, that's wearing it away.
After a full service, your Seiko is covered by a Service Guarantee. This guarantee excludes any damage or deterioration that results from an accident or from mishandling of the watch. Any intervention by a third party will void the Service Guarantee.
There may be an extra charge for case parts (like a screw down crown) or expensive bracelet parts.
Tips on looking after your Kinetic watch
Batteries do not like heat, so don't keep it on a radiator shelf and its best not to wear it in bed.
We have tested some of these Accumulators that are out of Seiko Kinetics that are now 10 years old and they are almost as good as new, so should last at least 20 years if kept cool and charged.
Note:- Watch winders will not charge a Kinetic watch, it has to be a "Charger".
Do not put your watch in your pocket, as we get many watches that have a metal bracelet badly damaged, this is because it has been in their pocket and has got bent backwards.
If the fold over clasp is not very tight, DO NOT bend the centre catch part as it WILL snap off, you can usually bend the outer ones a little.
If you decide to clean it yourself or get a watch-repairer to do it, the movement must be stripped down and the coils removed so no cleaning fluid gets on them or they will be damaged.
All the Seiko Kinetic watches that we service are soaked for 12 hours to soften the oils prior to being ultrasonically cleaned.
As the new Upgrade Kits do not gas off, the mechanism will not get contaminated in the future, providing the movement has been cleaned.
Seiko Kinetic watches can be dated by the first number of the serial number on the rear case at the bottom (i.e. 7xxxxx = 1997, 2007, 2017)
Our charges are much less than the high street as there is no middleman. Also you will have your watch back between four and ten times quicker.