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The new Seiko Arnie is a star, thanks to its forerunner’s memorable association with one of the world’s biggest (literally) and most enduring names: Arnold Schwarzenegger. It’s not unusual for watches to end up with an unofficial celebrity association that effectively comes to define the model. These genuine relationships between star and timepiece are often the most long-lived. It means so much more when a celebrity actually chooses to wear a product rather than insincerely strapping on whatever they’re being bribed to wear. It stands to reason that a watch chosen personally is far more likely to be a true reflection of them and their values, which is something that resonates with fans who wear watches for the same reasons. And so, when Arnold Schwarzenegger, one of the most bankable stars of the 1980s, donned models from Seiko’s first Ana-Digi hybrid quartz family (the Seiko H558-500x range) or modifications thereof, for films such as Commando, Raw Deal, Running Man, and Predator, the association was immortalized.

Now, almost 30 years since the H558-5000 series and its offshoots were discontinued, a new model reference has been released to fill the gaping void left by Arnie’s favorite ticker (aside from the one he had surgically repaired in 1997 and again in 2018). The biggest functional update to mention, off the bat, is the fact that this re-edition (which has not been released to coincide with any notable anniversary of the piece, which is decidedly off-brand) is actually solar-powered. Had the technology been affordable at the time, it’s an update I’m sure would have appealed to Arnie, given the environments in which his characters frequently sported the watch. (It’s hard to get a battery flipped in the jungle, after all.)

The original H558-5000 on which this Seiko SNJ025 Solar watch is based was released in 1982. As you can probably tell from the case, it is part of the Tuna family. But despite it clearly presenting a huge amount of Tuna DNA, it is known for being much thinner than the top-heavy models that would follow. It is pleasing to see that, while this new edition has crept up in diameter a little bit to 47.9mm (from the original 45mm), the thickness, although increased from the original’s 11.3mm, is still relatively conservative and wears very comfortably indeed.

This new release is composed of three models. We were lucky enough to sit down with them in Baselworld and have a good look at the much-improved build quality and the pleasing choice of colorways on offer. The solar movement driving the new releases is the Seiko H851. This movement features analog and digital time displays (enabling a dual-time readout), a chronograph function, an alarm, and a calendar. Using and setting the functions is likely to be simple enough — if it’s based on the old model’s function map, then it definitely will be — but the pieces we had a chance to photograph weren’t fully functional samples.

In terms of legibility, the new Seiko Arnie watches score high, but it must be said that those tiny hands are a drawback and will absolutely infuriate some watch fans. I can only imagine the hands have been so markedly stunted so they do not obscure the digital display when traveling past 12, but with modern electronic movement capabilities, I would have much preferred to see full-length hands that could be momentarily shifted out of the way of the digital display by the press (or even holding down) of a button (as is the case in the Casio Mudmaster Models).

There are some subtle alterations to the dial text, which are, in my opinion, for the better. The text on the 1980s models was often yellow (and in other cases, a more orangey shade of red). Here, we have a much brighter red/orange being used on the dial beneath the newly installed “Solar” printing. It works with every colorway and, in my opinion, looks particularly striking on the otherwise monochrome iteration. The PADI-branded model (with the Pepsi bezel) is, while my favorite PADI watch from Seiko, my least favorite in this collection simply because it over-dresses a watch that flourishes thanks to its brutal functionality.

Another change can be seen on the chapter ring. The modern SNJ025 uses a 24-hour ring instead of a depth-meter, which is almost certainly of more use to more people than the previous allocation of space. A depth meter doesn’t actually tell a diver any “live” information about their dive, is merely a chart that tells the diver how many seconds they need to safely surface from a depth of up to 50 meters (if the rotating bezel is aligned with 12 o’clock). Pretty niche, and pretty academic — while it may look cool, a depth-meter is not much use to the majority of people to whom this watch will appeal.

This means that, ultimately, this is a very solid, much-appreciated re-release of a treasured entry from Seiko’s back catalog, and a cool new reference to inspire the next generation of Arnie fanatics. The Seiko Solar “Arnie” SNJ025 and SNJ027 watches will retail for right around $520. There is no word on any planned limitation, so these pieces should be freely available, and given the relatively high cost of buying a vintage example in good condition, it is likely these updated and box-fresh units will fly off the shelves. Learn more about the ‘Arnie’ watch and Seiko brand history at seikowatches.com.

As we sail in times when it"s necessary for us to become more aware of our environment, it seems that solar powered watches" time is just coming up. And when you dig into the solar powered time-tellers, two lines stand out as the most popular: One from Citizen, their famous Eco-Drive, and other from Seiko, their Solar line. When you try to compare watches from Citizen Eco-Drive and Seiko Solar lines, you get a feeling as if you need to compare their parent brands, Citizen and Seiko, as these two sub-brands are their worthy representatives. Deciding which one is more worth your wrist is not only a tough decision; it also has more to do with fear of missing out, since, by now, both brands have hit a high-quality scale when it comes to their timepieces. The first thing that comes to my mind is that this is a super-tough decision, as both Citizen Eco-Drive and Seiko Solar have their piece of charm and deliver similar results in terms of performance. On the other hand, these two companies have somewhat different target groups. But if the coin has to fall on one side, then let"s examine what makes each of them so popular. To start doing it, we have to start from the beginning of the solar watch era, by reminding you that both Citizen and Seiko introduced their solar watches in the 1970"s. Citizen did so in 1976, to be exact, while Seiko did it a year later. The Eco-Drive was Citizen""s 1990"s breakthrough that placed the solar cells behind the dial, which put Citizen on a wide commercial market. On the other side, Seiko Solar line also improved over time, but its exquisite craftsmanship kept it reserved only for direct or sales through authorized dealers. In conclusion, Citizen is more of a commercial watch brand and even if Seiko isn"t particularly a luxury brand, it is still highly respected because of their focus on in-house, devoted production.

Undoubtedly, both Citizen Eco-Drive and Seiko Solar have evolved during the decades. In fact, over time, the solar technology itself has evolved so much that modern solar watches can now be powered by artificial light. Truth to be told, not all light sources will charge the watch the same and sunlight is still a king, but just the idea that your watch will be powered while there is some - or any light is super convenient. Citizen’s Eco-Drive was created with exactly the same idea in mind – to create energy even from the dim light and yet enable the watch to run for months without charging. Today, Eco-Drive employs solar cells behind and around dial (image above), to make charging super-quick. When it comes to Seiko, the story is pretty much the same, except the placing of solar cells. Seiko keeps them under their opaque dial (image below), which makes the watches stand out by their look. Only a minute of charge generates enough power for around an hour, which, together with long power reserve in rest mode, keeps Seiko in line with Citizen in these tracks.

As you may already know, in the past decades, both lines have significantly improved the longevity of batteries that run their watches, as well as their power reserves. When it comes to these two lines of solar powered or, better said, light powered watches, their current models have covered all the weak spots of their predecessors. In fact, they did it so well, that some solar timepieces are now among the most reliable ones, at least when it comes to power reserves. The same goes for accuracy whose fallout cannot really be felt in real life. If you need to go deeper into details, we"ve wrote about it earlier, in this article. But let"s not talk about what these two lines of light powered timepieces have in common, as that means a lot of things - let"s rather mention their differences to see what makes each of them stand out. When it comes to specific characteristics such as look and performances, Citizen"s Eco-Drive is employed in more different collections and models than when it comes to Seiko, so there are definitely more choices in Citizen"s case. On the other hand, most of the Citizen"s Eco-Drive watches rely on the quartz movement, while Seiko Solar line mostly employs automatic movements, but there are exceptions, of course. I think it would be wise to take a look at some of the most prominent models from both lines, to showcase the complexity of the matter.

When it comes to Citizen Eco-Drive Limited Models, Citizen Watch Eco-Drive 100th Anniversary AV0077-82E, Japan Limited Edition of 3000 Pieces is surely worth the mention. Marked with 100th anniversary logo on its back, its price goes from $800.

Citizen Eco-Drive Satellite Wave GPS with satellite-synchronized movement F990 from 2011 is another worthy representative of the line with its super-cool design and so called “time from the sky”. Prices of this piece go over $3500, but mind the fact that even this one is the older model, it is one of the coolest (and historical) Citizen’s watches.

Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Sky line has a model on the lower price end but surely worth mentioning: Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster JY8078-01L Blue Angels Skyhawk that delivers an excellent-looking timepiece for around $350.

Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Marine line delivers another affordable diver watch: Citizen Promaster BN0193-17E Rose Gold coated Eco-Drive Diver, which can be found for as low as $200.

Seiko Prospex Black Series Limited Edition Solar SNE493P1 and Seiko Prospex Black Series Limited Edition Solar Chronograph SSC673P1 are 2018 models on the higher price end and can be bought for slightly over $600.

Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster Digital Tuna Solar X LOWERCASE attracts attention with three models: White SBEP011, SBEP003 and SBEP005, whose price ranges from $270 to over $400.

The Seiko Prospex "Street Series" has 3 charming fellas: Solar Diver Navy Blue SNE533, Olive Green SNE535 and Grey SNE537 and their price goes around $450.

Seiko Prospex Arnie Re-Issue holds another 3 worthy solar representatives for around $500: Solar Hybrid Black LCD Watch SNJ025P1, SNJ027P1 and SNJ028P1 With all these facts in mind, I hope you have now realized why the first thing that came to my mind was that it’s almost impossible to decide. If you ask me, none if these watches is not even close to ordinary, but is rather a handsome, accurate and reliable timepiece. To briefly breakdown the financial side of the story, Citizen’s Eco-Drive may be less expensive choice than Seiko Solar in most cases, so Citizen may give you more value for your bucks. But the choice is tricky because Seiko plays on peculiar craftsmanship, so it really comes down to what you appreciate more. In the end, both choices will probably give you a watch that will last you a lifetime, so you cannot lose whatever you choose. So if you find yourself in situation where you must choose between Citizen"s Eco-Drive and Seiko Solar, maybe it"s best to ask yourself one simple question to determine to which target group you belong. What sounds more appealing to you: Saving money by buying more commercial brand or paying more for craftsmanship? There lies your answer.

Ever since watch winders have been available for sale, consumers who own Seiko Kinetic watches wonder why they cannot use a watch winder for their watches. Automatic movement watches work by motion and spinning of the watch"s inner rotor. The spinning of the rotor then winds the mainspring and powers the watch over time. There is no internal battery so usually the watch will stop running within 1-3 days.

The Seiko Kinetic movement watch is designed differently from traditional automatic movement watches. Seiko developed the first Kinetic watch back in 1988. The movement does have an internal rotor inside that swings, but it’s connected to a piece of quartz and a capacitor. The energy stored inside the capacitor powers the watch. The power stored on the watch can last up to 4 years or longer. Since the power last so long for Kinetic watches, we do not recommend purchasing a watch winder.

Many of our customers who purchase a watch winder for their automatic watches also own Seiko Kinetic watches and will use an unused slot to hold the Seiko Kinetic watch. It makes a nice display but the Kinetic watch will not take a charge from the circular motion of the watch winder. Seiko has produced a device called the Kinetic Energy Supplier that has an internal magnet which will power up your kinetic watches. They are made for technicians and watch dealers only so you won"t find them sold very often. Since Seiko Kinetic watches hold a charge for a long time, we do not see the need for a Kinetic energy supplier for the average person.

It was the quartz crisis (or quartz revolution) that helped put Japanese watch brands like Seiko and Citizen on the map for their affordability and their reliability, but both brands were manufacturing watches long before they began chiseling a chunk out of the watch market. Beyond sharing the same country of origin, Citizen and Seiko have other similarities as well as differences worth appreciating. Here’s an in-depth comparison guide of both watch brands and how they bear up against one another.

Seiko’s history is a rather dramatic one. Founder Kintarō Hattori created clocks between 1881 and 1892 but thereafter began specializing in watchmaking. The watches Seiko created for the general public were unaffordable up until the ’70s when quartz technology became simpler and cheaper to produce, and as a result, the public turned to buying quartz watches en masse.

Citizen’s history is much less dramatic and shorter. The company was co-founded by Swiss and Japanese investors and has spent its 100-year lifespan specializing in developing and refining sustainable watches. The company has focused on solar-powered wristwatches but also created the first atomic watch in 1993 – a watch that receives a signal from one of the atomic clocks. As a result, these watches would lose less than one second every 100 000 years! Like Seiko, Citizen’s brand exposure was helped along by the quartz revolution, many of their wristwatches of which are equipped with a Swiss movement despite their watchmaking facilities remaining in Japan.

Style-wise, both Seiko and Citizen have a large catalog of watches that span from the technically-heavy, higher-priced watch range down to those that sit within the fashion watch price bracket. Whilst Seiko is recognized for creating classic styles, Citizen has been more experimental and adventurous in its approach to watch manufacture, creating innovative timepieces that dare to break the mold. It also specializes more in quartz models as opposed to automatic.

Two technically sophisticated watches from the Promaster collection include the Promaster Land watch and the Pro master Sky watch. The Promaster Land is equipped with an altimeter and an electric compass. Others feature atomic time synchronization. The Promaster Sky watch relies on solar energy and offers countless functions that enable pilots to calculate flight data. It’s also available as a radio watch and is distinguishable by its titanium case which creates a lightweight feel on the wrist.

Citizen has used its satellite technology since 2011. Many watches receive a GPS signal from space, synchronized with atomic timekeeping. Although there are other models made by the manufacturer that relies on satellite technology, Citizen’s Elegant collection which is home to over 200 models is the best place to start searching if you’re looking to buy a Citizen satellite watch, especially if you prefer the look of a standard three-handed dial design with a date feature. The Promaster Echo-Friendly watch ref: JW0126-58E even features a stopwatch with a 1/1000th of a second.

Citizen’s sports collection is the place to find a sturdy and robust wristwatch, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors or if you’re an individual who takes part in a lot of sport. The models are equipped with 100 meters and are powered by quartz movements. Despite being classified as a sports watch, these timepieces look just as refined as some of the watches from the brand’s Elegant range like this model ref: AW1147-52L.

The Citizen Promaster Diver collection is home to around a dozen rugged diver’s watches for you to choose from. If you prefer your diving watch to offer additional features there are models like the BJ7111-51M which boast a colorful one-way rotating bezel and a GMT function, along with 200-meter water resistance. These Promaster Diver models are popular because of their robust qualities and their affordability, as well as their Eco-Friendly technology, powered by light.

Like collections from Citizen, the Seiko Prospex collection is renowned for its affordability. Its high-tech specifications are purpose-built for professionals. Models like the SLA017 is reminiscent of the first Japanese diving watch in 1965. Newer 40mm diver’s watches from Seiko’s Prospex range are equipped with 200-meter water resistance. They’re also propelled by mechanical calibers from the Grand Seiko range, particularly the Marinemaster Professional 300M. There’s also a range of quartz watches to choose from within the Prospex collection equipped with world timers, solar cells, radio reception, and stopwatch features.

The Seiko 5 is an affordable sports watch with prices that start from around 90 dollars. Sleek and sporty, these timepieces feature simple three-handed dials with day/date displays. The watches, being automatic, are so affordable because so many are made. The movements are considered low maintenance workhorses that guarantee precision without the pricier chronometer certification.

The Seiko Premier watch collection is where you will see traditional watchmaking elements brought through to modern designs. Roman numeral hour tracks are combined with bold 41mm and 43mm cases – some of which feature a two-toned aesthetic. Some models have kinetic movements, however, the majority are powered by quartz. There’s also a desire for these watches on the preowned market, where you can pick up a second-hand Seiko Premier watch for around 300 dollars.

Seiko uses all of its own components without the need from any external suppliers, making each timepiece incredibly good value for money. Watches from the lower-end scale at Seiko cost anything from around 100 dollars upwards but can stretch up to the thousands with watches from the Grand Seiko range. Because Citizen has created an equally large range of watches, the prices between their lower-end and higher-end watches are similar to Seiko (if we take out the Grand Seiko range for comparison reasons). Generally speaking, the more technical the Seiko or Citizen watch is, the higher the price tag.

On the whole Seiko and Citizen share similar recognition within the market. Both have focused on creating watches that are neither too flashy nor too expensive. Whereas Citizen has saturated the market with its solar-powered technology, Seiko relies more on its past to create classic, traditional-looking watches that tie in nicely with their history. If you’re looking for quartz or solar-powered watches as opposed to mechanical – Citizen is your best choice. But when it comes to style, both brands have created a huge range of watches that span from the dynamic and sporty, to the ultra-technical, to the clean and elegant.

We have a lot more guides to navigate your research for the perfect watch. Seiko is one of the most popular brand across its sport and elegan lines. If you are an hard-core Seiko fan you can read our Seiko SKX007 guide- one of the most popular entry diver of all times.

I took a chance on it anyway since it appeared to be in NOS (New Old Stock) condition. Of course, it arrived dead with the module (the electronic “movement”) having been damaged by battery corrosion, a common problem with these old LCDs. Fortunately the module is a single unit that is replaceable, if you can actually find one to replace it with. After some major digging, I was lucky enough to procure the last NOS module from a supply house and endeavored to swap it out myself, hoping that the LCD panel was still good. Armed with a technical manual downloaded from the Internet and a vodka tonic to steel my nerves, I went to work. After much finagling, I was able to perform the surgery without breaking anything. I popped in the battery and voila! It lived! Or rather, I should say it held on for a year before dying again. That was when I reached out to a buddy in the UK who works on Seiko LCDs for a more permanent fix, and he was able to resurrect it.

This question is asked by everyone who owns a battery powered watch and rightly so. Upon purchase of a new watch, the battery should last up to 2 years as a standard benchmark, on older watches we estimate 14-18 months. If your battery doesn’t last this long then find out the reasons why below.

Watches with functions such as; alarms, chronograph/stopwatches, LED displays etc. will drain your battery faster than a standard analogue watch. Be careful not to leave the chronograph running permanently as this can drain the battery up to 40% faster! Water damage, corrosion and the age of your watch will also influence the frequency of battery changes required. The older the watch is the more the lubricants inside degrade and try to slow the movement down. Also remember that you never know how long the "new" watch has been stored with the manufacturer or retailer before purchase, making battery life prediction difficult. More complex watches seen from brands such as Diesel may have up to 5 batteries inside to power the multiple dials and functions. Each one will last a different amount of time, so we would recommend to have all changed in one go.

The obvious answer would be, when your watch has stopped working, though you may want to prevent that from happening in the first place. Many watches will display ‘symptoms’ of low power; this is usually where the second hand will jump or skip a few seconds in one go, you may also notice that your watch is no longer keeping time correctly.

Any of these signs are key indicators that your watch requires a battery replacement. Please be warned not to leave an old battery in a watch for too many years as severe damage can occur inside the watch when acids leaks out.

Depending on the quality of battery used, your replacement should last up to 18 months; the lower the quality of battery brand and the longer the battery has been stored before fitting will greatly affect its life expectancy. Here at Creative Watch Co, we only use the highest quality Swiss Renata batteries with the freshest dates to ensure that you are receiving the best watch battery. We also guarantee the life of your replacement for 12 months from the date of purchase and will replace this for you free of charge if it’s faulty. We offer this as a while you wait service for most brands with prices ranging from £8 to £25 depending on the make of watch, and those with more than one battery the price will increase accordingly. If the battery in your watch lasts less than 12 months, it’s probably time to consider getting the movement serviced.

Lithium Ion batteries are designed to last much longer than a conventional battery. These are often found in watches with glowing backlights or multiple functions; the complex makeup of these cells gives them an impressive life expectancy of 5 years or more.

As with all watches but especially those worn in water i.e. swimming or scuba diving, we would always recommend having your watch pressure/seal tested alongside the battery change. Our horologists use a state of the art Swiss testing machine for this. If your watch seal is damaged, we are able to replace this for you too. A battery and pressure test usually takes 1 hour to complete and starts from £35 (including the price of your battery). This test is worthwhile if you believe that your watch is at risk from moisture damage such as perspiration, and you want your watch to work for as long as its been designed to.

Citizen and Seiko are amongst the biggest watch brands in the world. Their inexpensive watches makes it affordable to own different type and styles of watches without breaking the bank. Their dedication to produce and develop watches in an affordable range, in quality that outlast its value has made both brands popular to people needing a watch and even collectors.

Citizen Eco-Drive is best for people wanting an accurate watch, which is cheap to maintain but has a limited lifespan. Seiko automatics is for people with the romantic idea of a watch that isn’t using any electronic technology, however more expensive to maintain but can theoretically last forever.

There is a lot into the discussion of whether Citizen Eco-Drive or Seiko automatic’s is better. Throughout this post, you can read all the pros and cons of the Citizen and Seiko watches.

A direct comparison of the two brands is quite difficult. Seiko has some quality automatic watches. Whereas Citizen Eco-drive watches is typically in the entry-level range. However, sticking to the entry-level watches, a conclusion must be made!

The conclusion is based on what most people looking at comparing a Citizen Eco-Drive watch to a Seiko automatic watch would seek in a watch at that price range.

Citizen Eco-Drive watches is better for people willing to accept a limited lifespan of about 20 years (which is not that limited). The return is a lower cost for maintenance and very accurate timekeeping.

Seiko automatic watches are better for people looking for watches build on heritage, high precision engineering, which can easily last a lifetime. The cost is higher maintenance costs.

The reason a Citizen Eco-Drive will be a better watch for most of the people comparing the Citizen to the Seiko is simply due to the lower cost and maintenance of the Citizen Eco-Drive watches.

Automatic watches can last longer than an Eco-Drive watch if treated correctly. While the longevity of the Eco-Drive watches is “only” 20 years, it will also be suitable for most people buying a watch in the price range of the Citizen.

Citizen Eco-Drive watches will be better for most people comparing the Citizen Eco-Drive watches to the Seiko automatic watches. The Citizen Eco-Drive movement has a limited lifespan due to the technology of capacitors and quartz watches. In contrast, an automatic watch can last forever under the right care. Citizen Eco-drive watches is all-in-one watches when it comes to durability and ease of use. Citizen watches are sold at a fair price on Amazon and you will find a huge variety of watches to fit your style.

Another consideration is that Seiko tends to go for a more classic look. In contrast, Citizen is very experimental in their styles. Therefore, the broad appeal and style might go to the Seiko’s.

If I were to purchase a Seiko automatic watch, I would go for the Seiko Diver SKX007. It is a popular diver watch, it’s pleasing to look at, and it has a lot of spare parts, which makes it cheap to service (also at the jeweler or watchmaker).

If the choice were to go for a Citizen Eco-Drive watch, I wouldn’t hesitate to go for the Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive. It has a beautiful blue dial with a stainless steel case and bracelet. It reminds me of my Omega Seamaster Professional 300M, which I love and enjoy every day.

There is no right or wrong going with either a Citizen Eco-Drive watch or a Seiko automatic watch. For you, as the consumer, it depends on what you look for in a watch. They both have their pros and cons.

Citizen was made first registered in 1918 in Switzerland ‘, for watches that were sold in Japan. Throughout the 1920s, the Citizen brand’s mission was to make watches affordable to the general public.

Citizen is actually a big corporation rather than a single watchmaker. Citizen has taken their corporation into many different divisions. One division takes care of the sales of the watches (Japan CBM Corporation), another makes automotive parts, LCD cells, watch face components, etc. (Citizen Seimitsu Co., LTD.), another makes the actual movements (Citizen Miyota Co., LTD).

While building their watches, Citizen has also purchased other watch brands such as Bulova, Frederique Constant, and Arnold & Son. In January 2008, Citizen purchased Bulova, which made them the largest watchmaker in the world. In 2016, Citizen purchased the swiss Frederique Constant Group.

Citizen was a company founded back in 1930 by Swiss and Japanese investors. The Citizen name took over what was called Shokosha Watch Research Institute, which was founded in 1918. In that takeover, Citizen got some assembly plants.

Citizen was the first watchmaker to introduce the first multi-band atomic timekeeping watch. Synchronizing to atomic timekeeping gets an accuracy of up to 1 second within 100.000 years.

In 2010 the Citizen owned company, Miyota, introduce the UHF movement. A quartz movement with a frequency of 262.144 Hz, whereas a regular quartz watch, has 32768 Hz. The UHF movement is claimed to be precise within ± 10 seconds per year. A neat feature introduced was a sweeping hand, rather than a ticking hand.

With the introduction of solar power, Citizen wanted something that the other kids on the playground didn’t. Therefore, Citizen came up with the brilliant idea of the Eco-Drive Technology.

A solar panel is hidden underneath the dial. The Eco-Drive technology doesn’t use a conventional battery, but rather a capacitor (basically a rechargeable battery). Furthermore, the power is stored in capacitors working in the Eco-Drive technology.

The Eco-Drive technology was first introduced in 1995 in Asia and Europe. The main fuzz about Eco-Drive technology is the light-absorbing plate underneath the dial. This means the watch’s appearance is not disturbed by an ugly brown/black rectangular solar panel.

What makes the Citizen Eco-Drive watches appealing is the fact that it is not possible to see the actual solar panel. On a full charge, an Eco-Drive watch can last 6 months without any light sources. What makes the Eco-Drive so spectacular is its possibility to charge through natural and artificial light. Getting a full charge under a sunny day only takes 11 hours (and lasts 6 months in complete darkness). To charge the watch, simply expose the watch to light, any light:

With the technology being able to store energy from just 1,000 lux, it is safe to say that the watch will not be needing any direct sunlight, even if you spend most of the time in the dark corners of the office. Furthermore, you never need to change the capacitor (rechargeable battery, fundamentally).

The energy is stored across several integrated capacitors, which cant be changed. To back up the capacitors, some models also have a removable capacitor/rechargeable battery, which is used if the integrated capacitors have run out of energy. Most Eco-Drive models will give an indication of when it has reached this level (internal energy storage is low) with the second hand jumping 2 seconds per tick every 2 seconds.

A Citizen Eco-Drive watch lasts at least 10 years. The battery in the Eco-Drive watches can last between 45 days to 1,825 days (5 years) on a full charge. Citizen has made some experimental test that shows that the solar cells and secondary batteries last for at least 10 years. Furthermore, Citizen expects the power storage capacity to function at about 80% effectiveness after 20 years. The newer models of the Citizen Eco-Drive watches have secondary batteries that are expected to last at least 40 years.

The battery duration depends on the model. Models with the power save feature will use the battery more efficiently than a model without the power save feature. The power-saving feature stops the watch when it detects darkness (e.g., when being on the nightstand), once there is enough light again the watch will remember the time at which it went to sleep and count the time forward and automatically adjust.

While Citizen market that the battery should never need a replacement, the watches should still be serviced from time to time. If the watch is not maintained, it will not last more than 5 years. The gaskets which secure the water resistance, the lubrication that protects the gears fade, and the watch will start to wear out.

Seiko is a much younger company compared to Citizen. Seiko was founded back in 1881 when it was solely a watch and jewelry shop. 11 years later, the owner began to produce clocks. The first name of Seiko was “Seikosha,” however, due to the supernatural believes the word glory cant be used (the sha part of Seiko-sha). In 1924 the name, therefore, got reduced to just Seiko from Seikosha.

Seiko got very popular due to their invention of the first watch called Astron. It was the world’s first production quartz watch. The price of the watch in today’s money would be around $8,000. Later, Seiko invented the self-energizing attributes on an automatic watch with quartz accuracy. The movement can, therefore, be powered by everyday activities. The type of movement is what in 1991 was branded as Seiko Kinetic.

Now don’t get to baffled, but Seiko manages to rake in $35 billion per year. In contrast to Citizens $3 billion, Seiko got a significant upper hand here. However, Seiko has a lot of other businesses which is not directly selling watches. Besides the watches, Seiko is also engaged in shutters for cameras, production equipment, manufacturing and marketing of integrated circuits (IC), wholesale marketing of lenses and frames for glasses, etc.

The different watch categories are used to separate customer segments. Seiko 5 is their well-known entry-level mechanical watches. In contrast, Grand Seiko is their luxury watches. The Seiko 5 is what is most commonly seen on a wrist around the world. Whereas, the Credor is not that well recognized throughout the U.S. and Europe.

The Seiko 5 is a series of many different watches. The range includes different divers, strap options such as leather and steel, transparent, or steel case backs. In essence, a product line with a lot of versatility. The Presage is what most will consider the entry-level as well. However, slightly more expensive. Lastly, is the Grand Seiko, a luxury brand. Grand Seiko met a lot of resistance when Seiko reviewed that they intended to produce luxury watches. The critique came because Seiko was known for affordable entry-level watches in a respectable quality, but not luxurious.

The Seiko is a lot less innovative and elegant in comparison to the Citizen Eco-Drive Technology. Automatic watches have been around since the 1770s. Seiko is in contrast to Citizen more focused on their automatic movements rather than their quartz. Seiko has therefore perfected more on their automatic watches rather than their quartz.

While Seiko is in the low-cost brack of automatic watches, their movements should be taken for granted. They are very durable and sturdy. You will rarely hear a Seiko owner complain about the actual movement of the watch. Owners of Seiko watches know that Seiko isn’t the most precise brand when it comes to their automatic watches. However, they are affordable, cheap to service, cheap to maintain, and durable.

The movement 7S26A has been used in a lot of watches and has stood the test of time. Many users have been pleased with the movement. It is, however, discontinued and updated to a new reference number: 4R36. The 4R36 was introduced in 2011, where the 7S26A was discontinued, and modern upgrades such as Seiko’s Diashock and hacking of the movement was added to the new 4R36 movement.

The Seiko Diashock system is a shock resistance system that strengthens the durability of the watch. Not that you should drop the watch all the time, it should be able to handle it a few times without damages. The durability of these watches is incredible.

A lot of divers use Seiko watches. First of all, they are cheap, so if something should happen to the watch, it is not the same financial burden as if using a Rolex Submariner. Furthermore, Seiko is known for being a highly durable watch that can take a beating.

Automatic movements are made to last forever, as they are assembled of metallic components which can be replaced when worn out. This, however, means service. The services should be in intervals every 3-5 years to ensure the watch works appropriately. However, servicing is what makes the automatic watches more expensive compared to the Citizen Eco-Drive watches.

A Seiko automatic watch can virtually live forever if the owner(s) treat it with the correct care. This means service intervals, abuse, and just good general care for the watch should be respected. An automatic watch can last forever. Seiko is reputable for making long-lasting automatic watches.

Avoid the danger zone when setting the watch. The “danger zone” is the period between 9 pm and 2 am. The date mechanism is engaged on most watches in that period, and therefore setting the watch can damage the components.

While a lot of modern watches can withstand big shocks and everyday wear, they are not meant to direct abuse. If you are working at a high striker (carnival sledgehammer game), you should consider not wearing a watch.

The recommended service intervals for automatic watches in the quality of a Seiko is 3-5 years. The service should just be like a doctor check-up. Every 10 years, the watch should have an overhaul, meaning disassembling the watch, relubricating every part, replacement of worn parts, and gaskets.

AllInWatches is founded by Jonas, who has a great interest in mechanical watches. All aspects of manual and automatic (mechanical) watches is a big interest and have been a passion since 2015, where the first automatic watch was purchased. Seeing the transparent case back and discovering the heritage of watchmaking piqued an interest in horology.

Hublot is a watch brand pronounced o͞o blo. The name Hublot is derived from a French word meaning “porthole”, which is the inspiration for the look and design of the watch. This watch became...

Watches are not just a useful tool for telling time; they are so much more than that. They’re a fashion statement and can be a tasteful accessory to a good outfit, complementing a man’s overall...

The concept of Grand Seiko was born from the desire to build the world"s best watch, and the collection continues to push precision in mechanical watches to the limits of timekeeping technology.

As a true manufacture, Grand Seiko combines the latest technology with its long experience in craftsmanship to raise the art of watchmaking to new heights.

With anywhere between 200 and 300 individual components, mechanical watches must exhibit a near-perfect consistency in the detail of these parts to ensure the precision of the movement. High technology plays an important part in ensuring the level of performance required by the Grand Seiko Standard. For example, Seiko employs Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) in the manufacturing of its escapements, bringing to its mechanical watches a technology that was born in the development of semi-conductor manufacturing. Perfect components alone, however, cannot deliver the level of precision for which Grand Seiko is renowned. The task of assembling each Grand Seiko watch is carried out by craftsmen and women who have honed their craft to such an extent that they can adjust parts by hand to tolerances of one hundredth of a millimeter. It is the combination of high technology and this skilled craftsmanship that ensures the very precise timekeeping of each 9S mechanical movement.

Yesterday I bought an old Bell-Matic at a thrift store. I am trying to date it. The Model # on back is 4006-7019 and on the face is 4006-70207 AD. The serial number on the back is 7000031. Thanks for your help.

The serial number that you gave me is 7 digits long, instead of six. Can you confirm whether your Bell-Matic has “waterproof” or. “water resistant” markings on the caseback?

Just bought a used 9020-7010, SNo. 560117. As I learned from your detection rules, the watch was made in June, 1995 (or 1985?). The current product no. is 177, right? Is there a source that can tell how many pieces of that watch were produced? (It has 14 kt gold back. No steel!)

Therefore it’s quite probable that yours was from June 1985. Although your serial number has the number 177, it is actually piece #178, because the first watch made in any month has the ending 4 digit numbers starting with “0000” and not “0001”.

The reason that I asked for the serial number verification is because a 7-digit serial number applies to vintage Seiko watches made between 1966 and 1967. Most Bell-Matics I’ve seen in pictures (I own two myself) are from the early 1970s. It’s quite rare to see one that’s made in the late 60s. So there you have it – October 1967. You have one of the earliest Bell-Matic models, which is a rare occurrence. The “Water Proof” marking also confirms that your watch has to be from 1967 and not 1977, because it if were from 1977 (about the time the Bell-Matics were discontinued) it would have “Water Resistant” marked instead.

John Nelson (John N) is a contact of mine and he used to run a site dedicated towards Seiko Bell-Matics; he would know about the subject more intimately. I bought a 4006-6040 from him two years ago as he was liquidating his collection.

Hi, I have a Seiko lady’s watch that is very confusing to me. The serial # is 880186. It also has the # 55105 on the face and inside it is 17J and 11A witch i am unable to find any information on it. I would appreciate any information you can give me. Thanks, Tammy

Not much is known about the hand winding Cal 11A as to when it first appeared and when it was discontinued. However, it’s believed that this caliber was introduced in 1970.

My best guess is that your watch was made on August 1978, based on your serial numbers on the back of the watch. The numbers on the dial refer to the dial code and is not used for dating the watch.

I recently received a SNK315K from the US, 1D1107, and I notice that the caliber is 7S26c, whereas my SNKE53K1dated June 2011 is a 7S26b. Does this mean Seiko has upgraded the 7S26 caliber recently?

I haven’t been poking my nose in watch stores for a long time, but word has it from the Seiko collector communities is that the 7s26C version did appear sometime in 2011. Some believe that the 7s26C has a more pronounced, elevated pinion in the movement for better height clearance for the main time hands. If this is true, then it should solve cases of sticking second hand that tend to rest exactly where the minute hand lies when the main spring is nearly unwound. So far I noticed that one of my watches (7s26B caliber) has this problem.

Thanks for reporting your watch production dates. Since you have observed your SNK315K is from December 2011 and your SNKE53K from June 2011, this narrows down 7s26C’s debut between the months between June and December 2011. More feedback from owners having the newer 7s26C movement are needed to pinpoint the exact month Seiko introduced the 7s26C.

The new Seiko solar powered watches should be at least equal to Citizen’s Eco Drives. Actually Seiko has had solar powered watches dating to the late 90s or early 2000s, but they weren’t as popular as Citizen Eco Drive watches. For Seiko, they were busy pushing their Kinetic technology while Citizen had no choice but move forward with what they’re already good at – light powered watches. Once upon a time, Citizen made a few models based on its Eco Drive Duo technology (solar and kinetic movement charged), but they were quite expensive. Those watches were probably more efficient at charging using sources of light than the wrist movement, therefore it made the “kinetic” charging method redundant.

I might buy one of those nice Seiko Solar chronographs this year. I saw quite a few models when I visited Singapore last October and was tempted to buy one, but I’ll wait for newer solar powered chronographs to appear.

The reason I asked about Seiko solar was I saw a SNE031 advertised recently and considered buying it. I was waiting for the SNK315 to arrive and discovered that the two watches are virtually identical (37mm across and 10-11mm thick with very similar plain white/cream faces). In the end they were too similar, despite the different mechanisms, so I’ve changed tack (see your chronograph blog).

The SNE-series solar watches are one of Seiko’s latest revivals into the solar powered watch scene and this time they’re putting more effort into promoting them. I expect them to be vastly improved versions of their earlier efforts. Its solar panels are located behind the translucent dial like the surface of a white ping pong ball. Your Promaster AV0031-59A’s solar panels on the other hand, are located at the subdial apertures. It’s best that you view the SNE031 yourself before buying it, in case you prefer solid, opaque dials.

My SKA is the black 198P. There is considerable similarity to my recently bought SMY115 – which you gave the suffix P, which I assume means that both watches were assembled in Singapore. Does the suffix K indicate Hong Kong assembly?

I shan’t be buying the SNE031. I was looking at it amongst a group of watches but in the end I plumped for a Citizen CA0021-53A, which had features that encapsulated the whole group.

Yes, the “K” suffix designates a Seiko watch that is cased in Hong Kong (China). Do note that some models that are exclusive to the U.S. market do not have any letter suffix at all. Some examples include the SKXA35 and SNM035 automatic diver’s models. They are not referred to as the “SKXA35K” or “SNM035K”. U.S. market models also have the country of manufacture printed on the dial to comply with the American Federal Trade Commission labeling laws. For watches that are made in China, they are clearly marked “Mov’t Singapore” or “Mov’t Malaysia” and “Cased in China” in fine print on the dial.

The Citizen CA0021-53A is a great looking watch, but personally I avoid watches with no contrast between the dial and the hands/markers. They’re hard to read the time in dim lighting. BTW, have you ever considered Orient automatic watches before? I have an Orient CEY04002B and it’s a very fine dress/sports automatic, with a power reserve indicator and perpetual world time. For its asking price, Seiko offers nothing like it. A unique feature of the Orient CEY04002B is its sapphire glass display back, which is quite unusual as most watches with see-thru casebacks use the cheaper mineral glass.

I looked at the SNK315K I received allegedly from the US this week but the curiosity is it does have the suffix K and no origin printing on the face, even with a maginfying glass. Perhaps a US entrepreneur imports for export but not for the US market?

In that regard, I used the hotlink re the Orient CEY04002B and came up with an LA supplier who clearly indicated “USA only”. I subsequently looked at a Singapore supplier just out of interest as my budget and brain are exhausted for the time being. I will probably end up with a simpler Orient power save indicator automatic some time in the future.

I take your point about the CA’s white on white but we all wear watches by circumstances and mood. I go to meetings regularly and generally wear black faced watches like my Citizen BM8430 or my SKA (thanks again for identifying it) or SMY Seiko kinetics which allow me to glance at the time. I have drawn up for fun and some self-indulgent justification a list of my 18 “active” watches and how I intend to use each of them.

In the early 2000s, Asian market Seikos were available exclusively from Southeast Asian and Hong Kong based sellers. Things have changed since then, with a few enterprising Far East based watch sellers setting up offices in the U.S. to cater for the North American market. Such watches, including your SNK315K Seiko 5 are considered parallel imports from Seiko USA’s point of view.

The Orient CEY04002B is a watch that’s worth saving for, because it’s a lot of watch for the asking price. There is also a Japan market, limited edition model that uses the identical movement but sells for USD2,000. I’ve seen the watch in person and have taken photos of it at my regular watch store. After a year sitting on the shelf, the watch was returned to the distributor as nobody wanted to spend that much on a “mere Orient” watch.

I have ordered a FEU07008DX as a starter, just over $100 delivered and very interesting looking. As to the CEY04002B, what about the slightly more expensive CFA05001B? I prefer the look of the latter and the specs seem very similar.

My only problem with having a surfeit of automatics is keeping them all going. I know you say it’s not really necessary but an Orient site suggests they should be wound at least once a week to keep the lubrication constant.

It’s also suggested that it is best practice to keep an automatic on your wrist for eight to 12hours a day. Obviously with a reasonable number of watches, including potentially five automatics, that won’t happen.

I got the FEU and to my surprise and mild disappointment it turned out to be a FEU07005BX instead of the 8D; the former is thicker, heavier and mineral rather than sapphire.

Thank you for all your expertise, advice and interest. After $2000 or so I’ve done my dash and reached a respectable 20 watches so it really is time to stop!

Congratulations on buying both (wow!) Orient watches.