Seiko Arctura Kinetic Chronograph

Strumms

https://weirandsons.ie/gents-seiko-arctura-kinetic-chronograph-stainless-steel-bracelet-watch.html

all, just wondering as haven’t owned a Seiko before but is this watch and price, is it to be considered good value ? good quality by those in some kind of ‘know’… as regards watches and timepieces ?

Thanks for any tips or opinions….

Esel

Would you be able to read the time? 😀

Kaybaykwah

Ahh! So that's what it’s for.

Ryath

Legibility isn't great on it but if you like it, I would say it's overpriced. If you could find it for half that I'd consider it. Looks like a 1990's design and I'd say it is old stock. Seems to be launched around 2009 and I can't find it in stock in any of the usual sites I would know and recommend. You probably will have issues finding parts if you ever need to repair or replace bracelet. Lot of Kinetic models seeseems to lean towards fussy/busy designs and are very much of their time.

Kinetics don't have the best reputation for reliability either especially if it's not a watch you wear continuously. I'd favour going Quartz Solar if you want a Chronograph.

If you want a quirky Chrono I do like this one. You can get another 5 or 10% off depending on codes they are offering at the time. Would be much higher in finish and bracelet and will take a normal strap.

https://www.timeshop24.de/seiko-sfj001p1-prospex-speedtimer-chronograph-solar-42mm-10atm.html

Going for a more traditional design this range is nice and has tempted me a few times. They do a smaller case size also.

https://www.fields.ie/ssc911p1-seiko-prospex-speedtimer-41.4mm-solar-chronograph-black-and-grey-bezel-watch/18-01-2-0381.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw34qzBhBmEiwAOUQcF4qdA8ae0SXzOBCEKQxKIDY3aJsAyqe-tBScpnKwUvDvLFmkExfXEBoCC0AQAvD_BwE

H_Lime

Speedtimer is lovely and deffo preferable over the acura. The only problem with both as said is the time is essentially a sub dial which is no no for me.

redlead

I have one of these, a very similar white dial one to that that I bought circa 2004/2005 so its definitely a pretty old design at this stage but still looks good. To be honest I think its a very solid watch for that price, I think I paid something similar all the way back then. It feels better quality than similarly priced watches. It stopped holding its charge maybe 5 or 6 years ago and I never got around to servicing it. You're probably looking at 350 bucks every 10 or 15 years to service it.

traco

I have an Arctura Kinetic that I bought in Hong Kong for about $300 in the early 00's. Wore it for years as a daily and it sort of got parked. Took it out a few years ago and it wouldn't hold on its charge. Sent back to Seiko for repair but didn't sort the problem so I should maybe try and fix it myself. Mrs Traco doesn't like it but I do. Colour makes it easier to read and it was very reliable until I stopped wearing it as echoed above.

Lorddrakul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122248672#Comment_122248672

I had a Citizen solar that had a capacitor type battery. It too would not hold a charge. But I found the capacitor from a seller on Adverts, and just looked up a Youtube video.

I changed it at work one day, sat my desk with a screwdriver and a tooth pick. Worked just fine.

cnocbui

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122249729#Comment_122249729

I have a 1993 Eco-Drive and it's still running fine and holding a charge. Doesn't surprise me as the specs on the capcitor were that it was comprised of gold and titanium. I wonder if they persisted with such a technically high quality spec in later years?