Seiko Kinetic Watch: Greater Power Reserve, Better Accuracy

Seiko is one of the watch brands known for its innovation. As the one who brings quartz to life, Seiko Watches is always keen on making cutting-edge technology to bring exclusivity and novelty to the watchmaking industry. One of the most impressive innovations to know is the Seiko Kinetic watch.

Efficiency and practicality become Seiko’s main considerations in making innovation. The same also applies to its kinetic technology that pays attention to the wearer’s convenience and even environmental sustainability as well. In brief, kinetic watches are similar to eco-friendly watches that provide extended life for the battery. 

That said, Seiko Kinetic becomes one of the company’s conceptualizations in making ingenious movements, alongside its quartz and solar watches. In this article, we’re going to take a closer look into what Seiko Kinetic watches are and some recommendations that you can look for.

What is Seiko Kinetic Watch?

The word ‘kinetic’ might give you a little clue about how the movement works. The Seiko Kinetic watch contains an internal electrical generator referred to as a capacitor. It gains energy from any movement made by the wearer’s wrist once it is used. Yes, it is similar to how self-winding watches work.

The generated energy will be used in a rechargeable battery that can last for a long time, reducing the hassle of changing the battery as in quartz watches. That said, it makes the watch also a more eco-friendly option to choose from.

Read also: How Do Mechanical Watches Work? Scrutinizing The Inner Parts

Kinetic vs Automatic Watches

To this extent, you might be wondering how Seiko Kinetic differs from self-winding watches. The main difference lies in how the energy is stored inside the movement. While both of them have rotors and gain energy automatically from the wearer’s movement, they store the received energy in a different place. 

Automatic watches store the energy inside the spring while Seiko kinetic movement uses a capacitor to store the energy. That said, both movements have fairly similar ways to keep the watch running – both need regular wearing for the rotor to gain energy. 

In addition to that, Seiko offers better power reserve in its kinetic movement. Most automatic watches can last for around 50 hours and the maximum numbers would be less likely to go over a couple of days. However, the power reserve in Seiko kinetic watches can be measured in months.

Kinetic vs Solar Energy Watches

To be honest, comparing Seiko’s kinetic movement and its solar energy watches is more likely about preferences. Yet, I believe that some of you still ponder which one to get between the two options. So, which one is better between kinetic and eco-friendly watches? Well, it depends on your needs as each type has its own pros and cons. 

As for the source of energy, Seiko kinetic watches need to be regularly worn to maintain the watch’s function. On the other hand, eco-friendly watches only need light to recharge – natural or artificial light. That said, the answer does really depend on how you are willing to take care of your watch.

If you love spending time outdoors, a solar watch might be a good option. However, if you want to take an edgier, I would really recommend having a Seiko Kinetic timepiece. 

Read also: Seiko Solar Watches: A Brief Talk on Mechanism and Collection

5 Seiko Kinetic Watches to Add to Your Collection

Now that you have read what Seiko Kinetic watches are and how they work, we have collected some recommendations. Followed with details and description, read the rest to find one that might pick your interest.

Seiko Prospex SKA413 “Adventure”

A complete package of reliable professional diving tools, the Seiko Prospex SKA413 “Adventure” offers almost everything you need as a dive watch. A sturdy stainless steel case to withstand any bump or scratches and the ability to handle for up to 200m of depth.

Seiko Prospex SKA413 “Adventure”

Completed the final appearance, a black bezel fitted with silver gear-like edges. These features allow the wearer to operate the bezel with ease, especially if they use gloves or are in a diving suit. In addition to that, the bezel can count up to sixty minutes of elapsed time and rotate unidirectionally.

Seiko Prospex SUN065 GMT PADI

Another Seiko Watch Kinetic from the Prospex edition with a list of reliable features and performance. In a special collaboration with PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the watch appears in a stunning style – a combination of blue and silver colors that looks great, especially underwater. 

Further, the watch also offers a second time zone display, meaning that it uses Kinetic GMT movement variation in particular. The GMT complication makes the watch not only a reliable dive watch but also a good companion for adventurers. 

Seiko Coutura SRN066 Kinetic Retrograde

Quite different from the previous Seiko Kinetic watches, the Coutura SRN066 Kinetic Retrograde comes in a dressy style. Yet, it’s still quite reliable to handle some water splashes or dips with its 100m of water resistance. This watch will be a good option if you’re looking for a dress watch with kinetic movement.

In fact, it’s not only a basic dress watch with a time-telling function. Taking a closer look at the dial, it exhibits a date window at the 3 o’clock position and a day display in a circular design. These complications give you complete information about the day with time, date, and the current day.

Seiko SRH013 Velatura Kinetic Direct Drive

A bulky and rugged Seiko Kinetic watch with a rubber band. Seiko SRH013 Velatura Kinetic Direct Drive is another sporty kinetic timepiece with a very modern design. Appears in all-black, the watch measures 42mm in diameter and comes in a stainless steel case for a sturdy construction.

Inspired to be a racing sports watch, the rubber band is a representation of a threaded tire. Truth be told that Seiko managed to bring a robust and manly looking to this timepiece. On the dial, you’ll see a design that very much looks like a dashboard of a car – a day-date display. Every element has been meticulously designed to resemble a sports car.

Read also: Five Luxury Sports Watches for a Taste of Magnificent Pieces

Seiko Prospex SUN023P1

It’s definitely the look of a dive watch – big markers in bright colors. The Seiko Prospex SUN023P1 is one of the popular timepieces in the Prospex line. Measuring 47mm in diameter, the watch is indeed big, especially with its curved lug design. In fact, the watch is built as a professional diving tool.

The rubber band is built from polyurethane and will make a perfect fit with a diving suit. A power reserve indicator is also available to indicate the remaining power. Use the secondary crown located at 2 o’clock to activate the function. The second hand will point to how much energy is left – an indicator of 30 seconds is equivalent to six months of power reserve.

You might also like: Seiko Spring Drive Movement: The Advanced Art of Horology

Final Thought

The Seiko Kinetic watch is one of Seiko’s remarkable innovations to provide novelty and ease for watch enthusiasts. To put it in simple words, kinetic movement is similar to automatic movement but with greater power reserve. That said, Seiko kinetic watches will also have better accuracy compared to mechanical watches. 

We really hope you’ve had the answer on which movement to choose. Regardless, make sure to check what you need and your preferences first before coming up with the final answer.