My dad's Seiko 5 has been working fine since more than 30 years. If it breaks down, I'd go all out on servicing it no matter what the cost. It has earned it.
@@DaTryHardCamper It will. Most entry to mid range Seiko movements are made based on 7s26 with a couple of upgrades for hacking, handwinding, power reserve and thats it more or less. 🙂
Of course you should service it and not listen to these snobs who make videos like this while thinking Hamilton Hkaki Field with cheap ETA is worth servicing 😄
thas you funkin problem,, for sure it didnt worked for 30 years,, he had it kept in anyplace for further repair cause thsoe watches loose precision. They are cheap watches kept by poor people, that never have money for the profissionals services ! Ima profissional watchemaker.seikos are garbage. unless they ahve a professional revision, they kee+p with their precison,, oit cost 100 to do it.
The reason Seiko servicing costs more in proportion to the price of the watch is that the watch itself costs much less, compared with luxury brands. And if my SKX009, which I've had for about five years now, breaks down, I'll still have it serviced instead of buying a new one because its value for me is now much more than its purchase price. So using the term "disposable" is inappropriate (and snobbish) in this case -- it seems to imply the brand is of poor quality.
Yeah, John P apparently doesn’t know what sentimental value is, just looking at the actual numbers. Very snobbish. My dad got a Seiko for his retirement and you can be damn sure I’ll have that thing serviced. Truth be told, charges for a servicing are probably low because Seiko just slaps a fresh new movement in there. His company not servicing Seikos is forcing customers to pay that $50 shipping fee to Seiko, which raises the overall cost, so he’s just helping to screw the customer
You've actually missed a critically important Point, that is called a Cost Benefit Anakysis Ratio. You use that to see if you have a chance of a Win/Win Opportunity, and it can reveal shocking things if Enotion can be set aside. I'll give a disturbing Cost Benefit Ratio, where 1:1 is Breakeven point, and it came from a recent Cost Benefit analysis of Wind Turbine Generators, which closely matched my fi dings from living with Wind (and Solar) generators when living Off Grid (which ). is the only really useful niche they have, it turns out . Anyway, that Study revealed that the Wind Generator Ratio At Best and Most Optimum, is 0.6 to 1. That means the very best you can hope for, is to lose a Minimum of 40% on your investment. If you add in accelerated wear and Tear for Wind in Marine Environments, it's even Worse. The Best Solar Ratio, is a lot worse than Wind. It's a shocker, right, but it's a Realistic non emotional Real World Reality, that Sensible people are obliged to take into Consideration, especially when it is involving the "investment" of Colossal Amounts of Public Takpayer Funded Money. I must state, that in their proper place, and proper geographical location on the Planet, I am a very big fan of Wind and Solar, but you still need a diesel generator to back them up if you need to run Critical Systems reliably. Best Wishes. Bob. 👍🇬🇧🏴🇺🇲
@@brownnoise357 sorry to say bro, you’re sounding a bit like Johnny P rambling on and on. Yet Johnny is referring to watch enthusiasts not snobbery. I’ve purchased a SEIKO watch in the seventies. It lasted for decades, as I am a Chef the watch never failed under extreme heat, repetitive knife use w/ asian cleavers etc. Your reference to “Cost Benefit Akanaysis Ratio” ?? Began on the wrong foot. Wind Turbines, solar!?? I agree w the person above Sin Jon in that repairing his Fathers retirement Seiko is act of love a point that supersedes all Cost Benefit Analysis Ratios on so many levels. Good luck and take care. I
I have a Seiko 5 which is over 15 years old It has been worn everyday for work and still works well! I am a retired Landscape gardener these watches are bullet proof! Will keep it until one of us dies!
hello friend, in the 15 years of time, how frequently did you send the watch for the service? and for the first time, i am planning to buy a seiko 5 limited edition "zoro" so please suggest.. thanks
Not even a Rolex or Patek can keep time accurately 15 years without service. You are either lying, exaggerating the situation or that watch only gives time correctly two times a day.
@@VulgarRage those are higher end with faster movements 4hz 5hz even. The faster the more strain on parts. I've heard of 7s movements lasting 25 years no services if only worn occasionally.
If you are a collector of Seiko, it pays to learn to service your own watches, especially the less expensive ones. For the price of having one watch serviced, you can buy a basic set of Swiss made tools. Once you learn how to service a watch, you will look at fine watches very differently and appreciate your collection much more.
If it ain't broken, don't fix it. Bring your watch to service when it is necessary, not when the suggested time period is over. And don't send the watch to Seiko, bring it to a local watchmaker.
Yeap that is true, but I have to say they keep working and ticking. I have a Seiko 5 from 1976 and it is still ticking, I would service it with any cost as it has a sentimental value to me.
when we talk about this movement like 7S36, this movement can work 30 years without maintenance , from my own experience , what is the benefit of doing maintenance for this watch cost 100$, and work 30 years, i think we should thank seiko for this movenent
@rose badran @John p watches that's right. I have a 7020 with 7020 movement for more than 30 years and never had a maintenance service since. It went to Seiko service center once as it was running very fast 5-8 mins a day, it got magnetized. Other than that still good and used it for leisure scuba diving too. Cheers! Awesome videos John P. Keep up the good work and more power to you. Ciao! Giuseppe
Agree 100% This Dude doesn't make a good point! Bad presentation lost me with the discountinous speech. Forgot to mention SEIKO watches made in the seventies that are now worth 6k US Dollars. Repair cost about 120 US Dollar.
I have many Seikos one of which is a 35 year old Seiko 5 given to me by my father when I was 18. Never serviced and still works and keeps time like new, within a few seconds a day. None of my Omega’s, Rolex’s or Panerai even come close in reliability. I just serviced my 50 year old Bellmatic for $100 at my local watchmaker and it keeps great time and will likely last another 20 years with no service required. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Luxury Swiss watches but the Swiss manufacturers have something to learn from Seiko about value and reliability. Just my 2 cents.
i dont know about USA , i m from singapore. i am sure that in many parts of east / south east asia and UK, there are many proficient enough watch shop owners/technicians qualified enough to service seiko mechanical watch without sending them back to seiko. they may also know how to buy or source for parts if necessary. for relatively newer seiko e.g. 7s / 4R movements, maybe it is easiest/ cheaper to just get the movement replace with equivalent replaceable model if exact ones cannot be found - instead of servicing them . any watch technician worth their salt can advise you on this
Yes, as a Vintage Seiko collector, it’s no problem paying independent watch makers to do overhauls. For my newer ones I’m learning to do my own maintenance so the economics will work out. This is the same economy for entry level Swiss watches. Is it worth it to service a Hamilton Khaki field watch?
I just paid to send in a four year old watch to Seiko in New Jersey for repair. This watch was purchased at a reputable jewelry store and had problems since purchasing. I had it back to jewelry store twice before he put in a new capacitor. Now, the calendar is broken and hands go back and forth while trying to set it. The jeweler is telling me he cannot get parts now for Seiko solar and has to be sent in. The repair is over $150.00 with their shipping/fees!!! We own probably six or seven Seiko watches and have never had one like this. We have vintage ones that still run so I feel that I just got a bad watch and no one wants to stand behind it. This watch is only four years old and has had all these issues. I think you’re correct saying what you’re saying because it’s true! After this experience, I will never be purchasing this brand again. I feel that the customer service is very poor and it feels like a cheap production line. Won’t even pay to ship it back after repairs! Unfortunately, this has really changed my opinion regarding Seiko. Go Swiss!!
I don't care if the cost is as much as the watch. My SKX cost $200 to purchase. I will pay that much and maybe a little more for a proper servicing. Especially since my SKX007 and SARB017 are now discontinued.
I’ve never serviced my Seiko and I don’t plan on doing so. Even my local certified watch dealer and repair shop tells me I won’t need to but if I want to it’s a personal choice. Been going to the same place for years and have yet to have an issue.
I believe this concept applies to other watches as well. Depending on the retail price point of your watch, in 7-10 years your watch will likely be worth less than the cost to service. For me, when it comes to low cost watches, I just replace the movement. I took a online course in basic watch repair and I have found movement replacement to be quite easy, you just have to buy the tools.
Used Seiko USA twice. First for warranty work for SKX007, and service of a vintage 1978 6306 worth well over $1,000 at the time of service. I guarantee this watch wasn’t “worth” the service 20 years ago. So, let’s play: you have an SKX. You love it. It’s cheaper to have it serviced than to get a new one. Barely, but it is. It now has history, you keep a possible heirloom that is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable dive watches ever. You support local business instead of feeding the manufacturing machine, the throw away culture. Your SKX is now ready to live another 10 years for less than an new SKX, which by the way has been discontinued, therefore has been rising in price. My personal experience with SEIKO USA: Very pleased with the service, and their prices were unable to be beaten on the 6306 by any local watchmaker.
I’m guessing when Seiko receive lower end watch for servicing they just switch out the old movement and replace with completely new movement of the same type... This would keep labour costs lower.... ?
Hi there, i contacted Seiko UK a while ago and asked about serviceing a SKX & mm300, the SKX was £130 and yes they replace the movement, with the mm300 since its a jdm model it has to go back to Japan. I don't know about you but since the heart of the watch is the movement, replaceing with a new one doesn't sit well with me, however I know why they do that.
This is correct. It's a fast, efficient, cost effective movement swap and new gaskets. Cheaper than a full tear down either cleaning. Not sure why anyone would object. These are inexpensive watches.
Hello John P. i have worked on watches for 50 years and the biggest problem with Seiko mechanisms is that they never installed a removeable bushing for the upper or lower main spring arbor . When the watch gets dry it eats the upper and lower plates. As your watchmakers know that is the first place Seiko Autos wear out. The mainspring barrel tips and the power to the balance is diminished. Without a new main plate and barrel bridge the plates are shot. The holes can be closed like we would on an old pocket watch or the best way is to replace with jewels. A lot of work for $125.00 to $200.00 watch. That doesn't address the cheep mainspring barrel that is more than likely worn our as well. I guess a quick or more perfect fix would be for Seiko to manufacture a kit with Barrel complete with a new upper and lower replacement barrel arbor bushing. With a proper punch, reamer, and stump the job could be done. It would then last a long long time. Much like the Rolex 3035, fast easy repair to bring barrel back to center and transferring power to gear train and balance. Thanks in advance and look forward to your next video. David
I think it comes down to being a watch that when it stops functioning you decide if its sentimental enough to service. But servicing every three years regardless makes little sense
Kind of funny rant by someone who sells Swiss watches. Do the same with Swiss watches at a 3 year service interval with "overhaul" costs and those costs become equally ludicrous. Besides vintage watch enthusiasts who actually wear and use vintage watches, no one services watches every 3 years unless they are in the 1%, and vintage fans rather quickly learn either to do the servicing themselves, to find a local, reasonable watchmaker, or to put their vintage pieces on display rather than in daily use.
I’ve owned my Seiko Sumo for 7 years & I’ve had a love hate relationship with it. It’s been a money pit to say the least. I’ve had it serviced numerous times, but finally decided to take out the old 6r15 movement and replace it with an N15 movement (same movement as the 6r15). So…. So far it’s running well within specs. In my opinion, after owning several Seikos over the years, if the movements take a dump, just put in another motor.
I find this video and title very misleading. Of course it doesn't make sense to service a sub-$100 watch. What about a $1000, $2500 or $5000 Seiko watch though? The watches used as number examples are laughable and kinda make for a hit piece. The same with you trash talking Seiko US' service centre without ever having used it. Overall not impressed by this opinion piece, mate.
Yeah, I’d go with that. Doesn’t seem very well informed for an expert, seiko has made and I think will probably continue to make solid watches. +\- 4 seconds for cosc, lots of swiss watches don’t make the grade, lots of del ray offerings don’t meet that standard either. I’m using the Seiko USA service Center right now for a monster. No issues. Chapter ring hasn’t been an issue on any of mine(lucky?)and I currently have a 71 seiko on my bench that has run for 49 years without service. I’m not sure what you bring to the table in the way of experience with Seiko to be fair, not Florian but the video host. What’s your history? What do you wear? What service Center’s have you used? What makes a watch disposable for you? Does it need to be less than a specific value? So many questions.
I have a Seiko Third diver 6306-7001 watch from 1978 and it still runs great. The watch has many scratches, dents, paint has come off the bezel, and dings from the 40+ years that I have worn it! Never had it serviced. My first diving watch I got from my ships px.
I have had Seiko watches for years, over 10, and no problems, if they break, they will go in the trash. Servicing is not worth it. I would say maybe higher tiers of Seiko might be worth fixing but not watches 500 and under. Just my opinion. With their price hikes, I will not buy anymore anyway. There are much better microbrands for the same money if not less.
I tied to grow up in the 60's and 70's when watch accuracy was a real challenge. I remember calling a phone number a couple of times per week to set my watch and the wall clock in case the person who was assigned to the winding task forgot. Coordinated Universal Time on short wave radio was an awesome discovery for me. Along came Seiko Quartz and now I had a tool that worked. I tried a couple of mechanical watches after quartz and meh, top drawer dresser after a few weeks. I have never had a seiko or citizen Quartz watch that crapped the bed on me, outside of a battery or a strap failure. I need a watch in order to feel fully dressed. Sorry, Quartz or better yet PCAT watches are where it is at for me, But I still love these videos, keep up the good work!
I have had my seiko SKX 173 for about twenty years because it has a sentimental value to me I sent it to the seiko service center in mawah New Jersey. It cost me about $120.00 to have it serviced. I got a service statement back. It’s like a new watch now. Good for the rest of my life. For many years this was my only watch.
Like Rolex, Seiko (Japan's Rolex), everything is in house, from the steel to the oil(s), therefore, it is one of those watch brands where you either like them or you don't. I think this whole Seiko servicing debate is a moot point; I have owned Seiko 5s and Kinetics for over 25 years and never had any trouble when it comes to them being serviced - if anything, they're superior to the Swiss brands, at least in my experience. Pulsar, is no longer affiliated with Seiko - at least in the UK - and Lorus are titled "disposable" watches, whereas Seiko is the flagship brand. Don't listen to all of the naysayers, Seiko is a terrific brand and has got to be the cream of the available Japanese watch brands. Interesting video - thanks for uploading.
Literally no one services 7s or 4R movements. My Seiko 5 is 20 years old and is still well within spec. You can buy these movements for 20-50 dollars John. You just pay your local guy to put an new movement in... 45 minutes of labor.
Interesting topic and brand choice. I am not a Seiko fanatic but I do own two in my collection - a 90's era kinetic and 2005 spring drive. Never serviced the spring drive as it still runs around +3s per month. Not worth the heartache to send to Japan. The kinetic was a gift from my wife in 1997 and required service in 2005 and 2019; around $105 and $160 all in, respectively. Service was quick. NJ call center terrible both times. Could have bought clean pieces of the same watch each time, but it was all about the memory and emotion. I suspect most Seiko owners who pay for Seiko service have an emotional tie.
My 20 plus year old Seiko Kinetic had stopped keeping good time, needed a new crystal, the titanium band and case was heavily scratched and the clasp was broken. I sent it in to Seiko US and received an estimate back that was basically equivalent to the price of buying a replacement piece, new old stock or one that at least appeared to be the same identical piece. In other words for $169 I could either restore or replace the piece. For the same money I decided to have the work done. It had never been serviced and was old but having had it so many years it was perhaps a sentimental decision more than anything else? I gave the go ahead and when I got my watch back I was thrilled with the results. The majority of the scratches were gone, I had to look closely to recognize this as my piece. No regrets, I would do it again. Seriously, I suppose this makes me a sentimental fool but I love the fact that this piece has been with me so long and now looks so very good! A new piece would not mean as much to me and for the same money I'm in!
Just recently used Seiko USA in Mahwah, NJ to resurrect a 2007 vintage Kinetic diver. I had left it laying in a drawer over an overseas deployment for a couple years. Bad idea for the Kinetic, I found out. Anyway, shipped it USPS insured, got a notification of its intake at Mahwah three or four days later. Something right at two weeks later I got notified the repair was complete and my total, minus shipping both ways came out to $171 so just over $200 with shipping for a servicing, new crystal and new capacitor for a piece that had performed well while I wore it and was still in nice shape and has some sentimental value. I'm happy. I have a Gen I Orange Monster that just stopped running after something like 10 or 12 years of use. Am seriously considering sending it in as well. But for running more slowly over the years, it's been a great watch. Terrific Seiko lume! I suspect that maybe the technicians in Mahwah are receiving company funds from other operations. The rates really are reasonable for what gets done to the watches.
LOL you're not wrong. Just one or two services you've bought the watch again. They make some great watches and if you LOVE it then it's worth it. If it's a beater then no..it doesnt make sense to service it.
You really don't need to service every 3 years. That's overkill. 20 years before I finally service my seiko with new movement swap and gaskets for under $200. Seemed fair since it's a watch I want to keep forever.
Maybe they just replace the old movement with a new one as the "service"? I mean those 7s26 4r35 are dirt cheap and I'm sure Seiko has plenty of them laying around, explains the price too.
This applies to any mechanical watch that trades for under $600 pre-owned. Same general service cost for any movement in a watch in that price range. I get you’re using Seiko as an example but this applies not only to Seiko but also micro brands, Hamilton, etc.
My darling wife gave me a SEIKO SPB155-1J "Baby Alpinist" as a Christmas gift about a year and a half ago. Out of the box, it was losing about 16 seconds per day, according to my iPhone. As it was under warranty, there was no charge, just one-way shipping (about $16). It took a few weeks, but I got it back, and the first da of checking, it lost one second. The second day, it lost 22 seconds and has been in that ball park ever since. I have heard that the 6R35 is a temperamental movement, but I have never dropped it or given it a sharp shock of any kind. The serial number matches the one on the box, so I don't think they swapped it out. Anyway, SEIKO USA was very polite over the phone and they were as timely as any other company. Most of the time, I wear a Hamilton Khaki Field (gains about 2-3 seconds per day), but I still wear that SEIKO now and again. It's beautiful, and I'm trying to train myself not to be so anal-retentive. I carry an iPhone around, for cryin' out loud!!
You just have to justify your $2000-3000 luxury watches over $200-$300 seikos to make yourself believe it's worth it. Military grade field watches are not usually expensive but they lasts.
I have had my Seiko 5 Sports serviced twice at Seiko USA. I understand it’s becoming more expensive than just buying a new watch but I love the look of it and I’m fine with paying for the service.
Def good info , I’m looking to get my first gen orange monster serviced . May not be worth it I know , but sentimental watch to me one that won’t leave the collection . It was recommend maybe ordering a new movement and have that put in it makes sense monetarily .
So,In your opinion which low/ mid tier watch doesn't have the problems that you say Seiko has? Instead of deconstructing SEIKO,How about some Positive Information! You are all negative here and We don't need this negativity!Recommend a watch in this price range that does NOT have these problems! Please answer?
The standard rule of thumb for repair vs replacement for most anything is; if the cost to repair something is close to 50% of its value. You don't service it, you replace it. It seems like a pretty good rule of thumb even for watches.
I'm not a watch guy. At all. I have a Seiko Kinetic that my late mother gave me as a gift, and I treasure it the most of all my possessions. That being said, there were no watch repairmen in my area that wanted to touch my watch because "kinetic watches don't have a battery," despite me asking them to replace the *capacitor.* Finally did it myself out of sheer frustration. Had never opened a watch before.
Hi, mate. You're right at some points, for sure. But no one at any moment would send a 80 bucks retail watch to the manufacturer to service or fix it!!! these low coast watches have, most of the time, an easy service that could be made for your regular watch service... Don't have to send it to the factory for that!!!! I have several seikos and orients... All they were serviced at my trusted fellow watchmaker service... Makes no sense to me... Ragards...
I just bought a seiko with the idea to keep it as a daily beater for years. I'm never planing to service it because there is just no reason to do so. They are inexpensive watches to begin with and they will become worthless, serviced or not. Also a service will be a large part of what the watch is worth. A rolex for example does make sense to service because that would be very important for resale value and a service is just a small part of the overall value.
Being able to BUY and AFFORD an automatic watch are 2 different things.. like you said, if the price of fixing a mvmt is 50 or 75 percent of the actual price of a new one and you cant AFFORD to fix or replace the whole watch then you cant AFFORD to own it. I think there is a huge percentage of ppl who buy watches and have buyers remorse then they try to unload it bc they couldnt AFFORD to buy it in the first place and was an impulse. I am not a watchmaker, but have dabbled enough to be dangerous, I can replace a mvmt, hands, crystal and bezel and if one of mine broke i'd just buy a mvmt for cheap and replace it myself... most ppl are too scared to do these things.
I have a sportura kinetic which ive worn every single day for 8 years. It is still excellent in time keeping, condition and capacitor strength. If it stops working some day i will send it for repair even if it cost more than the watch (£489). This watch has been through everything with me and it means a lot to me.
Question... I have a Seiko SNZG 17J1 that I love. Granted its not an expensive watch. less than 200. But like i said I love the watch and its my favorite watch. And Seiko doesnt seem to make them anymore and new ones are not for sale anywhere. I have adjusted the watch myself about 5 years ago and it literally keeps perfect time. It literally fluctuates within 2 seconds a day never actually losing or gaining a second. As an example it might gain a second in the morning and then lose a second in the evening. So basically it keeps perfect time. However in about 7 years I have never actually had the watch serviced and I do not want to bring the watch to some random watch place "Oh yeah we can service that" and then I get it back and it's gaining or losing time. So... forgetting about the dollar value of the watch compared to the cost to service the watch, if it has never been serviced in 7 years but keeps perfect time would you recommend servicing the watch for the sake of the watch or just letting it go until not servicing the watch causes problems and then paying to fix it? keeping in mind that what the watch means to me is a lot more than the dollar value of the watch. And reasoning? Thoughts? And thanks for any input
I got a Seiko 5 purchased in Asia for about $150 and about 15 years has already passed without any service. For the last 6 years I've been using it like 5 days a week. It's only 1 minute fast per week. The watch has sentimental value for me now so I'm willing to pay for a service if ever needed.
I have my late fathers 1960's Seiko Sea horse watch which has never been serviced and that watch still runs relatively tight today! I also own a Seiko Sea Lion and a Seiko Marvel from the 60's and they are still doing quite well too. My problem with watchy "collectors" is the snobbery.. just think how many Omega's. Rolex's etc etc are out there that are being kept as an investment, when all of these watches hit the markets some time in the future the market will more than likely be flooded with boutique watches Omega's, Rolex's etc etc so this will also bring the prices down to a realistic point..
But of course... Same as servicing a 10 year old Toyota is a high proportion of the residual value. Any Seiko is a watch that will last a lifetime and maybe need servicing every ten years. We should be marvelling at how low the initial cost is. Seems worth it to me.
That's the disadvantage of west. We have here watchmakers who repair seikos for peanuts. Full overhaul for skx 007, 80euro all inclusive. The engines are very very easy to service. Spare parts hanging on fences. So, you are measuring with a different metric
Isn't one possibility to buy the whole movement and then take it to your local watch repair and have them replace the movement? I mean, there's nothing else to fix. And movements are between 50 and $100. I'd like to know your opinion about this
For Seiko quartz movements, yes, send it to them. My 20+ year-old Perpetual Calendar tends to eat its "10 year battery" every 6 years and starts double-jumping the second hand. For an inexpensive watch, the estimate of $50 two-way shipping is excessive. I just send it USPS parcel-post with insurance, and securely package it with bubble wrap, etc. I don't think I've paid more than $35 for service less inexpensive shipping and waited more than a few weeks turnaround for battery, gasket, pressure test, and reprogramming. My movement has a thin, delicate circuit board with a fat battery, and requires reprogramming, not just resetting, to get it back to the right month/day/year, so I let them deal with it. If they break it, they're responsible.
I look at my Seiko watches at same way Rolex owners regard their watches. If I had them serviced, I don't look at the economics of it, but at how it makes me feel about the watch. It's the emotional factor that determines how I value my watch collection. More so if that Seiko was handed down to me by my grandfather, or my father, or that it was the first watch gifted to me by my wife, or that it was the very first watch I ever bought with my own money.
I have used them recently with a grand seiko. Excellent service, I had a really strange warranty issue they took care of it as it was under warranty and it was decently quick.
What you are saying is legitimate. And what applies to Seiko applies doubly and triply to Chinese watches like the Seagull 1963 chronograph, which sells for $150 to $300 on Ali Express. How much will it cost to service when it breaks or no longer keeps good time. A lot more than $300. What I hear you saying is, unless you are in the luxury territory of $2,000 retail or more, going with an auto or mechanical makes no sense and it makes more sense to save some money and just buy quartz or Solar movement watches.
Seiko movements have loose tolerances (which is good) and are great workhorse movements. They suffer a bit with accuracy because of the loose tolerances, but they keep on going.
I had to send in my Grand Seiko Snowflake in for service. I dropped it and the date function stopped working. It took 4.5 months to get my watch back. Very, Very slow. This was sent to New Jersey. I had to call many times for updates. It came back working great, but the turnaround was terrible.
For most Seikos I own they probably won't get serviced them until something goes horribly wrong with them. In that sense, disposable, probably yes. However, it is not always that one sided. I have another Seiko watch that is no longer obtainable (new) and it was my first mechanical (automatic) watch + has been with me on many adventures. If it needs service it will get service. An alternative is replacing the movement but will the movements be available 20 years from now? Suppose most can be repaired but that gets wildly expensive too. Better take care of it instead of regretting it later. (Going for 6-8 years between services & went with an independent watchmaker as sending it to Seiko is no guarantee it is done right unfortunately.)
As someone who services vintage Seiko, folks simply do not understand the level of effort that goes into servicing an automatic timepiece. The cost is often more than the original price of the watch. We live in a disposable society and if we want to simply fill our landfills with stuff, just replace the entire movement for $60. I am a bit more concerned about the future and what we are doing to the environment so I encourage recycling and servicing these movements no matter the cost. No different than owning a car; simply the cost of ownership.
Hamilton? How you dare to call "swiss made" DISPOSABLE? Thats blasphemy! Only Seiko and other non "Swiss made" are disposable!.....i am sick of it. Sold my hamilton just because I got sick of "swiss made" BS. Long live Japan!!!
I've modded several Seikos and upgraded the movements in my SKXs to hacking and hand-winding. One can purchase a Seiko NH35 or NH36 for approximately 40 USD. Often even less. My guess would be Seiko swaps out the movements rather than doing a tear down and repair. It would explain the lower labor cost.
I don't service any of my watches in my 30 years experience, whether they are patek, Rolex, gs, seiko or whatever, unless they are broken. I also a vintage collector. I only service these vintage if they have not been serviced before I buy. How many seiko do you own and have long experience with?
When, you make a video, you must dare it for everyone, including the hardcore. The hardcore have long experiences, and, they got a thing or two to teach you. Btw, a couple of times, I dropped my seiko watches, and my watchmaker only charge me $25 for the repair. It's no big deal.
Well, the fact is that 7s26 will work no problem for 20 years without problem. You may give to your local watchmaker to get the movement demagnetized some time, maybe regulate a little bit. I have a Seiko 5 from late 70's that belonged to my grandpa. I asked our local Seiko AD how much does the movement service cost. They said it's around $80. I will not service it now but I surely will in the future.
As someone stated below just buy a new movement, if say you can’t get a good price on a genuine seiko 4r35 just get the non branded version (nh35) and tell your customers you’ll replace the whole movement (explain the non branded thing if that’s route you took) giving them them basically a brand new watch and then have them come back after some time for a free (or discounted) regulation😁
Well I always come across this one .. cheaper items are easier to replace but this mindset of buy a new one is not good in general in my personal opinion. Seiko watches are great timepieces and work of Japanese engineering . Take care of watches and remember all the special moments you had wearing them be it a Patek or a seiko . I really hope manufacturers don’t stop servicing watches and parts are made available as I would love to keep wearing my watches and get them serviced irrespective of costs
Bought a Seiko 7s26a from 1999. A rare S-Wave lightly used and the seller mentioned it was running 30 sec. fast consistently. Took the back off, adjusted +/- every couple of days for about a week. Now, this thing is -2 sec per day. Picks the couple of seconds up sitting overnight, back to 0 +/- In the a.m. Good for another few yrs. I imagine. Many items aren't worth repairs in a throw-away society. Maybe one day manufacturers will once again create re-usable products.
I've had 3 Seiko 5s with the 7s26 movement and paid less than $100 for each of them. All 3 stopped running overnight after 4-6 months. You hear people say this is a good movement that will run properly for years but it hasn't been my experience. I switched to Orient and have had no problems with them and they're the same price.
@@robertbrandywine This is thr 1st time in my life I hear something like this tbh 😄 My grandpa has almost 30 years old Seiko 5 and never had any issues. I have one with 7s26 and 2 with 4R36, never had issues either even tho i work in the office and my hands are pretty much still for 8 hours typing in a computer. Not a skngle ine stopped on me.
@@predragjo5977 I don't know what to say. Maybe they've changed some parts. Anyway, if you google you'll find many people complaining about them. I went to Orient and have never looked back.
@@robertbrandywine I am not denying that a watch can have a problem but I personally have yet to meet someone who had a problem with 7s27. That is a workhorse movement, nothing much can go wrong there. And Btw Orient also belongs to Seiko and their movements share many parts. They are literally the same quality wise.
Really for most lower end Seiko you can just by a replacement movement and have your watchmaker install it. I had a bum 6R15 movement in a watch I really liked and ended up buying a NE15 (the same movement), switched out the date wheel and it's been fine since. For an SKX you could just buy a cheap Seiko 5 with the same movement and switch it out.
If you out things on the finnancial point : lets be pragmatic If take into account the buying cost and the service cost...and if you add both you end up even with an affordable watch ....but if you refer to swiss brand you buy them expensive and you service them also expensively (as for my Hamilton) so you end up with an expensive watch ....buy the end of the day this is the point so no problem there And I had a bunch of seiko and the service centre never told me about the 3 years, the minimum I've heard is 5 years, and I usually hear 8 to 10 years...which I do for my watches if they don't have any problem until then
It depends on your country status on Philippines you can find a good watch repair man that can do and tear down all the seiko 7s26 and replace the particular parts that needed to change. On your place that seiko divers are considered cheap so you dont mind of throwing it on a bin but for us its kind of gem
I believe the only reasonable approach with cheaper Seikos is to wear them for as long as they perform within tolerance, and if you need to service them at some point, go to your local jeweler and do as Basic service as possible, i.e. Basic cleaning, lube and regulate. There are reports of people wearing some Seikos for 20 years and have no issues.
It is more practicle do not service your seiko watches since the cost of servicing is greater than the prize of the watch.Anyway i do owned a seiko watch for more than 20 years without any servicing needed cause it still runs in good shape,still keeping an accurate time.Unless someone wants to keep that timepiece for a sentimental value,a passed on from grandfather or father to the next generations,something to remember on.
The prices don’t seem that bad to me compared to a Rolex, or Vacheron service . Sure it’s more than buying a new one, but a new one doesn’t have all the memories. If you take care of it, how many times in your lifetime are you really going to have to service it? That 3 years rule is absolutely silly, especially if you have a rotating collection. I have 37 watches. There are some mechanical watches that I wear for a straight two weeks maybe once every 2-3 months. Great video!
Fair assessment. Seiko fans must become watchmakers themselves and source a few spare movements to keep their watches alive if they plan on wearing them a lot. Better yet, grab the cheapest possible discounted models that use the same movements, especially the 7S26. The economics of servicing can’t work on “disposable” watches, as well-designed as they may be.
If you get a Grand Seiko quartz 9F, you can forget about serving for 50yrs on these all metal movements, that can be regulated if you get quartz drift. Grand Seiko have never needed to do that in 25yrs since the movement was released. Or just buy a spring drive Grand Seiko?
I've had bad luck with a new Orange Monster that ran perfectly for ~6 months then one day decided to stop while advancing the day or date. No shock, not magnetized, still ran fine outside the day/date change interval. I'd say that these are quality fashion watches in a way, if you're lucky to get a good one. Like you said, I haven't even considered returning it under warranty, I'd be an exercise in frustration at this price point as I'm not even sure they won't find excuses for rejecting it. Instead I decided to use it as learning material. Still a very nice beginner's watch, if it runs :)
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My dad's Seiko 5 has been working fine since more than 30 years. If it breaks down, I'd go all out on servicing it no matter what the cost. It has earned it.
@@ezeztztztz seiko has amazing long lasting moments the 7s is bullet proof. I took a chance on the 6r35 in Hope's it will last 25 years.
@@DaTryHardCamper It will. Most entry to mid range Seiko movements are made based on 7s26 with a couple of upgrades for hacking, handwinding, power reserve and thats it more or less. 🙂
Of course you should service it and not listen to these snobs who make videos like this while thinking Hamilton Hkaki Field with cheap ETA is worth servicing 😄
So it means i dont need to service my 10year old monster which goes +2 seconds per day?
thas you funkin problem,, for sure it didnt worked for 30 years,, he had it kept in anyplace for further repair cause thsoe watches loose precision.
They are cheap watches kept by poor people, that never have money for the profissionals services !
Ima profissional watchemaker.seikos are garbage. unless they ahve a professional revision, they kee+p with their precison,, oit cost 100 to do it.
The reason Seiko servicing costs more in proportion to the price of the watch is that the watch itself costs much less, compared with luxury brands. And if my SKX009, which I've had for about five years now, breaks down, I'll still have it serviced instead of buying a new one because its value for me is now much more than its purchase price. So using the term "disposable" is inappropriate (and snobbish) in this case -- it seems to imply the brand is of poor quality.
Indeed. Servicing a seiko is not any easier that servicing a rolex.
Agreed with snobbish part, he must be a collector not an enthusiast
Yeah, John P apparently doesn’t know what sentimental value is, just looking at the actual numbers. Very snobbish. My dad got a Seiko for his retirement and you can be damn sure I’ll have that thing serviced. Truth be told, charges for a servicing are probably low because Seiko just slaps a fresh new movement in there. His company not servicing Seikos is forcing customers to pay that $50 shipping fee to Seiko, which raises the overall cost, so he’s just helping to screw the customer
You've actually missed a critically important Point, that is called a Cost Benefit Anakysis Ratio. You use that to see if you have a chance of a Win/Win Opportunity, and it can reveal shocking things if Enotion can be set aside. I'll give a disturbing Cost Benefit Ratio, where 1:1 is Breakeven point, and it came from a recent Cost Benefit analysis of Wind Turbine Generators, which closely matched my fi dings from living with Wind (and Solar) generators when living Off Grid (which ). is the only really useful niche they have, it turns out . Anyway, that Study revealed that the Wind Generator Ratio At Best and Most Optimum, is 0.6 to 1. That means the very best you can hope for, is to lose a Minimum of 40% on your investment. If you add in accelerated wear and Tear for Wind in Marine Environments, it's even Worse. The Best Solar Ratio, is a lot worse than Wind. It's a shocker, right, but it's a Realistic non emotional Real World Reality, that Sensible people are obliged to take into Consideration, especially when it is involving the "investment" of Colossal Amounts of Public Takpayer Funded Money. I must state, that in their proper place, and proper geographical location on the Planet, I am a very big fan of Wind and Solar, but you still need a diesel generator to back them up if you need to run Critical Systems reliably. Best Wishes. Bob. 👍🇬🇧🏴🇺🇲
@@brownnoise357 sorry to say bro, you’re sounding a bit like Johnny P rambling on and on. Yet Johnny is referring to watch enthusiasts not snobbery. I’ve purchased a SEIKO watch in the seventies. It lasted for decades, as I am a Chef the watch never failed under extreme heat, repetitive knife use w/ asian cleavers etc. Your reference to “Cost Benefit Akanaysis Ratio” ?? Began on the wrong foot. Wind Turbines, solar!??
I agree w the person above Sin Jon in that repairing his Fathers retirement Seiko is act of love a point that supersedes all Cost Benefit Analysis Ratios on so many levels. Good luck and take care.
I
I have a Seiko 5 which is over 15 years old It has been worn everyday for work and still works well! I am a retired Landscape gardener these watches are bullet proof! Will keep it until one of us dies!
hello friend, in the 15 years of time, how frequently did you send the watch for the service? and for the first time, i am planning to buy a seiko 5 limited edition "zoro" so please suggest.. thanks
Not even a Rolex or Patek can keep time accurately 15 years without service. You are either lying, exaggerating the situation or that watch only gives time correctly two times a day.
@@VulgarRage those are higher end with faster movements 4hz 5hz even. The faster the more strain on parts. I've heard of 7s movements lasting 25 years no services if only worn occasionally.
@@VulgarRage and you clearly know sod all about Seiko
'until one of us dies'. thats a great one Steve!
If you are a collector of Seiko, it pays to learn to service your own watches, especially the less expensive ones. For the price of having one watch serviced, you can buy a basic set of Swiss made tools. Once you learn how to service a watch, you will look at fine watches very differently and appreciate your collection much more.
In many cases you can affordably swap the movement.
If it ain't broken, don't fix it. Bring your watch to service when it is necessary, not when the suggested time period is over. And don't send the watch to Seiko, bring it to a local watchmaker.
Yeap that is true, but I have to say they keep working and ticking. I have a Seiko 5 from 1976 and it is still ticking, I would service it with any cost as it has a sentimental value to me.
@Clyde Johnson nope, never been serviced.
when we talk about this movement like 7S36, this movement can work 30 years without maintenance , from my own experience , what is the benefit of doing maintenance for this watch cost 100$, and work 30 years, i think we should thank seiko for this movenent
@rose badran @John p watches that's right. I have a 7020 with 7020 movement for more than 30 years and never had a maintenance service since. It went to Seiko service center once as it was running very fast 5-8 mins a day, it got magnetized. Other than that still good and used it for leisure scuba diving too. Cheers!
Awesome videos John P. Keep up the good work and more power to you. Ciao! Giuseppe
Rose Badran Yes👍🏼
7S26 movement was introduced in 1996. That is 24 years ago, not 30.
Scott Ferkovich he said 7s36 🤣
@@pechadeh The 7s36 was also introduced in 1996.
I will continue to service my Seiko automatic divers. They are treasures in my eyes.
ABSOLUTELY!
Agreed! Just getting rid of them is not at all ecologic and doesn't take into account the emotional value!
Agree 100% This Dude doesn't make a good point! Bad presentation lost me with the discountinous speech. Forgot to mention SEIKO watches made in the seventies that are now worth 6k US Dollars. Repair cost about 120 US Dollar.
Where do you get your watch serviced? Directly through seiko?
Sorry but you can do better. They are disposable 100%.
I have many Seikos one of which is a 35 year old Seiko 5 given to me by my father when I was 18. Never serviced and still works and keeps time like new, within a few seconds a day. None of my Omega’s, Rolex’s or Panerai even come close in reliability. I just serviced my 50 year old Bellmatic for $100 at my local watchmaker and it keeps great time and will likely last another 20 years with no service required. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Luxury Swiss watches but the Swiss manufacturers have something to learn from Seiko about value and reliability. Just my 2 cents.
I have to admit, for reliability, I'm not going to grab any of my Omegas over my Seiko.
BUUUULLSHIIIIT.
i dont know about USA , i m from singapore. i am sure that in many parts of east / south east asia and UK, there are many proficient enough watch shop owners/technicians qualified enough to service seiko mechanical watch without sending them back to seiko. they may also know how to buy or source for parts if necessary. for relatively newer seiko e.g. 7s / 4R movements, maybe it is easiest/ cheaper to just get the movement replace with equivalent replaceable model if exact ones cannot be found - instead of servicing them . any watch technician worth their salt can advise you on this
@@JayB-lz6yd it's you
That’s a great price. Who’s your local guy?
Yes, as a Vintage Seiko collector, it’s no problem paying independent watch makers to do overhauls. For my newer ones I’m learning to do my own maintenance so the economics will work out. This is the same economy for entry level Swiss watches. Is it worth it to service a Hamilton Khaki field watch?
I just paid to send in a four year old watch to Seiko in New Jersey for repair. This watch was purchased at a reputable jewelry store and had problems since purchasing. I had it back to jewelry store twice before he put in a new capacitor. Now, the calendar is broken and hands go back and forth while trying to set it. The jeweler is telling me he cannot get parts now for Seiko solar and has to be sent in. The repair is over $150.00 with their shipping/fees!!! We own probably six or seven Seiko watches and have never had one like this. We have vintage ones that still run so I feel that I just got a bad watch and no one wants to stand behind it. This watch is only four years old and has had all these issues. I think you’re correct saying what you’re saying because it’s true! After this experience, I will never be purchasing this brand again. I feel that the customer service is very poor and it feels like a cheap production line. Won’t even pay to ship it back after repairs! Unfortunately, this has really changed my opinion regarding Seiko. Go Swiss!!
I don't care if the cost is as much as the watch. My SKX cost $200 to purchase. I will pay that much and maybe a little more for a proper servicing. Especially since my SKX007 and SARB017 are now discontinued.
I’ve never serviced my Seiko and I don’t plan on doing so. Even my local certified watch dealer and repair shop tells me I won’t need to but if I want to it’s a personal choice. Been going to the same place for years and have yet to have an issue.
I believe this concept applies to other watches as well. Depending on the retail price point of your watch, in 7-10 years your watch will likely be worth less than the cost to service. For me, when it comes to low cost watches, I just replace the movement. I took a online course in basic watch repair and I have found movement replacement to be quite easy, you just have to buy the tools.
that would be something i would be interested in doing , swapping in new seiko mechanical movements for 20 or 30 bucks .
Used Seiko USA twice. First for warranty work for SKX007, and service of a vintage 1978 6306 worth well over $1,000 at the time of service. I guarantee this watch wasn’t “worth” the service 20 years ago. So, let’s play: you have an SKX. You love it. It’s cheaper to have it serviced than to get a new one. Barely, but it is. It now has history, you keep a possible heirloom that is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable dive watches ever. You support local business instead of feeding the manufacturing machine, the throw away culture. Your SKX is now ready to live another 10 years for less than an new SKX, which by the way has been discontinued, therefore has been rising in price. My personal experience with SEIKO USA: Very pleased with the service, and their prices were unable to be beaten on the 6306 by any local watchmaker.
I’m guessing when Seiko receive lower end watch for servicing they just switch out the old movement and replace with completely new movement of the same type... This would keep labour costs lower.... ?
Hi there, i contacted Seiko UK a while ago and asked about serviceing a SKX & mm300, the SKX was £130 and yes they replace the movement, with the mm300 since its a jdm model it has to go back to Japan. I don't know about you but since the heart of the watch is the movement, replaceing with a new one doesn't sit well with me, however I know why they do that.
Tag Heuer often do the same - I'm sure it's very common for mid budget and lower watches
I agree. It only makes sense. Movements are disposable.
This is correct. It's a fast, efficient, cost effective movement swap and new gaskets. Cheaper than a full tear down either cleaning. Not sure why anyone would object. These are inexpensive watches.
Yesyes perfectly right, changing gear. 30 minutes. Go!
Hello John P.
i have worked on watches for 50 years and the biggest problem with Seiko mechanisms is that they never installed a removeable bushing for the upper or lower main spring arbor . When the watch gets dry it eats the upper and lower plates. As your watchmakers know that is the first place Seiko Autos wear out. The mainspring barrel tips and the power to the balance is diminished. Without a new main plate and barrel bridge the plates are shot. The holes can be closed like we would on an old pocket watch or the best way is to replace with jewels. A lot of work for $125.00 to $200.00 watch. That doesn't address the cheep mainspring barrel that is more than likely worn our as well. I guess a quick or more perfect fix would be for Seiko to manufacture a kit with Barrel complete with a new upper and lower replacement barrel arbor bushing. With a proper punch, reamer, and stump the job could be done. It would then last a long long time. Much like the Rolex 3035, fast easy repair to bring barrel back to center and transferring power to gear train and balance.
Thanks in advance and look forward to your next video.
David
Great insight! Cheers !
bad design eh ?
Just buy a whole new movement and install yourself not that hard.
Yes 25-35 usd for a nh35 (4r35) on ebay or aliexpress
Exactly and some new seals and off you go.
I bet that's what seiko do, launch the old movement and drop in a new one, regardless of model.
Why employ expensive watchmakers to do service, when a few hrs training in removing and installation of a new movement. 😉Logic.
@@Sandman.68. That's what I figured they did for a lot of the movements. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Grand Seiko do the samething
I think it comes down to being a watch that when it stops functioning you decide if its sentimental enough to service. But servicing every three years regardless makes little sense
Seriously was my reason to start learning how to service lower end watches myself. If I make a mistakes it’s never too pricey
Kind of funny rant by someone who sells Swiss watches. Do the same with Swiss watches at a 3 year service interval with "overhaul" costs and those costs become equally ludicrous. Besides vintage watch enthusiasts who actually wear and use vintage watches, no one services watches every 3 years unless they are in the 1%, and vintage fans rather quickly learn either to do the servicing themselves, to find a local, reasonable watchmaker, or to put their vintage pieces on display rather than in daily use.
I’ve owned my Seiko Sumo for 7 years & I’ve had a love hate relationship with it. It’s been a money pit to say the least. I’ve had it serviced numerous times, but finally decided to take out the old 6r15 movement and replace it with an N15 movement (same movement as the 6r15). So…. So far it’s running well within specs. In my opinion, after owning several Seikos over the years, if the movements take a dump, just put in another motor.
i have a quartz seiko that is running fine after 35 years , never been serviced except batteries .
I have had 2 SKXs for over 20 years and they just keep going. Will never service them until they stop running, then I’ll just get new movements.
Agreed, a new movement and a few tools are way cheaper than getting a service.
I find this video and title very misleading. Of course it doesn't make sense to service a sub-$100 watch. What about a $1000, $2500 or $5000 Seiko watch though?
The watches used as number examples are laughable and kinda make for a hit piece. The same with you trash talking Seiko US' service centre without ever having used it.
Overall not impressed by this opinion piece, mate.
Yeah, I’d go with that. Doesn’t seem very well informed for an expert, seiko has made and I think will probably continue to make solid watches. +\- 4 seconds for cosc, lots of swiss watches don’t make the grade, lots of del ray offerings don’t meet that standard either. I’m using the Seiko USA service Center right now for a monster. No issues. Chapter ring hasn’t been an issue on any of mine(lucky?)and I currently have a 71 seiko on my bench that has run for 49 years without service. I’m not sure what you bring to the table in the way of experience with Seiko to be fair, not Florian but the video host. What’s your history? What do you wear? What service Center’s have you used? What makes a watch disposable for you? Does it need to be less than a specific value? So many questions.
I have a Seiko Third diver 6306-7001 watch from 1978 and it still runs great. The watch has many scratches, dents, paint has come off the bezel, and dings from the 40+ years that I have worn it! Never had it serviced. My first diving watch I got from my ships px.
Seiko might very well be changing the entire assembled movement (mass production would make it low cost), therefore only casing and strap is retained.
I own the Seiko Ananta Spring Drive which cost me around $7500 but I am not sure where to service if I ever need to .
At those prices I wouldn't be surprised if Seiko didn't just replace the movement instead of servicing them. They'd save a lot on labor.
My Seiko 5 diver watch is working fine until now since i bought it 32 years ago, yes since 1992
I have had Seiko watches for years, over 10, and no problems, if they break, they will go in the trash. Servicing is not worth it. I would say maybe higher tiers of Seiko might be worth fixing but not watches 500 and under. Just my opinion. With their price hikes, I will not buy anymore anyway. There are much better microbrands for the same money if not less.
Scott SJ I have five Seikos, and feel the same way.
The NH35 Microbrand.
Yep
True
@@karimdelakarim nailed it
I tied to grow up in the 60's and 70's when watch accuracy was a real challenge. I remember calling a phone number a couple of times per week to set my watch and the wall clock in case the person who was assigned to the winding task forgot. Coordinated Universal Time on short wave radio was an awesome discovery for me.
Along came Seiko Quartz and now I had a tool that worked. I tried a couple of mechanical watches after quartz and meh, top drawer dresser after a few weeks.
I have never had a seiko or citizen Quartz watch that crapped the bed on me, outside of a battery or a strap failure.
I need a watch in order to feel fully dressed. Sorry, Quartz or better yet PCAT watches are where it is at for me,
But I still love these videos, keep up the good work!
I have had my seiko SKX 173 for about twenty years because it has a sentimental value to me I sent it to the seiko service center in mawah New Jersey. It cost me about $120.00 to have it serviced. I got a service statement back. It’s like a new watch now. Good for the rest of my life. For many years this was my only watch.
Serviced a Seiko yesterday, 1982 version, easy to work on, these watches last forever !
Like Rolex, Seiko (Japan's Rolex), everything is in house, from the steel to the oil(s), therefore, it is one of those watch brands where you either like them or you don't. I think this whole Seiko servicing debate is a moot point; I have owned Seiko 5s and Kinetics for over 25 years and never had any trouble when it comes to them being serviced - if anything, they're superior to the Swiss brands, at least in my experience. Pulsar, is no longer affiliated with Seiko - at least in the UK - and Lorus are titled "disposable" watches, whereas Seiko is the flagship brand. Don't listen to all of the naysayers, Seiko is a terrific brand and has got to be the cream of the available Japanese watch brands. Interesting video - thanks for uploading.
Literally no one services 7s or 4R movements. My Seiko 5 is 20 years old and is still well within spec.
You can buy these movements for 20-50 dollars John. You just pay your local guy to put an new movement in... 45 minutes of labor.
Very true
I had my SKX781 Monster serviced with the 7s26. Well worth it for this discontinued classic to keep everything 100% original.
Hi,my friend i have a quartz breitling.they want to service it every 2 years.and a complete service every 4-6 years.
It's very odd that there are so many vintage Seikos. Especially considering "There is no way to service them". LoL
Guy talks BS.
Interesting topic and brand choice. I am not a Seiko fanatic but I do own two in my collection - a 90's era kinetic and 2005 spring drive. Never serviced the spring drive as it still runs around +3s per month. Not worth the heartache to send to Japan. The kinetic was a gift from my wife in 1997 and required service in 2005 and 2019; around $105 and $160 all in, respectively. Service was quick. NJ call center terrible both times. Could have bought clean pieces of the same watch each time, but it was all about the memory and emotion. I suspect most Seiko owners who pay for Seiko service have an emotional tie.
My 20 plus year old Seiko Kinetic had stopped keeping good time, needed a new crystal, the titanium band and case was heavily scratched and the clasp was broken. I sent it in to Seiko US and received an estimate back that was basically equivalent to the price of buying a replacement piece, new old stock or one that at least appeared to be the same identical piece. In other words for $169 I could either restore or replace the piece.
For the same money I decided to have the work done. It had never been serviced and was old but having had it so many years it was perhaps a sentimental decision more than anything else?
I gave the go ahead and when I got my watch back I was thrilled with the results. The majority of the scratches were gone, I had to look closely to recognize this as my piece. No regrets, I would do it again. Seriously, I suppose this makes me a sentimental fool but I love the fact that this piece has been with me so long and now looks so very good! A new piece would not mean as much to me and for the same money I'm in!
Just recently used Seiko USA in Mahwah, NJ to resurrect a 2007 vintage Kinetic diver. I had left it laying in a drawer over an overseas deployment for a couple years. Bad idea for the Kinetic, I found out. Anyway, shipped it USPS insured, got a notification of its intake at Mahwah three or four days later. Something right at two weeks later I got notified the repair was complete and my total, minus shipping both ways came out to $171 so just over $200 with shipping for a servicing, new crystal and new capacitor for a piece that had performed well while I wore it and was still in nice shape and has some sentimental value. I'm happy. I have a Gen I Orange Monster that just stopped running after something like 10 or 12 years of use. Am seriously considering sending it in as well. But for running more slowly over the years, it's been a great watch. Terrific Seiko lume! I suspect that maybe the technicians in Mahwah are receiving company funds from other operations. The rates really are reasonable for what gets done to the watches.
LOL you're not wrong. Just one or two services you've bought the watch again. They make some great watches and if you LOVE it then it's worth it. If it's a beater then no..it doesnt make sense to service it.
You really don't need to service every 3 years. That's overkill. 20 years before I finally service my seiko with new movement swap and gaskets for under $200. Seemed fair since it's a watch I want to keep forever.
@@michaelriera6277 thats totally reasonable
Maybe they just replace the old movement with a new one as the "service"? I mean those 7s26 4r35 are dirt cheap and I'm sure Seiko has plenty of them laying around, explains the price too.
Wesley Lu Yup
This applies to any mechanical watch that trades for under $600 pre-owned. Same general service cost for any movement in a watch in that price range. I get you’re using Seiko as an example but this applies not only to Seiko but also micro brands, Hamilton, etc.
I love the Vostok service interval; 10 years. And, of course, you can replace the entire works for $23 or get a new Komandirskie for around $30.
well the beat 18000 seiko 21600. it wont last--the wer is too much very agressive
My darling wife gave me a SEIKO SPB155-1J "Baby Alpinist" as a Christmas gift about a year and a half ago. Out of the box, it was losing about 16 seconds per day, according to my iPhone. As it was under warranty, there was no charge, just one-way shipping (about $16). It took a few weeks, but I got it back, and the first da of checking, it lost one second. The second day, it lost 22 seconds and has been in that ball park ever since. I have heard that the 6R35 is a temperamental movement, but I have never dropped it or given it a sharp shock of any kind. The serial number matches the one on the box, so I don't think they swapped it out.
Anyway, SEIKO USA was very polite over the phone and they were as timely as any other company. Most of the time, I wear a Hamilton Khaki Field (gains about 2-3 seconds per day), but I still wear that SEIKO now and again. It's beautiful, and I'm trying to train myself not to be so anal-retentive. I carry an iPhone around, for cryin' out loud!!
You just have to justify your $2000-3000 luxury watches over $200-$300 seikos to make yourself believe it's worth it. Military grade field watches are not usually expensive but they lasts.
I have had my Seiko 5 Sports serviced twice at Seiko USA. I understand it’s becoming more expensive than just buying a new watch but I love the look of it and I’m fine with paying for the service.
Def good info , I’m looking to get my first gen orange monster serviced . May not be worth it I know , but sentimental watch to me one that won’t leave the collection . It was recommend maybe ordering a new movement and have that put in it makes sense monetarily .
If you are attached to the watch and its history, get it serviced either way.
Have a go yourself, you would be surprised how easy it is.
So,In your opinion which low/ mid tier watch doesn't have the problems that you say Seiko has? Instead of deconstructing SEIKO,How about some Positive Information! You are all negative here and We don't need this negativity!Recommend a watch in this price range that does NOT have these problems! Please answer?
The standard rule of thumb for repair vs replacement for most anything is; if the cost to repair something is close to 50% of its value. You don't service it, you replace it. It seems like a pretty good rule of thumb even for watches.
I'm not a watch guy. At all. I have a Seiko Kinetic that my late mother gave me as a gift, and I treasure it the most of all my possessions.
That being said, there were no watch repairmen in my area that wanted to touch my watch because "kinetic watches don't have a battery," despite me asking them to replace the *capacitor.* Finally did it myself out of sheer frustration. Had never opened a watch before.
Hi, mate. You're right at some points, for sure. But no one at any moment would send a 80 bucks retail watch to the manufacturer to service or fix it!!! these low coast watches have, most of the time, an easy service that could be made for your regular watch service... Don't have to send it to the factory for that!!!! I have several seikos and orients... All they were serviced at my trusted fellow watchmaker service... Makes no sense to me... Ragards...
I just bought a seiko with the idea to keep it as a daily beater for years. I'm never planing to service it because there is just no reason to do so. They are inexpensive watches to begin with and they will become worthless, serviced or not. Also a service will be a large part of what the watch is worth. A rolex for example does make sense to service because that would be very important for resale value and a service is just a small part of the overall value.
I must admit, I sense a bit of a snob factor here … Seiko make great watches and worth servicing.
Being able to BUY and AFFORD an automatic watch are 2 different things.. like you said, if the price of fixing a mvmt is 50 or 75 percent of the actual price of a new one and you cant AFFORD to fix or replace the whole watch then you cant AFFORD to own it. I think there is a huge percentage of ppl who buy watches and have buyers remorse then they try to unload it bc they couldnt AFFORD to buy it in the first place and was an impulse.
I am not a watchmaker, but have dabbled enough to be dangerous, I can replace a mvmt, hands, crystal and bezel and if one of mine broke i'd just buy a mvmt for cheap and replace it myself... most ppl are too scared to do these things.
I have a sportura kinetic which ive worn every single day for 8 years. It is still excellent in time keeping, condition and capacitor strength. If it stops working some day i will send it for repair even if it cost more than the watch (£489). This watch has been through everything with me and it means a lot to me.
Question... I have a Seiko SNZG 17J1 that I love. Granted its not an expensive watch. less than 200. But like i said I love the watch and its my favorite watch. And Seiko doesnt seem to make them anymore and new ones are not for sale anywhere. I have adjusted the watch myself about 5 years ago and it literally keeps perfect time. It literally fluctuates within 2 seconds a day never actually losing or gaining a second. As an example it might gain a second in the morning and then lose a second in the evening. So basically it keeps perfect time. However in about 7 years I have never actually had the watch serviced and I do not want to bring the watch to some random watch place "Oh yeah we can service that" and then I get it back and it's gaining or losing time. So... forgetting about the dollar value of the watch compared to the cost to service the watch, if it has never been serviced in 7 years but keeps perfect time would you recommend servicing the watch for the sake of the watch or just letting it go until not servicing the watch causes problems and then paying to fix it? keeping in mind that what the watch means to me is a lot more than the dollar value of the watch. And reasoning? Thoughts? And thanks for any input
I got a Seiko 5 purchased in Asia for about $150 and about 15 years has already passed without any service. For the last 6 years I've been using it like 5 days a week. It's only 1 minute fast per week. The watch has sentimental value for me now so I'm willing to pay for a service if ever needed.
I have my late fathers 1960's Seiko Sea horse watch which has never been serviced and that watch still runs relatively tight today! I also own a Seiko Sea Lion and a Seiko Marvel from the 60's and they are still doing quite well too.
My problem with watchy "collectors" is the snobbery.. just think how many Omega's. Rolex's etc etc are out there that are being kept as an investment, when all of these watches hit the markets some time in the future the market will more than likely be flooded with boutique watches Omega's, Rolex's etc etc so this will also bring the prices down to a realistic point..
But of course... Same as servicing a 10 year old Toyota is a high proportion of the residual value. Any Seiko is a watch that will last a lifetime and maybe need servicing every ten years. We should be marvelling at how low the initial cost is. Seems worth it to me.
That's the disadvantage of west. We have here watchmakers who repair seikos for peanuts. Full overhaul for skx 007, 80euro all inclusive. The engines are very very easy to service. Spare parts hanging on fences. So, you are measuring with a different metric
In Mexico it costs around 20 to 60 usd to fix most issues with basic seiko-eta-etc movements. Maybe its just USA/Switzerland problem.
Where do you live
@@sergezerkin bucharest
Isn't one possibility to buy the whole movement and then take it to your local watch repair and have them replace the movement? I mean, there's nothing else to fix. And movements are between 50 and $100. I'd like to know your opinion about this
Great point about the possible pay and skill level of seiko watch service techs
I don't service my watches until the break. It's just not cost effective to do it periodically as a preventative measure.
For Seiko quartz movements, yes, send it to them. My 20+ year-old Perpetual Calendar tends to eat its "10 year battery" every 6 years and starts double-jumping the second hand. For an inexpensive watch, the estimate of $50 two-way shipping is excessive. I just send it USPS parcel-post with insurance, and securely package it with bubble wrap, etc. I don't think I've paid more than $35 for service less inexpensive shipping and waited more than a few weeks turnaround for battery, gasket, pressure test, and reprogramming. My movement has a thin, delicate circuit board with a fat battery, and requires reprogramming, not just resetting, to get it back to the right month/day/year, so I let them deal with it. If they break it, they're responsible.
I look at my Seiko watches at same way Rolex owners regard their watches. If I had them serviced, I don't look at the economics of it, but at how it makes me feel about the watch. It's the emotional factor that determines how I value my watch collection. More so if that Seiko was handed down to me by my grandfather, or my father, or that it was the first watch gifted to me by my wife, or that it was the very first watch I ever bought with my own money.
I have used them recently with a grand seiko. Excellent service, I had a really strange warranty issue they took care of it as it was under warranty and it was decently quick.
What you are saying is legitimate. And what applies to Seiko applies doubly and triply to Chinese watches like the Seagull 1963 chronograph, which sells for $150 to $300 on Ali Express. How much will it cost to service when it breaks or no longer keeps good time. A lot more than $300.
What I hear you saying is, unless you are in the luxury territory of $2,000 retail or more, going with an auto or mechanical makes no sense and it makes more sense to save some money and just buy quartz or Solar movement watches.
Service every three years? I have some 50 plus years old Seiko still ticking without a single service.
Seiko movements have loose tolerances (which is good) and are great workhorse movements. They suffer a bit with accuracy because of the loose tolerances, but they keep on going.
I had to send in my Grand Seiko Snowflake in for service. I dropped it and the date function stopped working. It took 4.5 months to get my watch back. Very, Very slow. This was sent to New Jersey. I had to call many times for updates. It came back working great, but the turnaround was terrible.
Common experience
Was that at the Seiko US service centre?
Took my GS 3 months and they scratched the case side
For most Seikos I own they probably won't get serviced them until something goes horribly wrong with them. In that sense, disposable, probably yes. However, it is not always that one sided.
I have another Seiko watch that is no longer obtainable (new) and it was my first mechanical (automatic) watch + has been with me on many adventures. If it needs service it will get service. An alternative is replacing the movement but will the movements be available 20 years from now? Suppose most can be repaired but that gets wildly expensive too. Better take care of it instead of regretting it later. (Going for 6-8 years between services & went with an independent watchmaker as sending it to Seiko is no guarantee it is done right unfortunately.)
As someone who services vintage Seiko, folks simply do not understand the level of effort that goes into servicing an automatic timepiece. The cost is often more than the original price of the watch. We live in a disposable society and if we want to simply fill our landfills with stuff, just replace the entire movement for $60. I am a bit more concerned about the future and what we are doing to the environment so I encourage recycling and servicing these movements no matter the cost. No different than owning a car; simply the cost of ownership.
Disposable?! 😂
I had a Hamilton Khaki field. That was DISPOSABLE! 😂
PS- the most emotional, opinionated watch brand collectors are Rolex collectors. 😂
Hamilton? How you dare to call "swiss made" DISPOSABLE? Thats blasphemy! Only Seiko and other non "Swiss made" are disposable!.....i am sick of it. Sold my hamilton just because I got sick of "swiss made" BS. Long live Japan!!!
I've modded several Seikos and upgraded the movements in my SKXs to hacking and hand-winding. One can purchase a Seiko NH35 or NH36 for approximately 40 USD. Often even less. My guess would be Seiko swaps out the movements rather than doing a tear down and repair. It would explain the lower labor cost.
kinda a rip off if they are charging for a service but only doing a dump and refill like pep boys
@@tjlee9901 🤣 Call em Pip Boys! 😁
@@bogrot69 : pip ?
@@tjlee9901 You know, as in lume pip, Not one of my best 🤣🤣
@@bogrot69 : oh okay . getcha now
I don't service any of my watches in my 30 years experience, whether they are patek, Rolex, gs, seiko or whatever, unless they are broken. I also a vintage collector. I only service these vintage if they have not been serviced before I buy. How many seiko do you own and have long experience with?
When, you make a video, you must dare it for everyone, including the hardcore. The hardcore have long experiences, and, they got a thing or two to teach you. Btw, a couple of times, I dropped my seiko watches, and my watchmaker only charge me $25 for the repair. It's no big deal.
Don't you think Seiko service is just dropping in a replacement movement? Cheap and easy. Why bother doing anything more?
One could gather all the tools they have and attempt to service their watch themselves... No matter what happens, it's a learning experience.
I wouldn't say their servicing costs are high, but just that they are selling their watches at too low price.
Well, the fact is that 7s26 will work no problem for 20 years without problem. You may give to your local watchmaker to get the movement demagnetized some time, maybe regulate a little bit.
I have a Seiko 5 from late 70's that belonged to my grandpa. I asked our local Seiko AD how much does the movement service cost. They said it's around $80. I will not service it now but I surely will in the future.
Any watch under 500 is pretty much a nonservice disposable item.
As someone stated below just buy a new movement, if say you can’t get a good price on a genuine seiko 4r35 just get the non branded version (nh35) and tell your customers you’ll replace the whole movement (explain the non branded thing if that’s route you took) giving them them basically a brand new watch and then have them come back after some time for a free (or discounted) regulation😁
sounds like a colossal rip off , to me . i prefer to do my own battery changes , on quartz watches that last 10 , 20 , 30 , 40 years .
Well I always come across this one .. cheaper items are easier to replace but this mindset of buy a new one is not good in general in my personal opinion. Seiko watches are great timepieces and work of Japanese engineering . Take care of watches and remember all the special moments you had wearing them be it a Patek or a seiko . I really hope manufacturers don’t stop servicing watches and parts are made available as I would love to keep wearing my watches and get them serviced irrespective of costs
Bought a Seiko 7s26a from
1999. A rare S-Wave lightly used
and the seller mentioned it was running 30 sec.
fast consistently.
Took the back off, adjusted +/- every
couple of days for about a week.
Now, this thing is -2 sec per day.
Picks the couple of seconds up
sitting overnight, back to 0 +/-
In the a.m.
Good for another few yrs.
I imagine.
Many items aren't worth repairs
in a throw-away society.
Maybe one day manufacturers will
once again create re-usable products.
I've had 3 Seiko 5s with the 7s26 movement and paid less than $100 for each of them. All 3 stopped running overnight after 4-6 months. You hear people say this is a good movement that will run properly for years but it hasn't been my experience. I switched to Orient and have had no problems with them and they're the same price.
When you say "stopped running overnight after 4-6 months", were you offended because they all stopped when you weren't looking? I don't get it.
@@michaelscott356 Uh, an automatic watch should have enough reserve to keep going over night.
@@robertbrandywine This is thr 1st time in my life I hear something like this tbh 😄 My grandpa has almost 30 years old Seiko 5 and never had any issues. I have one with 7s26 and 2 with 4R36, never had issues either even tho i work in the office and my hands are pretty much still for 8 hours typing in a computer. Not a skngle ine stopped on me.
@@predragjo5977 I don't know what to say. Maybe they've changed some parts. Anyway, if you google you'll find many people complaining about them. I went to Orient and have never looked back.
@@robertbrandywine I am not denying that a watch can have a problem but I personally have yet to meet someone who had a problem with 7s27. That is a workhorse movement, nothing much can go wrong there. And Btw Orient also belongs to Seiko and their movements share many parts. They are literally the same quality wise.
Really for most lower end Seiko you can just by a replacement movement and have your watchmaker install it. I had a bum 6R15 movement in a watch I really liked and ended up buying a NE15 (the same movement), switched out the date wheel and it's been fine since. For an SKX you could just buy a cheap Seiko 5 with the same movement and switch it out.
Or just buy the movement they cost about $30 to $40.
If you out things on the finnancial point : lets be pragmatic
If take into account the buying cost and the service cost...and if you add both you end up even with an affordable watch ....but if you refer to swiss brand you buy them expensive and you service them also expensively (as for my Hamilton) so you end up with an expensive watch ....buy the end of the day this is the point so no problem there
And I had a bunch of seiko and the service centre never told me about the 3 years, the minimum I've heard is 5 years, and I usually hear 8 to 10 years...which I do for my watches if they don't have any problem until then
does this apply to Grand Seikos?
Then my question is, what do you charge to service a Seiko with your overhead?
It depends on your country status on Philippines you can find a good watch repair man that can do and tear down all the seiko 7s26 and replace the particular parts that needed to change. On your place that seiko divers are considered cheap so you dont mind of throwing it on a bin but for us its kind of gem
Exactly. A full strip down, cleaning, oiling anr re-assembling of a 7s26 in my country costs about 30-40€.
Sending a skx to an authorised service. Which universe you live in? 🤣 You made a 17 minute video about it. It's even funnier. 🤣🤣🤣
agreed, and I regulate my 4R36 or 7S26 watches myself. As far as service ... nope. Not happening. I may replace seals as needed, but thats it.
I believe the only reasonable approach with cheaper Seikos is to wear them for as long as they perform within tolerance, and if you need to service them at some point, go to your local jeweler and do as Basic service as possible, i.e. Basic cleaning, lube and regulate. There are reports of people wearing some Seikos for 20 years and have no issues.
My grandpa has one for nearly 30 years and he serviced it once. Still works perfectly fine.
It is more practicle do not service your seiko watches since the cost of servicing is greater than the prize of the watch.Anyway i do owned a seiko watch for more than 20 years without any servicing needed cause it still runs in good shape,still keeping an accurate time.Unless someone wants to keep that timepiece for a sentimental value,a passed on from grandfather or father to the next generations,something to remember on.
The prices don’t seem that bad to me compared to a Rolex, or Vacheron service . Sure it’s more than buying a new one, but a new one doesn’t have all the memories. If you take care of it, how many times in your lifetime are you really going to have to service it? That 3 years rule is absolutely silly, especially if you have a rotating collection. I have 37 watches. There are some mechanical watches that I wear for a straight two weeks maybe once every 2-3 months.
Great video!
Fair assessment. Seiko fans must become watchmakers themselves and source a few spare movements to keep their watches alive if they plan on wearing them a lot. Better yet, grab the cheapest possible discounted models that use the same movements, especially the 7S26. The economics of servicing can’t work on “disposable” watches, as well-designed as they may be.
Unless it's under warranty I would take it to my local watch repair guy.
If you get a Grand Seiko quartz 9F, you can forget about serving for 50yrs on these all metal movements, that can be regulated if you get quartz drift. Grand Seiko have never needed to do that in 25yrs since the movement was released. Or just buy a spring drive Grand Seiko?
I've had bad luck with a new Orange Monster that ran perfectly for ~6 months then one day decided to stop while advancing the day or date. No shock, not magnetized, still ran fine outside the day/date change interval. I'd say that these are quality fashion watches in a way, if you're lucky to get a good one. Like you said, I haven't even considered returning it under warranty, I'd be an exercise in frustration at this price point as I'm not even sure they won't find excuses for rejecting it. Instead I decided to use it as learning material. Still a very nice beginner's watch, if it runs :)
Always change the date with the hour hands down the bottom of the dial..ie 6.30
You done an excellent job of presenting Seiko. It sounds like they are the Timex of the Orient. I am glad I am a Omega watch person.