When it comes to wristwatches, few names stand out as much as Seiko. Known for their innovation since the 1970s, they’ve been continuously evolving their watch technology. They started with the Quartz watch, then moved onto Solar technology, and now, they’ve developed Kinetic watches. But they haven’t forgotten the classic Automatic watches either, which are a mainstay in the Swiss watch industry.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the differences between Seiko Automatic and Kinetic watches, and help you understand which one might be the right choice for you.
The Basics: Automatic vs Kinetic
While both types of watches are powered by a swinging rotor, they store energy differently:
- Automatic Watches: Store energy in a spring
- Kinetic Watches: Store energy in a capacitor
Let’s delve into the inner workings of each.
How Do Automatic Watches Work?
Automatic watches have been around for nearly a century. These watches rely on a rotor that swings as your wrist moves, winding up a spring that stores energy. In manual-winding watches, this winding is done by turning the crown. Automatic watches can store energy for up to 48 hours, depending on the size and setup of the spring. However, they need to be worn regularly to maintain the charge.
Watch winders are an accessory that can keep your watch charged when not worn, but they are an additional expense and responsibility.
The Mechanism Behind Kinetic Watches
Invented by Seiko in 1986, the Kinetic watch also relies on the movement of your arm. However, instead of winding a spring, this movement powers a small generator that charges a capacitor. This means that, like Automatic watches, Kinetic watches also need to be worn regularly to keep their charge. They can also be kept on a watch winder.
The downside? The capacitor in a Kinetic watch might need replacement over time, unlike the ever-lasting spring in an Automatic watch. However, Kinetic watches have a much longer charge life, up to several months, compared to the maximum of 48 hours in an Automatic watch.
Types of Kinetic Models by Seiko
Seiko offers a variety of Kinetic models, each with its own charge life and additional features:
- Kinetic Direct Drive: 1 month of charge, can also be hand-wound
- Ultimate Kinetic Chronograph: 1 month of charge
- Kinetic Chronograph: 5 months of charge
- Kinetic Perpetual: 6 months of charge, can go into sleep mode for 4 years after a full charge
- Kinetic Auto Drive: Charge unknown, can go into sleep mode for 4 years after 72 hours
- Kinetic GMT: Charge unknown, can go into sleep mode for 4 years after 72 hours
Final Thoughts
So, should you go for an Automatic or a Kinetic watch? If you’re someone who will wear your watch regularly and don’t mind the occasional winding, an Automatic watch could be a good fit. But if you’re looking for something that can hold its charge for much longer, and you’re okay with the possibility of replacing the capacitor, then a Kinetic watch might be a better option.
Either way, with Seiko, you’re getting a watch that is the result of years of innovation and craftsmanship.