The Seiko Kinetic Watch - A Technological Revolution for Quartz Watches

A Seiko Kinetic watch generates its own power from the motion of the wearer's arm. Kinetic comes from the Greek word for motion - kinesis. Thus, Seiko developed a quartz watch that overcomes one of the biggest problems with quartz watches - changing the battery. Normally, a quartz watch is powered by a battery that runs down and needs replaced every few years. A Seiko Kinetic watch will never need a battery change.

Seiko Kinetic watches provides the newest, most advanced energy generation and storage technology available for watches today. Seiko realized soon after being introduced that the biggest problem with quartz watches was the battery. A watch that suddenly stops because the battery dies is a nuisance. In 1982, Seiko created a special team to develop an alternative energy source for quartz watches. It took them six years to perfect the kinetic automatic energy generating system. Seiko filed more than 50 patents for the Kinetic project.

Since a Seiko Kinetic watch generates and stores electricity continuously while it is worn, it is nearly maintenance-free. That eliminates problems like dust or dirt getting into the mechanism or damage to the water-resistant seal during the battery replacement process.

A Seiko Kinetic watch is also environmentally friendly since there are no polluting watch batteries to dispose of, as there are with standard quartz watches. Also, Seiko Kinetic is the only quartz watch technology that generates its own electric power. For example, solar powered watches - which Seiko also manufactures - use an older technology that relies on an external source to power the watch. Without an external light source, solar watches can’t work.

A fully charged Kinetic watch can run for six months off the wrist. The Seiko Sportura Kinetic Chronograph watch uses more energy and runs for a month on a single full charge. The new Seiko Arctura Kinetic Chronograph runs for six months. Seiko Kinetic Auto Relay watches continue to tell time for an astonishing four years once fully charged.

The Seiko Kinetic chronographs are made possible by a Kinetic movement developed in 1998 which generates three times more electricity than any previous Kinetic movement. That extra electric power made a Kinetic chronograph (or stopwatch) possible. Seiko introduced the first Kinetic chronograph in 1999 in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces. Regular production of the Kinetic chronograph began in 2000. Seiko’s Arctura Kinetic chronograph, unveiled in 2003, contains a new chronograph movement with a much larger power reserve. Fully charged, a Seiko Arctura Kinetic chronograph runs for six months off the wrist.

When the power runs down to a very low level in a Kinetic watch, the second hand begins to move at two-second intervals instead of the normal one-second interval. This indicates that the watch has only a few hours’ worth of power remaining and needs recharging. Some Kinetic models have a power reserve indicator on the dial.

Selected Seiko Kinetic Watches Available For Sale

The following Seiko Kinetic watches are currently available for sale from various selected sellers. To check the details of any of these listings simply click on the links below. Please be sure to read the details of each listing and take some time to check out the seller's reputation and background. We do not endorse or support any of the specific sellers.