This is painful! Seiko Speedtimers SSC911P SSC913P SSC915P
So, at first glance, the new Seiko Speedtimers are 'for me'.
It's a range with some heritage brought into the modern era... they look amazing... they're upsized a little to 41.4mm which will wear easily on my 8" wrist... the colour choices are great...
... and they freaking make it a SOLAR watch. Ugh.
I just can't do it, guys. My experiences with Seiko Solar watches has been absolutely crap at best. If these were just good old reliable, vanilla-flavoured quartz, they'd be top of the list to buy. But as solar watches? Nope. Been bitten too many times by that tech with Seiko. I just don't trust it. What about you guys out there?
(And for folk who don't know me, I ADORE Seiko, so this isn't some random hit piece on the brand. Which makes this even harder for me. Just some honest thoughts.)
I've loved watches all my life, going back to the 1980s. Current watchbox: Seiko, Bulova, and Casio.
I'm a big lover of Seiko as well but I've never owned a solar Seiko so I can't really comment too much on the matter from my own experience but from what I've read they are typically pretty good & consistent.
Regardless those watches are simply lovely & I'm sure you would be happy with one regardless of previous experiences.
Out of curiosity what colour would you likely pick?
In your opinion, what is bad about Seiko Solar? I’m curious cos I‘ve been wanting to get the SSC813.
If you want the speedtimer then buy the automatics.
Heck, there's new models coming out with the same hands as the solar ones as your picture. They're about $2000 to $2500, I think.
In your opinion, what is bad about Seiko Solar? I’m curious cos I‘ve been wanting to get the SSC813.
I've found them to die, even when getting regular sunlight. Have gone through battery replacements, same deal. Has happened with three Seiko solar watches now, so I'm just uber wary of them. Like I say, give me a good old reliable, vanilla-flavoured quartz. I don't need any added technology that can break.
I'm a big lover of Seiko as well but I've never owned a solar Seiko so I can't really comment too much on the matter from my own experience but from what I've read they are typically pretty good & consistent.
Regardless those watches are simply lovely & I'm sure you would be happy with one regardless of previous experiences.
Out of curiosity what colour would you likely pick?
If I was to get one, the 915 'Coke' would be my choice.
If you want the speedtimer then buy the automatics.
Heck, there's new models coming out with the same hands as the solar ones as your picture. They're about $2000 to $2500, I think.
Oh sure, I'll just magic up multiple times the price, on a whim :)
I dont Have any issues with my solar?…thus far anyways?… what issues have you had? I’m curious and what to look out for…
Oh sure, I'll just magic up multiple times the price, on a whim :)
Well, that's why there's grail watches, you know.
Tells the kids at the back to choir it up. More angelic 'aaahhhs'~! please!
Ive heard the same warning about Seiko solars from others when I was about to buy my SNE569 solar diver. Well I did buy it and no issues yet, only owned 4 months so far to be fair.
My wild ass guess is that the solar models dont do so well with long transient dips in charge and discharge. Might be something with the capacitor design or components in the watches? My hypothesis is if you just always leave them out of the dark they should be fine. My watches are all in display cases next to my bedroom window, so they always get light even when Im not wearing them. Im hoping this saves my Seiko solar diver from a premature death.
I would like to think these solar Seikos do have some merit as they are wildly popular. If more than 50% of them were dying prematurely they would have naturally retired them (which they did on some solar models I believe).
That said, Ive always seen glowing reviews for Citizen ecodrive watches, they seem to last years and years and have no issues with restarts. In my short, non-academic experience these are the top choice for analog solar chronos specifically.
I have an SUP880 and an SNJ025 that are both solar. I have had the SNJ025 for over a year now, and the SUP880 for almost five years. Haven't had any issues with either. Both still running great.
If you want the speedtimer then buy the automatics.
Heck, there's new models coming out with the same hands as the solar ones as your picture. They're about $2000 to $2500, I think.
Those pushers are way too big imo
I've found them to die, even when getting regular sunlight. Have gone through battery replacements, same deal. Has happened with three Seiko solar watches now, so I'm just uber wary of them. Like I say, give me a good old reliable, vanilla-flavoured quartz. I don't need any added technology that can break.
Wow. I really hope Seiko fixed the issues you had.
I own a 39mm SSC813P1 - Solar.. It has been perfect so far...
I've had a Prospex solar diver/chrono for years and it has never missed a beat.
Jody from “just one more watch” reviewed it and said the end links didn’t fit well. Some other things too. Maybe watch that video.
I've had this watch for the better part of five years, no issues.
Ive heard the same warning about Seiko solars from others when I was about to buy my SNE569 solar diver. Well I did buy it and no issues yet, only owned 4 months so far to be fair.
My wild ass guess is that the solar models dont do so well with long transient dips in charge and discharge. Might be something with the capacitor design or components in the watches? My hypothesis is if you just always leave them out of the dark they should be fine. My watches are all in display cases next to my bedroom window, so they always get light even when Im not wearing them. Im hoping this saves my Seiko solar diver from a premature death.
I would like to think these solar Seikos do have some merit as they are wildly popular. If more than 50% of them were dying prematurely they would have naturally retired them (which they did on some solar models I believe).
That said, Ive always seen glowing reviews for Citizen ecodrive watches, they seem to last years and years and have no issues with restarts. In my short, non-academic experience these are the top choice for analog solar chronos specifically.
My watch, listed above, was taken from me by one of my daughter's friends when she was 2 rummaging through my watchbox. I literally "lost the watch" for over a year as it was sitting at the bottom of my daughter's closet getting zero sunlight.
One day out in the sun and it was good as new. So, not sure this theory holds water, although it is very reasonable to assume.
I've had this watch for the better part of five years, no issues.
Wow, love the watch and all its complications. I was on the lookout for a Solar quartz for the usual reasons (easy to just throw on and wear) and this looks great. Too bad it looks really hard to find (SSC549?).
The thread topic gives me pause. If I'm going solar, should I stick with the Citizen Eco-Drives or have people had issues with those too?
I have an Eco-Drive as well, but only for 5 months. No issues with that one either.
My Seiko shown up above is the SSC489P1. The SSC549P1 has more of a gradient blue dial. There is also a black dialed variant with grey accents, but I am unsure of the reference number.
Wow, love the watch and all its complications. I was on the lookout for a Solar quartz for the usual reasons (easy to just throw on and wear) and this looks great. Too bad it looks really hard to find (SSC549?).
The thread topic gives me pause. If I'm going solar, should I stick with the Citizen Eco-Drives or have people had issues with those too?
Here it is. Found it on bracelet. The SSC487.
I own the earlier version of these watches (SSC819) and I’ve never had a problem. The bracelet is…Seiko, but the watch itself is great.
This is an interesting take. I love Seiko as a brand and the first I’m hearing criticism of their solar quartz. Not that I believe you are wrong, as I’ve never owned one. The only solar I have is the Citizen Promaster Diver, which I adore. I thought of purchasing a Speedtimer too, so have to give it pause now.
This is an interesting take. I love Seiko as a brand and the first I’m hearing criticism of their solar quartz. Not that I believe you are wrong, as I’ve never owned one. The only solar I have is the Citizen Promaster Diver, which I adore. I thought of purchasing a Speedtimer too, so have to give it pause now.
You should have no cause to believe I'm wrong; I've had three crap out on me. The end. Other folk are, of course, writing back that they've never had one crap out and it's the greatest goddamn technology in the world... great. They should be believed, too. The point the OP is making, which has gone whooshing over some heads, is that for me, it's a bridge I'm not going to go across again. My experiences have been all negative with Seiko solar watches, so I'm not going there. Someone else, with positive experiences, may be running across that bridge right now - and good for them. I hope they enjoy it, and it's another good watch for them. An example of how two experiences with the same tech can both be true at the same time.
My watch, listed above, was taken from me by one of my daughter's friends when she was 2 rummaging through my watchbox. I literally "lost the watch" for over a year as it was sitting at the bottom of my daughter's closet getting zero sunlight.
One day out in the sun and it was good as new. So, not sure this theory holds water, although it is very reasonable to assume.
My theory was based on transients. That is, several periods of exposing then removing from a light source. Did you store it in a drawer yourself?
The Seiko site seems to recommend storing the watch in a lit area as well when not wearing. They also say to service every 3-4 years so no different than a normal quartz at that point. Seems odd.
In any case the post author had enough bad experiences he's done with Seiko solar watches it seems. Will see how my experience goes. Hoping it will last!
My theory was based on transients. That is, several periods of exposing then removing from a light source. Did you store it in a drawer yourself?
The Seiko site seems to recommend storing the watch in a lit area as well when not wearing. They also say to service every 3-4 years so no different than a normal quartz at that point. Seems odd.
In any case the post author had enough bad experiences he's done with Seiko solar watches it seems. Will see how my experience goes. Hoping it will last!
I keep it in a watch box by the window normally, so point taken. It does get light every day, although not as strong as if exposed to direct sunlight (i.e. not through a window).
Honest question, how do you service a solar movement? There's no battery. And there is no gear train like there is in a mechanical watch.
I keep it in a watch box by the window normally, so point taken. It does get light every day, although not as strong as if exposed to direct sunlight (i.e. not through a window).
Honest question, how do you service a solar movement? There's no battery. And there is no gear train like there is in a mechanical watch.
Maybe thats the trick to making these last then...
There should be a battery in a solar watch, its just a rechargeable one that should last longer than a disposable one. The battery may be a traditional enclosed type or a series of capacitors. So technically it can be replaced.
All analog watches, even quartz ones have gears in them. Mechanical movements just have alot more mechanical components and put them under more stress. There's even a specific quartz watch oil made for maintenance of quartz movements.
Solar watches are supposed to be the lowest of maintenance for all watches though. Ive heard some people have had ecodrives for decades working properly without servicing.
My father was interested in the solar diver SNE549, but his local dealer said they went to order one and they couldn't even do that and that it's been discontinued due to some reliability issue, but they didn't offer specifics. I was a bit surprised to hear that. It has the same movement as some of the other newer solar releases. My friend has had the Arnie for 2 years with no issues, but that's a different movement.
My father was interested in the solar diver SNE549, but his local dealer said they went to order one and they couldn't even do that and that it's been discontinued due to some reliability issue, but they didn't offer specifics. I was a bit surprised to hear that. It has the same movement as some of the other newer solar releases. My friend has had the Arnie for 2 years with no issues, but that's a different movement.
Very interesting to hear.
Hey I totally felt the same way. I have probably over 100 mechanical watches now and I cringed at the solar speedtimer. Being a fan of vintage Seiko Chronographs I thought "Look how they massacred my boy". But after buying the SSC813P1 I gotta say I love it. It feels and wears great.