The Kinetic watch movement was created by Seiko back in 1986.
In many ways, it is similar to an automatic watch.
A kinetic watch works through movement. The swinging or moving of your arm moves an oscillating weight within the watch.
This turns a number of gears which then produce electricity in a small generator.
The generator then charges the capacitor.
The big difference to an automatic watch is that a kinetic watch charges a capacitor instead of a spring.
Take a look at this diagram taken from a Seiko user’s manual which explains the parts in detail.
Both, however, could be referred to as motion-powered watches.
As with an automatic watch, a Kinetic-style watch from Seiko needs to be worn regularly to keep its charge. Given it requires movement, you can also keep it on a watch winder when you are not wearing it.
One con of this type of watch though is many people have reported on forums the capacitor will need replacing at some point — kind of like a battery.
Seiko has constantly been evolving their Kinetic range. There are now many distinct types you can get, including
- Kinetic Direct Drive: A month of charge can also be hand-wound via the crown
- Ultimate Kinetic Chronograph: A month of charge
- Kinetic Chronograph: Five months charge
- Kinetic Perpetual: Six months charge, can preserve time for four years (sleep mode after six months charge)
- Kinetic Auto Drive: Unknown charge, but can preserve time for four years (sleep mode after 72 hrs)
- Kinetic GMT: Unknown charge, but can preserve time for four years (sleep mode after 72 hrs)
Seiko Premier Kinetic Perpetual Novak Djokovic Special Edition
Seiko Coutura Kinetic Retrograde Men’s Watch SRN023
Seiko Velatura Kinetic
Seiko Prospex SUNO23
Seiko Prospex SUN065
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