Seiko Sportura Kinetic Direct Drive SRG021P1 Black PVD (similar to SRG017 & SRG019) - A General Purpose Watch, A Review (plus Video)

I have two Kinetic watches, the Seiko SKA475P1 and the Seiko Prospex GMT SUN019P1. Both uses the first generation Kinetic technology whereby the internal battery or capacitor is charged only by the movement of the internal flywheel rotor. 

 

The Direct Drive is a second generation Kinetic technology introduced by Seiko back in 2007 where the wearer can not only charge the internal battery or capacitor by wearing the watch but also by turning (or winding) the crown.

 

Over the years, I have always kept my eyes out for a worthy specimen to join the collection but truth be told, I wasn't that committed to get one, until now.

 

While browsing at a Seiko Boutique store in Mid Valley Megamall, I happened to noticed this Black IP-coated Sportura. It was going for cheap as it has been in the store for years. I immediately snapped up the SRG021P1.

This purchase tick two boxes for me: the first Sportura and the first Direct Drive Kinetic in the collection.

 

I suppose you can also say that this is a NOS (new old stock) model. Based on the serial number, this particular watch was made in 2014. Nevertheless, the dealer assured me that everything is still in perfect working order. The standard warranty is still given. Even the leather strap has been replaced by the dealership beforehand. 

The Seiko Kinetic Watch Official Wireless Charger YT02A – Practical, yet expensive; A Review

I have been experimenting charging my Seiko kinetic watches wirelessly for about a year now. Using a Braun electric toothbrush charger I was able to transfer some power to the watch with a bit of ‘trial-and-error’. Unfortunately, the amount of times I had to find the correct alignment between the watch and charger for the transfer of energy to work plus the wasted time when it was not actually charging was getting to me. In the end I gave up and decided to get a real Seiko Kinetic Charger.

Charging a SEIKO Kinetic using a Braun tootbrush induction charger

I have two Seiko Kinetic watches that I seldom wear (Seiko Kinetic SKA475P1 and Seiko Prospex Kinetic GMT SUN019P1). Letting the energy deplete completely in the capacitor could weaken it in the long run. Hence, it is best practice to always keep it charged.

Unfortunately, this is the bane of Seiko Kinetics. Without the owner wearing the watch, it will not get charged.

Seiko does have a dedicated charger. However, this charger is only sold to its dealers (in Malaysia that is). Nevertheless, it can be found on eBay although at a very exorbitant price. This got me thinking of another way to get the same result.

Actually there are a lot of threads in watch forums about this issue. One of the suggestion was to substitute the Seiko induction charger with another less expensive alternative. The Braun toothbrush induction charger was a prime candidate.

I got one at a shop and immediately started experimenting on my Seiko Kinetic.

Seiko Prospex Kinetic GMT Reference SUN019P1 - The 'Vader-Tuna-Turtle' or "VaTT" for short is a runaway winner with a lot of possibilties, A Review

With the globalization on the Prospex series by Seiko earlier this year, a number of new releases were made. One of the most anticipated is the release of the diver model, the Kinetic GMT.

This model (the one I got is also referred to as the SUN019P1) was launched on March 27, 2014. It uses the same double case system as the renowned 1975 model. It is also available with a silicon strap and more colorful hands and markers (SUN021P1) or all black piece with a silicon strap and colorful hands and markers (SUN023P1).

This time, instead of getting it from the internet, I've decided to visit an Authorized Dealer of Seiko that I know. Within a short space of time, I got the watch, sized the bracelet and packed to bring back home.

As this model is under Seiko's professional watch series, the box that came with the watch is not the standard that one gets. I actually expected to get a box that is typical of the Prospex series i.e. in yellow. Instead, I got a big white box with the "SEIKO" brand printed in silver that is more towards the Ananta class.

Seiko Kinetic SKA475P1 - A Comfortable Watch, A Review

My first Seiko Kinetic that was bought for me by my wife for my 28th birthday (early 1990s) met a horrible death. Due to catastrophic failure of a gasket, seawater got in and fried the electronics. Below is the crown of the said watch. This watch has a reference code of 5M43-0C80.

Due to the age, Seiko could not repair the watch as per original.

The water rating was set at 5 Bar or 50 meters. Above is a picture of the destroyed watch with the dial crusted with salt deposits.



Recently, Seiko informed me that they have a movement that is of the same type that is similar to the shape of the original crown. Due to the effects of the saltwater, even the dial was destroyed. Instead, they suggest a transplant of the Seiko Kinetic SKA475P1 casing to my original bracelet. Above is a picture of the model which Seiko suggested I transplant.