5 things you need to know before you buy your first automatic watch.
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Automatic watches are awesome, but if you've never owned one before, there's some things you should be aware of before purchasing. Questions like, how much does it cost to get a watch serviced? what is hacking and hand winding? How often do I need set the time o my watch? All are important to consider.
After watching the video, check out the links below to see some great options for your first automatic mechanical watch.
Watches Shown in this video (With Affiliate Links)
Spinnaker Fluess
FOR 15% OFF ALL SPINNAKER WATCHES, USE CODE: DAVIR4
Purchase from Spinnaker:
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Seiko 5 SNXS79: amzn.to/2S0EMor
Laco Casablanca: amzn.to/35vnZOh
Citizen Brycen Quartz Chrono: amzn.to/2rXDlfH
Momentum Morioka: amzn.to/2S3lOgO
Orient Polaris: www.orientwatchusa.com/produc...
Some Other Great Entry Level Automatic Watches
Seiko 5 SNZG15 Field Watch: amzn.to/2PXynaG
Orient Ray 2 Dive Watch: amzn.to/2rUUhna
Orient Bambino Small Seconds Dress Watch: amzn.to/35uvFA5
Links to Reviews of watches featured in this video:
Seiko 5: • Swap the bracelet and ...
Citizen: • Citizen Brycen CA0649-...
Spinnaker Fleus: • Spinnaker Fleuss Autom...
Orient Polaris: • Orient Polaris Automat...
Laco: • Laco 1925 Navy Casabla...
I bought a seiko5 in 1985. It cost me the half week payment. After 34 years works good. Its the first watch i bought with the payment of my first work
pan Del hey I am 23 finishing my degree soon. I have always loved watch. That was a nice short story. I will save up to buy my first watch that’s paid for with my first paycheck so that it would be memorable 30 years down the road!
@@JAYJAY-ch4ik Hi Jayjay, I just personally bought myself a Seiko Save The Ocean Great White Shark timepiece yesterday. The fruit of my first job. Always wanted to buy myself one with my own money so it means something 😍
So did it work for 34 yrs without maintenance?
@@redblocks8821 of course not . 3 times
@@pandel6093 did maintenance cost more than the watch?
I like the feeling of something running on its own. It's like something alive is going on on my waist, doing their day to day purpose, just like me, a human. It is such a meaningful thing for me. Modern watches are accurate af and if I need to know the exact time in exact second, I will just look at my phone but I prefer wearing automatic watch over a battery watch because it just gives me the joy. I don't know why.
Same
Well, it is not on its own. YOU gave it energy.
best opinion no shit Sherlock!
@@hatespeech96 Then you can understand that quartz watches are as well "on their own". Or even more. You can let them in the closet years and they still do their job. In a way automatic watches depend on you for their heart to beat. But I can understand your fascination for automatic watches.
totally agree. makes you feel good and mature. your movement is powering it, nice to think about
I got an automatic Orient that belonged to my grandfather, it was in my aunt's drawer for 37 years, I picked it up this week and had it on my wrist already for 3 days and still works perfectly! I'm so impressed with it, how is it even possible? Sometimes I put it on my ear and listen to the tic tak, within all the scratches it feels like somehow my grandfather is still around, hard to explain.
Yeah what a lovely story.
For sometime after my grandpa passed i was able to call his phone and still hear his voice mail, it made me happy hearing his voice. Your lucky to have something that was kept ticking by your grandpas movement. My grandma basically sold everything of his when he passed, she couldn't handle the memories attached to his possessions.
Welcome..... You understand...... Now... When the object causes magic or random wierd effects.... Then you have discovered the meaning of anima..."the spirit of material things"
@@rodndrone1198 there was a song about that Hello, this is Joanie, I'm sorry but I'm not home
what a wonderful comment. I started to get into watches just before my father died. My brother and I split up his watches. The one I like the most is this cheap Seiko quartz, it’s all scuffed up, one of the chronograph dials is rusted, and it was filthy. I cleaned it up almost completely, leaving some of the dirt on it. He wore it all the time. It’s a nice memento.
Bought a Seiko 5 back in 1975, it has never been serviced, but still works perfectly!
Started working in 1975, still working today . . . Something tells me your watch never met Margaret Thatcher.
Maggie would have put your watch out of work straight away. Probably by looking at it.
@@nobbynoris she would have only done that if the watch was slow, unproductive, and telling time in a unit that was no longer viable. .
neil, was thinking the same, an uncle gifted me a mechanical watch when i was a kid, probably around 2000s, it's sometimes gone untouched for 5 year periods still works fine.
My Seiko Automatic, which I bought in around 1975, has survived a lot, but has had the movement replaced once and been cleaned once. It also got a new crystal after a motorcycle accident. It still looks good.
We buy mechanical watches because of the engineering appeal. They have a soul that is not expressed in a quartz watch. They are interesting pieces of horological art. Automatic and mechanical watches represent art on the wrist. That is why we love them. We ignore their obvious problems and antique technology. We celebrate them as artistic pieces that are unappreciated in our day. Their imperfection is a tribute to those who aspired to build timepieces, limited in technology, that were the greatest in their day. The latest is not always the greatest. There are those of us who love what was the best in the past and appreciate the science of our for bearers.
Watches don't have a soul. I hate it when people say that.
@R Mack Your comment makes no sense. What does what I said have to do with anthropomorphism? And, my comment was by no stretch of the imagination, hateful.
I’ve tried a couple of automatic watches and I tire of the hassle. Resetting it when it dies and searching around for it to be serviced for less than an arm and a leg. A hassle.
This is also a reason why I drive a car with a manual transmission. They are not necessarily faster or better, but they are more involving.
David Gardner - It sounds as if you are describing a replica that technically qualifies as functional - but better for a display case than practical use. May I suggest genuine antique watches for your admiration? Most of today's mechanicals have little if anything to do with engineering artistry - similar to the functional replicas of antique firearms that can be purchased and admired - but are not seriously employed for daily use - and for valid reasons: There are modern alternatives that are simply better for the intended purpose. Not being able to manually set the day or date between the hours of 9 and 3 for fear of damaging the watch? A watch that will run down if you do not wear it for a day or two, making inconvenient time-and-date-setting a frequent ritual? A loss of accuracy in the range of plus or minus ten or twelve seconds a day? None of these are examples of marvelous watch engineering, design or mechanical artistry. Any soul these things have is the soul of the devil. There must be some other reason you like mechanicals.
I got my first Seiko 5 when I turned 18 years old, it was a gift from my mom. That was the year 1982. Believe it or not I still have it and it still runs, and it has never been formally serviced. Somehow the rotor came loose several years ago, so I opened it and screwed it back on. I have replaced the gasket a few times myself, it has been magnetized and demagnetized a couple of times, I’ve adjusted the beat rate also. It still runs on the original bracelet. The movement is a 7009 and the model 8930. I am also a watch hobbyist and this watch is part of the collection, so in its later years it’s been pampered and cherished more than ever. The watch has been to hell and back; it was my only watch for many years; it’s been to the beach, worn while doing mechanics on my cars, it has the scars of a thousand wars, and it still runs. May be I got lucky, but boy I tell you, if they still make them this tough you have nothing to worry about for many, many years with your mechanical watches.
It's simple. Just because some people service their automatas every 4 years doesn't mean they require it and people who got 12-20 years out of their watches without servicing are exactly the type of people who don't go around forums to tell everyone about it.
Thanks for sharing brother
Same here: I was given a Seiko 5 as a present in 1983, never serviced and it still runs.
I think the guy is simply stating, that if you want your watch to stay running as accurate as the day you got it, you should service it. If watches are pampered, even an inexpensive $100 Seiko, there is no reason it won’t run for 20 years without service. It won’t be anywhere near as accurate as the day you got it, as the gear oil will deteriorate over time and slow the gears down. Even a Bulova Accutron to a Rolex from the 70’s still requires service to be accurate. If you don’t mind being off a min or 2 a day, no big deal. Service after 20 years isn’t required. But if it’s an heirloom, say passed down by a grandparent or parent, I would def want to get it serviced and maintained regularly.
My Seiko 5 SNZG15 lasted 4.5 years. The rotor weight fell off. But that just might get me to open it up and mod it some day.
Back in 2005 I bought a Citizen Eco Drive watch. I never knew how good, durable and accurate these watches are. I basically keep it clean that’s all you have to do to it!!! It does not require a battery replacement,,,, it keeps itself charged up with ambient light!!! In this 18 years I have had it I have worn it every day and it simply works perfectly!!!
They are great. I have 2, one with the E610 and another with the B877. They're like old Toyotas 😂
I have a Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive that I bought in the late eighties. I had the power cell replaced about 10 years ago, but basically it just runs without any problems. Citizen Eco-Drive is like the Honda of watches, they just work.
Reseting the time, date and winding a mechanical watch, for me, is part of the experience of owning a watch. You have to give it atention, care for it. It is satisfying for me to check on my mechanical watches and adjust them. Such a relaxing ocupation. But each to his own.
Very good
The Seiko 5 is probably the best introduction to the world of mechanical watches, and it’s been in production for a long time. It’s got tradition, toughness, and it’s super affordable. I’ve had mine for 6 years, never been serviced, has been soaked by rain and been in extreme cold many times. Never gains more than 6 seconds a day in my experience. It still looks lovely despite the beating of warehouse work and heavy outdoor use I’ve put it through. It has these fine scratches all over the crystal and bezel that give it a nice broken in look and feel. It got me into watches because it was the first expensive (relatively, no watch enthusiast will be fooled) looking and nice feeling watch I’ve owned!
Hi I'm very much interested in Seiko watches bro. I'm Begginer brother I like Seiko turtle models which model can I buy ?? I don't like servicing often..which model would you prefer ?
i bought the seiko sports 5, go with that one it's amazing
I have my dad's watch. Seiko 5 manufactured February 1974. Still works without a service 🤩
My Seiko 5 from 1976 has never been serviced, keeps perfect time for a mechanical watch, and is a fantasic watch to wear still. I'm not saying that you are wrong about servicing, just giving my experience of owning a fantastic watch.
When considering buying a mechanical watch, I looked at you SNK803 review. This watch in black, met a lot of my brief. It's an honourable hobby and I admire your integrity, working to a decent, open level of critique. I'm so glad I've seen this video, because it answers those nagging questions I wasn't sure about. Addressing them with an ethic I like and common sense too, because it's not all about any one logic really, it's personal. Sound video! Will be a key video in your series! Thanks again!
Hi Dave. Just want to say thanks for this video. It was very helpful. I’ve always owned a few quartz watches, but never explored mechanical watches until recently. I really love the history and art behind some of these watches and I will always appreciate their inherent mechanical design. However, a man needs to know his limitations. I realized finally with your video that I don’t have the level of attention or patience that a mechanical watch requires and deserves. Therefore, I’m sticking with quartz. Luckily, I found what I wanted in quartz; Laco entry level Pilot watches (both A & B dials) in 40 mm. I couldn’t be happier.
Ditto on this. I found this video hugely helpful as I used to think that mechanical watches were superior to quartz watches just by virtue of being mechanical. It sounds, instead, like people more than likely go with mechanical because of the craftsmanship and ritual. While I can appreciate this, I think I'll opt to appreciate them on other people's wrists. Thank you!
My dad gave me a 1980s Seiko 5 (looks very similar to your seiko 5 thats why I clicked on the video but it has a white dial and the crown is in the middle) that he bought back then. It has never been serviced, repaired, or opened. It still ticking today and it's pretty accurate. This, is the reason why we LOVE mechanical and automatic watches.
I’ve still got my Dad’s old SwissAm watch from the 70’s. I don’t wear it often, but it still works great. It’s never been serviced, but keeps time well. I think the only reason he stopped wearing it was because quartz digital watches became popular in the 80’s. They were so accurate, cheap and didn’t require winding. I have a quartz digital Casio for work, my Citizen Eco-drive and my Father’s manual wind up mechanism SwissAm. I’ll probably not buy an Automatic unless I change jobs where I can wear one frequently. My job is a TIG welder, hence the cheap Casio F-108W. I don’t mind getting it beaten up! Great advice in the post, thanks!
I have Seiko 5 automatic since 1985, was HS Graduation gift and it's running just like the day it was given to me. I still wear it for many occasions, and has not let me down not even once. Zero maintenance since was given to me.
I only recently got a couple of Seiko 5s to play around with the idea of an automatic watch, but I realized pretty quickly that keeping accurate time is not really the point of an automatic (obviously you can spend the money if you really want to make that the point). It's really about appreciating the fact that these devices can turn kinetic energy (you, the wearer, moving around) into mechanical energy in the form of timekeeping. It requires no batteries to be replaced or charged, and the actual way it functions (e.g. the sweep of the second hand vs a quartz movement) is pretty cool to see.
This was such work! Thanks for the thoughtful intro to mechanical watch ownership. These “5 things you should know” or “10 top blah blah” type videos are seldom useful but I’m so glad I watched this!
I'm in to watches but haven't bought my first one yet. I was gifted a nice G-Shock, and inherited a few nice watches too. One of which is a Swiss Frontenac hand wind. Honestly I enjoy winding it up as much as I do wearing it. It's from the 60's and was my late uncle/godfathers. Like you mentioned, I love the idea of handing it down to my nephew/godson one day. It holds a special place in my heart honestly. I'm pretty sure I've spent way more than it's worth on repairs for it. But that's how much I love it. It tells time great, but I broke the crystal a couple times wearing to work so much. I don't wear it to work so much anymore but finds it's way on my wrist on my casual days.
I own three, I didn’t realize I would have to service them before seeing this video. I’m hoping that won’t cost more than $150 but I still feel good in my mechanical watch. My newest watch is a hack watch, but until this video I never understood what that meant. This was a great video, thanks for the content.
Good tips for beginners. It would be neat to see a video with different Automatics on how they can gain, or lose seconds in different positions. I have an Orient Star Elegant Classic that will gain a 8-10 seconds if I'm wearing it in 24 hours or if it's laying flat. On the other hand, it loses 8-10 if I lay it on it's side. Knowing that I can keep it very accurate most all the time.
Got my first Seiko in 1971. Got a Seiko Quartz in 1981. Both still working. Love my Seikos.
For setting the time on a watch without hacking or winding (like Seiko 5) I found that when you advance the minute hand it typically jumpstarts the watch with whatever little energy might still be stored. So I typically sync the seconds hand that way and then shake the watch a bit to store more energy in the mainspring. After winding it a bit I set the time
I was just introduced to the whole idea of a mechanical watch and have been shopping for my first one, so your advice is greatly appreciated.
Excellent video, thank you. I change my watches every few days, so accuracy doesn’t bother me that much. I own mostly mechanical watches, but a fair number of quartz as well. I love them all!
I still have Seiko 5 that belonged to my grandpa, it is more than 30 years old. Nevere did it broke. Wouldn't trade it for any million dollars watch. It is priceless to me. And I absolutely love it, its classic, small and just beautiful...
That's awesome! I bet it's a beautiful watch..and really nice that it was handed down in your fam
I just got my first automatic watch. I got an Orient Ray ll. I love it! So far it has been very accurate. I only take it off to shower. I know it's 200m water resist and I have showered with it on, but I prefere not to so I can clean my wrist and give it a breather. I am very happy so far with this watch and would recommend it!
My first automatic is a seiko 5 which I still own and wear frequently ( one made in japan) its what kicked off my interest and fascination with time piece collecting. I don't think you can go wrong with the 5...
I have a Jaeger Lecoultre from 2004. I wear it everyday. Still running perfect without service and not a minute has been off all these years.
My wife bought me an Omega Speedy in Dec 1999 for the turn of the millennium. I wear it every day since and I think I love it even more now - most people don’t understand.
I've gone back to liking mechanicals and have come full swing around. Back in the early seventies, when quartz watches were new and novel, the accuracy was fascinating to me! And you didn't have cell/smart phones that kept literally atomic time. Some of the first quartz watches were phenomenally accurate. I had an early Pulsar brand that was based on a quartz crystal that vibrated at over 800,000 time a second, which is converted by dividing down circuits to one second intervals. And to top it off it had a trimmer capacitor for fast/slow adjustments. I set it to the atomic clock radio station WWV on the shortwave radio bands and after two years, I had it accurate to within one second per year!! But to keep it that accurate I had to wear it all the time due to the need to keep it a constant temperature. I was only 12 years old and had nothing better to do than to get a watch supremely accurate. Then came the newer quartz watches that flooded the market that had quartz crystals with a frequency of only about 35,000 hertz (35Khz). Those became popular and so this ruined the accuracy potential of quartz moments forever! But now I'm back to mechanical watches again due to the charm. As the video creator mentioned, you now have smart phones if you need super accurate time down to a thousandth of a second.
In 1984 I bought a Pulsar quartz when I passed the bar. It still looks good and keeps accurate time. The lume even still works.
found my grand pas 50 year old watch the one he was showing in the start seiko 5, it was working fine , wore it for3-4 days then it stopped , sent it for servicing.
Good video. I'm new to the "hobby". I knew all of this, but you did a really great job of explaining everything. Well done.
All this talk of maintenance and user involvement is actually really appealing to me. Makes it interesting and I love mechanical things that run. Will be buying my first mechanical watch soon. Thanks for the real world tips and advice 🤜🤛
I owned my automatic watch since 3 weeks now and I can confirm he’s right with every point. But these are the things I absolutely love about the watch
Owning a watch for 3 weeks allows you to confirm that it requires maintenance after 5 years?
Hugely helpful! I have done a bit of research and took the plunge on a seiko 5. Now discontinued to make way for new models. One thing I've noticed is that I still have to adjust the time on my casio and timex. I know they're cheap. And they've been my daily beaters. But I think with the 'automatic' ill be better at making a ritual of each week adjusting rather than finding out im 5 minutes behind after a while of not checking the battery watches. Looked at smart watches and just don't want to be bothered at this point for what they're worth
Great tips Dave, all are valid points to consider when looking into getting mechanical watches, but with that are a part of the charm!
I have had that very same Seiko 5 watch as my daily driver for over 10 years and it's still working perfectly. Never had it serviced.
I just bought my first automatic watch yesterday around $100 (because I liked the skeleton look). Had no idea about automatic or mechanical watches before this. Spent the day today learning about them and this video pretty much summarized the growing realization I was having. It's still nice to have such a piece if you're an enthusiast but it makes quartz drives look like the swiss army knife in terms of long term practicality.
Im new to this channel but really enjoy your content! Well done sir love to hear watchtalk
Thanks a lot!
I bought a Casio atomic solar digital about 15 years ago that still works and keeps great time (obviously). I think I paid around $50 for it. I don’t think you can even get the same model anymore. One of my favorites to this day. But a Seiko 5 is my daily wearing watch. 👍🏻
I am thinking to buy Seiko 5 watch Could you suggest the name pls ?
Just got my grandfather's seiko 5 7s26. It was in the cupboard for 12 years and in a pretty rough shape but after a servicing down the local watch shop and replacing glass, its as good as new and I absolutely love it. I hope to pass it on to the coming generation. Automatic watches are absolutely worth your time.
This is one of those those things I never thought I'm going to need and I'm glad I stumbled across this because I was planning to get my first mechanical watch, I just can't resist that certain allure it has. Thanks a whole lot.
Nice to see someone take the time and effort to explain some basics in a simple straightforward manner. Merry Xmas Dave.
Thanks Alan, Merry Christmas!
alan wright I think that if you are interested in the watch hobby and want to know more about watches, please reference literature or videos from someone who has more knowledge on the subject. To my surprise, he used the example of servicing a watch that cost less than a hundred dollars. In all reality many automatic watches are more expensive and worth the investment of servicing! Keep in mind that if you have an automatic watch, you more likely have several watches, so the automatic is not constantly running and wearing out parts. Often times these watches will run accurately for many years before needing a service, regardless of cost!
You are brilliant man. Love how you explain things in details.
In 2009 I bought a Citizen eco drive and it keeps perfect time, only time it needs adjusting is when there is under 31 days, but as the guy pointed out I can get exact time from android phone or tablet's . It was £63 in Argos. About 2 or 3 years ago I fell in love with another citizen but it cost £525. Sadly I have been ill and lost so much weight it needs 1 or 2 links taken out, but the time stays exactly right even though it is wrapped in kleenex and in a secure drawer, even after 6 months keeps perfect time. I always use to swear by Seiko, for many years of course you have to be active for an automatic watch to work, now I am disabled and house bound I am glad of my old Citizen eco drive. Highly recommend Citizen eco drive.
Apparently it's about £60 or so to replace the capacitor once an eco drive watch stops & you should be good to go for another 12 years or so I've got a Casio with a 10 year battery also. Alot of citizens are pretty big but there are a few in 37mm for me & mu skinny wrist. Eco drives are great 👍👍
Thank you for the information. I just bought a Lige Automatic Mechanical watch at the spur of the moment and love it. Wasn't that expensive either. My first watch.
Just started sniffing around ebay for a cheap (starter) Seiko 5. Spotted it in video still. I grew up with mechanical watches but sage advice.
The things you’ve covered are the reasons I love mechanical watches.
I've had my seiko 5 for 15 years and it's still working fine
love my mechanical automatic watches and will never give them up. i love my quartz watches too, but, i have special respect for the nature of the inner workings of mechanical watches first and foremost. i love the various movements and complications. great video sir.
Great video! Especially the point about hacking and hand winding. Especially hand-winding was a feature I, foolishly, assumed was standard on an automatic watch.
Had my Air King 26 years and its had no maintenance, works a treat.
Although quartz watches make up the majority of the watches in my collection, I am very fond of mechanicals. The three that I have are vintage pieces, and I love the second hand sweep and their idiosyncrasies. It's true that they are a bit of a hassle but I think everyone interested in watches should have at least one mechanical. They're really cool.
@@RelaX-xi7uxhow much did it cost you to service that watch?
I've invested a large part of my family fortune into an Invicta.
Lol. 😂
Is the Invicta still functioning?
The good part about Invictia, it won’t need a maintenance for their lifetime 😅
😂
I have some invictas too
Seiko 5 owner here, too. Bought mine a decade ago when 5s were roughly $50 on Amazon. My time loss for the first five years fluctuated between 30 seconds to two minutes a day. I shipped my watch to Seiko Service & Repair in NJ for a tune-up mid-pandemic for roughly $120. Service was fast, responsive and so was my watch! It came back spot on accurate. I'm now back to a two-minute-a-day loss. Might be time for new servicing. Thanks for the video!
I know that Seiko own specifications state it can lose up to 35 sec's per day, but almost all the discontinued Seiko 5's of the last generation perform *much* more accurately when all parts in their movement are in order, being off less than 10 sec's/day. Sounds like you were particularly unlucky to get a very inaccurate one in the 1st place. The workers who manufactured its movement and assembled it in the factory must have been sloppy. That it reverted in 2.5 (?) years or less after good servicing to being much worse than Seiko's own specs seems to drive my argument across. If I were you I'd try to sell it, but definitely wouldn't turn it in for more servicing nor rely on it anymore. Treating it to additional servicing, even by the most competent professionals with regards to Seiko 5s, is a total waste of money. If I had $120 to spend on a watch, I'd purchase another timepiece (hopefully much more reliable than the one you had).
P.S- When a Seiko 5 is off that much a day, odds are the watch has either gotten banged up too hard, or/and its movement has become repeatedly magnetized. So before I did anything else with it, I'd purchase off of Amazon or eBay a demagnetizer (they are cheap and generally work well) and treat my watch to it. If magnetism is the culprit in being off so much a day, demagnetizing will fix it. If necessary, I'd repeat this every 2 weeks or once a month. Your job or one of your hobbies may have involved working very close to magnets or electromagnetic fields. Either this, or you may have placed your watch too close (less than 5 cm) to anything like those (even a cell phone or loudspeakers).
Number 6- automatic watches are relatively heavier than quartz operated watches. I switched now to Citizen Echo Drve and I am enjoying it. Great video thanks
How your experience has been with the eco drive? What would you personally recommend? An automatic watch or a solar watch like eco drive?
@@user-pl1ki3ok6g I would never go back to quarter watches. The only good thing about them is their light weight. Automatic watches are nice but some brand make them really heavy. So shop for auto watch that is Titanium or with rubber/silicone band. Also very important to look for how long it stays running if not worn on the wrist. Some can last 48 hours while others less than that. My all time favourite is the Citizen Eco Drive from, because they last 6 months in the dark. That is insane, and last really long time. Mine has a nice bluish fabric band. My only trouble is that Citizen tend to make the majority of their models big watches larger than 43mm in diameter. So if you have big wrist you would love them. I hope that helps.
I bought a Seiko5 SNK805 (green military style) in 2008. It still keeps good time, it's never been serviced and still has the original green nylon strap. It cost £24.00 from a company in Singapore and came without paperwork. I've just bought another one (Beige version SNK 803). I love these watches.
Hi Dave my mothers old Rado watch which my father gifted to her in 1968 still works to this day and it has only been serviced once. I don't know the model number but it is the type where it auto-winds just by the movement of your arm/wrist. It still remains pretty accurate though. She says she likes it more than the ones with a battery because one of my dad's watch's battery leaked and basically killed the gears of the watch. That one needed a full repair which cost a lot.
I'm wearing my fathers Seiko 5 and he bought it 41 years ago and it works perfectly
Thanks for the lesson. Just ordered my first automatic watch. Went for a Seiko Presage cocktail ice blue. Mainly for the look of it. Just beginning to get interested in this hobby/collector thing. It is quite addictive.
It won't be your last, my friend 😁
How many watches do you have now
ditto on the last question
Seiko pressage is great choice, however he is little bit more "dressy" in my opinion. Get one of these 5s (since its 4x cheaper) for that casual/every day vibe.
Reasons 2, 3, and 4 actually add to the charm for a lot of us, as it requires a "labor of love" on the user's part.
Hey...one month ago I bought an Orient mariner automatic and it didn't skipped a beat...now saving for a orient M-force Delta, much love
I received from my father my seiko 5 calibre 7009 from 1985 as an inheritance. This watch has worked in civil construction for over 25 years and has never stopped working with pneumatic hammers, cement, grinders, drills, 15 kg hammers, water etc. and has never been served in a watchmaker, and it still works on my wrist, any day I will give it to my son. this is the essence of a watch, accompanying us in the good and bad moments of life. and not to be in a box! Afraid of spoiling it because it's very expensive and it has diamonds and it's made of gold! this watch is priceless because of the memories it carries!, this watch cost so little and offered so much!, why? because it was made to accompany us and not to take our money. it was not meant to be art, it was meant to be respected and admired for its robustness and competence. thanks and congratulations to your channel, i wanted to see a rolex last as long as this seiko!
Good video. I have about 6-7 Seiko mechanical pieces that I run semi-regularly. My beater is a Timex Weekender, but I run whatever Seiko I feel like every so often. They’re solid pieces but I always have to set them every time I take them out. No big deal, if you’re expecting it. So that’s something to factor in. I’ve never had to adjust the time on my Timex, and a basic battery swap. So, yeah. Quartz is superior, but you buy the mechanical for the art more than anything.
An worst case EMP from the sun will take out the quartz along with everything else 🤣 but your mechanical miracle will keep on ticking haha
@@Blake4625kHz I just wear my sundial watch. No resetting the time or worrying about EMPs.
@@stupedcraig as your name implies 😄
I'm not a real big watch fan, but I have a Timex day date automatic that is well over 40 years old that still works like the day I bought it...worn on and off for same amount of time never serviced...I find that kind of amazing...good video thanks.
Am just getting into this, and looking at my first Seiko 5. Not so worried about hyper accuracy so a little daily slippage of a few seconds will be quite acceptable as my time-telling is no more demanding than "a quarter past four", rather than "16:14:58". Old school mechanicals have a charm that quartz watches and mobile phones simply don't. Thanks for your videos - nice to have someone talking about realistic, accessible horology for people with real-world budgets; I'm never going to own a Patek or an AP, and I'm fine with that.
You hit the nail on the head- mechanical watches work just fine if you wear them every day and reset the time once a week. If you take off the watch for the weekend, it won't be running on Monday morning. My Seiko diver gained a few minutes a week- I had the watch repair guy set it fast rather than slow, which is best so you don't miss the first minutes of your fav TV show
There's no hard and fast rule with regards to when the time must be reset on a mechanical watch. In many such watches, you can keep them very accurate over the long haul by finding out how much the watch losses or gains in 24 hours, as well as the positions in which placing the watch gains or losses back darn near the same amount of time during the night (or whenever). If you take off the watch for the weekend, it won't be running on Monday morning -- unless its power reserve is greater than ~62 hours and you fully charged it up before taking it off. Though more expensive, there already exist plenty of options for a mechanical with that much power reserve.
Hacking also allows you to correct a fast movement w/out moving the hands backward.
In 2015 when my father passed away I inherited his Gold Manual Wind Rotary Dress Watch it’s a Swiss Watch , I had it serviced and it’s a dream, that got me into manual wind and automatic watches I now have 10 Automatic watches and 20 Vintage Manual Wind plus 5 New Manual Wind watches. I do have 2 quartz watches but only because they were presents off my late Grandmother who I adored otherwise I wouldn’t have a quartz watch. I have done the Royal Horological Society Course which was excellent, they teach you all about watches how to service them etc They also do the course on-line its well worth it. Love your channel Greetings from Liverpool England
Great video. My wife bought me an automatic Seiko I loved several years ago. I liked it but got tired of sending it in to be adjusted and repaired.
Really cool video bro, super interesting and definitely informative. My fav watch is my Seiko 5 SNK809, not that I have too many anyway. Just needed another strap though :)
There is a jeweler in my town with a watch maker full time on staff, and I can get my mechanical watches serviced there for $75.
Would like mine serviced what’s the name and mailing address, so I may send him mine also !
Thank you so much! I was in this exact spot and this is information I really really really needed to know! Gave me a good feel for what's out there and what it would be like to own one :D :D :D
I bought for 10 years a Zenith 133.8 automatic bumper from 1957 even with the original crown serviced by my local watchmaker and still running very accurate !
I don't mind setting a time every time I wear mechanical watches. in fact I enjoy it. It's part of hobby... of course because I love mechanical watch
I find it somewhat relaxing sometimes.
I am obsessed with getting the hands in perfect sync ;)
This is what newbies don't understand. Most go into the hobby because it's cool nowadays and it's a grown up thing to do but they really don't get it. And sadly, this guy fall into that category.
@@hopiamongo8119 Everybody is entitled to an opinion I guess
👍
Good video for newbies. Thank you. Most of my autos cost between $100 and $400. It would be easier and more cost effective to just drop a new NH36 (or the like) movement in when/if needed, which is far less often than most people think. I have a 1972 Timex Marlin that still runs well and has never been serviced. All that said, it has taken me some time and commitment to learn how to drop a new movement into a watch and that commitment I think is your whole point. Mechanical watches require a small commitment. Thanks again for another thoughtful video.
Why not learn to lubricate?
Very helpful. I’ll keep my Seiko sports 5 to look at the movement and now go for the Hamilton Quartz for looks. Thanks!
My grandad has this old soviet watch (poljot or smth like that). About 2 days ago, he put it on for the first time in 20 something years and with a bit of movement, the watch worked flawlessly. Smooth movement, i estimate the watch to be from the early to mid 70s yet it works without hick ups, the second hand is nearly hypnotising. My grandad claims to having worn it everyday before retiring so i believe its a great mechanism. Just like with guns, i guess the soviets make durable things. Imyself wanted to buy an snxs73k but now im hesitating after watching this vid, cus i wouldnt be wearing it daily and i knew they need movement to run before watching, yet the maintenance is really something i didnt consider.....
I am a huge fan of Soviet watches. Pobeda, Vostok, Slava have excellent movements and most of the ones I’ve purchased are exceptionally durable and accurate considering the very low entry price. I have about a dozen and wear one every day. The most I’ve spent on any of them is about a hundred. Many were less than 50. All between 30 and 70 years old, working great, and rewarding to behold.
I've had my automatic Seiko watch which my dad gave me in 1988 for my first year in college. In 2020, five years after my dad's passing, the damn watch is still going strong, Ravi Peiris M.D.
Dad bought me a Seiko 5 automatic before getting into high school. The watch is 14 years with me, but I stopped using it about 8years into being worn since it doesn't store much energy as it used to. Now that's I've started to have interest in watches I am planning to get this watch serviced. It's terrible now because it runs like +8 seconds every minute, but this watch means a lot to me!
If all parts of your watch were properly manufactured -- and I don't know if this was actually so -- it couldn't have stopped storing enough energy after 8 years unless it got banged up too hard (or dropped onto some hard surface), or water somehow got into the watch through exposure to more water than its resistance could handle. Some might try to excuse this by arguing the oil dried up in the movement after 7-8 years, but this doesn't seem convincing, seeing how so many people reveal they've had their Seiko 5 problem-free without any servicing for _decades_ .
Great video.. good information.. must say I love my automatic watches and prefer them but I also didn’t realise when I first got into them that they all have a ‘personality’, some gain time, some loose it etc.. but I think it adds charm to them 😊 It shouldn’t surprise people that they need servicing and that parts can wear … fundamentally the same as vintage mechanical clocks.. they need love and don’t last forever without work doing on them. But that’s like most things in life, true?!
If you plan to spend less than about $350 for a self winding mechanical watch, I recommend looking for one with a Seiko NH-35 or NH-36 movement. They are pretty accurate. When years go by and they need service you can buy a new movement for around $35 give or take. If you are mechanically inclined, you can buy the tools to remove the back, hands, and dial and replace it yourself.
Buy seiko 5 . Buy a new one 10 years later instead of getting it serviced for more money. Stonks
New Seiko's are starting to have issues and they're not cheap anymore
after 10yrs it will hold sentimental value... because most watch dont lastcthat long...
@@MiddleClassNaPobre I had a F91W. It lasted 13 years with original battery. It just stayed on the wrist unnoticed. I just bought another one. No need to bother with common problems of other watches. I do not care if one day it dissappears.
Finally, some common sense. Honestly, a watch is only a convenience at this point, so you don't have to take your phone out of your pocket.
STONKS ARE DOWN
In April 2012 I bought my first automatic Seiko 5. It got service in 2017 and now it's still working fine. It's not accurate as your PC clock but it works well. I think I won't buy more mechanical ones from now but it's a good companion for my day. BTW, the best way to revive a dead automatic (Seiko 5) is to hold it strong with your thumb on the face watch and move your hand forward (like throwing a stick) and then stop. That's the way to keep it OK for the whole day, also considering most people do not walk the whole day.
I just got that same seiko 5 as you for my graduation. I know it is not some fancy watch, but I really just love the way it looks and the idea of a watch that just runs on its own. I plan on keeping it forever, and at least I will be able to remember when to service it since it was gifted to me during a very memorable occasion.
Congratulations!!
I was debating on whether to get a quartz or automatic. Ended up getting a beautiful longine dolcevita quartz. One of the things that made me think about getting an automatic was I would pass it down. Then my husband said, don't assume someone would want it and that pretty much settled that for me. I understand the engineering appeal for some. I just want a well made, good looking watch and it ended up being a quartz..
That's a great choice! I've been eyeing some Dolce VIta too, as an alternative to the Reverso or Cartier Tank.
😉Be sure to always set the hands at 🕡 before you set the day&date ✌
Do I need to do so (hands at 6oc when setting day&date) if my watch is a mechanical quartz?
@@bestopinion9257 nope not really because analogue quartz only triggered the day date complications right on 23:59~00:00 other than that you may rest assured👍
I’m just looking at buying my first good watch, this video is great, thanks. Most of the points you bring up are actually plus points to me. I want a non battery watch, so keeping it wound will really not be a problem. Thanks again
I have a Seiko 5. Had it about 12yrs & have worn it almost everyday during that time. It has never been serviced & loses about a minute over a couple of weeks. I love it!
After starting a watch collection and picking up a few mechanical watches that were always stopping, and then spending six hundred bucks on a watch winder, I've come to the conclusion that they're not worth all the trouble unless you just have one and plan to wear it every day. My favorite watch is probably my solar powered Seiko Excelsior.
I'm using My father's Seiko 5 it's older than me ❤️
Just bought my first Swiss Watch, a Tissot. I love this interaction, the need to take care of the watch. Great info!
I got a seiko 5 for Christmas and I'm in love! I've never owned a watch before but now I'm hooked. Already looking at more watches lol great video
Great introduction to auto/mechanical watches showing the pros and cons. I have long been a collector of watches both mechanical and quartz pieces. I have around 30 pieces at present. The best long term prospect for me is a quartz solar powered watch. My Citizen eco drive, which is now 18 years old is still very accurate (2-3 seconds per month) and has never been serviced. My Rolex DJ is -12 seconds per month and has cost me £1800 in service costs over the same period. As and instrument for telling the time the eco drive is a no brainer but I still love the Rolex.
Personally, I’m a quartz guy. You can’t beat the accuracy and the convenience factor. Plus, there are some stunning quartz pieces out there that rival or outclass even the most beautiful mechanical watches.
Exactly. I have never owned an automatic watch. I do respect the charm and intricacy of the automatic movement. However, I personally prefer accuracy. Instead of taking out the phone from my pocket each time I have to check the time, I would like to have the same exact time on my wrist.
Bought a automatic skeletal mechanical watch, knowing full well it wouldn't hold perfect time, simply because I love seeing how things work and skeletal mechanical watches are proud to show that off. Still have my smart watch, phone, and other Quartz watches to fall back on when accuracy matters
It's refreshing to see such a down-to-earth vid making very practical observations.
Well I have invested in mechanical watches a long time ago and I have several of them all automatics, I am pleased with every single one of them. Quality watches would require a service every 5 years roughly and the price of it depends on the type of watch but even the one that has increased in value 25 times its original price I paid for, the service is about 180 USD. I have had that watch since 1988. I had it serviced 6 times which is not even the price I have paid for and it is extremely far from its actual speculated value. When you buy such watches you are buying a piece of engineering and architecture and if you choose well or are lucky they do get pricey with time for example the watch I was referring to is the nicknamed Omega speedmaster Holy Grail ref ST 376.0822 Calibre 1045, also I have an old Rolex Pepsi GMT II Caliber 16750 that has more than doubled in value and several others Breitling, Jaeger LeCoultre... Again if you can afford it, do not choose just any watch you should put a bit of thinking because at the end the sentimental value is much more than the rest and yes I plan to passing it on... Watches is part of my culture being a Swiss individual...😉