Discussion
Hi all, have a Seiko 5 which i really like the slightly retro look of, and which has done sterling service for the last couple of years. Recently however it has started to run about 5-10 mins fast each day - pretty sure that this means its reached the end of the road as these cant possibly be worth repairing!!
However before i go ahead and pick up another, is this normal behaviour for one of these, i.e. do they only remain accurate for a couple of years before its time to say goodbye like a cheap "white goods" item?
Must add that i am fairly harsh on watches and the only ones that have survived longer have been G-shocks so i guess its done ok really. I already have a G-shock so dont need another ( want / need - there is a diference! ) but prefer something smaller for wearing with a suit.
As i'm not really into the throw away mentality i am half tempted to splurge a bit more this time on something like an Omega - or if my sensible head kicks in a Christopher Ward - bit of an open question but are they actually likely to last any better than a Seiko 5, or is a couple of years about right for an automatic this side of something with a top level movement?
However before i go ahead and pick up another, is this normal behaviour for one of these, i.e. do they only remain accurate for a couple of years before its time to say goodbye like a cheap "white goods" item?
Must add that i am fairly harsh on watches and the only ones that have survived longer have been G-shocks so i guess its done ok really. I already have a G-shock so dont need another ( want / need - there is a diference! ) but prefer something smaller for wearing with a suit.
As i'm not really into the throw away mentality i am half tempted to splurge a bit more this time on something like an Omega - or if my sensible head kicks in a Christopher Ward - bit of an open question but are they actually likely to last any better than a Seiko 5, or is a couple of years about right for an automatic this side of something with a top level movement?
Sounds like you've been unlucky TBH, the movements inside any 5 are pretty basic but they're also quite hardy. If you generally give your watches a bit of a tough time and Gs have been the only watches that haven't failed on you there's absolutely no guarantee that anything more expensive will last any longer - maybe something like a well built tool watch such as a Sinn or a Damasko would outlast an Omega but with anything mechanical you're always going to run a certain risk with hard knocks.
I've heard (read: read it on the internetz) that slapping a watch can help if it's doing this. I mean, if you're going to bin it and have resigned yourself to the fact that it's broken and not worth fixing, then you could give it a firm slap. At best you'll fix it, at worst, you'll bugger it up more. It's possible a previous jolt meant the mainspring got snagged.
Raoul Duke said:
Recently however it has started to run about 5-10 mins fast each day - pretty sure that this means its reached the end of the road as these cant possibly be worth repairing!!
A fast running watch usually means it simply needs to be cleaned and oiled.You could get it serviced or throw it away and buy another.
This link is a good place for service (by return of post):
http://www.rytetimewatchrepairs.co.uk/
He gives a quote before starting work, so you can always ask him not to bother if it seems too much. Servicing costs start ar £28 (according to his site).
Cheers for the repair suggestions, not so sure about the benefits of slapping it tho!
Have had a look at the other link, its hard to call whether thats worth doing tho for what is in reality a cheap watch - a bit like bangernomics really as by the time i've paid for postage and the repair its going to stand me at almost the initial purchase price.
Have had a look at the other link, its hard to call whether thats worth doing tho for what is in reality a cheap watch - a bit like bangernomics really as by the time i've paid for postage and the repair its going to stand me at almost the initial purchase price.
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