I fixed my Seiko Kinetic

Well - after some research on the internet I realised I could make my Kinetic go again without sending it back again to Seiko. (The first time it stopped I sent it back to Japan headquarters and they fixed it free - once off they said.)

The next time It stopped 3 yrs later I chucked it in the draw. Seiko service centres will charge a small mortgage to replace the capacitor. Story is this - the capacitors should have lasted a lifetime (as per the ads), however they never last more than 5yrs and it isn't like changing a battery in a normal watch - so they must go back to Seiko. (Bill - 100 UK pounds, 200 to 300 dollars - pick a number!)

Solution: Buy a 10 dollar (US) rechargeable battery replacement from Otto Frei jewelers online in San Fransisco - and a 6 dollar rubber ball to help get the back off. (Though I also needed my pliers as it was very tight, together with a leather glove.) Then find someone online who has done it before and posted pictures! Voila, done.

And it works fine. It will probably now last a lifetime (for me) as these rechargeable batteries have far more capacity than the capacitor - wow, did I say that! Seiko no use these very batteries from manufacture, as I understand it, it may be years before they are fully charged if ever - unless you shake the watch 3million and 209 times. :)