You can be a serious diver and still show a bit of style with this Kinetic Dive Watch. By the simple movement of your wrist, the rechargable battery charges itself. Once fully charged, it captures and stores energy up to six months. Kinetic the most advanced electronic watch technology. Environmentally friendly. Features include: one way rotating elapsed timing bezel, stainless steel case and bracelet, black dial. Designed for diving, this watch 200 meters water resistant. Kinetic: A powerhouse in technological innovationLike mechanical and quartz, Kinetic is a platform. Over the past 20 years, SEIKO has created on this platform a suite of Kinetic movements, each bringing unique features to the consumer.It was at the 1986 Basel Fair that SEIKO unveiled its first Kinetic prototype. Introduced under the trial name of ‘AGM’, it was the first watch in the world to convert kinetic movement into electrical energy. It was the first step in a development that, 20 years later, (more…)
11 Responses to “Seiko Men’s Kinetic Dive Silver-Tone Watch #SKA371”
Ever since my Seiko “Orange Monster” (SKX781) quit I had been looking for a dive watch to replace it that was both more accurate than an automatic (my Monster would usually be off by five minutes each week) and yet not require a battery change. Changing batteries is both a pain and not eco-friendly, and I just plain hate doing it. I looked for about a year at the Seiko “Black Knight” kinetic (SMY089) that Princeton exclusively offers as well as Citizen solar-powered (Eco-Drive) dive watches, liking neither options especially well. I wanted a big, solid diver with a little certain something extra - much like my Monster - and the Seiko SKA371 seems to be it.
First, the watch seems quite well made. It is much more finely finished than my Monster and light-years ahead of Citizen’s watches as far as build quality goes. The bezel moves smoothly with solid clicks, and it does not inadvertently turn like my Monster’s bezel used to. Second, this is a heavy watch! It is significantly heftier than my old Monster. I happen to like that, but other folks may not. The band, like the other Seiko bands I have worn, it high quality. It does not often pull hair and the clasp is solid and strong. The crown is easy to grasp and turn, yet it screws down to prevent accidental time changes and makes the watch more water resistant (200 meters). The hour and minute hands glow brightly at night and so do the indexes. The second hand is very pale and hard to read in total darkness, but that does not bother me. The substantial case-back is slightly curved to fit on the wrist better and is pretty thick - the mineral crystal is too. When one reads the time it seems that you are looking down into the watch; I would think such a thick crystal would be hard to crack. The kinetic movement feels neat moving back and forth and keeps good time (it is quartz-based after all).
There are only two things I am not thrilled with, and they are minor. One is that I do not care for the shape of the hour hand. The other is that I wish the bezel came up a little further than it does to help protect the crystal from scratches (although I do not have any yet).
Overall the Seiko SKA371 is a nice looking watch that I do not mind wearing to the office while at the same time being an extremely rugged timepiece that should work well in the field or ocean.
There is one thing about Princeton Watches though. While I like them, and they have watches other companies do not, they call to confirm your order. This was problematic for me because I am rarely home and it delayed my shipping (after complaining they still shipped my order UPS 3-Day Air while not charging me for it), and it seems to defeat the whole point of ordering Online. If they need to talk to you over the phone, why not just accept phone orders only? Again, I still think they are a good company, but people should keep their policies in mind when ordering from them.
By Sylvana on May 29, 2009
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointment
I pity the Diver that actually has to use this instrument. I took it windsurfing today and the cheap strap broke right where it attaches to the case.
By Wozhupiwi on May 29, 2009
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Watch - Classic, LARGE
This is a large watch (see customer images)! I love it though. I’m 6′2″, and this watch fits me perfectly. On smaller guys, it might look overbearing.
By Urian on May 30, 2009
Great watch. Heavy and well built. The watch itself is made in Japan and the stainless steel band in China. The whole lot just seems very solid. It is simple and elegant in design with no gimicky frills. The date of course needs changing at the beginning of each month, but this is easy. The watch keeps very good time. I like kinetic in that it never needs a new battery and fully charged it will keep accurate time for 6 months. My old watch was a Tissot kinetic type and would stop in less than a week if not worn, which was very annoying. I am not a big diver but live by the sea and swim and kayak a lot and the watch has not missed a beat in the water. To my eye at least it is a very good looking watch and i wear it to work as well. I am very happy with my purchase.
By Rutherford on May 30, 2009
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Dive Watch
Nice watch that feels great but a little big on my wrist. I use it as a gym watch.
By Neha on May 30, 2009
I’m posting my observations on my purchase of a Seiko SKA371P. First a little background. Got to admit that I’ve always been a “dive watch” aficionado. In a past “life” I needed a large watch with good lume and easy to read at a glance. Seiko dive watches fit the bill. Well, the demise of my Seiko automatic dive (can’t think of the model but it had day/date; rotating bezel; black dial and originally came with a rubber watch band) watch accelerated my decision. It was a good watch but within the past month it would fall 15 min behind. Anyway, even though my life has changed my original requirements haven’t: dive watch style; good lume; date; bracelet (not rubber this time); black face; rotating bezel; and automatic….no batteries; and affordable. After trolling a few watch forums I came across a couple threads that had great reviews of the Seiko SKA371. I found my watch!
Now I had to find out where to purchase it. Finally settled on Amazon and one of their vendors…WatchZone. Purchase price was reasonable ($210…can I divulge that???) and included shipping. I ordered it and then it was time to wait. Well, I chose standard shipping and it just took forever. Next time I’ll spring for 2 day! Watch arrived by UPS and of course no one was here to sign for it but my neighbor was there for me. I’ve got to go show him what he signed for over a beer or two! Plain brown cardboard box with lots of security tape (Do not sign for this if the tape has been cut) that was thankfully intact. Inside the box was stuffed a UPS plastic bag with the little air pockets. Inside of that was the blue Seiko box with the white cardboard surround. Opened it up and there it was on its pillow. Warranty, and Seiko Kinetic cal. 5m62 & 5m63 Diver’s watch instructions, and a Seiko Elite Club application (should I send this in???) of yes it had the green tag with SKA371 $475.00 suggested cal 5m62 with the bar code.
The watch was perfect. No scratches, no imperfections that I could discern. The bezel moves like silk! I also appreciate that the “teeth” on the outer edge are large and easy to grip. As has been noted the watch face is very deep and looks great. One of the features that attracted me to this watch was the skeleton hands. I know that this is a “like it or hate it feature” but I do like it and really like the stubby hour hand with the round lume on it. Another feature that I believe has been overlooked are the circular lumes on the hours. First they have some depth to them as they appear to be a bit domed and secondly they are surrounded by a chrome ring. This in my opinion makes for a very handsome face. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that this could function as a dive watch but is really a “dress watch” in disguise! Well, I took it to a jewler (Seiko AD) who I’ve done some business with (jewelry for my wife…..expensive jewelry) and he sized the bracelet for me for free. This guy just earned my business for jewelry for now and the future. Fact is I had to go back twice to get it right. The first time it was too loose and I found that the watch was just beating the top of my hand. Others have mentioned, this is a heavy watch. Now it’s pretty tight with no movement and I’m pretty happy. Gosh, I haven’t mentioned that the bracelet is wonderful. Very heavy and well made and I love the style with the big links. Clasp has the push down lock and also the squeeze button secondary lock to release. Perfect.
Quibbles/Changes. Very few. I wish that the watch had the day along with date but I can live with just the date. I’d like it a tad larger though (tired old eyes you know….wait long enough and you’ll get there). Crown, I wish it were repositioned at the 4 o’clock position…just my personal preference. Wish that the crown shoulders were a bit more integrated into the watch case. They seem to be a bit of an after thought. Just not smoothly integrated. Skeleton hands, I like them but might be nice if they had lume along their entire length. I believe I saw a lume shot of an Oris that had skeleton hands with lume along the entire length and they were very prominent. Lastly, how bout some engraving on the top of the crown? Well, got to remember the price point on this watch and well, maybe asking too much.
Conclusion. This is a great watch regardless of the purchase price. It’s got style and is flawlessly manufactured. As for precision, I’ve always liked the quartz second hand tick, tick (BTW time is hack-able) and accuracy is spot on. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quality dive watch with some style. I found out after I ordered my black face that you could also get this in “pepsi” version(red/blue bezel) and a yellow face version with black hands and there is also a titanium “look” version too. Additionally, you can get it with either a ss bracelet or a rubber band. I’d recommend the ss bracelet but that’s me. Hmmm, I’m thinking bout that yellow one.
By Idalee on May 30, 2009
5.0 out of 5 stars
Impressive
I own more then my fair share of Seiko watches, (and if you have read my other reviews, you know that I am a watch collector of higher end watches, mostly dive watches.
By Zahi on May 30, 2009
5.0 out of 5 stars
Seiko Quality
I just purchased this watch yesterday and I wore it to the office today. After reading about the good points and bad points in all of the reviews, I must say that I agree with…
By Ioviano on May 30, 2009
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome value.
I’m a bit of a watch enthusiast and have high standards when it comes to anything that I slap on my wrist for daily wear.
By Duscha on May 30, 2009
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just as I Hoped!
After looking at several watches to purchase, I decided on the Seiko. I wanted a watch that appeared masculine, without looking like a wall clock on my wrist.
By Othniel on May 30, 2009
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sturdy and Attractive
I love this watch! Very sturdy yet very attactive as well. Never needs a battery and it’s made by Seiko so you know you’re getting a quality timepiece.
By Yan on May 30, 2009