Watch repair vs new watch?

[Paul_B]

I'm looking for an occasional wear, workaday watch and have two choices. But a new watch in the £100-200 range, preferably at the lower end of the range. Or get a seiko solar watch working again.

The Seiko was stored for a few years in a drawer. I got it out a few years ago and it wasn't working. I left it in the window to charge and it worked but the second hand moves very erratically. Kind of sticks then moves forward like it's catching up. I put it away at faulty but today I tried again. I'm figuring on leaving it in a sunny window for as long as possible then see what happens. I suspect it won't work.

So does anyone know if the seiko solar watch can be made to work again? Is it simply a new battery that's needed? I mean it went flat in the drawer I guess but surely that's not going to break it?

So fix or replace? Which is the best and / or cheapest option?

 

[C_Claycomb]

Worth finding a watch repair place and asking.
I have used these people to replace a battery in a high end watch and have been very happy. They do repairs by mail.

Seiko Watch Repair - Watch Doctors

Watch Doctors are fully trained specialists in Seiko Watch Repair, offering everything from battery replacement to full servicing.

watchdoctors.co.uk

 

[Megatramp]

Most likely a new battery will sort it, won't run on solar alone. Love my Seiko so I'd fix it.
I bought another watch to save my beloved skx from abuse but it's still in the box and the poor old Seiko is covered in scrapes and weld spatter!

 

[Foogs]

I don't know if it's the same, but when the battery is low on my Seiko Kinetic, the second hand moves in 2-second jumps to indicate it needs charging.

 

[ranger85]

I had a similar issue and was advised to leave it in the sun with the crown pulled out 2 clicks and leave it for 3-4 days, worked in the end!

 

[MikeLA]

Repair it, relative had a seiko and no one locally were able to repair it. My sister took it to Florida a local jewellers and they repaired it no problem.
I always believe a good watch should be repaired and it will probably have memories to it.

 

[Decacraft]

I have an old Gshock solar with a faulty battery. A battery replacement and reseal is around £65, I can buy the battery myself and do it for less than £20, or buy a new watch for £100.
I would rather repair the one I have as the model is no longer available and superceded with a slightly different one.

 

[Paul_B]

I don't know if it's the same, but when the battery is low on my Seiko Kinetic, the second hand moves in 2-second jumps to indicate it needs charging.

Exactly this. That's why I'm leaving it on the windowsill. Hopefully it'll charge up eventually. How long before I should give up on this hope? How many days on the windowsill for it to get enough charge to work normally?

 

[Paul_B]

My seiko isn't a good one, cheaper end of their range. No memories linked to it, just a tool that I never thought I'd use again until I did that is.

Still, always worth avoiding a consumerist spend if possible!

 

[Paul_B]

I had a similar issue and was advised to leave it in the sun with the crown pulled out 2 clicks and leave it for 3-4 days, worked in the end!

Good tip with the 2 clicks. One day with the 2 clicks and the second hand moves smoothly.

About a year ago I tried to charge it but didn't know about the 2 clicks. A week plus out didn't charge. This time 2 days without 2 clicks nothing changed, one day with 2 clicks it now works.

So I'm leaving it in the window today and I'll wear it tomorrow as I have another on site work day without my usual smartwatch.