Customer Reviews

Seiko Men's SKA366 Kinetic Black Ion Watch

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I thought this watch looked good in the online photos, but when you open the box it is absolutely beautiful! I have had a gold tone men's Seiko watch with a black face for at least fifteen years, but the process of having to replace batteries every year had resulted in some loss of integrity to the case seal and I decided it was time to replace it. This one appealed to me because of the kinetic feature, as well as appearance and also presently available at a very good price (I paid $216). The clear case back allows you to see the pendulum that spins to recharge the kinetic power cell, and that looks pretty cool! Both the case and band are coated with a TiCN material that looks like polished black ceramic, absolutely stunning in contrast with the gold bezel. I just hope it lasts as long as my previous Seiko...

I've now had the watch about three weeks and it has lost about 1/2 of a second in that time, which is well within the 15 seconds per month mentioned in the warranty.

The ion plated finish is beautiful. It is dressier than watches I usually wear. I will be removing it before working on the car or digging in the yard.

The self charging feature works well. Movement during shipping had charged the watch up to a one month reserve, as indicated by the power reserve indicator. It was charged to the full 4 to 6 month reserve after about two days on my wrist.

My only disappointment is the performance of the LumiBrite glow-in-the-dark hands and markers. They shine brightly immediately after exposure to bright light but grow very dim after several hours in the dark. If readability in the dark is a priority for you, a watch with tritium hands and markers is a much better choice.

My wife and kids got this for me as a birthday present. I haven't worn a dress watch much in years. I got used to using a Timex Ironman for running and the damned things are so cheap, accurate, rugged, and functional I just stopped using anything else. I have a Casio Pathfinder with altimeter, temp, and compass but that thing is so huge I wonder what the hell I was thinking when I bought it. And I will admit there are times when a watch with a plastic band and case are not the best choice. I also have an ultra thin Seiko rectangular dress watch with a leather band from the mid-eighties that's still working like new. So, when I mentioned a dress watch, my wife thought Seiko first. I bought her a Seiko Black Ion finish watch at Christmas to go with a set of black pearl earrings and necklace. So she bought me this watch to match six months later. I think the Seiko Kinetic is very cool. You get the accuracy and toughness of a quartz movement (which Seiko does very well) combined with a "self winding" feature without the complex mechanical components of swiss watches. And the Seiko system can store enough energy for six months of operation in its lithium cell. Try that with a Rolex.

The watch came out of the box with the minimum 1-7 day charge on the indicator. After two days, it reached the 1 month charge level. After about a week, it still hasn't reached the top level 4-6 month charge. Not bad. About what I expected. As for the finish, I love the black n gold design. It's a bit different from your run of the mill stainless or gold design. I did a little research on the Titanium Carbon Nitride finish and discovered that this stuff is what they use to coat high speed cutting tools for extremely hard materials. Titanium Nitride comes produces a metallic "gold" color. Adding carbon to the mix turns Titanium Carbon Nitride into a ceramic coating with extreme hardness relative to the stainless steel substrate it's applied to. To me, a ceramic coating means this watch will be very resistant to oxidation and scratching as well as unique in appearance. The black n gold may be a little too flashy or over the top for some people or occasions but for general wear at business functions or going out to dinner, I think it's sharp looking. I really can't understand why people buy Rolex with Seiko around. Highly recommended. The company and the watch.

1. In my opinion the watches looks very attractive on the arm.
2. It's stainless case and band covered by something durable (after 3 months there aren't any scratches or marks).
3. Not lightweight. First week (after my previous titanium watches) I felt some weight on arm, but now it's ok. I don't feel it.

All above are good points, but ...

Today I've found out that the trotting second-hand is broken and disconnected from the pivot.
And it's not my fault (I didn't swap it; I was careful and accurate with the watches.)
Production defect? I don't know. But now I have to send it to service for repair.

good looking watch with great qualities, easy to read dial, self charging mechanism is nice never having to change the battery, illumination in the dark is good only if there is no outside light source.
adjusting the band was easy just be careful of the pins they are very delicate.
for the price it can't be beat, I would buy it again.
does not pull the hair on my wrist ether, comfortable, and smooth surfaces so it does not get hung up when reaching in your pocket to get something.
this will be the last watch I will ever have to buy.

I bought this watch three weeks back and it looks great on my wrist. I love the fact that I do not have to take this watch to stores to replace batteries where the internal mechanism can be damaged by careless employees. The last Seiko I had lasted 20 years. Hope this one does too. The only issues I had were (1) the watch is a little heavier than the one it replaced and (2) the band adjustment needed was not easy and had to be done by professionals.

I bought this watch about a year ago. I was attracted by the kinetic feature and the classy black and gold look of the watch. Conservative, yet stylish, this watch looks impeccable with a white dress shirt or chocolate suit. I have received many compliments. Aside from the looks, this watch is easy to set, easy to read and is sturdy without being bulky. The Kinetic battery charges easy. Not an everyday watch, but does the trick when you want a more "dressed up" looking watch without spending a fortune. A+

I've had my watch for about a year now. For the most part, I love it. I think I should share a few good and bad things about this watch though.

First the good stuff: This watch is both beautiful and masculine. The pictures online do not do it justice. I rarely wear this watch that I don't get compliments on it. I love the kinetic feature. It holds a charge for at least a week (probably more). I know this because I'm a bit of a watch guy, and wear about 3 different watches on a regular basis. The glass back is a nice touch, even if I'm the only one who sees it.

The problems: First of all, the "glow in the dark" hands don't glow in the dark...at all. I'm ok with that, but just know that this feature is nonexistent. I have had some scratching on the bottom part of my band, close to the clasp. The only thing I can think of is that it got those from dragging my wrist over the desk. This isn't very noticeable to other people, since it's the underside of my wrist, but I notice it. I would think it would be a bit more durable for the price, but it's not a deal killer.

By and large, it's a great watch. It can be dressed up or worn casually. I'd certainly recommend this to any watch guy.

I've just ordered this watch with no worries at all. I have been wearing SEIKO watches since the mid 60's when I was in Nam. Never a problem, we used to call them a "Far East Timex" then. I already have the Ti model and a few others and love them.

Bought this watch as a celebration of a successful cataract operation, the watch is elegant but masculine beautiful to look at and admired by all and sundry, feels and looks robust, without being to chunky.