Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

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james80
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Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by james80 » Tue Oct 11, 2016 1:26 pm

My Seiko Solar Chrono has been dieing a lot recently, every time I look in the box it's double ticking so I've been taking it out and putting in the sun. I don't wear it very much and I'm not sure how long this has been going on for. I found it dead on Sunday (second time it's been dead) and put it out in the sun (Caribbean midday pool type sun) for a few hours and nothing.

Any thoughts? Can they be fixed, do I need a new movement? Is it going to cost more than it's worth?

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foodle
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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by foodle » Tue Oct 11, 2016 1:30 pm

Leave it in a sunny spot for about a week. Sometimes when the battery goes into deep discharge it takes a long time for it to get back up to reasonable levels.

I've had to do this with two Seiko solars (one chrono like yours) after storing them for a while.

worker
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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by worker » Tue Oct 11, 2016 3:04 pm

I have that same watch and it's the only solar I've ever had go dead on me twice.


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BSears
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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by BSears » Tue Oct 11, 2016 3:17 pm

Try what's been suggested. If that doesn't get it fully charged, it's likely a bad capacitor. That's a new enough watch that Seiko coserv will likely repair it under warranty.
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james80
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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by james80 » Sat Oct 15, 2016 8:26 am

Thanks guys. Three days in the sun and nothing yet.

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Selym
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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by Selym » Sat Oct 15, 2016 8:37 am

Try pulling the crown out to the time-setting position then pushing it back in again.

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bedlam
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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by bedlam » Sun Oct 16, 2016 1:29 am

I had one of these that died too. My watchmaker gave it a 'jolt' of electricity that got it started again but it wouldn't hold its charge. Its a shame as I think it looks great...but it would seem there is an issue with the movement.

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koda240
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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by koda240 » Sun Oct 16, 2016 10:33 am

Same watch died on me too.

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james80
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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by james80 » Mon Oct 17, 2016 7:53 am

Six days sitting outside looking rather sad!

Image

Going to order the capacitor when I order the crown and stem for the Carrera, hopefully my watch guy can change it.

Watch issues as of today:

Seiko Solar: DEAD
Carrera Chrono: Broken Stem
Incoming: Stuck in customs

Not good.

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JDC222
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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by JDC222 » Mon Oct 17, 2016 8:35 am

Sorry to hear dude....that sucks! :cussing:
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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by jeckyll » Tue Oct 18, 2016 9:36 pm

I've started rotating all my solars out to the window in the darker months to make sure they stay charged (I think I'm at 6 or 7). They SSC's seem to not like being discharged completely.
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toxicavenger
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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by toxicavenger » Tue Oct 18, 2016 10:13 pm

rumor has it if you piss on a solar watch the electrolytes in your urine will jump start it. I haven't tried this yet since I flush all of mine in the shitt'er

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hoppyjr
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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by hoppyjr » Wed Oct 19, 2016 12:29 am

toxicavenger wrote:rumor has it if you piss on a solar watch the electrolytes in your urine will jump start it. I haven't tried this yet since I flush all of mine in the shitt'er
This only works if it's being worn at the time. It's a combination of the urine, Sunlight, and the abrupt action of the wearers wrist as it pulls away, which starts the watch working.

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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by biggbuzz » Mon Nov 07, 2016 4:37 pm

Just got my second solar chrono diver last week (Pepsi). I leave them on my desk, near a window. no problems so far

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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by pete26 » Sat Nov 12, 2016 8:09 pm

Mine died completely and leaving it in the sun did nothing.

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marchone
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Re: Dead Seiko Solar Chrono

Post by marchone » Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:52 am

I remembered this thread because I just saw SBDJ013 released this summer. Pretty nice diver.

It's a discharge issue as mentioned. The charge is stored in a capacitor that dies over time when repeatedly discharged (as in complete darkness in a drawer). Natural and common artificial light levels should keep theses watches running for years. How did you guys store yours?

SBDJ009 steel, SBDJ011 blue or SBDJ013 black

http://c-watch.co.jp/ww/sbdj009.html
only accurate watches are interesting

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