they won;t be able to give a cost unless they open it
it may still be more than you want to pay for a fix
you could get another one for $80 usd
solar is going to ‘tick’ [ which i happen to like but that is just me ]
wle
Of course it can cost but I want them to check first and tell me the cost then.
At this shop they say I must lay down one hundred before they even look at it.
And the ticking would not a deal breaker, I just like the non-ticking feature of the mechanicals.
Also here the cheapest price for this Seiko 5 was €85, due to shipping cost it’s nowhere near to the $65 it was some years ago (before I knew I’d like one).
So yes, the SNK809K in these dimensions and face but with solar or kinetic, that would be perfect for me.
it seems like you are headed for another one then !
i would ask how old it is, or how much you have worn it?
it may need cleaning, and re-oiling, which isn;t cheap
also if you just started wearing it after a long idle period?
that may have let the oil get sticky, same cure, clean and re-oil
you said it stops after running for short periods…
can you tell if it was running slow?
that would again point to sticky oil or dirt
wle
I was wearing it 2 or 3 weeks when it has lost half an hour, another time it was just standing still.
In these weeks I wore it every day, around 12 hours on my wrist.
I think I’ll go to a local watchmaker on Tue or Wed, then I’ll see if I bring it to a watchmaker in Germany, Swiss watchmakers are too spoilt with their high-price stuff 
I even want to have a new movement for my Traser.
€20 sounds better to me than $180 for a new one.
The strap I made for it should not find its way into the trash bin
Some of the Chinese homages from San Martin, Heimdallr, etc. use a completely different bezel spring system than Seiko, Orient, etc. that you may be familiar with. I think it might be inspired by Vostok. Here is a video showing it (starts at the correct timstamp):
The bezel and/or bezel inserts dimensions may be completely different from the original models as well. Not just inner/outer diameter but whether the contact between bezel and insert is flat/slanted/stepped/etc.
The Long Island SKX homage and the new 2020 version of Heimdallr’s SKX are the only two I know of that claim almost complete parts compatibility with the SKX.
although i enjoy the pictures, the OP starts with “budget”.
i would appreciate recommendations under $39.99 USD.
currently, i EDC one that cost ~$7.00 new in 2016.
my opinion, can’t beat Casio for cost/benefit ratio.
Casio F-108 or AQS800W
I wouldn’t trust most watches other than Casio under $40 to have decent water/impact resistance… and I’m clumsy.
The EFV-100 line from them is amazing for a classy three-hander in a reasonable size but price has almost doubled since a few Youtubers pointed people to it.
For ~$45 you can get the classic DW-5600 G-Shock too. People have been wearing some units of them for 20+ years.
Hello watch guys, I need your help.
I’ve found a watch I like but I’m not sure if it’s authentic and if the measurements are correct.
It’s said to be 34mm in size with a 20mm strap, too me that’s not plausible and I hope it’s a slightly bigger sub 40mm watch.
The only clue I have it Seiko 760148, the number seems to be stamped on the back but there’s no clear photo of it.
Google onle shows me the one on the bay, no other example.
I really like the vintage look of it so I’d like to know more about it.
Thank in advance
putting that in google shows that ebay has one
maybe that is this one?
Seiko 760148 Men’s Black Leather Analog Dial Quartz Genuine Wrist Watch HK761
$60
putting in seiko HK761 does not give more info
seems out of the usual seiko styling
the band clasp usually says seiko, maybe it was replaced?
760148 does not seem like one of their model numbers
i don;t know really
the ‘solar’ part prob means it is real, if it actually works and is not just a sticker
wle
I think the HK761 is an internal code, they have like 13.000 listings.
Maybe I must write to them about the size, 20mm strap on a 34mm doesn’t match with the picture.
Would have been good to know if it’s really from Japan and not from India 
it really does not look like a normal seiko
except the SOLAR logo does
wle
Case look identical to the SNE477:
That watch is 42mm though, so either it’s not the same exact case, or the listing has the wrong measurment. A solar in only 34mm is very out of character for Seiko other than women’s watches, and this doesn’t fit the design most of those have. The “weathering” looks like someone took a scotch-brite pad to it, vs factory finish (brushing seems to be showing lighter color bare metal where the DLC coating has been worn off), but IMO it actually looks pretty good.
I really doubt anybody would bother to fake a Seiko dial that isn’t real/nobody has seen before. Best bet is to message the seller and ask if any mods have been done to it, and to confirm the measurements. FYI 34mm is very small compared to most modern watches, so be sure that’s what you want. It’s vintage dress watch size if that measurement is correct.
Thank you for your picture. Now that you say the 42mm I guess they measured 43mm and mistyped 34mm on this one.
That would be good as it’s too big for me and my free budget for things I don’t really need will go to my car (custom badge)
I’ll keep it in my ebay list, maybe I’ll get it later. $20 shipping on a $60 item is quite steep though so we’ll see.
If anyone of the forum members would buy it then I’d be interested in pictures.
Even more than as a watch I’d like this one as a wall clock, it’s pretty an it would be good to teach kids how to read the time.
About the brushing I’m not sure, to me it’s looking original but the strap is not matching to my idea of this vintage style watch.
The strap should look like weathered leather, like an old wooden fence when it’s turning from white to pink.
But yeah, I said the same to my wife when I’ve shown the watch, it would be silly to copy the a brand like Seiko with a unique design.
Just strange that there’s nothing on google. Maybe I have to write to Seiko, not sure if I won’t be too lazy though.
P.S. I’d like that SNE477 in 38mm
Ouch, yeah $20 shipping is very steep.
FWIW any of the stock straps on watches in this price range will weather pretty fast, especially if you’re in a humid climate.
San Martin makes some and Parnis used to one that looked almost identical to the Seiko you posted, just with a black dial instead (like the IWC it’s modeled after). Either would probably be 38mm+ though.
Thank you. I like the idea of a solar watch as my Seiko 5 needs service after 1 month of use, it just stops while wearing it.
I’d like to see that San Martin but I think you mixed up the link to it
Whoops, here’s the link to some of the pilot-style watches they have. pilot - San Martin Official Store
I’ve checked those before buying the Seiko SNK809K.
If I buy another watch soon it won’t be automatic. These are just too much princesses to me.
I ordered a battery for my CK K2181, if it’s working I’ll make a new strap, the rubber ones are crap.
Also ordered a Ronda movement for my Traser P5900, I’ll try to follow a youtube vid and just change the coil as I don’t want to change hands.
I guess I should order a loupe, too
citizen skyhawk blue angels solar radio controlled with slide rule and digital section
Way too busy watch and way out of my budget
I like field watches, sub 40mm, I’d prefer if I could forget battery swaps and I don’t want another mechanic, maybe kinetic but they seem a bit epensive.
Lucky you :
Alba (sub-brand of Seiko in Japan) Military Solar, 36.8 mm case size, 10 bar WR, ~55-60€ on ebay from Japan!
https://www.ebay.fr/itm/New-ALBA-Military-Solar-Watch-AEFD557-Box-Water-Resist-Daydate-F-S-from-JP/352551676586
