Seiko & Citizen Watch Forum Message Archive

I think watch size varies according to model, and isn't really related to having an automatic or battery powered movement.

I think battery life also varies according to model. Batteries in Seiko quartz watches typically last two, three or five years.

Of coures, quartz watches have batteries. It's my understanding that solar powered watches have batteries too (the solar panel charges the battery).

A few years ago, I had a Casio solar powered digital watch. I thought it was going to last forever. I was surprised when my watch "died" one day because the battery wore out.

I think automatic watches MAY be more maintenance free, simply because batteries will have to be changed in watches which use them. There are a lot of stories of people who've owned Seiko 7S26 automatic movement watches for 20 years without any maintenance.

I believe Seiko has been making automatic diver's watches very much like the SKX173 since 1965. For example, below is a link to a 150m auto diver which recently sold on ebay. I believe it's a 1972 model. That makes it 29 years old, and the seller said it runs very well! And look how much it sold for! That's why people rave about these ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1606890047

I think it's really cool that you know that you like rectangular hour markers, and both a day and date function. Knowing what you want is really important. And everyone's different. I, myself, don't really care so much about those things. These things are a matter of personal taste, as are choices about mechanical vs. battery, size, maker, etc.

I hope whichever watch you do choose, you really love it and want to hold on to it for life.

Good luck!