Low maintenance watch

[Holiday]

Hi P&C, I bought a 2nd hand Seiko Coutura because I wanted something low maintenance that I do not have to wind (Kinetic) or adjust every 2nd month (Perpetual Calendar). This watch even adjusts for a leap year.
I was amazed by this technology until I realised it used microelectronics. Another really cool feature the watch goes to sleep and then wakes up and catches up to the correct date and time.

Anyway, the capacitor died and have sent off to Seiko in Melbourne for a quote. If repairs are too expensive I will be looking to replace.
Does anyone recommend an alternate low maintenance watch such as Citizen Ecodrive, Solar G-Shock, Solar Atomic?
Thinking Solar Atomic is the lowest maintenance self sufficient watch available. Even sun dials have to be adjusted

 

[Ferret619]

What features are musts and what sort of aesthetic do you like?

The cap in your old one shouldn’t be a huge drama to fix however

 

[RustyBlade]

@Holiday, as ferret asked, it comes down to what you want and what you are prepared to lose. Style type? Most major brands will do the same mechanism in a variety of styles. Budget, the more you spend you'll get.
Also I don't think a Atomic set watch will work outside the US of A as it's a radio signal. You'll need to aim for a GPS based watch. Eg Seiko Astron
I love my quartz solar watches as they just bloody work. But for the last two years since I've joined this forum I have gotten an automatic. -4 to 7+ seconds a day out. Don't get me started . Though when I look down at it and know what it is doing and how it is being powered it still gives me warmth.
How I deviate, the best accurate watch that does what you want is a Smart watch. Solar, probably not.

 

[Holiday]

Thanks @Ferret619 and @RustyBlade. The thing I hate most is when I look down at my watch and realise I have not adjusted the date and it has been wrong for weeks, if not months. Acknowledging this is poor performance on my behalf and I should be more observant but that is why the perpetuals appeal so much. Having 10 years of never having to adjust date even for a leap year. I work in an office with long sleeves and airconditioning most of the day and wonder how well a solar watch will perform in this environment. Have reviewed Monsta's Horological Wish List and considered (especially the Vostok) then excluded most because manual watches requiring regular adjustment are not for me. Contrary to most things where I prefer classic over plastic. I am happy with the Seiko Coutura esp. considering it only cost me $140 and would keep with this model. Just wonder if any alternatives worth considering.

Am considering an Apple Watch 4 or 5 to bring me into the digital age but love the style of a good dress or executive analogue face.

 

[Ferret619]

TBH a replacement capacitor for that guy is about $20 and replacement is about as complex as a standard battery replacement however Seiko may follow additional procedures like pressure testing as part of their service, as such I don’t imagine you will NEED to buy a new watch...

However, depending on the budget we would be happy to enable you, if it helps I’m currently looking at citizen and for a little cheapie the BM8180 does things for me personally as I love the field watch styling, solar, citizens blue lume, 38mm, quick set day date and normal size lug widths (looking at you orient Bambino)

Personally I’d change that strap to either a nice tapering leather number or a nato depending on what I actually do with the thing.

For me, intellectually I liked the perpetual calendar on my big titanium citizen thing but the quick set day date on a lot of my autos make this a moot point in my eyes as it takes no time in the grand scheme and I enjoy interacting with my watch just that little bit.

 

[RustyBlade]

bring me into the digital age but love the style of a good dress or executive analogue face

Then possible options are the hybrid watches that are firstly analogue face designs but have additional smarts in them that either sync or have basic notifications.

Research the hybrids by Fossil & Skagen. Garmin also do an analogue variation as well. Fossil would be my pick for one year battery that is very easy to change while maintaining the 3ATM.

Fossil Hybrid

Skagen hybrids

 

[RustyBlade]

I work in an office with long sleeves and airconditioning most of the day and wonder how well a solar watch will perform in this environment.

Just to note, most solar watches use any light source to charge the battery. One hour, depending on the model lasts months. My Seiko solar with a few hours of charging in sunlight lasted five months in a draw. That model was from the 2000. Unless you are a mushroom you'll do fine.

 

[Holiday]

citizen and for a little cheapie the BM8180

That is a nice looking watch and caught my eye a few times while researching. If I was looking for a casual weekender that would be the one

(looking at you orient Bambino)

Nice one and in my price bracket.

Research the hybrids by Fossil & Skagen. Garmin

Hadn't considered Hybrids, thanks for this.

TBH a replacement capacitor for that guy is about $20

Local did the cap. and it cost about $80 and came back with 2nd hand freezing then stopped keeping time 3 months later

 

[Ferret619]

The bambino isn’t bad, has about 0 of the features you’re looking for- however for a cheap auto it is quite accurate, hacks, hand winds.
Straps are annoying but not THAT big of a deal, I have mine on a black leather strap for more neat casual occasions.

 

[eggbert]

@Holiday give me a day and a place to meet you and I'll throw my vostok your way while you are waiting for the call coutura to come back.
I won't be that bothered if it comes back my way or not as it never gets worn. I know a lot of people like them but there's just something about the amphibia that I don't get on with.

 

[Holiday]

Thanks for the offer @eggbert and advice guys. Pulled the pin on a very cheap <$200 Samsung Gear S3 Classic Silver R775V Unlocked Smart Watch International Version from China.
Was waiting for Black Friday but don't think they will beat that price.
Will help decide if a smartwatch suits and because I am such a technophobe that I still have an iPhone6 and Apple Watches are not compatible below 6s