. . . With the new interest in Seikos that I fell into, I had decided to wear the 4 I have pretty evenly and see if one in particular rose above the others. One of them did, based on a few things about it. I have a stock Monster, a modded Monster, a Sawtooth quartz and a Kinetic diver SKA371. Of the 4, the Kinetic has risen to be the one I like the best. The Kinetic movement is an interesting hybrid, basically being an automatic quartz, that is having a rotor driven charging system. The jumping second hand is strange to see when you know that a rotor is in action . . .
. . . the Kinetic has a case style that is somewhat reminisant of the early Seiko divers. Somewhat of a cushion style platform with a prominent bezel set atop of it. The bezel is a very heavily cut toothed, almost cog like piece, that is thick and beveled away from the crystal, uni-directional with a smooth and dliberate click at each advance of your turning it. The markings and finish are clean and crisp even under a loupe, with little "fuzziness" to the edges of the paint work. The finish on the case is a very fine line brushed satin, with a few polished highlights. A 4 o'clock crown screws down securely, grabbing a good 3 turns minimum, dressed with a nice cut grip and a black highlight ring around it. The 2 o'oclock pusher is a power reserve indication activator, with the second hand clicking of a metered number of seconds to show the kinetic reserve stored for use.
. . . the dial is quite deep, and is stepped off of the chapter ring to the main face. The chapter ring and the main are contrasted, with the outer being a semi-gloss and the main being more of a matte finish. The hour markers are large, a combination of dots and blunt wedges, giving plenty of surface area for Seiko's famous and well loved luminous coating. I am particularily fond of the hand set, a skeleton type design, that have plenty of lume surface as well. The minute marker retains the diver style arrow end, while the hour marker has a lume ball end. The second hand has an arrow end, with a fine sharp end that lines to the hash marks nicely. Overall, a dial I like alot.
. . . the bracelet is joined to the case with a large and solid end link. The second link widens to taper off of the case lugs, and the bracelet continues to taker and meet with a standard Seiko push to release dive clasp. The clasp has the usual Seiko style dive suit extention as well. Only a stamped steel scissor on these clasps, but they are sturdier than i have seen on other brands in the same price range. On the other hand though . . . I have also seen better billet scissor clasps in this price range. Seiko could do well by going that way IMO. It is a very comfortable bracelet, and is solid with plenty of weight to it balancing the case very nicely. Finish on the bracelet is the same fine brushed finish, having some polished area on the edges of the centre links. I give the bracelet big marks on the plus side overall.
. . . I find myself looking at this Seiko ALOT when I have it on. There is an intangible attraction for me to it. I could perhaps attribute that fact to the general overall high quality across the board showing through in every area. It is not an expensive Seiko, falling beneath the Prospex line-up. Yet it is a step above my Monster it seems.
Well, this has been an attempt to qualify my impressions of a brand I am discovering to be a great value, with great variety available. Certainly makes it clear that this is not a fad or band wagon purchase, and is a watch I expect will have the legs to endure several years of wear and enjoyment to own without falling from grace.