The longer you collect anything, the less surprises you are likely to find as you become more familiar with the background, history, catalogues and variants of whatever it is you collect.
It’s been a long time since I’ve found a watch (of those I like to collect) that I hadn’t seen or at least known about.
Until this week. And I found a Seiko A944-4010.
It wasn’t 100% unknown to me, I had seen the plastic/resin version and the look of it didn’t really appeal so I wasn’t fussed about chasing one.
But when the all-metal version (including original bracelet) appeared on a local auction site recently I had to take another look.
By far the coolest (and most unusual) feature of this watch is the dual-power option.
Generally, solar-powered watches of this era only had a single power source, a rechargeable battery, that powered the watch and was trickle-charged whenever the solar cells were in sunlight. Not a bad idea at the time, but trying to find replacement batteries for these watches 30+ years later is pretty much impossible.
Workarounds include trying to adapt modern (and *very* expensive) rechargeable batteries to fashion a replacement, or using a standard lithium battery and blanking off the solar cells, rendering them useless but at least not dangerous (never try to run a standard battery in a solar watch; non-rechargeable batteries are known to explode if a charge is pushed through them).
Back to the A944, though, this had a very novel approach to using the power of the sun.
While it runs a standard lithium battery (a CR-1616) it switches to being powered by the solar cells if there is sufficient UV light.
It may not seem that impressive to you. I think it’s amazingly clever technology — particularly for a watch made in 1988.
There’s an indicator on the LCD that switches between solar and lithium depending on the current power source.
Power options aside, another cool feature of this watch (which offers 12/24 hour time, day/date/month calendar, 10/100 chronograph, daily alarm and hourly time signal) is that it only has two buttons.
Without a manual it would take a while to work out how to set all the functions with only two buttons, but once you know it’s another aspect of this watch that makes you smile.
This particular variation of the A944 has the SPORTS 150 text in red on the crystal (most others are yellow) and the metal construction and bracelet give it a solid but comfortable feel on the wrist.
Buy one of these if you see it for sale (maybe even the plastic one might grow on you) — they are very rare and very understated. Whatever you pay for one, you won’t regret it.
I have one of these watches bought new and now restoring.
I’m after new crystal, button springs, gaskets,”O” rings and owner manual or pdf
Any help would be appreciated
Regards Dan
I also have one handed down from my father he bought it in late 70s stil in working condition this one had a metal band so am trying to wanting to put another seiko band on it
How can I change the lithium battery of this watch?
Thanks
Hi, the back of the watch has four screws to undo, then once the back is off you just unclip the battery clip with a tweezer or screwdriver.
I love this watch and have recently snagged one from a watch maker. I love it tells you if you are in solar or battery mode dependant on light- and it doesnt take much light to drive these things.
Id love to know the time between lithium battery changes.
Cam
I have one if these, it is original, I have owned it since new, unfortunately it is missing the box and the manual, and better it is still working, and has not that I remember has the battery replaced.Any one with a manual,please email me a copy.
I have the exact watch as shown in the picture. Received it as a gift when I was 15 years old, I am now 56, so both the watch and myself are somewhat ‘antique’. No box or manual, but happy to make a video showing usage. Any idea as to the value of the watch nowadays? Thanks.