Seiko Official Watch Service Overhaul

Seiko Watch Service Intervals and Prices

Seiko Official Watch Service Overhaul

Although many Seiko watch owners do not service their watches, and some even think of Seikos as being bulletproof, the official service interval for Seiko watches is 2-3 years.

Seiko’s official recommended service schedule:

In Seiko’s own words:

“Periodic inspection and adjustment by disassembly and cleaning (overhaul) is recommended approximately once every 2 to 3 years in order to maintain optimal performance of the watch for a longtime.” -Seiko

A detailed explanation:

“The power transmission gear of the movement of this watch constantly receives force. To ensure that this mechanism works properly all the time, washing parts, changing oil, adjusting accuracy, checking functions and replacing consumable parts on a regular basis are important. The first overhaul after the purchase of your watch is particularly important for preserving long-time use of your watch. According to use conditions, the oil retaining condition of your watch mechanical parts may deteriorate, abrasion of the parts due to contamination of oil may advance or delay the time significantly, or the watch itself may stop.” -Seiko

And again with a Caution box:

“Depending on the environment where a diver’s watch is used, its inner parts or movement as well as its case or band may be affected. We recommend that you have your watch overhauled regularly once every 2 or 3 years.” -Seiko

Who should perform the overhaul?

“Inspection and adjustment by disassembly and cleaning (overhaul) should be performed by the retailer from whom the watch was purchased, and who specifies “SEIKO GENUINE PARTS.” At this time, also request replacement of the gasket and the spring bar.” -Seiko

Since they allow so many of their watches to be sold on the grey market, it is interesting that Seiko says the service should be performed by the retailer that sold the watch. In most cases, the retailer in which you purchased your Seiko will not have the ability to service your watch. Does Macy’s have an in-house watchmaker? Therefore, taking the watch back to the retailer will likely just meant they will send it in for service on your behalf.

What is included when sending a watch to Seiko for service?

When you send your watch to the Seiko Service Center in USA, your watch will receive the following attention:

  • Complete service of the watch movement.
  • Grand Seiko movement overhaul includes “Light Polish.” (Grand Seiko Complete Service).
  • Fix or replace necessary movement parts. Replacement of gaskets and water resistance testing.
  • Replacement of either battery, ion cell, or rechargeable battery (depending on quartz caliber).
  • Necessary lubrication.
  • Timing adjustments and accuracy testing to caliber specifications.
  • Ultrasonic cleaning of case and band.

How much is Seiko service?

As of April 2020, the cost of getting your Seiko timepiece serviced by Seiko USA is as follows:

Mechanical MovementsPrice
Grand Seiko caliber 9S watches$525.00 USD
Grand Seiko caliber 9R6 watches$570.00 USD
Grand Seiko caliber 9R8 watches$880.00 USD
Caliber 5R6$510.00 USD
Caliber 5R8$983.00 USD
Caliber 8R$363.00 USD
Caliber 8L / 6L$398.00 USD
Caliber 6R$260.00 USD
Caliber 4R$154.00 USD
Caliber 7S$118.00 USD
Older Calibers: 1000, 2505, 4204, 6100, 6205, 6619, 1100, 2517, 4205, 6105, 6206, 7002, 1320, 2615, 4207, 6109, 6217, 7005, 1520, 2623, 4402, 6117, 6306, 7006, 1600, 2706, 5126, 6118, 6308, 7009, 2104, 2906, 5606, 6119, 6309, 7548, 2205, 3703, 5626, 6138, 6319, 7619, 2206, 4006, 5740, 6139, 6600$192.00 USD
Quartz MovementsPrice
Grand Seiko caliber 9F$425.00 USD
9T$735.00 USD
Analog / Rechargeable Battery Powered$79.00 – $116.00 USD
Analog V Solar Powered$116.00 USD
Caliber 5J$175.00 USD
Caliber 7D$175.00 USD
Caliber 7L$175.00 USD
Caliber 8B$175.00 USD
Caliber 5D$239.00 USD
Caliber 5X$332.00 USD
Caliber 7X$332.00 USD
Caliber 8X$332.00 USD
Caliber 7C$179.00 USD
Non-diver Ani/Digi$98.00 USD
Discontinued Calibers$154.00 USD

Calibers that cannot be serviced in USA:

There are a few movements that must be sent back to the factory in Japan for service or repair. This takes at least 5-8 weeks on top of shipping times and the time it takes to prepare the repair estimate. The calibers include:

  • 1BXX
  • 4SXX
  • 5R86
  • 7B24
  • 7B25
  • 7R87
  • 9S25
  • 9R86
  • 9R96
  • 9T82
  • S760
  • S771
  • 6SXX
  • All Credor watches
  • All Galante watches

How long is the Seiko warranty?

Seiko’s limited manufacturer’s warranty or guarantee period is 3 years. At the time of this post, it is very difficult to find any warranty information on Seiko’s official site. The service guarantee is 12 months.

Additional Resources:

Have you sent your Seiko watch to the factory for service or repair? Talk about your experience and cost in the comments below…

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7S26 Fan
7S26 Fan
4 years ago

Looking at the service prices, some of the service costs more than a brand new watch even at gray market prices lol. They should just have a replacement program. After 2-3 send your watch in for a flat rate replacement fee.

John H
John H
4 years ago
Reply to  7S26 Fan

I’m in the UK and have just had to stop using my 7S26 powered Pulsar after 8 years of faithful service because it needs servicing which would cost more than the watch.

Nathan
Nathan
2 years ago
Reply to  John H

You could always just replace the movement with a brand new one as they are cheap to buy. Any local watchmaker could perform the swap for less than a full service.

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3 years ago

[…] Seiko Watch Service Intervals and Prices […]

Steven F.
Steven F.
3 years ago

I really want a Grand Seiko Spring Drive watch. Not anymore! Look at those service prices!

Shooter McGavin
Shooter McGavin
3 years ago
Reply to  Steven F.

Got to pay to play.

Karla Miller
Karla Miller
3 years ago
Reply to  Steven F.

Look at my post “Karla Miller”

Trooper
Trooper
3 years ago

Seiko doesn’t want to service watches they want to SELL watches. I just paid 150 to have Seiko replace the movement in a 20 year old watch. I got 18 years out of the original movement so I consider that a win! I have numerous watches over 10 years and they’re all still running. For sub $1000 watches, I don’t see the point in service.

Karla Miller
Karla Miller
3 years ago
Reply to  Trooper

Bought a Seiko licence built, India, Allwyn. 30 yrs no service, still working properly, date/day in 2 languages. Paid ~20US$. Steel strap bought from a street vendor. Lots of swimming, the strap looks like a new one. Crystal should be exchanged, I have one, but not the tool. Guaranty service at the Allwyn Shop in Madras was excellent. Above mentioned service charges are ridiculous. U do not know, if done properly, too. My experiences with IWC were horrible. Same with local watchmaker. They stole even the crown from mother’s watch, probably using for their watches, because they are specialized in… Read more »

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Seiko Caliber 7X52 Watch Movement • Caliber Corner
3 years ago

[…] If your 7X52 powered Astron is not functioning due to the CLB2016 not holding power, you will want to plan on sending your watch to Seiko for service. At the time of this post, the cost for Seiko to service a 7X52 watch is $332.00 USD. […]

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Seiko Caliber 9T82 Watch Movement | Caliber Corner
3 years ago

[…] Seiko’s service price for the caliber 9T82 starts at $735 USD. This is a base price and does not necessarily include any other parts or overhaul processes that need performed to get your watch up and running. The high cost is partly due to the fact that all 9T series movements must be sent to Japan for servicing. […]

Haruo128
Member
3 years ago

When Seiko USA had an office in Torrance, CA USA, I took my Seiko 5 (1964) to get it serviced long ago. I have not tried the NJ USA Service Center yet. That’s all I can say (first hand experiences).

Haruo128
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  calibercorner

No, that was 50+ years ago. I still have the watch, I haven’t worn it for a day.

Concerned
Concerned
3 years ago

Recently sent in a Seiko SLQ007 with 9T movement for capacitor replacement and haven’t heard anything from them but only a Handling Charge has appeared on the bill as HNDLN CHG $150 plus $35 shipping.

Rick
Rick
2 years ago

This is why I buy eco drives

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2 years ago

[…] with the caliber 6R31 should be serviced every 2-3 years. Learn all about Seiko service intervals here. At the time of this post, the starting cost of getting this movement overhauled by Seiko is […]

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[…] to other watch brands, the warranty on a brand new Seiko sold by a Seiko AD is 3 years. As for Seiko’s recommended service intervals, Seiko wants 4R34 watches to be disassembled and cleaned by a Seiko service center once every 2 to […]

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2 years ago

[…] Seiko Watch Service Intervals and Prices […]

Alessio
Alessio
2 years ago

sono in Europa devo mandare perforza a seiko usa ? O in una boutique seiko qui ? Si possono sapere i prezzi dei service in Europa per un 8L35

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2 years ago

[…] per Seiko’s official recommended service intervals, they want 4R34 watches to be disassembled and cleaned by a Seiko service center once every 2 to 3 […]

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2 years ago

[…] with the caliber 9R31 should be overhauled every 2-3 years. Learn all about Seiko service intervals here. At the time of this post, the starting cost of getting this movement services by Seiko is $570.00 […]

Jim Jonas
Jim Jonas
2 years ago

I have serviced many Seiko watches as well as high end watches. To do it right takes time and patience and experience. I now turn down work because I feel uncompensated for my efforts.

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2 years ago

[…] to other watch brands, the warranty on a brand new Seiko sold by a Seiko AD is 3 years. As per Seiko’s official recommended service intervals, they want 8R36 watches to be disassembled and cleaned by a Seiko service center once every 2 to 3 […]

Jim
Jim
2 years ago

Worst watch service experience ever. Avoid sending your watch to Seiko in New Jersey. It takes forever, costs too much, and they are incredibly rude when you call with questions.

EdwinR
EdwinR
2 years ago

My collection is Ctizen …the oldest one is 26 years old and now it needs a new capacitor. So if reliability is a concern…Eco Drive is the way to go.

allev8s
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  EdwinR

Doesn’t eco drive use storage media like a lithium ion cell. That will eventually need replacement too, in about 10 years.

Heddy
Heddy
1 year ago
Reply to  Avs

Lithium-ion loses at least 20% capacity by the 10 year mark, but that doesn’t necessarily call for a replacement. The eco-drive will always keep charge level high so you don’t need to worry about reduced capacity unless you are away from light sources for extended periods of time. So while not absolutely necessary, it would definitely be recommended to replace the battery after 10 to 15 years for optimal runtime.

JohnB
JohnB
1 year ago
Reply to  EdwinR

I recently purchased a Citizen ProMaster Land Titanium (JDM) with the Eco Drive. In doing research on the caliber, I came across a site with a list of replacement batteries for the Eco Drive, so it appears that there are times they need to be replaced. Not sure the timeframe though. As far as the Seikos (and other watches) service interval, I gather it also depends on how often you wear them. For instance, I now have a collection of 8 watches and change out what I wear every one to two months. I image a watch being worn every… Read more »

Haruo128
Member
1 year ago

Has anyone who has a relatively new Seiko SLA (with an 8L35 movement), send it to New Jersey, to get it “regulated” (6 positions, 5 days… a formal COSC-like chronometer certification)? I’m not asking for a certificate, just if Seiko will regulate their 8L35 divers (post-factory) as a service for their customers?

Unknown-2 copy 3.jpeg
Jeff d
Jeff d
1 year ago
Reply to  Harvey Ito

Any certified watchmaker should be able too do in house while you wait for a small fee. I have a local certified watchmaker who works at. Local rolex a.d. and he does 5 pos adjustments followed by dry/wet pressure test for under 100.00.

JH
JH
11 months ago
Reply to  Jeff d

Jeff d.
are you in the US? if so could you please share contact info of the watchmaker who did that work for you?

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