It can be a challenge at times to keep up with the endless list of movements that are out there and to know which suits your pocket and your requirements. The Seiko 4R3x series of mechanical movements were introduced in 2011 and were based on the Seiko 7S26 movement which is one of the most respected and reliable Seiko movements from the years passed.
Why fix it if it ain’t broke?
The fundamentals of the 7S26 series are still relevant but the 4R3x movements were made to include hacking seconds and a manual hand-wind functionality. There are slight improvements that can be made over time in terms of new materials and updated technology but the 4R3x has chosen to stick with the traditional mainspring instead of the SPRON 510 mainspring material found in their higher end pieces. The reason for the traditional mainspring decision is to keep the costs of the timepiece down but to still provide a reliable watch through the mass production process.
Can I improve the movement at all?
The 4R36 movement has hours, minutes and seconds hands and is the only 4R3x family member to have the day and date displayed. The 4R36 beats at 21,600 bph and has 24 jewels to ensure its longevity. You can expect a 41 hour power reserve and no sub-dials. With these mass produced movements there is no special care given in terms of optimal adjustments so if you have some concerns with losing seconds, which can be up to 15 seconds a day at times, then take it to have the hairspring adjusted and you will be able to minimise the loss. This movement wasn’t made to perform on par with the higher quality luxury Seiko movements so paying a bit extra for a regulation is an easy way to improve the movement.
Where can I find the 4R36 movement?
The 4R36 movement can be found in many sport watches. The most common of these would be some of the Seiko divers that have 100m water resistance ratings like the Prospex timepieces. If you look for the 4R36 movement specifications online you are likely to find a very conservative assumption of +- 30 seconds a day when in practice it does far better than that. It is important to keep in mind that the accuracy can be influenced by the region you live in due to temperature but this is I have found to be generally accurate. If you like the 4R36 movement you will be hard pressed to find it in any piece that can be worn as a dress watch so the 4R36 movement is definitely for those with a taste for adventure.
Final Thoughts
We are often put off by the idea of buying mass produced items because we don’t feel that we have had the personal attention we might desire, but when it comes to the quality you get with the Seiko 4R36 movement and the low cost it will take to add one to your collection you will be grateful.
Thanks. Very informative. Might there be a GMT version? Would be nice.
Seiko Presage is definitely a dress watch 4R3.. movement
Hi, to all. The Seiko 4R36 isn’t 41 hours. The official manuals* from Seiko have had an insert put in them (updated) listing the power reserve at 36 hours *(see page 3 of the “Mechanical and Automatic watches” Worldwide guarantee and Instructions. This misquoted 41 hours has been like pervasive and it simply means no one is either buying officially sanctioned Seiko watches, ie from authorized dealers/retailers or simply no one reads their guarantee (from manufacturer-SEIKO) properly.
I’ve actually timed my 4R36 and got more than 41 hours.
Hello Francis,
Checking the 36 hours for the 4R36, I am unable to find confirmation. For example, this Seiko site is still showing 41 hours:
https://www.seikowatches.com/global-en/news/20190807-50002270216
> The movements are all Seiko’s tried and trusted automatic Caliber 4R36, with 24 jewels, optional manual-winding, a 41 hour power reserve and a hacking second hand.
Could you share, from the Seiko web site, where you are seeing 36 hours?
Cheers,
Simon
just discovered your blog, I have a SKX 031, love the looks they stop poduction, after 10 years had it serveced , only ran 8 months, had it serveced again , same issue ran 8 months and quit, i would like to replace orig 7S26 with a better movement , what can drop in , maybe a 4R36. will thank all who share there knowlege . Alan.
My 4r36 movement stopped after 5 months of work. Garbage.
I’m just enjoying my brand new Seiko SRPC65 – whereas the timegrapher showed an accuracy of about -1 to zero seconds per day in almost any possible orientation (static, of course), the first two days with having the watch worn for 1/3rd of the time and having it sitting face-up on a shelf, the average deviation measured with the WatchCheck app gives about +3.5 secs/day. This is pretty awesome considering the fact that a watch is usually slowed down when worn (the 7S26 in my SNK803 definitely is). And the deviation it has out of the box, right from the factory, is better than that of most watches with a chronometer certificate.
My Seiko 5 with 4R36 movement has been on my wrist continuously since it arrived in the post 3 weeks ago.
So far it is running consistently at -5 secs per day.
Whats not to like?
I have my Seiko 4R36-02B0 “Limited Edition” since 9 years ago. Now its rate is the following:
Night stand in plane position with the dial l up (12h) > +1s
Daily use > -2s
So, I can tell that the rate for one day is more or less -1s/d
It was in maintenance service 1x time.
I confirm that temperature can afects its accurecy as well the stand position. if I leave it at night, in plane position, but with the dial down, it can decrease up to -2s per night. So depending of what the movement does in a normal day (increase or decrease) I try to find a night position stand to control the accurecy.