"Seiko Battle Scars" (Repair Or Wear With Pride?)
What to you folks think?
I grabbed this very cool 1970's 6309 Turtle at a flea market that I love. I cleaned it up, and bought Uncle bracelet that really makes it into a monster. It works great, especially considering its age -
BUT
The bezel looks like it was hit by an atomic bomb! Initially, I liked imagining what disaster could have caused it (motorcycle crash? Battle with a Terminator?) It gave it a sense of history that I was attracted to. Lately though, I think it might just be TOO rough. Like, distressed to the point of looking broken.
I know there are aftermarket bezel inserts (I have heard the SKX size is also compatible) so for a couple of bucks I could even upgrade to a ceramic. Do you think it will ruin the charm? Ruin the resale value? (I already swapped in an aftermarket crown) Anyone know who makes quality / not ridiculously expensive inserts? Should I give this guy a facelift or let him be grizzled?
UPDATE: Bezel insert ordered!
Thanks for all the input, folks. Will share pics when it's looking back to its old self.
No idea what day it is.
That is too much 'patina' for me on a secondhand watch and even maybe done by my self. Kinda depends on what I did to get it. But yeah, definitely not staying if I didn't put it there.
I'd want a bezel that looked the age but without being mangled.
As always, YMMV
I have an SKX from 2000. I know many Crunchers here will say you should wear the battle scars with pride. And the crystal can normally be buffed out with diamond paste and a rotary tool. But I think old Seiko divers look better with a tidy bezel. Especially if, like yours, the lume pip is missing... I just can't unsee that. 🙄
That is too much 'patina' for me on a secondhand watch and even maybe done by my self. Kinda depends on what I did to get it. But yeah, definitely not staying if I didn't put it there.
I'd want a bezel that looked the age but without being mangled.
As always, YMMV
Yeah if I replace it it's going to be the same look, I'm not going to swap in a crazy color or anything. Maybe ceramic would be too shiny, though.
It's out of round and probably fractured. Replace with no qualms. Feel free to keep the old bezel if you so desire.
I have an SKX from 2000. I know many Crunchers here will say you should wear the battle scars with pride. And the crystal can normally be buffed out with diamond paste and a rotary tool. But I think old Seiko divers look better with a tidy bezel. Especially if, like yours, the lume pip is missing... I just can't unsee that. 🙄
Yeah that section of the insert is actually sort of folded up and raised!
I know I'm strange, many like the war marks of watches but I don't. I can't handle a battered watch with destroyed bezels, moldy dials, etc. If it were mine I would repair it from everything to everything.
It's out of round and probably fractured. Replace with no qualms. Feel free to keep the old bezel if you so desire.
I guess if I ever sell it I could include the original or swap it back on.
I know I'm strange, many like the war marks of watches but I don't. I can't handle a battered watch with destroyed bezels, moldy dials, etc. If it were mine I would repair it from everything to everything.
There is a certain respect you give the watch by not letting it fall to pieces. Letting it reach its intended potential.
It’s a tad bit to damaged to be a battle scar to wear with pride for me. A patina or a few scratches even if there deep is one thing. This look like you where mawled by a bear. Well that would be cool to keep if that where true lol. It probably had a cool story with the orginal owner but since you don’t know the story I would say restore it and create your own battle car sorry.
If you put the miles on a watch and it's your own battle scars.. fine, you may want to treasure the memories and history.
Someone else's damage... nah. Do the watch a favour and restore it to the best of your abilities 😉
It’s a tad bit to damaged to be a battle scar to wear with pride for me. A patina or a few scratches even if there deep is one thing. This look like you where mawled by a bear. Well that would be cool to keep if that where true lol. It probably had a cool story with the orginal owner but since you don’t know the story I would say restore it and create your own battle car sorry.
That's a a good approach.
If you put the miles on a watch and it's your own battle scars.. fine, you may want to treasure the memories and history.
Someone else's damage... nah. Do the watch a favour and restore it to the best of your abilities 😉
I like it! Well said.
Shark wanted some Turtle.
I would agree w/the popular opinion of replacing the bezel. Keep the OG for sure it looks cool as heck! Good find!!
Use the old bezel as a keychain lol
Looks like it needs a new bezel too with that huge deformation
Looks like it needs a new bezel too with that huge deformation
There's a little dent but it's really not noticeable, especially if I swap out the insert. But yeah, what the heck happened to this watch!?
Well, I can say it certainly is a great posting for Watch "Crunch" !
Something I have also done! 🙂
Haha same here but in a different context. My bicycle has a big old dent in the top bar, but doesn’t stop me from riding it.
Leave it be , it’s a survivor!!! Ha no really you didnt create that damage , replace it with a nos bezel if you can .
I would leave it authentic
Wear it proudly! (Then change it later 😂)
Wear it proudly! (Then change it later 😂)
Already took care of step one, now onto the "later"
Repair...take care of this baby and it'll serve you endlessly
Repair. There's a difference between some cool dings or a faded/scratched bezel... and being trashed.
I’d swap the bezel with a new aluminum one and then just wear it in artificially. I’ve seen some videos online how to add patina to your SKX bezel and then create artificial scratches for that worn look.
Adrian Barker has a good YouTube video on creating a ghost bezel - https://youtu.be/yvHKSr6bQsU?si=zNMaJKVHLiRrG09I
I have some watch scars that I wear with pride, because i made them. Imo for a watch you bought I'd fix any major pre existing blemishes
Adrian Barker has a good YouTube video on creating a ghost bezel - https://youtu.be/yvHKSr6bQsU?si=zNMaJKVHLiRrG09I
Yes, I watched this after your initial post, thanks! The ghost bezel looks cool - I'm going to see if having a "new" insert looks wrong and then decide if I want to distress it.
I have some watch scars that I wear with pride, because i made them. Imo for a watch you bought I'd fix any major pre existing blemishes
I hadn't heard that approach until this thread but now I agree!
UPDATE: Mission accomplished! Thanks everyone