Two Actus SS visit the Spa

So, the latest little chaps to come for a stay at the Donkey Sanctuary are the two Seiko 5 Actus' you see above.

The champagne dial (the one on the left for those of you watching in black & white) is from 1969 and the blue dial is from 1972.

History lesson time...

The Actus range was introduced in late 1969 and production ran until 1977. The watches were produced specifically for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM).

Actus was a sub-brand of Seiko much like the Presage or the Prospex brands are today. They were marketed as a “young, activity line" and were very much aimed at a more fashion conscious audience.

Although they had the quintessential Seiko 5 attributes (automatic, waterproof, day, date and shock resistance), typically, they had higher jewelled movements than the standard 5. The quality of the dials and indices, and general case finishing was often a level above the standard Seiko 5 range also.

The Actus SS models used the 6106 movement which adds hacking to the list of standard features - SS stands for Stopping Seconds. The non SS models used the 7019 which does not have a hacking feature.

...end of history lesson.

The two watches above are both of the 6106 SS variety. I do love working on the 6106, it's a lovely little movement.

The champagne dial came to the Spa as a non-runner but in a reasonable cosmetic state...

There is some age related patina towards the top of the dial but I think it adds character (and I'm always right)

The blue dial was actually running, although clearly in need of a service, but cosmetically it was a bit tired.

In fairness, both were fairly straightforward to service and, unusually there was very little in the way of swearing.

Here's the insides of Mr. Champagne...

Warning - There are graphic photos of exposed watch parts below - viewer discretion is advised...

..and here's the very dirty mainspring and mainplate of Mr. Blue (it's like reservoir dogs now)...

Yes... I do that silly, pareidolia thing with the mainspring every time. I'm essentially 12 - like all men.

Once the services were done (a good service was all the champagne dial needed) I refurbished the cases - it's the same case shape for each of these watches - and replaced the crystals.

I decided to re-lume Mr. Blue as his lume was decidedly crap. I don't always do this - it's very much a judgement call - but in this case I think it looks much better now..

And that was about it. No huge drama, no sheared screws, no lost springs, no polishing compound flung into my eye at 2000rpm - Yes I have done that, yes it did hurt, yes I should wear goggles. I can hear my mother now "don't come crying to me when you hurt yourself" - we spent a lot of time in A&E when I was a child. In fairness there wasn't much else to do in the South Wales valleys in 1978. A trip to A&E helped pass the time.

So here they both are, ready to find new homes in the world. The patina on that champagne dial really is rather lovely...

I think that's enough from me for now.

See you later alligators ♥