Bringing my Grandad's (RIP) 1992 Seiko Quartz 5Y23-7089 Back to Life
So, I'll condense this down as much as I can.
My grandad, who is my grandfather through marriage, was such a nice guy (when he wasn't drunk all the time). My sister and I used to come visit my grandparents, and we always had fun out in the one-car garage ("the shop" we called it) in the back of the house hanging out with grandad.
He was a heavy, heavy drinker and in 2011 he passed due to complications of cirrhosis and kidney disease. His last moments were spent coughing up blood and dying in hospice care in my grandma and his bedroom.
A lot of his possession my grandma didn't want to keep around, but I inherited a few things: a Marlin 336 lever action rifle, some tools and his old Seiko.
I held onto the watch for years with no the intention of ever wearing it. I wasn't as deep into the hobby of watch collecting as I am now, but I appreciated the sentimental value it held.
In 2014, I finally decided to get the battery replaced, not knowing if it even still worked. Lo and behold, it function perfectly. Fast forward to yesterday, and a post by @TheSharperTheBetter showcasing his vintage Seiko 5 got me thinking about the old Seiko Quartz sitting in my watch case at home.
I went home after work and immediately got the watch out, removed the case back and found out what kind of battery it took. I then ordered a couple of 370/371 button cells for next day delivery.
During my lunch break today, I scrambled home to finish work on my grandad's watch. Unsure if it would start ticking, I inserted the fresh battery and it came right to life, seconds hand surprisingly precise. Day-date complication still functions too.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rFxT6biV68g
A thank you goes out to @Overfriendlyconcierge for helping me figure out the year it was manufactured by deciphering the serial number.
Been collecting watches since around 2014, although the watch that kicked off my obsession was a G-Shock 5600 I received in 2011 as a birthday gift. I currently have about a dozen Casio/G-Shock watche...
That's great that its still working.
Seiko are built to last.
That's great that its still working.
Seiko are built to last.
I don't suspect Lumibrite existed back then. The lume is pretty much nonexistent at this point. I remember it working slightly better a few years ago.
Gotta love the enduring nature of quartz. Glad that the Crunch was able to provide.
I don't suspect Lumibrite existed back then. The lume is pretty much nonexistent at this point. I remember it working slightly better a few years ago.
Not till later in the 90s. I doubt the lume was that great when it was new to be fair.
I have a 5Y23-8049 that I picked up for $15. A little polish and a new battery - boom, new watch! What's not to love about a vintage Seiko that looks mint?
Nice story, although I'm sorry about your grandfather.
I have a 5Y23-8049 that I picked up for $15. A little polish and a new battery - boom, new watch! What's not to love about a vintage Seiko that looks mint?
Nice story, although I'm sorry about your grandfather.
Thank you. How and what did you use to polish the bezel and case?
Thank you. How and what did you use to polish the bezel and case?
Polywatch and a battery-powered Dremel. 🍻
Polywatch and a battery-powered Dremel. 🍻
Ahhhhh, I figured such. I have a little tube of polywatch but I don’t have a dremel. I wouldn’t want to take a chance and ruin it, so I think I’ll just keep the character it has and leave it be.
Ahhhhh, I figured such. I have a little tube of polywatch but I don’t have a dremel. I wouldn’t want to take a chance and ruin it, so I think I’ll just keep the character it has and leave it be.
The battery powered Dremel is very wimpy so I'm not afraid to use it. And Polywatch is gentle enough to use on the case without removing too much material.
I used it on this Hamilton:
The battery powered Dremel is very wimpy so I'm not afraid to use it. And Polywatch is gentle enough to use on the case without removing too much material.
I used it on this Hamilton:
I may give it a go with some Polywatch on a cotton swab or paper towel, then ramp it up from there if that doesn't do the trick.
Seiko ftw! Love you could bring it back to life! Enjoy it!
The battery powered Dremel is very wimpy so I'm not afraid to use it. And Polywatch is gentle enough to use on the case without removing too much material.
I used it on this Hamilton:
Took some polywatch and used my fingers to work the polish into the case and bracelet, then wiped it with a damp napkin to get the residue. Looks much, much better.
Hi y’all I own this watch. Wanting to change the battery and I’m a newbie. Is this a screw off watch-back? Any tips would be wonderful. Thanks! - Jim
It's a press-on case back. You just need a flat-tipped case back removal tool, its a very thin, flat tipped tool used to pry off the case back.
Than you so much. I will order one ASAP.
Took some polywatch and used my fingers to work the polish into the case and bracelet, then wiped it with a damp napkin to get the residue. Looks much, much better.
Thats come up an absolute treat! I've got such a soft spot for two tone watches of that era, the personal connection must add so much to the wearing experiance too