Drowned, with some battle damage
I have 4 * 6309 divers that I grabbed in a job lot, with this 729A being the worst of the lot as you can guess. It’s a September ‘85 date - I can remember 1985 like it was yesterday so feels real weird calling it vintage 😂
I’ve started taking it apart (video in the works) and certainly found some interesting challenges. The hour wheel, cannon pinion, 4th and centre wheel was one rusted blob. I tried evapo-rust to get them apart gently, but the 4th and centre wheel were being impossible. First time I had to take a set of cutters to a watch movement like a barbarian, but those wheels were beyond saving anyway.
I have replacement parts for pretty much everything, although the cosmetic bits (hands, dial, bezel insert) are all aftermarket. So I should rather call this a restomod instead of a full restore. I’d love to get original parts for this but I’m pretty sure that’s not gonna happen on a 37 y/o Seiko.
The case will also be polished (I can hear the purists grabbing their pitchforks) but in for a penny, in for a pound. If this piece wasn’t so far gone it would be a different story, but I’d rather have a useable result at the end of the day than a scratched up lump of rust.
Whats your thoughts?
I love restoring, rebuilding and all around tinkering on watches.
Wow what an amazing Timepiece. Dont be scared of using new parts, its all about to give this piece of history some wristtime again. And if you feel more comfortable then do so. Looking forwatd to see the result.
Wow what an amazing Timepiece. Dont be scared of using new parts, its all about to give this piece of history some wristtime again. And if you feel more comfortable then do so. Looking forwatd to see the result.
Thank you sir, and my thoughts exactly. Rather revive something from the dead using AM parts than tossing it in the bin to appease the purists.
Thank you sir, and my thoughts exactly. Rather revive something from the dead using AM parts than tossing it in the bin to appease the purists.
Absolutly✌🏼
I think at this stage what you are doing is all that can be done, if the watch is to ever be a wearable, running thing again. So stuff anyone who has a go at you. You're doing a good thing.
More & more I'm feeling like the patina crowd has lost sight of the joy of watches.
It's OK to like patina, but don't force that view onto everyone else.
I would call it a Rescuemod and be proud of any working results.
I would call it a Rescuemod and be proud of any working results.
You know what, I was actually considering that. Good idea!
I guess put it in a nice shadow box as remembrance or get that bad boy fully restored what a success story that will be.
Hey brother, once you’re done with this piece, I would love to buy this from you. I’m serious! (Sept, 1985)
Let me know!
Hey brother, once you’re done with this piece, I would love to buy this from you. I’m serious! (Sept, 1985)
Let me know!
Hmmm, a birth watch for you - Sept 85? That would certainly be a coincidence!
Hmmm, a birth watch for you - Sept 85? That would certainly be a coincidence!
That’s right brother. Lmk!
How’s this one coming along the bearded one very similar to my lastest restoration I’ve posted. Take care. The mighty All Blacks are heading your way next week for two tests. Don’t talk about the Irish series
How’s this one coming along the bearded one very similar to my lastest restoration I’ve posted. Take care. The mighty All Blacks are heading your way next week for two tests. Don’t talk about the Irish series
It's coming along quite nicely actually. I was just getting distracted from finishing because of a low amplitude of around 210 deg. I went and rebuilt 2 more 6309 movements with similar low amplitude so I'm reasonably sure I didn't screw up too bad. I should have this one finished in the next week or so. Not gonna lie, your work on those 7548's inspired me to tackle some mechanicals from the same vintage. I have an updated thread running on WristSushi if you want to check it out.
Yeah, the 13th of Aug. It'll be a shame for them to come all this way only to lose against the Sprinboks 😜😂
It's coming along quite nicely actually. I was just getting distracted from finishing because of a low amplitude of around 210 deg. I went and rebuilt 2 more 6309 movements with similar low amplitude so I'm reasonably sure I didn't screw up too bad. I should have this one finished in the next week or so. Not gonna lie, your work on those 7548's inspired me to tackle some mechanicals from the same vintage. I have an updated thread running on WristSushi if you want to check it out.
Yeah, the 13th of Aug. It'll be a shame for them to come all this way only to lose against the Sprinboks 😜😂
Best to lose now before the World Cup next year. Big Brodie Retalic is out for 6 weeks after Irish fowl play. 🇳🇿🍺
It's coming along quite nicely actually. I was just getting distracted from finishing because of a low amplitude of around 210 deg. I went and rebuilt 2 more 6309 movements with similar low amplitude so I'm reasonably sure I didn't screw up too bad. I should have this one finished in the next week or so. Not gonna lie, your work on those 7548's inspired me to tackle some mechanicals from the same vintage. I have an updated thread running on WristSushi if you want to check it out.
Yeah, the 13th of Aug. It'll be a shame for them to come all this way only to lose against the Sprinboks 😜😂
What I’ve found with the vintage Seiko’s is that they don’t like to be over oiled on the pallet fork if this happens the beat rate goes high with low amplitude what I do after oiling the exit pallet and spreading around the escape wheel I then remove and clean off the pallet and refit I’ve found it gives a great results on the timegrapher
What I’ve found with the vintage Seiko’s is that they don’t like to be over oiled on the pallet fork if this happens the beat rate goes high with low amplitude what I do after oiling the exit pallet and spreading around the escape wheel I then remove and clean off the pallet and refit I’ve found it gives a great results on the timegrapher
Huh, that’s very interesting. You quite right that in all 3 cases the beat error was pretty bad right after I started them up for the first time. I was actually surprised, but figured it was because of the sorry state they were in. I’ll go clean the pallet forks and check again. Thanks for the tip!
What I’ve found with the vintage Seiko’s is that they don’t like to be over oiled on the pallet fork if this happens the beat rate goes high with low amplitude what I do after oiling the exit pallet and spreading around the escape wheel I then remove and clean off the pallet and refit I’ve found it gives a great results on the timegrapher
Bruce, you beauty! I tried it on a 2nd movement I had done; amplitude went up from 204deg to 230deg. Thank you very much for the headsup, I genuinely appreciate it! When I get a gap I'll try it on the original movement and see if there's a similar improvement to be had.
How’s this one coming along the bearded one very similar to my lastest restoration I’ve posted. Take care. The mighty All Blacks are heading your way next week for two tests. Don’t talk about the Irish series
Hehe, I'm not going to be that guy and gloat. Why did I think it's next weekend though
Hehe, I'm not going to be that guy and gloat. Why did I think it's next weekend though
Good to see the current world champs playing like champions and the ABs still playing like chumps I think the coach and some players will be gone after next weekend. Take care the bearded wonder.