Finished my First Watch Restoration Project - The Seiko Baby Monaco
Over a year ago I was getting bored with Watchmodding and started looking for something a bit different. This lead to watching a lot of Watch Restoration YouTubers and the decision to give watch restoration a go. I then spent sometime searching eBay and did a low bid on a non-running Seiko Baby Monaco and 6 weeks later received this in the mail.
It seemed to want to run but died after a few seconds and the date complication did not work at all.
Proceeded with the tear down and realized a parts source was needed so ordered a dead Seiko 7019a movement off eBay and spent a lot of time sanding and polishing the case and acrylic crystal while I waited. Parts arrived and another parts source was needed so another dead Seiko 7019a movement was purchased on eBay. Here's were things stalled. It was then summer and my Camper Restoration Project and Holidays took priority. Movement arrived eventually but everything went in a drawer forgotten until this week.
Decided I wanted to get this done before Summer. Got everything recleaned and watched some videos to remember how the heck to put a 7019a Movement together then got to work. Realized that a year gap means you forget everything. The biggest struggle for me was trying to remember how to install the dial, spacer, and re-case everything lol.
Long story short it's not like new as the dial and hands are showing some damage and there are some crystal issues I could not sand or Polywatch out. However, over all it turned out pretty good for my first try and it's running a -7s a day.
Main issue I have now is I don't have a 21mm strap. I wouldn't say the journey was loads of fun but it feels good to bring something back from the dead.
Collector of value watches, watch modder, and vintage watch tinkerer.
They look good, you did a good job. Why the strap on them isn't good? Because they look good with it according the pictures
They look good, you did a good job. Why the strap on them isn't good? Because they look good with it according the pictures
Thanks I know it's not perfect but I'm pretty proud of it. There is a mm of space with this strap as its a 20mm and the watch is 21mm just can't tell because of shadows. It works but I'd like to get a 21mm rally strap.
Thanks I know it's not perfect but I'm pretty proud of it. There is a mm of space with this strap as its a 20mm and the watch is 21mm just can't tell because of shadows. It works but I'd like to get a 21mm rally strap.
Somewhere I've read that it's difficult to get 21mm but I have just ordered one custom made leather strap from etsy so try to contact some sellers from that website directly. They can make custom Nato IMO
Gorgeous watch, totally worth the effort!
Beautiful!
Great work 👍
Gorgeous watch, totally worth the effort!
Thank you I have a soft spot for 70s Seiko
Beautiful!
Great work 👍
Thank you!
Thank you I have a soft spot for 70s Seiko
Don't we all?
Modding is great, but bringing one back from the dead to its former glory is fantastic. Great job.