Hi-Beat Accuracy

[Old Expat Beast]

Hi guys,
Any Hi-Beat owners out there like to share timekeeping anecdotes? This one came to me last week from Japan.

The good news: It keeps perfect time if wound daily.

The bad news: I found two minuscule hairs or bits of fluff on the dial.

The good news: I got a 25% refund from the seller (I could also have returned it).

Anyway, as many will know, the Seiko Lord Marvel was the first Japanese Hi-Beat watch, preceding the GS and KS models, and only the second in the world (I believe) after the Girard-Perregaux Gyromatic. It was in production from 1967 to about 1978, and mine is from August 1975.

I think these are really undervalued at the moment, and a fun and historical reference for collectors old and new. I'd love to see yours if you have one.

cheers,
Adam

[El-Duderino]

My GS Hi-Beat 6146-8020, circa 1969, is still pretty darn accurate. Runs around +5 seconds per day.



Also have a newer SBGJ021 that runs around +2 seconds per day.





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[Old Expat Beast]

A great pair. I love that Vintage GS. I have a King Seiko arriving this week. It also says Hi-Beat on the dial but is only 28800, which was "Hi" enough in 1970, I guess.

Here's a pic of the LM movement.

[Old Expat Beast]

KS 5645-7000 arrived already.

[steversaurus]

Have been wearing this for the last month. Averaging +1.2s/d

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by steversaurus

Have been wearing this for the last month. Averaging +1.2s/d

That's a beauty. I really want to add a vintage GS at some point and the GS61 series seems like one of the best.

I guess I should read this whole thing first, though: https://thespringbar.com/blogs/guide...llectors-guide

[steversaurus]

They are wonderful watches and quite reasonable for what they are. However, the scarcity of parts still scares me.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by steversaurus

They are wonderful watches and quite reasonable for what they are. However, the scarcity of parts still scares me.

Do you mean part for the GS61 in particular?

[themaninblack]

My Seiko 6159-7001 is possibly the most accurate mechanical watch I own. It’s a fabulous watch and clearly a fantastic movement.

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

My Seiko 6159-7001 is possibly the most accurate mechanical watch I own. It’s a fabulous watch and clearly a fantastic movement.

Wow!
I just bought its grandson SBDX017 a few days ago.

Do you have any photos please?

Cheers
Robin

[themaninblack]

Sure. Gloss dial in great shape. Movement seems so smooth and accurate.

[Old Expat Beast]

That's a real beauty right there.

[steversaurus]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Do you mean part for the GS61 in particular?

Vintage GS in general. I have heard of some horror stories of people having difficulty repairing them due to lack of parts. I think Seiko themselves has a policy of keeping parts for 20 years after being discontinued.

[yannis]

That is beautiful Adam. What is the accuracy? Is it spot on? +/- 0?

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

That's a real beauty right there.

Thank you Sir!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by steversaurus

Vintage GS in general. I have heard of some horror stories of people having difficulty repairing them due to lack of parts. I think Seiko themselves has a policy of keeping parts for 20 years after being discontinued.

There seems to be a lot of NOS Grand Seiko and other Seiko parts on eBay, including sets like these, which might be worth buying as an insurance policy against future breakdown.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by yannis

That is beautiful Adam. What is the accuracy? Is it spot on? +/- 0?

Thanks Yannis. The Lord Marvel hasn't gained or lost a second for several days now, with a daily wind and left face up. The KS Automatic gains two or three seconds during the day on the wrist, then loses it again over night if left crown up. So on average, dead on. They were listed as gaining +1 and +10 daily, respectively, by the Japanese seller.

[bdex75]

Congrats Adam! 2 great pieces there. I have come to grips with the reality that being a 1975 baby (August to be exact ) I will likely never own a birth year Rolex sport watch. But I have always had a draw to vintage Seiko and one of these has been on my radar.


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[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by bdex75

Congrats Adam! 2 great pieces there. I have come to grips with the reality that being a 1975 baby (August to be exact ) I will likely never own a birth year Rolex sport watch. But I have always had a draw to vintage Seiko and one of these has been on my radar.


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Thanks Brandon. Just look for a Lord Marvel with serial starting with 58 and you'll have a birthmonth/year classic. Grand and King Seiko were about done by then, I think; victims of their quartz brethren.

[yannis]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Thanks Yannis. The Lord Marvel hasn't gained or lost a second for several days now, with a daily wind and left face up. The KS Automatic gains two or three seconds during the day on the wrist, then loses it again over night if left crown up. So on average, dead on. They were listed as gaining +1 and +10 daily, respectively, by the Japanese seller.

That is great stuff Adam. I like the fact that SEIKO are also very conservative with their guarantees. My SLA017 is +3 daily and i think they claim +15 max.

[aquatimerfla]

My GS hibeat 36000 sbgh005 purchased in 2013 runs a consistent +1 per day and looks like a spring drive doing it

Nothing and I mean nothing beats a GRAND SEIKO mechanical hibeat for smoothness & accuracy along w 100m WR!!!

Im looking at you Rolex

[steversaurus]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

There seems to be a lot of NOS Grand Seiko and other Seiko parts on eBay, including sets like these, which might be worth buying as an insurance policy against future breakdown.

Woah. Thanks for the heads up.

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[Gharddog03]

Beautiful pieces gents!!!

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

Sure. Gloss dial in great shape. Movement seems so smooth and accurate.

Cheers
Robin

[Old Expat Beast]

Just got another Lord Marvel. Arabic linen this time, to go with my silver stick dial. This one was probably one of the last out of the factory, dated January 1978. Interesting patina on the dial.

Sounds wonderful when I put one to each ear!

[Jay (Eire)]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Just got another Lord Marvel. Arabic linen this time, to go with my silver stick dial. This one was probably one of the last out of the factory, dated January 1978. Interesting patina on the dial.

Sounds wonderful when I put one to each ear!

Very nice.

I recently added a 6155 to my 6156. A perfect pair from almost 50 years ago.




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[the_natural]

[QUOTE=themaninblack;8265940]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

Sure. Gloss dial in great shape. Movement seems so smooth and accurate.

STOP! Gosh, what an amazing piece.

I'm really hoping in a couple of days Seiko announces a re-release. It would go great with my SLA017.

[the_natural]

Whenever I look at older Seikosha watches, I think about how I'm sitting here in the US looking at these fabulous time pieces that were made not very long after the extraordinary US-Japanese animosity of WWII. It's pretty amazing, if not a little surreal.

[dysondiver]

the thinking mans calatrava
love the pic with the two gs in sync time wise ,,,
health to wear.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

Very nice.

I recently added a 6155 to my 6156. A perfect pair from almost 50 years ago.




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Great pair. I would love to get a nice 6156 someday.