Anyone know any Vintage Grand Seiko Hi Beat experts ?

[Speed]

Just purchased a Grand Seiko Hi Beat 6145-8000 off the bay. My first vintage purchase. Not a huge amount of $ so I was willing to take a bit of a chance.

The watch looks to be nicely refurbished. I.e. Case refinished. Not a huge deal to me. We're not talking about a SS Patek Unicorn! I plan to wear the watch. Keeping good time after a few days. Love listening to the fast ticking!

Seller claimed all original - save for disclosed dial restoration.

The crystal is *domed* - every example I can find shows a stepped / squared off crystal. I've included a link to a nice review...may reach out to the writer.

Seller swears his watchmaker says the crystal is original.


Can anyone help?



Worn and Wound image and review. See crystal in lower left image...



http://wornandwound.com/review/affor...1gs-6145-8000/

[toxicavenger]

Looks exactly like my buddies Hi-Beat with the same crystal. Good job on it.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

Looks exactly like my buddies Hi-Beat with the same crystal. Good job on it.

Thanks much...To be clear your friend's watch has which crystal? Mine (domed) - or the example I linked to at Worn & Wound which looks squared off.

I just ordered a replacement crystal at Ofreis for $20. No visual though. Took a chance and ordered it.

[lapince]

Don't know which is original but love domed crystals, congrats

[Speed]

Originally Posted by lapince

Don't know which is original but love domed crystals, congrats

Thanks much!

That's my "burning" question though...the dome version on my watch is nice, but the squared off style shown at worn & wound - which I believe is *original* - has some charm.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by Speed

Thanks much...To be clear your friend's watch has which crystal? Mine (domed) - or the example I linked to at Worn & Wound which looks squared off.

I just ordered a replacement crystal at Ofreis for $20. No visual though. Took a chance and ordered it.

This one

[Speed]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

This one

Ah. Ok...so it is the squared off crystal. Well, hopefully the one I ordered from Ofrei looks like that.

Thanks.

[Speed]

Non-satisfying answers from the seller have convinced me to move on. His only response is that his watchmaker says the domed crystal is original...despite my photos to the contrary.

I have what I think is the proper (replacement) crystal now. A local Indie watchmaker I've used for non-Rolex may get the call to do the swap.

I also thought about leaving well enough alone...what do folks think?

[toxicavenger]

Honestly it if was me I would leave it alone. Just enjoy it. It looks great!

[Speed]

Originally Posted by toxicavenger

Honestly it if was me I would leave it alone. Just enjoy it. It looks great!

Thanks...the new crystal was only $20. I could wait. I do like the squared off version though.

I'm liking my new black calf HODINKEE strap and GS Buckle - the latter I bought on Amazon.

[SearChart]

I don't know much about them but I love their look and would definitely want to own one, Congrats!

[Gharddog03]

Great looking watch. Congrats.

[steversaurus]

Looks great! Really underrated watches. The ticking is just so satisfying to listen to. Love my 6156

[cda555]

It it acrylic? Possible that the squared edges were rounded with polishing?

[GB-man]

Congrats! That's really beautiful

[Speed]

Originally Posted by cda555

It it acrylic? Possible that the squared edges were rounded with polishing?

The domed crystal which came with my purchase feels like acrylic. I don't think it would have been ground down when the case was polished.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Gharddog03

Great looking watch. Congrats.

Thank you. I'm well chuffed as our British members might say.

Originally Posted by steversaurus

Looks great! Really underrated watches. The ticking is just so satisfying to listen to. Love my 6156

That's a nice example as well!

Agreed about the ticking. I can also hear / feel the rotor swing round

The smooth seconds hand is quite soothing to watch as well.

Originally Posted by SearChart

I don't know much about them but I love their look and would definitely want to own one, Congrats!

Thanks. I feel like I could have another!

Originally Posted by GB-man

Congrats! That's really beautiful

Much appreciated. It's so subtle...

[daveathall]

That watch is stunning, you are right to be well chuffed. Its beautiful, many, many congratulations.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by daveathall

That watch is stunning, you are right to be well chuffed. Its beautiful, many, many congratulations.

Thanks Dave....all 36.5 mm of it. Next task is to find a guy/gal who can work on it - when necessary. Touch wood.

[cda555]

Originally Posted by Speed

The domed crystal which came with my purchase feels like acrylic. I don't think it would have been ground down when the case was polished.

I meant someone polishing the crystal with polywatch. Either way, it worked out and was a cheap fix. Great watch

[Speed]

Originally Posted by cda555

I meant someone polishing the crystal with polywatch. Either way, it worked out and was a cheap fix. Great watch

Ah. Ok.

Nope. The domed crystal which the seller said was original looks like it was always a dome. Too perfect.

I am now leaning to not touching it...although I prefer the old school squared off look. I may still ask my watchmaker about it...just to gauge the risks and see how much work it would be.

[Speed]

Well, a brief report back...

My independent watchmaker - apparently does not work on SEIKOs. That said, he advised me to leave the domed crystal on the watch. He eyeballed the crystal I purchased at Otto Frei and said it might not be the right one. (IMO it has to be. I've researched the mfg. There was also a detailed post on another forum by a guy who must have done the same thing: http://www.thewatchsite.com/21-japan...ved-grail.html

If the domed crystal was damaged during removal, and the crystal was not the right one... I'd be hosed he said.

He did recommend another watchmaker in his building as someone who worked on crystals / SEIKOs... but the guy (unlike him) would not turn down work. So, that made me nervous.

Perhaps I will just enjoy what I have for now... but research the service angle. I understand the New Jersey SEIKO service operation is not well thought of.

He looked at my watch, said it was running a tad slow - but to be expected of a Hi Beat? He also praised the refinishing and the dial refurb. Re: the dial, he said the finish looked almost porcelain and the black lettering very well done. I *guess* thats a compliment? The seller told me the old dial was scanned and used in the restoration process.

Well, I know this isn't a "barn find" but it sure looks / feels nice...and is keeping good time.

[Old Expat Beast]

I have a 6145-8000 arriving this week from Japan, and will compare crystals when it arrives. How's it going one year on?

[Jsol]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I have a 6145-8000 arriving this week from Japan, and will compare crystals when it arrives. How's it going one year on?

Any dealer you’d recommend in Japan ?

[Lol-x]

I like the look of the domed crystal anyway.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I have a 6145-8000 arriving this week from Japan, and will compare crystals when it arrives. How's it going one year on?

Thanks Seth!

Look forward to seeing it.

The watch is still running smooth as silk. I could watch that seconds hand all day. Whoever did the servicing seemed to know what s/he was doing. I have the watch on a nice black Hirsch Gator now.

I also acquired a King Seiko High Beat off of eBay last year from a Japanese seller. I believe it to be all original. It runs at 28,000 VBH Vs 36,000.

The crystal has sharpish edges, but not as tall as what I’ve seen on Grand Seikos.

Interesting of Seiko to have put two design teams against each other - Grand Vs King. Clearly King Seiko lost...good news is these King models can be had for much less than similar vintage Grand Seikos.

I also like the Seiko “Lord Marvel” models from that era...such an audacious sounding name. Reading that name on a dial would put a smile on my face.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

I like the look of the domed crystal anyway.

Thanks Steve. I decided to leave it as is...if I ever get a referral to someone who really knows his way around a vintage Grand Seiko, I may look into a change.

[daveathall]

I keep coming back to this, it is one of the best looking watches I have seen. I am glad you are enjoying it to the full. I'm totally jealous.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I keep coming back to this, it is one of the best looking watches I have seen. I am glad you are enjoying it to the full. I'm totally jealous.

Haha Thanks Dave.

Take a look on eBay. See if the King Seikos appeal to you. Cost is much lower and designs are quite similar.

I keep looking at the King models for a future purchase.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Speed

Thanks Seth!

Look forward to seeing it.

The watch is still running smooth as silk. I could watch that seconds hand all day. Whoever did the servicing seemed to know what s/he was doing. I have the watch on a nice black Hirsch Gator now.

I also acquired a King Seiko High Beat off of eBay last year from a Japanese seller. I believe it to be all original. It runs at 28,000 VBH Vs 36,000.

The crystal has sharpish edges, but not as tall as what I’ve seen on Grand Seikos.

Interesting of Seiko to have put two design teams against each other - Grand Vs King. Clearly King Seiko lost...good news is these King models can be had for much less than similar vintage Grand Seikos.

I also like the Seiko “Lord Marvel” models from that era...such an audacious sounding name. Reading that name on a dial would put a smile on my face.

I couldn't agree more. Three King Seikos and two Lord Marvels in the current line up here

Glad to know you're still enjoying the GS.