60's vintage Seiko questions....

[D2JP]

I have Seiko caliber 5126-7010 purchased by my dad in the late 60's in Japan. The case back is marked with the serial number "991401 Japan-G" and "Water Proof". It's a 23 jewel movement w/ day and date. The stem is positioned at the 4 o'clock position on the case - pushing in the stem advances the date. It has a white/silver face with silver 'sticks'. It runs, but the second hand has fallen off and is wedged/stuck between the face and the 6 o'clock marker. The crystal is pretty scratched, the case is scratched, but looks like it will clean up well. I'll try and post a pic, but my decent digital camera went wading with me this summer...

Here's the question - would you send this back to Seiko USA (forgot the name of the service end of the business), or could you recommend a vintage specialist to refurbish this watch?

Thanks!

Jack

[timebroker]

Any watch maker can clean a movement but watch out with having it buffed, maybe you could get the crystal polished and leave the case as it is, my 2 c.
Nice one by the way.

[D2JP]

Thanks timebroker!

The scratches on the case are typical with the age of the watch I guess, and give it character IMO. My dad was a pretty rough and tough WWII veteran, career navy man so those scratches remind me of him and how he lived his life!

The crystal concerns me, as it has a big gash, almost like a cut around the 11 marker. The crystal 'feels' plastic so I'm guessing it will need replacing.

I do want to make sure the case is still water resistant. It doesn't show any signs of water damage.

I'll check into some local shops and see what they say.

[timebroker]

Originally Posted by D2JP

Thanks timebroker!

The scratches on the case are typical with the age of the watch I guess, and give it character IMO. My dad was a pretty rough and tough WWII veteran, career navy man so those scratches remind me of him and how he lived his life!

The crystal concerns me, as it has a big gash, almost like a cut around the 11 marker. The crystal 'feels' plastic so I'm guessing it will need replacing.

I do want to make sure the case is still water resistant. It doesn't show any signs of water damage.

I'll check into some local shops and see what they say.

You can have water resistance checked but do not count on it being so for such an old watch.
Most of the time the problem is degraded rubber how you call it 'gaskets'?
Any crystal can be polished as far as I know.

[nodnarb757]

check out seikoforum.com. There are many experts on the site, and quite a few that could work on your watch.

[daunwaun]

Originally Posted by nodnarb757

check out seikoforum.com. There are many experts on the site, and quite a few that could work on your watch.

great onfo thanks for sharing

[daunwaun]

Originally Posted by timebroker

You can have water resistance checked but do not count on it being so for such an old watch.
Most of the time the problem is degraded rubber how you call it 'gaskets'?
Any crystal can be polished as far as I know.

great info thanks for sharing

[txrob779]

I have 2 Vintage Seikos, one is a 7006 19j and one is a 6309 17j. The later being a 1977 and earlier one being a 1971. My watchsmith serviced both movements, basic ultrasound cleaning and re-oil. He buffed both plastic crystals and sent the 6309 out to get replated in 14k gold, put a new crown on both. Both watches have straps. The 6309 has a brown croc and the 7006 has a black one. I haven't shot pics of the 7006 yet.
The 6309 is heirloom #3, my dad's watch and here it is.



6309-8040 1977 re-plated case, new crown, polished crystal, new gaskets, oiled movement.
Was my dad's beater for 20 years.


7006-9017 1971 Pawn Shop $40, brushed case, polish crystal, oiled movement, new Kirsch gator with deployment clasp.

The Seiko family including a very early 70's Seiko SQ Quartz heirloom

1969 Timex Electric, a hybrid automatic. Uses a battery to create a magnetic field to oscillate the balance wheel instead of having a rotor and hand winding.

P.S. The auto Seikos are manual, you have to shake them to get them started, you cannot wind them and they will not stay wound on a winder. Found this out AFTER I bought one for them.

[D2JP]

Originally Posted by nodnarb757

check out seikoforum.com. There are many experts on the site, and quite a few that could work on your watch.

Thanks for the link!

I learned that my watch was manufactured in September, 1969 - which now makes it 38 years old. A local jeweler reattached the second hand and buffed the crystal. I'm sending it to a member of that forum to be cleaned and serviced (something the local shop was supposed to do, but that's another story). I put an inexpensive leather band on it so that I could wear it right away. It keeps excellent time, and looks darn good!

I've tried to take some photos, but my digital camera is pretty sad. I do have a Nikon 1:2.8 35-70 lens w/ Macro, SB28 Speedlight and N90s from the dark ages...I attempted some shots (w/o tripod) and now need to get the film developed and then scan the photos and upload them here. The watch might be 48 years old before that happens

Thanks to all for your advice!

-Jack