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Old 16 June 2020, 01:43 PM   #1
Chewbacca
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Icon20 Vintage Seiko Restorer USA or Canada ?

Can anyone recommend someone reliable and competent?

Thanks in advance.
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Old 16 June 2020, 01:53 PM   #2
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Old 16 June 2020, 02:23 PM   #3
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Jack at IWW (Cary, North Carolina) has always been pretty decent - taken care of a lot of watches of mine, and i've seen him offer restored vintage seikos, so i suspect he can handle it. Pretty decent guy to deal with

fwiw
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Old 16 June 2020, 05:16 PM   #4
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Thank you
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Old 17 June 2020, 02:14 AM   #5
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Would have thought this thread would blow up with options.
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Old 17 June 2020, 02:23 AM   #6
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I used Duarte at New England Watch Works (NEWW) years ago.
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Old 17 June 2020, 04:07 AM   #7
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if you're USA located, i'd avoid Canada only because dealing with customs on canadian side became a hassle and delayed delivery. Plus shipping across the border was more expensive. I suspect same is true if you're canada located and shipping to a US watchmaker.

Go to IWW's website and you'll get a good sense of his experience - he's worked on everything, hell i think he even serviced Winston Churchill's watches
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Old 17 June 2020, 04:15 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chewbacca View Post
Would have thought this thread would blow up with options.
We Seiko guys are a laid back bunch Give us a minute.

I have sent watches to Canada no issues and declared a low value.

In Canada, you can check out forum member Ashton Tracy Horologist.

In the USA, where I am, I have used "Seiko Pyscho" located in PA. I am a member of WristSushi which is a Seiko forum and many there use his services. He's got loads of vintage parts and even his own line of crystals and gaskets.
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Old 17 June 2020, 04:53 AM   #9
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Old 17 June 2020, 05:13 AM   #10
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PMd you
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Old 17 June 2020, 02:19 PM   #11
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I used Duarte at New England Watch Works (NEWW) years ago.
He does not do restorations. But he does do killer mod work.

I have used Seiko Psycho (Tom), IWW, Sarraff Watch Maker, and a few others with no issues. Since my company started doing services 4 years ago I only use my guy!

Good luck
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Old 18 June 2020, 12:15 PM   #12
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Icon6

That's a shame. He did excellent work on my vintage 6105 and 6309 way back when before Seiko forum went to network54 route. Even asked for first dibs on 6309 if I ever wanted to part with it. Timepieces never needed a service since then.

I think I purchased some excellent curved spring bars from you for my B&R 126 a few weeks back.

Quote:
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He does not do restorations. But he does do killer mod work.

I have used Seiko Psycho (Tom), IWW, Sarraff Watch Maker, and a few others with no issues. Since my company started doing services 4 years ago I only use my guy!

Good luck
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Old 18 June 2020, 05:55 PM   #13
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Spencer Klein

https://www.kleinvintagewatchrepair.com/
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Old 18 June 2020, 11:41 PM   #14
larryccf
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SunTzu View Post
We Seiko guys are a laid back bunch Give us a minute.

I have sent watches to Canada no issues and declared a low value.

In Canada, you can check out forum member Ashton Tracy Horologist.

In the USA, where I am, I have used "Seiko Pyscho" located in PA. I am a member of WristSushi which is a Seiko forum and many there use his services. He's got loads of vintage parts and even his own line of crystals and gaskets.
Keep in mind, the only problem with declaring a low value is that the insurance will only pay out up to the value of the customs declaration. If you're shipping a $300 watch, that's one thing, but high value watches are another.
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Old 19 June 2020, 03:21 AM   #15
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Keep in mind, the only problem with declaring a low value is that the insurance will only pay out up to the value of the customs declaration. If you're shipping a $300 watch, that's one thing, but high value watches are another.
The other issue is a lot of shipping companies will NOT insure jewelry.
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Old 19 June 2020, 03:23 AM   #16
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That's a shame. He did excellent work on my vintage 6105 and 6309 way back when before Seiko forum went to network54 route. Even asked for first dibs on 6309 if I ever wanted to part with it. Timepieces never needed a service since then.

I think I purchased some excellent curved spring bars from you for my B&R 126 a few weeks back.
He still does a ton of work, and is one of the best modders in the business. But he does not do any movement rebuilds. I have been using him since before the forum change also.

You probably did buy some spring bars from me. I am glad they worked out for you.
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Old 19 June 2020, 03:26 AM   #17
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Great info everyone
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Old 19 June 2020, 05:12 PM   #18
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I haven’t used them personally but have read good reviews on their vintage Seiko work

Www.arlingtonwatchworks.com
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Old 22 June 2020, 12:39 PM   #19
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I wouldn’t recommend. He does great work but he’s underhanded. At least in my experience.
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Old 22 June 2020, 12:44 PM   #20
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I wouldn’t recommend. He does great work but he’s underhanded. At least in my experience.
That's a big call - I really enjoy his videos.
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Old 23 June 2020, 04:36 AM   #21
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That's a big call - I really enjoy his videos.
Agreed. His videos are great.
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Old 23 June 2020, 11:00 AM   #22
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klein website said no new work the last time i looked.
i used “thewatchbloke”, Duncan Hewitt in England.
customs wasnt really a problem.
watch was in good shape to begin with but i wanted to make sure it stayed that way! hes got a great blog with a lot of nice watches hes worked on.
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Old 23 June 2020, 12:09 PM   #23
Styles Bitchley
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klein website said no new work the last time i looked.

i used “thewatchbloke”, Duncan Hewitt in England.

customs wasnt really a problem.

watch was in good shape to begin with but i wanted to make sure it stayed that way! hes got a great blog with a lot of nice watches hes worked on.


What reference is that? So cool!
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Old 25 June 2020, 02:06 PM   #24
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What reference is that? So cool!
Bullhead
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Old 25 June 2020, 02:30 PM   #25
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What reference is that? So cool!

6138-0040 or as Toxic said the Bullhead


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