Naked Seiko

[rustycolt]

I have a close friend who purchased a Seiko 5 from India a while back. He wore it occasionally for a couple of months before it began to gain time. A lot of time. As he had paid very little for the watch, and as he loved the style so very much, (it has a full luminous dial) he elected to purchase a contemporary version of the watch, rather than concerning himself with the inner workings of this one. 

Me: Watcha gonna do with that old Seiko 5?

Him: Nothing, it's useless.

Me: Can I practice on it, I've never worked on Japanese autos before?

Him: Giver.

 

The watch had been heavily magnetized. Demag reduced the gain, but it was still unusable. Full teardown and service revealed a heavily over-oiled movement, and an oil fouled hairspring. Happily, everything else looked good. Cleaned and re-oiled everything. During re-assembly, I broke the top pivot off the pallet fork - my mistakes are all occurring when the end is near, and I begin to accelerate to the finish. I need to contain and control that final push excitement. The replacement pallet fork arrived last nite, and I was able to complete the reassembly, and regulate quite accurately. 

 

Now comes the weird part - since he had already replaced the watch with a twin, I suggested a dial swap. The idea was well received, but execution has yet to occur. On a whim, I reassembled without a dial, the result, an abomination. An abomination that has a certain charm which kind of suits the owner. We have decided that he will in fact wear it this way until he tires of the look and finds a new dial he likes. 

 

I don't expect too many will be on the fence for this look, or that it's going to catch on and be the next big thing - who loves it, and who hates it? Don't hold back, no need for politeness on this one:

 

The original dial:

 

 

[Blacklab]

The moral of the story being - steer clear of those overpainted, overoiled & overpolished piles of rubbish that plague fleabay at the moment. Most originate from India but a lot are being sold from the UK. Mind you, that is a great improvement on the rehashed dial.

[bobm12]

Excellent job at giving new life to an almost gone watch, rustycolt! Well, done and great approach to troubleshooting. As per your request, here I go:

 

Although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I'm not too hot for the watch without dial. I'd rather use a combination dial/hands that would make the watch easy to read...but that is just old fashioned me.

 

As a side note, I believe the dial is aftermarket, no Seiko number on it. This could be a problem when ordering or checking availability for related parts. Still, an unusual and interesting design. One thing I like a lot is the alignment of the day/date ring that seems perfect from the pic. This is an indicator of good related parts. Also, the bracelet is of nice design. Is it by any chance an 7S26 movement? Those are really durable.

 

To my taste this would be an awesome watch if it had a dial! (No holding back as requested)! :)

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[rustycolt]

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Yes Bob, it is the indomitable 7S26 A. The bracelet is a signed repro. What an interesting animal to dissect for the very first time. I found the auto-wind mechanism particularly intriguing, what with its total lack of hand-wind capability and wheel/oscillator alignment specification. The Diafix®/Diashock® is not something I would attempt after a couple of pints, but I did manage to look after them all without any loss or breakage.

-----

Blacklab - I have had a few of these frankenwatches from Asia now, and while I wouldn't recommend them to people I want to keep as friends, I no longer fear or disdain them. I will buy again, with the expectation that they will be assembled from parts of several watches, they will have refinished and repro parts, they will require immediate service, and may need parts replaced out of the gate. There are still some enjoyable pieces to be had, if the price paid accounts for the conditions above. I recently picked up a Citizen d/d auto for Mrs Rustycolt for $7 shipped. I'll put about $20 and a few hours into it, I'll have one more service under my belt, and she will have an new timekeeper for her collection. I'd prefer she wear that than a $200 fashion brand any day! Besides, what lady doesn't like a surprise present from her fella? 

-----

 

I think the real beauty in a watch like this is the freedom it brings. It has little monetary value, no sentimental attachment, and is already in non-original condition. It will never be a Tag or Omega, but that does not mean it can't be useful or fun. If this were a vintage Tissot Seastar, for example, I'd certainly avoid such a monstrous modification. Since it is a "common", and without regal lineage, I have no hang-ups about messing with it creatively, particularly when that means discarding a poorly refinished dial. That's liberating and enjoyable. I can understand the enjoyment of the Seiko modding community, though I wouldn't wish to be an exclusive member.  

 

Rest assured, I take no personal offence from any comment on the appearance. I myself think it's just awful (but maybe with the right chapter ring installed...) in one moment, but find it makes me grin a few minutes later. I certainly have no feelings connected to it that would be hurt by an honest reaction.  

[bobm12]

I wholeheartedly agree rustycolt, they are interesting and rugged movements and ideal to learn or mod at your whim. I try to "restore" them as much as I can but appreciate the "no pressure" freedom they represent!

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[anilv]

Not the most legible set-up. I would add a dial made of clear pastic with the markers printed on.

 

I used to print them using a photocopier with OHP (overhead prohector) stock, you then need to find a way to glue this to the plastic spacer...

 

Anil

[Lawson]

It's this kind of immoral, vulgar display of pornographic horology that begins to corrupt the minds of young and impressionable repairs .... shame on you Rusty! :P

 

Bob!  Avert your eyes, your just too young to view this!! :pic:

 

[rustycolt]

Good point Lawson! Here is a more family friendly image:

 

 

[Geo]

It's a lot more sexy when you just get a tantalising glimpse. :-)

[bobm12]

Ohh, Yeah! Look at the shapely minute hands how it shows!

 

Not looking, not looking!! :D