How to tell a Seiko aftermarket dial

[jdm]

These are easily available from the Philippines, together with hands, glasses, etc for Seiko 5 and especially diver's, Maybe it's because Seiko used to have a factory there, and the ability to make some parts remained around. General quality is decent, original SKX013 on the left.

But the writing is not so good, especially for the orange color, and the small lettering on the bottom. Also, the "lume" is too thick.

What really gives it away is that luminosity is practically absent.

Virtually any "good looking" midsize diver from the Philippines will have these, from there the low price.

 

[ramrod]

this is informative. i have always had a problem identifying an aftermarket dial on a seiko. and it seems that it is very important on their divers. they can command a higher price if the dial is original.

i purchased a 6309-7049 a month ago. i had wondered if the dial was original. after opening the watch, i was convinced that the dial was, in fact, original. just in case, i posted the question on another forum. the guys there that are far more experienced than me verified it's origiality.

here are the pictures that i posted. apparently, the crispness of the printing and the bevelled date window clinched it. the hands are original as well. i could tell, when i opened the back, that this watch had never even been opened before. more of a gut feeling combined with extreme difficulty in removing the caseback verified it for me.

 

[jeffc83]

I'm still in awe that anyone would replicate a Seiko!  Is this model worth a lot or something?  lol

[ramrod]

it is a "turtle" diver and is generally more desireable than the slimmer skx00x and 7002-7001, etc. divers.

i like them because of their size and overall looks. it's safe to say they are worth much more with an original dial.

[jeffc83]

27 minutes ago, ramrod said:

it is a "turtle" diver and is generally more desireable than the slimmer skx00x and 7002-7001, etc. divers.

i like them because of their size and overall looks. it's safe to say they are worth much more with an original dial.

I think they're beautiful watches and to me that is a huge compliment when someone replicates it;)  Best form of flattery!

[Ishima]

I think the prevalence of aftermarket/fake parts for seiko's is simply down to people's enthusiasm over them, not necessarily their value. It's has to be said, I get it. I'd go through great lengths and pains for my seiko, too.

[jeffc83]

Supply and demand, makes perfect sense!  Now you all got me interested in buying one, LOL:D

[ramrod]

here are just three of the different case sizes from seiko. from left to right: 6309-7049, 7002-7001, 7s26-0030.

you can really see how large of a case the turtle has.

 

[oldhippy]

In my time we had fakes not many but nothing like this. If I needed parts I got the proper thing. 

[stroppy]

A couple of suburbs away from me there's a large flea market choc-a-block with watch sellers selling the usual two-bob watch stuff but a few of them have fakes "under the table".  Their most popular fakes are Seiko 5s, believe it or not.  They sell these as quartz or cheap auto movements with the day/date complication.  I don't understand why someone would fork out thirty bucks for a fake "5" when you can buy a new one for less than two hundred bucks.

[jdm]

5 minutes ago, stroppy said:

A couple of suburbs away from me there's a large flea market choc-a-block with watch sellers selling the usual two-bob watch stuff but a few of them have fakes "under the table".  Their most popular fakes are Seiko 5s, believe it or not.  They sell these as quartz or cheap auto movements with the day/date complication.  I don't understand why someone would fork out thirty bucks for a fake "5" when you can buy a new one for less than two hundred bucks.

Take a pic when you can. Completely fake 5s are quite rare, I only have seen a picture of one that must have been from the 80s. Proper price of new 5s is about 70 USD,

[jdm]

6 hours ago, oldhippy said:

In my time we had fakes not many but nothing like this. If I needed parts I got the proper thing. 

Many Seiko parts are simply unavailable, or may cost more than an entire used watch.

[stroppy]

Just now, jdm said:

Take a pic when you can. Completely fake 5s are quite rare, I only have seen a picture of one that must have been from the 80s. Proper price of new 5s is about 70 USD,

I'll give it a shot when I'm next there but I have a recuperating dog I'm caring for atm and that takes priority.  Also, I'll need to be discreet because I don't want my head kicked in.

[stroppy]

P.S.  As to how they look...anyone who has seen a real "5" would know they are fakes.  They are feather-light, they have poor lettering on the dial and the cheaper quartz ones are just awfully finished.

 

P.P.S.  The fakes aren't hard to get downunder.  Tons of them at various fleamarkets, especially the paid-entrance markets.  You only have to know how and who to ask.  These clowns also sell the usual expensive-brand fakes.  I had to chortle recently because I spotted a PatekP. with "Quartz" proudly marked under the brand script.  I know Patek haven't made a new quartz for a long time.  

The Patek fake WAS nicely finished...tinted glass lens, sculpted dial plate and nice quick-set day and date.  Also had a blue rhinestone atop the crown.  Selling price? $AU45.

Edited April 15, 2016 by stroppy