smudge/mark on dial of seiko

[jakepetsounds]

hi everybody. i recently purchased a watch on amazon through a 3rd party seller. the watch itsself is a seiko SNK809. i was a little worried at first because the watch was shipping from singapore, but it arrived here and it is authentic and in working condition. however (this is after i swapped the standard strap for a leather one of course) upon closer inspection i notice there is a small smudge or mark on the dial itsself. it's only visible under certain light; i first noticed it while examining the watch under a lamp, and thought it was on the crystal at first, however it is most definitely on the dial. i'm not fond of the idea of trying to barter with the sender and have it sent back to singapore and have to wait even longer for this beauty (it's my first mechanical and i'm on an extremely limited budget so don't judge!) is this something i could take to a watch repair shop? what do you think they'd charge to give the dial a cleaning, if indeed it is something that can be cleaned? i'd upload pics but i dont have a camera with high enough quality to be able to see. your input is greatly appreciated!

[Likestheshiny]

Ehhh... you paid, what, $70 or so for the watch? If you're on a budget, I don't think it's going to be worth spending a meaningful chunk of the entire watch's value to have someone take out the dial and try to clean it. There's also the possibility that it's not dirt, but an actual flaw in the dial, which won't be repairable. I suspect you're going to have to either live with it or try to get a replacement from the seller.

[CitizenM]

I would try to get a replacement from the seller. The watch is probably too cheap to warrant developing a repair bill over.

But, if you want to keep the watch and live with it, rest assured, there are many tireless Seiko modifiers that would be happy to replace the dial for you with whatever you look at any point in the future, so even if it's flawed, you will have options.

Still, for me, try your options with the dealer first. I don't think it would be a big deal to get another one sent out to you.

[RickyGene]

I am going to try an answer your question about the smudge on the dial and not debait the merits about returning..........Seiko hands are not solid but have the lume placed into the middle of the opening of the hands, now as time goes by, this lume sags and as the hands rotate, a very slight mark, circle begains to appear as the sagging lume wipes across the dial........sounds to me that the hands on this watch have been replaced with new ones. If you paid a fair price, this is the only issue and the watch is keeping perfect time........what have you lost.......wabi is perfection in a imperfect world!

[romeo-1]

Hmmmmm...something very familiar about this poster...dare I say the name that shall not be said???

P _ _ I?

[Veatorious]

Edit: I noticed that you mentioned your camera is not quality enough to document the mark...

[cold_beer839]

Hmmmmm...something very familiar about this poster...dare I say the name that shall not be said???

P _ _ I?

_ A P _

You just can't keep a good man down.

[hendry70]

I thought you weren't buying watches from Singapore anymore due to the massive fake watch problem.

[Jake B]

_ A P _

You just can't keep a good man down.

Best go cook up some pap-corn, and let the show begin.

[jtstav]

Best go cook up some pap-corn, and let the show begin.

I'll grab the beers. Can't say I was a drinker before reading he who shall not be named' threads but now....oh man