What to do with older, beat up Seiko?

[rcook55]

I received this watch from my Dad for graduating high school, eek... almost 17 years ago now. It's seen better days, way better. A friend of mine who is a jeweler and has contacts w/ watch makers has told me it's not worth the cost to do anything to it as it's not a valuable watch aside from sentimental. I agree with that and understand her point but I'm posting here so that really doesn't matter, does it?

Take a look at the pics I've attached and tell me what you think about what I'm thinking...

I've been seeing a lot of media blasted cases and I think that I have a watch that would be a great candidate for having it done. I'm not sure what to do with the gold plated bezel yet but something needs to be done. Also the pushers and crown need some TLC as well. Lastly a new crystal as this one is scratched to hell and back.

So am I crazy to consider having the case blasted to a matte finish as well as the pushers and crown then replating the bezel or even considering some kind of PVD treatment for the watch?







Thoughts and opinions please,

RCook

[THEPATRIOT]

Fix it up for sure!I'm a BIG fan of reserecting old things,post some after shots .

[Jim3]

I think it looks darn good as it is. With the finish as your dad gave it to you. The wear adds character.

[TimeSeeker]

I like it as it is.
Just restore it.

[kohym]

a piece of seiko history and a piece of your history..

at least overhaul and clean it up, it will look like new!

[Isthmus]

IN all fairness, doing all that you are thinking of doing will probably be much more expensive than simply restoring it. IIRC that four register chrono movement is not one that was used a lot, so as far as vintage seiko quartz chrono's go you definitely have one that is not as common as most others.

For the kind of mild blasting you are interested in I find that swedefreak is the best choice. I would ask him whether he is able to replate the golden sections or whether they can be blasted (I don't know if those parts are stainless steel, but typically when plated, they are not).

If you really have you heart set on PVD, do keep in mind that pvd is expensive. That I know of, Jack Alexyon at IWW is the only one still offering PVD (and he had dropped it for a while). NOah fuller does have a contact in hong kong that can do it, but I don't know if he is offering this as a service. Teflon or ceramic coating is more widely available and more affordable but those coatings are not as impact resistant and require a rougher blasted finish in order to adhere properly (which might mess with the details of your case and bezel). If you'd like to explore your options with Teflon coatings speak to Bob Thayer or Samanator. If you are interested in Ceramic coatings, Speak to Samanator.

Personally I would look to restore it and give Swedefreak a call.

[rcook55]

Sorry to sound noobish, what is involved in a restore? Aside from the person suggested is this something that Seiko performs, should I visit my AD as well to see what they offer?

Also mentioned was the 4 register being not very common, I'll agree with that as there is very little to be found when google-ing the watch.

Please educate me a bit more on restoring.

Thanks,
RCook

[John MS]

Sorry to sound noobish, what is involved in a restore? Aside from the person suggested is this something that Seiko performs, should I visit my AD as well to see what they offer?

Also mentioned was the 4 register being not very common, I'll agree with that as there is very little to be found when google-ing the watch.

Please educate me a bit more on restoring.

Thanks,
RCook

A full resoration, i.e. replating of surfaces, bringing the case and bracelet to original specs could easily run into hundreds of dollars. I would just clean it up, and replace the crystal. It is amazing what a new clear crystal can do for appearance.

[rcook55]

I finally got around to taking it in to a local AD and they got back to me today on what it would cost to fix up. I'm going to basically repurchase the watch! However from the comments here and from what the dealer mentioned it is on the rare side of things and a good candidate to fix up, and it's my first real watch and that's what really matters.

So I'm getting a new crystal, two new crowns, new bezel, and three new pushers, as well as a complete clean 'n lube... for $250.

Here's to an (almost)BNIB watch

I'll post pics when I get it back.

[timemachine]

Not to poop on the sentimental nature of this piece, but I would save your project money on something else. Heck it looks pretty good in the pics to me. A lot of watchmakers are too busy repairing high end stuff and don't want to bother with pet projects too,at least that has been my experience.