SEIKO DIVER

25 Jun 2010

SOLD: SEIKO Automatic Diver 6309-7290 Sharkproof Plongeur

Watch is SOLD.

After selling my first SEIKO Plongeur, I purchased another slim-case vintage SEIKO 6309-7290. Just like the first Plongeur, it also has a nice unmolested case and a clean 6309A movement. Time for another Plongeur.

As usual, watch was dismantled to pieces. Every parts were cleaned and checked. A new Plongeur dial and hands were installed. This time I use second hand with orange tip, a small touch but it brings a new vivid look to the dial.

All parts assembled. Compared to the first Plongeur, this second Plongeur has many upgraded parts. New chrome chapter ring, new domed sapphire crystal with AR coating, and high-quality aftermarket bezel insert. The best part of all is the new heavy-duty mesh bracelet.

The mesh bracelet is so striking in appearance that I think it is only suitable for really bold-looking watch. It reminds me of the anti-shark steel mesh suit worn by divers to protect them from shark bite. Therefore, I call this new Plongeur: the Sharkproof Plongeur.

The first time I saw the mesh bracelet, I know it is destined for the 6309 diver. From side view, we can see that the mesh pattern matches the double-stack grip pattern around the bezel, creating a harmonic flow of pattern around the dial. A perfect combination indeed.

21 Jun 2010

SOLD: SEIKO Automatic Diver 7S26-7020 SKX171 PMMM

Up for sale is my SEIKO Automatic Diver 7S26-7020 SKX171 PMMM (Poor Man's Marine Master).

Production date: Jul 2002.
Case dimension:

Width: 42 mm (excludes crown).
Thickness: 13 mm.
Lug: 22 mm.

Description:
All genuine SEIKO parts except for the Super Oyster II bracelet.
Original SKX171 dial in good condition. Lumes on index markers still glow.
Genuine SEIKO Titanium Samurai diver hands in good condition. Lume on hands glow in the same color and brightness as the dial.
Genuine SKX007 bezel rotates uni-directionally with 120 clicks. Bezel clicks firmly without play.
Genuine SKX007 bezel insert is in good condition.
Original crystal is lightly scratched.
Case and case back are in good condition. There is swirly on the case at the 9 o'clock position but can be buffed out easily. Edges and corners are sharp. Factory finish lines are clearly visible on the top surface of the case.
Movement and day-date setting mechanism are working flawlessly. It was given full TLC (tuning, lubrication, calibration) by Jack Alexyon from IWW, one of the best SEIKO watchmaker. Accuracy is within spec.
Crown locks in 2x full turn.
Water resistant is unknown because previous owner does not inform me about water pressure test.
Comes with high quality Super Oyster II bracelet with solid end links which accept fat spring bars.
Price: SOLD.

The bad: Crystal is lightly scratched and case has little swirly.

31 May 2010

SOLD: SEIKO Automatic Diver 7002-7039 Transitional Diver #2

Up for sale is a SEIKO Automatic Diver 7002-7039, also known as "the Transitional Diver". If I recall correctly, this is the first SEIKO Automatic Diver to be rated at 200m. The Transitional Divers were produced in very short period between 1995 and 1996, just before SEIKO released the 7S26 Diver (SKX series) in 1996. Therefore, it is harder to find and probably will become collectible item because it marks the transition from SEIKO 150m Diver to 200m Diver.

Production date: April 1996.
Case dimension:

Width: 42 mm (excludes crown).
Thickness: 13 mm.
Lug: 22 mm.

Description:
As far as I know, all original parts.
Original dial and hands in good condition. Lumes on index markers and hands still glow.
Bezel rotates uni-directionally with 120 clicks. Bezel clicks firmly without play.
Original bezel insert is scratched but can be polished off or replaced (See enclosed pictures. I used strong light to show the scratches. It is not that bad when you see it in person).
Original crystal is scratched.
Case and case back are in good condition and unpolished. There are scratches on lugs. Edges and corners are still well-defined. Factory finish lines are still visible on the top surface of the case.
Movement and date setting mechanism are working well. Service history is unknown but it runs in a shake and accuracy is within spec. Caseback gasket replaced with new genuine SEIKO gasket.
Crown locks in 1.75x full turn.
Water resistant is unknown.
Comes with aftermarket Z22 wave vent rubber strap for SEIKO Diver and new fat spring bars.
Price: SOLD.

The bad: Bezel insert and crystal have scratches.

24 May 2010

SOLD: SEIKO Quartz Diver 7548-700B "Desert Storm" Restoration

Watch is SOLD.

One of my favorite vintage SEIKO dive watches is the 7548 Quartz Diver. The design is classic and simple. Its 7548-caliber quartz movement is tough and reliable. General Norman Schwarzkopf, Commander of the Operation Desert Storm, was wearing a SEIKO 7548 when he led one of the strongest military forces in history to kick Iraqi soldiers out of Kuwait in 1991. In 1999, Schwarzkopf donated the watch for a charity auction. It was auctioned under the title "SEIKO Desert Storm" and sold at USD 11,000.

▲ General Norman Schwarzkopf wearing a SEIKO 7548 Quartz Diver. Picture taken from LIFE.

Few days ago, my friend Ariska sent me a 7548-700B from May 1979. At the first glance, it looked bloody messy with painted hands, faded bezel insert, and dirty dial. But upon a closer look, I knew I had found the 7548 I had been looking for. It was a perfect base for a restoration project.

▲ SEIKO 7548-700B before restoration.

The case was very dirty. It was soon dismantled to pieces. Every parts were cleaned and checked. Case is still good and untouched. It has scratches on caseback and lugs but I can live with it. Crown tube was bent, prevented the crown from screwing in. I pressed the crown tube back to its position. The original HARDLEX crystal is still in good condition, slightly polished by previous owner. Caseback is a little bit corroded but still acceptable.

▲ Case completely dismantled.

▲ Case cleaned and assembled.

The original 7548-700B dial is a little bit dirty. But all writings on dial including the dial code are still sharp and crispy. Original hands were replaced with original hands set from SKX007 (7S26) because the design is almost identical. The difference is 7548 has flat-type hands.

▲ Dial before cleaning.

▲ Dial after cleaning and new hands.

Crown-stem assembly was stripped down and cleaned. The original gasket has been worn out but I haven't found a new crown gasket. So I will just temporarily use it until I find a new one. Stem spring is not original, but it functions very well without problems.

▲ Dismantled crown.

All parts were assembled back with new caseback gasket, new bezel gasket, and new aftermarket bezel insert. The insert is the best quality repro I have ever seen. It is almost 100% similar to the original 7548/6309 insert including the correct lume pip, slanted surface, and grainy paint when observed under magnifier.

▲ 7548-700B after restoration.

The 7548 was then put on a high-quality aftermarket GL831 rubber strap. This is the correct type of strap when the watch came out for sale at the end of 1970s. Below picture is comparison shot of 7548 (right) and his more famous successor, the SKX007. Like father, like son.