12 replies to this topic

[tmanwell]

I posted this on another forum, but I also want to get your thoughts here on this forum.

Ok, here's my problem...
I'm in love with the Seiko Sarb031

But I just cannot pull the trigger on the $600 + price tag.
Things I love about it: domed crystal, saber hands, simple uncluttered face (no numerals, just hashes), small diameter (by standards these days). It's a retro watch.

So, if I can't get that, what should I get? Hmmmm.
Not many options. There's this from Orient:

Not bad looking....& very affordable, but it's quartz.

So now I'm wondering about a vintage Seiko.... something from the 60s or 70s. If I do an ebay search on the word "diashock," it's amazing how many beautiful possibilities pop up.
To be clear, what's important is:  domed crystal, clean number-less face, white face/silver hands, dauphine/saber style hands.... and as a minor preference, the dial at the 3:00 position.

That said, I'm scared to death to plunk down $$ on a "vintage/classic" watch cuz I don't know what I'm doing. I have no point of reference re expectations. if I buy a brand new 7s26 I know *exactly what I'm getting & what to expect. But I assume not all of these older modles were created equally. What about reliability? What about durability? How do I know if it's hand-wind mechanical vs automatic? Blah blah blah.

So anyway, I know some of you guys have been collecting watches since Noah built the ark, so gimme the benefit of your vast knowledge, please.

TM

[ruzmidah]

Hard to find that particular orient quartz nowadays.
Unfortunately I sold mine last yr and I regretted it ever since.

[OldeCrow]

there are so many options for vintage dress watches available, you can buy half a dozzen for the cost of that seiko and have some great watch history to wear and enjoy. eBay is your friend!

[tmanwell]

OldeCrow, on 12 January 2012 - 03:22 PM, said:

there are so many options for vintage dress watches available, you can buy half a dozzen for the cost of that seiko and have some great watch history to wear and enjoy. eBay is your friend!

Hi Chris:
I hear ya....
Can you get into more specifics? For instance... I'm wondering about models/movements that fit the bill of having that combination of being --readily available....--robust/dependable......--affordable for penny pinchers.  

tm

[OldeCrow]

From Seiko the vintage King Seiko's and non king High Beats are very accurate and reliable and can be had for right at or just under $200 for the more common stainless models and they are much classier than anything modern!

[tmanwell]

Ok....

I finally took the plunge. I just won this auction tonight. $54

It's a 6206-8020. It has the **look** that I was attempting to get.
HOPEFULLY this will be a good watch for me.

I'd appreciate any pointers from anyone who has one of these.

TM

[OldeCrow]

The 6206 movements were great movements, pre magic lever design so they resemble the miyota visually though they are much better built with 26 jewels and a more sophisticated winding mechinism and balance wheel/hair spring assembly.

If you can find one with the movement in NOS condition they were very nice looking too!

[tmanwell]

OldeCrow, on 18 January 2012 - 05:16 PM, said:

The 6206 movements were great movements, pre magic lever design so they resemble the miyota visually though they are much better built with 26 jewels and a more sophisticated winding mechinism and balance wheel/hair spring assembly.

If you can find one with the movement in NOS condition they were very nice looking too!

Chris:
Are you sure about the 26 jewel part?  The seller described this as "17 Jewel"..... 'course, maybe he doesn't know....

tm

[tmanwell]

tmanwell, on 18 January 2012 - 06:32 PM, said:

Chris: Are you sure about the 26 jewel part? The seller described this as "17 Jewel"..... 'course, maybe he doesn't know.... tm

Here we go..... here's a pic of the guts. 6020 movement.... is that a "B" at the end?.... but "seventeen jewel".....
Does that mean this one isn't a keeper???

[OldeCrow]

Thats a keeper, the 17 jewel is correct as well as the 26 jewel. I think the 26 jewel ones came in the slightly more expensive seikomatics...

[tmanwell]

OldeCrow, on 20 January 2012 - 07:12 AM, said:

Thats a keeper, the 17 jewel is correct as well as the 26 jewel. I think the 26 jewel ones came in the slightly more expensive seikomatics...

Ok....
NEW QUESTION

First, it arrived in the mail today & omg, it's even more impressive looking in person. I LOVE how this thing looks. I intend to take it to my local watch guy & have it cleaned (outside) and new crystal (it's pretty scratched).

HERE"s the question tho...
It has lost about 3 mins in the last 5 hours.
As symptoms go, is this something that can be "serviced" & corrected? IOW, I expect in a mechanical the typical +/- a minute or so in a 24hr period. I'd like to hope I can get that out of this watch.

Thoughts??

TM

[OldeCrow]

sounds like it needs a good cleaning and oiling, three minutes in five hours is pretty out of spec!

[tmanwell]

OldeCrow, on 21 January 2012 - 06:36 AM, said:

sounds like it needs a good cleaning and oiling, three minutes in five hours is pretty out of spec!

yeah, that's what I thought. I'm sorta hanging my hat on the idea, tho, that this is a QUALITY watch from a quality era of watch-making & that a good watch-guy can make it all happy for me. On the plus side it hasn't lost a great deal more time since I took it off my wrist last night & it's still ticking away in my watch case. I have it as now being about 5 mins slow....and that's without touching it since its initial set time of about 3:30pm yesterday.

I'm still just totally GAGA over the looks of this thing. I can't wait to get it cleaned up & get a nice 'croc' style black strap on it.

TM