Obscure Seiko Timekeepers & Restoration

cazalea · 2015-05-25T07:32:28Z

Explore obscure and vintage Seiko timepieces, from rare desk clocks to early high-beat movements. Join collectors sharing their unique Seiko finds and restoration stories.

cazalea

WPS member · Seiko forum

13 replies3146 views10 photos

Cazalea invites the community to share their obscure or favorite Seiko timepieces, extending a popular 7-day Seiko-fest. His post highlights a personal journey with a Seiko calendar moon phase clock, detailing its restoration after discovering a leaking battery. This thread serves as a testament to the enduring appeal and repairability of vintage Seiko items, encouraging collectors to bring their hidden gems to light.

Yesterday was intended to be the final day of our 7-day Seiko-fest. I'm a bit late because when I started taking pictures of my last chosen Seiko timekeeper, I discovered a leaking battery. That prompted an overhaul and delayed the unveiling.

My original intention with this thread was to allow other PuristS to display their favorite or obscure Seiko products. I'm glad to see there have been a number of watches uncovered, dusted off and documented. If you have any more, or you haven't joined us yet, there is still time. I'm going to put this up Monday morning and a final entrant Monday night. But feel free to add to the thread if you've got a contribution.

This Seiko calendar moon phase clock (quartz) has been around my house for a long time. The first photo I have of it dates to 2004, when I arranged a bunch of watches on a gold bath towel and tried to take a State of The Collection photo. It looks like a retirement gift, or an executive desk clock. It's quite heavy and very nicely made.

A few years later, obviously on Monday June 13, this shot was taken somewhere, for some reason I can't recall.

Then I took this comparison / size photo a couple years ago. It looks a bit anemic here, next to the farmhouse clock

So in its shiny glory I now have it out in the garden where I take some of my watch photos.

As I turned it to show the movement I noticed the battery is leaking and the base plate is corroding. Oh no! There were also two small spot on the outer ring where the acid had dripped down.

I decided to fix it. Which meant open back, remove screws, remove front, pull hands, remove movement, clean off leaking battery debris, etc. Using a trick learnt from cleaning car batteries, I mixed up a baking powder/water solution to counteract the acid.

Notice the four gears that have to engage with other gears on the front of the motor.

Then I cleaned the area well and put a thin coating back on the base plate using a series of Sharpie pens, reinstalled the motor, and replaced the hands.

I polished all the hands (brass) because they were getting a bit dull from age.

There we are. Maybe not good as new, but much better than yesterday.

This message has been edited by cazalea on 2015-05-25 07:33:20

Key Points from the Discussion

Shared images of various mechanical Seiko clocks, including a unique 'someday' piece, showcasing the brand's diverse range beyond wristwatches.
Presented two uncommon vintage Seiko watches, emphasizing their rarity and distinctiveness within the brand's extensive catalog.
Showcased a 'triple stack' of three Seiko watches, expressing newfound inspiration from the thread to expand their collection with more diverse pieces.
Introduced an 'obscure' Lord Marvel with a high-beat movement, noting its historical significance as a precursor to the Grand Seiko's high-beat models.
Questioned if a personal Seiko Sportsman was a redial, comparing it to Tony C.'s example and highlighting differences in markers despite similar features.
Confirmed that cazalea's Sportsman appeared to be a redial, and shared details about a personal Sportsman 7 with only seven jewels, making it uncommon.

The Discussion

KIH

May 25, 2015

... someday.... Mechanical.... Mechanical... .. and, Mechanical.... SEIKO has extensive collection of mechanical table clock as well. One day, I want one of them at my place!!! Ken

jml_watches

May 25, 2015

Hi While I've posted all my Seiko's individually - thought for the last day I'd do a collective shot. A stack of Seiko's - only 3 mind! Something that I think I need to work on & something that this series has provided inspiration for :-) ! There has been a whole array of both the weird and wonderful and it'd be difficult to choose a favourite. What I would say is that diversity has been the winner. Tripple stack side by side Cheers JML

Tony C.

May 25, 2015

but here are two of my favorites, and you don't see them every day. Regards, Tony C.

cazalea

May 25, 2015

Tony, thanks for chipping in with a couple vintage lovelies. I might have a Seiko Sportsman. What do you think? Size is about the same, lugs look similar, hands match, but not markers. I don't know if the dial has been painted, but I've had this more than a decade. Mike

Tony C.

May 25, 2015

it looks like a redial to me, but nice nonetheless. My Sportsman is uncommon because, as they dial suggests (Sportsman 7), it only has seven jewels! Cheers, Tony C.

MTF

May 26, 2015

Obscure indeed is this watch... NOT mine....belonging to a shy PuristS member in California. The high beat movement was introduced in this model before the more familiar Grand Seiko. Not yet a King, its the Lord Marvel. Regards, MTF

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