SALMANPK
13119
Project: Saving Horological History
I was having an acute case of insomnia one night and was trying to read myself to sleep and browsing different sites where I came across this:
An Astronomical Observatory Chronometer? and wheres the case?
Very Finely Adjusted Movement aka VFA
Looks very similar to this:
After Seiko Suwa Division came in first at the Chronometer Competitions at the Geneva Obsevatory in 1968, the Daini division went on to further improve its movements and had 73 Cal. 4520 movements and 153 Cal. 4580 movements Certified by the Neuchatel Observatory which issued “Observatoire Astronomique et Chronometrique Bulletin de Marche” Certificates for each movement over the period from 1968 to 1970. Thereafter 73 of the Cal. 4520 movements were cased in Yellow Gold Cases known as the Seiko Astronomical Observatory and sold to the public in 1970 then for just USD 1,800 each.
You can read more about it here:
A piece of history almost lost to the trash can, some greedy person melted down the case for the gold not knowing what the watch was. One of only 73 movements and I was at the right place at the right time to save it.
The question is what is next?
I asked Seiko if they would consider recasing it in a new and modern case but haven't heard back from them. Now I am considering commissioning an Independent watchmaker to secure the movement and create a case for it and to adjust the movement to its glory days of accuracy, I'm not a huge fan of the gold dial, but would like to retain original fonts and writings on it.
What are your suggestions? Which Independent should I approach? Kari Voutilainen seems like a candidate since he has worked with observatory grade Peseux 260 for his watches or is it Paul Gerber or Romaine Gautheir? or a Japanese watchmaker like Hajime Asaoka? I can't figure it out. All ideas and suggestions are welcome.
S
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Project: Saving Horological History
I was having an acute case of insomnia one night and was trying to read myself to sleep and browsing different sites where I came across this: An Astronomical Observatory Chronometer? and wheres the case? Very Finely Adjusted Movement aka VFA Looks very s...
Very cool that you saved such an interesting watch
I think Seiko would be best for restoration for obvious reasons. If they are not interested then it depends on who is and how much you want to spend. Best, Martin P.S. For contacting Seiko I would suggest doing it through one of their boutiques in person....
Lets say open budget
Which independent do you think is best to do a case and adjust it for accuracy?
The names you have mentioned are all top watchmakers
If you have purchased a watch from any of them it would at least get them to talk to you about it.
It just popped into my mind
Roland Murphy RGM Watches here in the US has done exactly the kind of work you want. He is not at the same level as the other gentlemen but I'm not sure that's required. Best, Martin
Maybe this case would suffice
Salman, Is this close? Could it somehow act as a guide? My local watch repairman owns this watch - perhaps a deal could be made... ...
Hi Mike...
Thank you for the suggestion, was never a huge fan of the original case and this 5626-7135, I was thinking this is a great opportunity to be creative and do a restomod, sort of what Singer does with the 911, create a really cool case for it and possibly e...
Same case as the...
Salman - What a find! And incredible to think that one of these somehow lost its case. Honestly, I think it would be more appropriate to return it to as close to original condition as possible. Have you considered tracking down a 4520-8010 and using the c...
Hi Gerald
Thank you for the suggestion, was never a huge fan of the original case and the 70s looking case in the picture you posted. I was thinking this is a great opportunity to be creative and do a restomod, sort of what Singer does with the 911, create a really...
Honestly?
Well, it is your movement and entirely your prerogative what to do with it. But personally I think it would be a travesty to do anything other than try to restore it to as close to its original condition as humanly possible. The case on the watch I posted...
Trust me Gerald
The 7 series thing will never happen, I appreciate the history and significance of this movement. But taking a 964 911 and making it into a Singer 911 is something which I find appealing. That is why I want to use the right independent to do the job, some...
Grammar of Design...
The watch you describe (except for the 40mm bit) already exists. It's the Grand Seiko 4520-8000, as seen here from my collection - Logically the movement you have should also fit this case, because it contains basically the same 4520A movement (just not f...
Beautiful Watch :-)
the condition looks pristine, is it NOS? So who do you recommend? CL Klings, Antoine Prezisuo, Vianney Halter....?
Not quite NOS
Hi Salman - Not NOS, but very good condition. Please don't take this the wrong way, but I am not comfortable making a recommendation as to who to carry out the work you are sugggesting, because I don't believe the work you are proposing should be carried ...
We can agree to disagree...
Seiko is a company that looks forward and upwards, squandering a unique opportunity to just do a back to original restoration is too narrow. S
I encountered something similar once...
those interested can read my account through the link below. If the original poster has any questions about the watchmaker who helped me, feel free to PM me. Cheers, Tony C. www.watchprosite.com
Please retain the original dial & hands, even if you prefer to make another to use.
First, like others have said, I would contact Seiko to see if: 1) An original replacement can be made. -or- 2) A custom case can be made (perhaps by the Credor department). if not, a third-party bespoke case would be an excellent option. Consider the like...