A restoration project...

[Archie Ungerman]

This is the basket case that I bought from Ramon's deep sea treasure chest...


He advertised it as WILL NOT RUN and disclosed all the other stuff you can see.
Well; as with many of the treasures I've gotten from Ramon; this one was actually running when I opened his package!
Sure it was running a bit slow but it was working properly. A complete service brought the movement back to a good state with a decent swing to the balance and running a bit fast(no doubt from the cleaned parts and fresh oil). A little bit of trial and error regulating and it is now running within +10 seconds per day. I'm sure it can be dialed in tighter but I don't have a timing machine and I'm not that anal about accuracy anyway.

Since I got it and apart from the service, I have replaced the crystal retaining ring(the original was cracked) and I stuck an AM 6309-7040 dial on it so I could wear it.
There is a 'new' bezel insert coming and an AM -7290 dial. With these; I will also install a 'new' crystal.
The AM dial will receive a bit of 'aging' so it doesn't look so glaringly green and the hands will get a nice clean up and reluming.

Until then, this is what it looks like...


This whole project was inspired by Poseidon-Jim who tried to get me into a 6309-7290 a couple of times...but for one reason or another just never happened until now

[Richard-]

Nice pick up

This whole project was inspired by Poseidon-Jim who tried to get me into a 6309-7290 a couple of times...but for one reason or another just never happened until now

Jim has that effect on directing people into the Seiko way

[uglyone4u]

What a great "lived in" look. I'm so obssesed by maintaining that "brand new look" that I worry every time I thump a watch in my collection. Many of my pieces are big and easy to thump. I need a watch like this. A good timepiece that has been to war and back and is beyond the little daily accidents of life. Worry free. Not a beater, but a veteran of foreign wars, yeah?

[Archie Ungerman]

What a great "lived in" look. I'm so obssesed by maintaining that "brand new look" that I worry every time I thump a watch in my collection. Many of my pieces are big and easy to thump. I need a watch like this. A good timepiece that has been to war and back and is beyond the little daily accidents of life. Worry free. Not a beater, but a veteran of foreign wars, yeah?

That's a great idea! I think I'll research the history of this watch and write it's life story

Meanwhile, these vintage watches with wabi are perfect for worryworts; you'll never know if this scratch or that ding was yours or a previous owner's

[Poseidon-Jim]

and she looks really nice right now. I knew one day you'd finally get one and see just how great and wearable a watch these are.


I love the full sized 6309-704X divers, but no other vintage seiko feels as nice and wearable as the slim taper cased 6309-729X models, they just stay put with a lower center of gravity and are weighted perfectly the way I feel about them.

Looks like good old Ramon got a good one into your hands & I'm glad you were able to give it a good cleaning & tweak the movements timing into a very good gate!

Congrats & I'm happy for you...



Cheers & Thanks,
Jimmy

[Archie Ungerman]

and she looks really nice right now. I knew one day you'd finally get one and see just how great and wearable a watch these are.


I love the full sized 6309-704X divers, but no other vintage seiko feels as nice and wearable as the slim taper cased 6309-729X models, they just stay put with a lower center of gravity and are weighted perfectly the way I feel about them.

Looks like good old Ramon got a good one into your hands & I'm glad you were able to give it a good cleaning & tweak the movements timing into a very good gate!

Congrats & I'm happy for you...



Cheers & Thanks,
Jimmy

Yes, Ramon does give me some pretty good working watches. This is only about the 30th one I've plucked from his treasure chest.
Shortly after I got the 6309; I grabbed the 7002-7020 and last night I did it again...a 7002-7000 with what looks to be a pretty decent dial. If the movement doesn't respond like Ramon's watches usually do, I have an NOS 7s36B I want to try in one of these cases. If the date wheels are swappable, I should be good to go

Anyway; you are the one who pushed me into these vintage Seiko divers

[poywatch]

project. But it looks fine with what you have already done. You have always been afraid that they would be too big for you, but it seems to fit you well. Congrats.

[MaudieHilli]

Many of my pieces are big and easy to thump.

[Archie Ungerman]

project. But it looks fine with what you have already done. You have always been afraid that they would be too big for you, but it seems to fit you well. Congrats.

This case is not too big for the 6.75" wrist. In fact, it fits very well and is comfortable to boot!

[Poseidon-Jim]

and by the sounds of it so far, it looks like it was!

Congrats on the 6309, and the 7002 you scored from ramons deep sea treasure chest. I think your going to enjoy them very much & I know you can take care of the movements if they need alittle service and tweaking no problem.

Cheers and excellent to see these threads!


Jimmy

Yes, Ramon does give me some pretty good working watches. This is only about the 30th one I've plucked from his treasure chest.
Shortly after I got the 6309; I grabbed the 7002-7020 and last night I did it again...a 7002-7000 with what looks to be a pretty decent dial. If the movement doesn't respond like Ramon's watches usually do, I have an NOS 7s36B I want to try in one of these cases. If the date wheels are swappable, I should be good to go

Anyway; you are the one who pushed me into these vintage Seiko divers