Next Project(s) - the Alarm Quartz, 7223's

[dapellegrini]

I was surprised to discover that the dial on the -6050 is very not-white, gray in color.  

[furtherform]

Impressive collection and repair project.

I recently became aware of these watches and now have two on their way, a SS-6010 black, and SGP-6040-yellow. The late 70s alarm watches are special for me being the high-point of consumer complications before the smakll LCD-quartz beepers took all over. Got one German AS5008 and franken-Bell-matic in my collection from that time. These fit the continuum perfectly, just slightly on the side of quartz while carrying some of that refined engineering and analog feel. Particularly, loving that small hole marker and how use of the inner-bezel as alarm indicator, both being very rare features to see anywhere ever since these. Seiko released some Chronos 5C23-6000/8009 analog-quartz-alarm models after these with similar indicator hole but a hand instead of bezel to tell the time of the alarm, taking out some of the peak-design charm these have. The 603A is my favourite of all these and impossible to find and I love the black 6020 as well but as replacement glasses for them are impossible to find, I would worry too much to get for daily use.

Questions: 
While 6000 and 6010 have obviousd differences with later version getting rid of the fake-holes, dial symbol changes and the border around the day-date-window is removed, as far as I can see, the only difference between 6010 and 6019 is in the language in date dial, 6010 having German dates (MIT instead of WED). Is this true or can you see any other differences between these models, maybe in case polish, bracelet or bezel clicks? 

Is there a functionality to change the language of the date-wheel without disassembling the watch?

Are the movements in all of the models prefectly indentical, or is there some evolution/adjustment happening between first and last models? This could be hinted with the dial symbol changing from single quartz v^v to SQ, but that could be just mere branding without any changes inside.

I've seen pictures of 6050 with second hand having both red and white tip (and is white or even lume?). Any idea of the consistency of this, how does the the tip-color match with model numbers? Those hands are only in 6050s and I wonder if they could be found somewhere? While I haven't found part-list for that model, maybe someone could recognize them from other Seiko Watches of that time. Mainly wondering of mod-possibility whetherthe red tip second-hand of 6050s could suit well also 6000/601x or 6040s.

These watches are my current favourites. They match my birth year, movement is unique and belongs to that special and forgotten short moment at the wave peak of old movements before quartz became cheap and took over everything. Were the parts more common and easier to match, would be eager to try modding them - just needs some lume and they would be even more timeless (and impossibly ideally fitted inside a case with with better water-resistance and maybe with just slightly larger dial). 

So exciting watches to collect! Thank you for this thread.

[dapellegrini]

Good questions.  I will try and get back to this thread once I am back on the grid.

I collect sales photos here to help see similarities and differences:

seikoworldtime.com/scanner/dynamic?models=7223

[furtherform]

Great data!

Looks like there are releases with least Japanese, English, German, French and Spanish date dials, possibly seen Italian as well. Once you have time for it, would be curious to check what the different date dials of these look like - is English always one option then some other language as alternative? At glance couldn't see correlation with model numbers / case markings and language, but maybe there could be something.

[furtherform]

First one arrived, the 6010. Not sure yet does the alarm rings yet, have to to test more. The bezel clicks, watch runs nicely works and to answer my own questin, the date quick set switches between languages, this one is in English and French.

[dapellegrini]

Q:

While 6000 and 6010 have obvious differences with later version getting rid of the fake-holes, dial symbol changes and the border around the day-date-window is removed, as far as I can see, the only difference between 6010 and 6019 is in the language in date dial, 6010 having German dates (MIT instead of WED). Is this true or can you see any other differences between these models, maybe in case polish, bracelet or bezel clicks?

A:

6000: black and white dial versions w/ quartz logo. All SS cases.  Case has fake vents 
6010: black SS, white SS and yellow SGP dial versions w/ SQ logo
6019: black dial version in SS w/ SQ logo - otherwise just like the 6010
6020: black dial in SS and SGP versions w/ SQ logo
6029: black dial in SGP w/ SQ logo - otherwise just like the 6020
6030: black dial w/ quartz logo
603A: white dial w/ quartz logo, inner border around dial is a mirror - otherwise just like the 6030
6040: white dial SS and yellow dial SGP versions w/ quartz logo.  Roman numerals on bezel
6050: yellow dial w/ SGP case, white dial with SGP bezel and SS case, and white dial w/ SS case - all w/ SQ logo

I suspect the multi-language day discs are random throughout.

Q:

Is there a functionality to change the language of the date-wheel without disassembling the watch?

A:

Like many Seikos, you can cycle between the two date wheel languages using the crown.

Q:

Are the movements in all of the models prefectly indentical, or is there some evolution/adjustment happening between first and last models? This could be hinted with the dial symbol changing from single quartz v^v to SQ, but that could be just mere branding without any changes inside.

A:

All of these models use the same 7223A movement.  SQ vs Quartz logo appears to just be a branding exercise.  

Q:

I've seen pictures of 6050 with second hand having both red and white tip (and is white or even lume?). Any idea of the consistency of this, how does the the tip-color match with model numbers? Those hands are only in 6050s and I wonder if they could be found somewhere? While I haven't found part-list for that model, maybe someone could recognize them from other Seiko Watches of that time. Mainly wondering of mod-possibility whetherthe red tip second-hand of 6050s could suit well also 6000/601x or 6040s.

A:

I am not sure about the seconds hand, as my data set is quite small for these (they can be hard to find).  The white dial with gold outer bezel version I have (in SS case) has a gold colored Seiko logo on the dial and a white tipped seconds hand.  The yellow dial in SGP case version I have has the red-tipped seconds hand. I will check mine for lume next time I have it in front of me.  Per JB, the part number is probably one of these:

11P71CS - also used on the 5H23-5080
11SC21T9 - unique to this reference
11P71CG - also used on the 5H23-5080 and the 6923-5140

cgi.julesborel.com/cgi-bin/matcgi2?ref=sek_CS^7223-6050

Glad to meet someone else who appreciates these.  I believe I nearly have a full set.  Will update this thread next time I have them out

[trilo]

dapellegrini

Do these have a crystal gasket?

I just removed crystal on mine and it was glued.

Jules borel shows there is a gasket for the crystal, but the reason I'm asking is, that glue on mine has been applied maybe decades ago and it was super well done job. Looked to me alost like original...

Mine is 7223-6010.

EDIT: Oh, and would you be able to take a photo from the bracelet end piece which attaches onto the case? I would like to know its angle (90° in relation to the bracelet link or sligthly slanted).

[dapellegrini]

Here's a small dataset that I started when I was deep into this 7223 project:

seikoworldtime.com/scanner/dynamic?models=7223#7223-601X

There are a few photos other of the backside of some -6010's.  I had a quick look and mine are all -6019's, and I can't remember if there is any difference or not.  My -6019's definitely had white plastic crystal rings.

[trilo]

Apr 13, 2024 8:28:00 GMT -8 dapellegrini said:

Here's a small dataset that I started when I was deep into this 7223 project:

seikoworldtime.com/scanner/dynamic?models=7223#7223-601X

There are a few photos other of the backside of some -6010's.  I had a quick look and mine are all -6019's, and I can't remember if there is any difference or not.  My -6019's definitely had white plastic crystal rings.

Thanks! After an inspection I think it is indeed a gasket, but it translucent and very thin. Mine also cracked like glue, which confused me.

Would you be able to post a photo from this angle? Mine was all out of shape and I don't really have any reference photos to go with. I did some bending already, but then I stopped as I thought it'd be good to have a reference.

[dapellegrini]

Sure.  I didn't get an angle quite that cleanly... but hopefully a couple of these are helpful:

[trilo]

Oh bugger... I think I bent wrong. It should have had a slight angle instead of 90° angle.

Are you able to get directly from the side, like mine? Doesn't have to be clear or crips. I would just need to get the end piece angle right.

Thank you for the photos you sent! Sorry for bugging you further

[dapellegrini]

Is this better?

[trilo]

Apr 13, 2024 19:24:25 GMT -8 dapellegrini said:

Is this better?

Great, thank you!