Hello! Question about Servicing

[7s26]

Greetings all. I've been into watches and Seiko's for about four years now. When googling Seiko topics in the past, I've been redirecting to pages from this site. Hence, I've read several threads from here before in the past — but, felt it's now time to become an official member of this community.

Bought a brand new Alpinist SARB017 four years ago for $420 (luckily before prices went to the moon!). Have it on the OEM bracelet. And, bought recently a SARB029 in great condition for $250 at a pawn shop. No OEM bracelet with it, unfortunately. But, it looks great on a dark, brown leather strap.

Both have the 6R15 movement, and are running great (well within specs). I've never serviced the Alpinist, and the SARB029 (2007 serial number) looks like it's not been serviced before.

My local watchmaker since they are running great on the timegrapher, but suggested we do a preventive service on both, since 6R15 parts are hard to come by.

I usually go by the mantra if it aint broke dont fix it, when it comes to Seiko.

My gut feeling says wear both for another ten years without service (until parts fail, with wear along the way). Do you think in ten years time, 6R15 parts will be hard to find/expensive? Or, should I go ahead with a preventive service (full overhaul, in order to oil parts).

Thanks, and looking forward to contributing to the forum!

[inboost]

Welcome to the forum 7s26 ! Those are some good questions, and I'll give you my take on them (I'm not an expert - just an amateur tinkerer experienced at doing my own watch repairs for a few years).

The service really consists of two parts. Part one is the movement, part two is the case. I'd say without hesitation that these movements won't break if un-serviced over time, but they will slowly come to a halt as the lubrication fails. There is the ever so slight chance that the auto-winding counterweights may loosen over the years and this could contribute to some minor cosmetic damage, but if you can remove a case back and tighten them should they get noisy then you will avoid that issue. That means a time grapher and some listening / review occasionally would be a great way to track a true movement service being required. 

I've had some ancient relics come across my bench that had more damage than this but this was because of the second part of the service going untouched. That's the case service.

This amounts to mostly seals, but also caters to anything that could result or contribute to a case breach. While the case back seal may be the most obvious, the crown is by far the most common entry point into a watch for moisture. Even though the seal may still be in place, once it hardens it will allow pressure differentials to pass air and moisture into the watch as it 'breathes' with temperature swings. You see, if the watch is very hot the air inside expands and pushes out past any leak point it can find. Once it cools a low pressure forms inside so it sucks the air it lost back in. Often this comes with humidity or body moisture. Left un-serviced a nice movement can quickly be ruined by corrosion from this outside atmosphere.

A good watch maker will replace seals and service the movement at the same time so that when it comes back to you it's good for another long stretch of service. If you're up for it and are willing to invest in time and tooling you can of course do all this yourself at home too!

Hope that helps,

Inboost

[7s26]

Jul 5, 2023 8:13:56 GMT -8 inboost said:

Welcome to the forum 7s26 ! Those are some good questions, and I'll give you my take on them (I'm not an expert - just an amateur tinkerer experienced at doing my own watch repairs for a few years).

The service really consists of two parts. Part one is the movement, part two is the case. I'd say without hesitation that these movements won't break if un-serviced over time, but they will slowly come to a halt as the lubrication fails. There is the ever so slight chance that the auto-winding counterweights may loosen over the years and this could contribute to some minor cosmetic damage, but if you can remove a case back and tighten them should they get noisy then you will avoid that issue. That means a time grapher and some listening / review occasionally would be a great way to track a true movement service being required. 

I've had some ancient relics come across my bench that had more damage than this but this was because of the second part of the service going untouched. That's the case service.

This amounts to mostly seals, but also caters to anything that could result or contribute to a case breach. While the case back seal may be the most obvious, the crown is by far the most common entry point into a watch for moisture. Even though the seal may still be in place, once it hardens it will allow pressure differentials to pass air and moisture into the watch as it 'breathes' with temperature swings. You see, if the watch is very hot the air inside expands and pushes out past any leak point it can find. Once it cools a low pressure forms inside so it sucks the air it lost back in. Often this comes with humidity or body moisture. Left un-serviced a nice movement can quickly be ruined by corrosion from this outside atmosphere.

A good watch maker will replace seals and service the movement at the same time so that when it comes back to you it's good for another long stretch of service. If you're up for it and are willing to invest in time and tooling you can of course do all this yourself at home too!

Hope that helps,

Inboost

This is fantastic advice. Thank you so much!

[dapellegrini]

Welcome!

[cd_god]

[HiBeat]

Like yourself, I strongly believe you should not bother nor pay to do a preventative service on the 6R15.   I can but a new one from Seiko for under $200 and if it stops or starts running poorly there is nothing to worry about ut terms of the parts beung impossible to get.

Go on ebay and see what a Seiko NE15 costs.   That is a 6R15 in every way except the rotor.  Just bring your rotor over.



And of course welcome aboard !