ausimax
Timekeeper
Kogan, Qld, Australia
Posts: 937 
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Post by ausimax on Sept 15, 2015 23:05:52 GMT -8
G-day, I have a quandary I have a 7625-8043 with a gold plate case that is in pretty crappy condition, it is a good looking watch with a dial in excellent condition however it needs a new crown and the crystal is scratched/cracked. The movement has been serviced and is running well and keeping good time. If the case were SS it would not be a problem to refinish it but gold plate over what appears to be brass is an other proposition I already have one polished brass cased Seiko and don't need another. this leads to the problem is it an economic proposition to spend money on this watch? Other than acquiring another good case (search hasn't turned up anything) the cost of the crown and crystal, it may be difficult to source an AM crystal that would fit due to the method of fitting, could lead to spending good loot on what is still a crap watch. I may do better to cut my losses and sell it on as a parts watch, anyone got any ideas? I don't know if this model is worth anything if it were restored .     Open to ideas or offers. Max |
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Adrian-VTA
Global Moderator
Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 5,327
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Post by Adrian-VTA on Sept 16, 2015 0:48:00 GMT -8
You can get the plating re-done at a not astonomical price. I think Josh here got one done a while back. I know guys here in Adelaide that will do it and do a reasonable job.
That said, you can get SS cased scrappers for not much. So you could do a swap. They're vaguely common. This would look pretty good fixed up and my motto is always if the dial is ok, it's worth fixing. Value wise, fixed, maybe $300US tops.
They're a great watch. I've got I think 2 scrapper movements in good condition if you need any movement parts.
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cobrajet25
Needs a Life!
"Underweared curmudgeon!"
Posts: 3,357
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Post by cobrajet25 on Sept 16, 2015 1:54:33 GMT -8
To me, ratty goldtone case = parts watch.
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ausimax
Timekeeper
Kogan, Qld, Australia
Posts: 937
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Post by ausimax on Sept 16, 2015 5:53:41 GMT -8
You can get the plating re-done at a not astonomical price. I think Josh here got one done a while back. I know guys here in Adelaide that will do it and do a reasonable job. That said, you can get SS cased scrappers for not much. So you could do a swap. They're vaguely common. This would look pretty good fixed up and my motto is always if the dial is ok, it's worth fixing. Value wise, fixed, maybe $300US tops. They're a great watch. I've got I think 2 scrapper movements in good condition if you need any movement parts. Thanks for that info, not sure about re-plating the case shows a lot of wear, another case may be the best solution, had a bit of a search but haven't found one yet (get a case back from Spain for $35 - glad I've got my own) with cases does the case have to relate to the movement caliber or will any 8043 case fit?. Luckily I had a spare movement, needed it to replace that rotten little date jumper spring that took flight - I hate those little wire springs! Unfortunately the spare has a 7053 case and a dial that looks like it was polished with 120 grit sandpaper. Might give Ramon a try see if he has a case to suit. Max |
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ausimax
Timekeeper
Kogan, Qld, Australia
Posts: 937
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Post by ausimax on Sept 16, 2015 6:01:32 GMT -8
To me, ratty goldtone case = parts watch.Yes I try to avoid gold/gold tone watches, Though even as bad as this one is it is still a nice looking watch that is hard to send to the parts bin. I had another ratty gold plate one with a brass case and I sanded all the gold off and polished and clear coated the brass case and it looks good, wouldn't work on this one though, while the case seems brass the bezel ring is only metal. Max |
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cd_god
Is a Permanent Fixture
Finna set up a HOOD next door to your richie phuk suburban mansion
Posts: 12,305
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Post by cd_god on Sept 16, 2015 6:28:26 GMT -8
Not me but I saw a KS in person that Noah Riley had done. The plating was ok but you could see all of the imperfections that were left before the plating. In other words you would have to restore the case lines and there doesn't look like there is much left there to begin with and then you would have to pay to get it plated. You are better off finding a donor case. A few months back there was a guy selling 50 or so 1960's Seiko sample cases.
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solex
Timekeeper
Posts: 535
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Post by solex on Sept 16, 2015 7:45:58 GMT -8
I had great results with Wuischpard & Son they restored the case and plated with 18k www.watchcaserepair.com/ The crystal should not be a problem, you can remove it and measure, if it is acrylic then sand and polish I would start with 600 grit to remove the big scratch and work your way up to 2000 grit and then a nice polish. It will look like new... If you cut your losses please let me know, that's a nice looking watch. Here are some links to the before and after:  The before....
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Post by lordflagpolecrabtree on Sept 16, 2015 11:28:44 GMT -8
The 7625-804x is a nice looking watch when in good condition I have 3, all of which are nice on the wrist but close up have a little damage.   |
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ausimax
Timekeeper
Kogan, Qld, Australia
Posts: 937
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Post by ausimax on Sept 17, 2015 3:08:36 GMT -8
Not me but I saw a KS in person that Noah Riley had done. The plating was ok but you could see all of the imperfections that were left before the plating. In other words you would have to restore the case lines and there doesn't look like there is much left there to begin with and then you would have to pay to get it plated. You are better off finding a donor case. A few months back there was a guy selling 50 or so 1960's Seiko sample cases. That is the bit that worries me, there is a lot of wear on the case near the winder that would not be recoverable, that said I haven't had much luck tracking down another case, tried Ramon but he has nothing at present, just have to keep the options open and keep looking. Thanks for your advice, much appreciated! Max |
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ausimax
Timekeeper
Kogan, Qld, Australia
Posts: 937
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Post by ausimax on Sept 17, 2015 3:36:49 GMT -8
I had great results with Wuischpard & Son they restored the case and plated with 18k www.watchcaserepair.com/ The crystal should not be a problem, you can remove it and measure, if it is acrylic then sand and polish I would start with 600 grit to remove the big scratch and work your way up to 2000 grit and then a nice polish. It will look like new... If you cut your losses please let me know, that's a nice looking watch. Here are some links to the before and after: The before....
Thanks for that solex, they seem to do good work, however with the low Aus $ at present and postage costs I am looking at local options in Australia, I have polished the crystal since that photo was taken and its not too bad now, and you are right it is an attractive watch I've become quite attached to it myself, I think it will end up a keeper. Max |
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ausimax
Timekeeper
Kogan, Qld, Australia
Posts: 937
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Post by ausimax on Sept 17, 2015 3:42:04 GMT -8
The 7625-804x is a nice looking watch when in good condition I have 3, all of which are nice on the wrist but close up have a little damage. Your right those are three very attractive watches, there is just something about the style of them that appeals to me, the dial is the main thing for me, I don't mind a bit of wear on the case it is part of the history of the watch but if the dial doesn't look good its lost. Max |
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