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Post by SeikoPsycho on Dec 22, 2018 7:40:28 GMT -8
Often times when on the hunt for something special we have to carefully consider whether or not to move forward and take a chance, or if you prefer a "risk", on a particular watch. Some models are harder to find in decent shape then others so the "Risk" factor can fluctuate differently on a rare model verses a not so rare model. The other factor that comes into play is the availability of replacement parts. This is becoming harder and harder as time goes on due to the rising popularity in collecting Seiko's. When some parts are available the asking price just makes you cringe compared to what they sold for just a few years ago. So with all that in mind lets examine the example below. It's a "not so often seen" 5126-8120 Proof Sports Diver. Some refer to this as a Rally Diver. I guess that's debatable as most things Seiko tend to be. It doesn't have a square checkered bezel which defines a Rally but it does have somewhat of a rectangular checkered pattern on the bezel that's similar. It's either a well loved watch or a sad state of affairs. Most likely it's a combination of both.  So, lets look at it's current condition. It's had a long hard life for sure. The bezel is trashed. The hands are in rough shape, the lume is grungy, and if I were to guess I'd say they were only used on this model which would make replacements just as hard if not harder to find then the bezel. The crystal is toast and we can't get a clear view of the dial. It could be decent or not so nice. The day wheel is off kilter so some attention is needed there. The running condition? That's a gamble for sure. There's a big difference between the second hand moving and the watch being able to keep decent time. Another big factor in the world wide hunt is what's lost in translation. Simple questions are asked, simple answers are given but often times you can't make heads or tails of what's being said. So, with all that in mind is this a Total Gamble or Salvageable Seiko?? |
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donciccio
Is a Permanent Fixture
Posts: 6,160 
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Post by donciccio on Dec 22, 2018 8:56:12 GMT -8
Shes a beauty. Salvageable for sure.
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rossr
WS Benefactor
Posts: 1,843
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Post by rossr on Dec 22, 2018 11:46:06 GMT -8
It will be a great vintage piece that keeps time and will look its age.
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pip
WS Benefactor
Berkshire, UK
Posts: 6,175
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Post by pip on Dec 22, 2018 12:14:41 GMT -8
Let me at it!
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tritto
WS Benefactor
Posts: 5,877
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Post by tritto on Dec 22, 2018 12:53:48 GMT -8
My guess is that the dial is good and the hands are salvageable. I'd wear it with that bezel, but I'm guessing you have a better one stashed away.
The only question is, are you happy with what you paid?
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Post by SeikoPsycho on Dec 22, 2018 18:29:29 GMT -8
Lots of optimism around here guys!
You knew there would be more to this story!
As Paul Harvey would say: "And now the rest of the story".............. I've had this watch on my want list for quite some time. Next to 6139's the largest part of my collection focuses around Rally + Sport Divers. I already have the 5126-8130 Black dial version and have always wanted the 8120 Blue dial version. Although it's been on my want list for years I never really acquired one due to other pursuits. Then the Fire was kindled by another "Enabler" here on the forum as he was on the look out for parts for one of his restorations.Once the fire was kindled the blaze followed with a little more research and the hunt began. The only problem was, there wasn't much to be found and they were getting crazy prices for what used to be somewhat affordable examples. Then this example showed up for more then I cared to pay but less then the going rate. I looked it over carefully more then once. I weighed all the pros an cons. After a couple of weeks of being on the fence I twisted off and bit the bullet. From what I could tell it appeared to be an original overly well worn watch with the exception of the bracelet. Best I could tell the dial was decent. The movement was shown to be clean and although my questions were lost in translation I took a chance and bought the watch. A couple of weeks later the watch arrived. It was in rough shape as expected but the dial appeared to be decent.  The movement was clean and running better then I expected when I placed it on a timegrapher.  The icing on the cake was a sign that it had been well cared for and had received at least one service at some point.  Let the tear down begin............  The dial is decent!  The crystal has seen better days and the dial ring, which is actually part of the crystal gasket holding ring, was tarnished. Nothing a good hand polish couldn't cure.  The crystal gasket was original and hard as a rock. You don't often see these early white crystal gaskets. The case had it's share of use and abuse but was still decent and workable.  The crystal gasket was so hard I had to break it into pieces to remove it from the crystal gasket retaining ring.  So, the parts round up began. I had a nos bezel, nos crystal gasket, and nos crystal. This watch uses the same crystal as the 6105 divers. I was going to use a type 2 nos crystal but when I checked it's height above the bezel I decided against it and went with a type 3 because the type 2 just looked like a chip magnet.  The next challenge was dealing with the grungy hands and missing lume. I didn't really want to re-lume the dial because it's risky business. One small slip while scraping away the old lume and the dial would be ruined. On the other hand, I had to clean and re-lume the hands and if I didn't do the same with the dial they wouldn't match. That doesn't work with OCD. So I carefully removed the old lume from the dial + hands, cleaned + polished the hands, and then re-lumed the dial and hands. I also installed a nos orange second hand for a more pleasing and matching outcome. I went over the case finish with a light re-brushing on the top and a light polish on the sides. Sorry guys, I like my watches to the best they can and don't fall for the "all original Wabi look". After all, if you owned a vintage classic car, wouldn't you polish the paint?? Anyway, here she is............all ready for another 40 years.  Add a nos Razor bracelet and she's ready for the wrist...........  And a Lume shot of course............  And now you know the rest of the story............... |
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HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,679
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Post by HiBeat on Dec 22, 2018 19:51:18 GMT -8
Well as always Tom with the right spare parts (hard part) you are capable of literally transforming any Seiko you set your mind to. And so you have done it again.
Well done and Congratulatins !
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Post by doomguy10011 on Dec 22, 2018 20:17:52 GMT -8
Wow Tom, that 5126 looks absolutely gorgeous now! It looks completely new, congratulations!
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tritto
WS Benefactor
Posts: 5,877
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Post by tritto on Dec 23, 2018 1:24:36 GMT -8
Fantastic outcome, Tom. I knew you'd get it sorted nicely.
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pip
WS Benefactor
Berkshire, UK
Posts: 6,175
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Post by pip on Dec 23, 2018 1:30:08 GMT -8
Superb work Tom and another beautiful Seiko lives again.
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Post by SeikoPsycho on Dec 23, 2018 4:41:36 GMT -8
Thanks guys! I appreciate your comments!
Hopefully with a couple of winter mounts ahead and no outdoor chores other then digging out from the snow storms, I'll be able to get caught up on a few other projects......... |
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donciccio
Is a Permanent Fixture
Posts: 6,160
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Post by donciccio on Dec 23, 2018 13:22:59 GMT -8
Lots of optimism around here guys!
You knew there would be more to this story!
As Paul Harvey would say: "And now the rest of the story".............. I've had this watch on my want list for quite some time. Next to 6139's the largest part of my collection focuses around Rally + Sport Divers. I already have the 5126-8130 Black dial version and have always wanted the 8120 Blue dial version. Although it's been on my want list for years I never really acquired one due to other pursuits. Then the Fire was kindled by another "Enabler" here on the forum as he was on the look out for parts for one of his restorations.Once the fire was kindled the blaze followed with a little more research and the hunt began. The only problem was, there wasn't much to be found and they were getting crazy prices for what used to be somewhat affordable examples. Then this example showed up for more then I cared to pay but less then the going rate. I looked it over carefully more then once. I weighed all the pros an cons. After a couple of weeks of being on the fence I twisted off and bit the bullet. From what I could tell it appeared to be an original overly well worn watch with the exception of the bracelet. Best I could tell the dial was decent. The movement was shown to be clean and although my questions were lost in translation I took a chance and bought the watch. A couple of weeks later the watch arrived. It was in rough shape as expected but the dial appeared to be decent. The movement was clean and running better then I expected when I placed it on a timegrapher. The icing on the cake was a sign that it had been well cared for and had received at least one service at some point. Let the tear down begin............ The dial is decent! The crystal has seen better days and the dial ring, which is actually part of the crystal gasket holding ring, was tarnished. Nothing a good hand polish couldn't cure. The crystal gasket was original and hard as a rock. You don't often see these early white crystal gaskets. The case had it's share of use and abuse but was still decent and workable. The crystal gasket was so hard I had to break it into pieces to remove it from the crystal gasket retaining ring. So, the parts round up began. I had a nos bezel, nos crystal gasket, and nos crystal. This watch uses the same crystal as the 6105 divers. I was going to use a type 2 nos crystal but when I checked it's height above the bezel I decided against it and went with a type 3 because the type 2 just looked like a chip magnet. The next challenge was dealing with the grungy hands and missing lume. I didn't really want to re-lume the dial because it's risky business. One small slip while scraping away the old lume and the dial would be ruined. On the other hand, I had to clean and re-lume the hands and if I didn't do the same with the dial they wouldn't match. That doesn't work with OCD. So I carefully removed the old lume from the dial + hands, cleaned + polished the hands, and then re-lumed the dial and hands. I also installed a nos orange second hand for a more pleasing and matching outcome. I went over the case finish with a light re-brushing on the top and a light polish on the sides. Sorry guys, I like my watches to the best they can and don't fall for the "all original Wabi look". After all, if you owned a vintage classic car, wouldn't you polish the paint?? Anyway, here she is............all ready for another 40 years. Add a nos Razor bracelet and she's ready for the wrist........... And a Lume shot of course............ And now you know the rest of the story...............  |
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Post by joker68 on Dec 24, 2018 23:29:07 GMT -8
Nice resto Tom
Merry Christmas
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scubarob99
Moderator
Just bought a 6309-7049...this is the last one, I promise.
Posts: 3,708
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Post by scubarob99 on Dec 25, 2018 0:05:03 GMT -8
That is a spectacular outcome!
Rob
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Post by seikohoarder on May 23, 2019 17:13:52 GMT -8
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Post by SeikoPsycho on May 24, 2019 2:47:38 GMT -8
That's hardly a wreck..........
I reviewed that article while working on my 5126. I wasn't comfortable dying my indices so I left them alone. I believe it's the lighting in the photos that makes them look slightly different colors in the before and after photos. The before photos are directly under my bright bench work light and the after photos are in a photo tent with defused lighting.
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sdoocms
Is a Permanent Fixture
Carl
Posts: 5,296
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Post by sdoocms on May 24, 2019 7:57:06 GMT -8
Congrats on a nice restoration!
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Post by philsinclair on May 24, 2019 15:35:14 GMT -8
Hi. I am sorry if this offends anyone but here it goes. We have just seen a good original watch butchered. For those who don’t have obsessive compulsive disorder, a service , new gaskets and hand polish of the crystal would be enough. The watch can then display its healthy and proud past. We are seeing many these old watches up and sold down the track as NIB which they aren’t. Cheers Phil
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2019 15:41:47 GMT -8
Hi. I am sorry if this offends anyone but here it goes. We have just seen a good original watch butchered. For those who don’t have obsessive compulsive disorder, a service , new gaskets and hand polish of the crystal would be enough. The watch can then display its healthy and proud past. We are seeing many these old watches up and sold down the track as NIB which they aren’t. Cheers Phil Says the man with a couple of wheel barrows full of OEM, unmolested, unrestored and much loved vintage watches  I happen to agree with you about keeping things original although the OP can do whatever he/she likes with his watches. Aside from anything else, it does look good, aesthetically speaking. |
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Post by steve855 on May 24, 2019 17:05:00 GMT -8
...We have just seen a good original watch butchered. I don't post very often but I will here. Like you, I mean no offense, but I can't tell if you're serious. ?? Here's my opinion. I happen to own a nice example of this model so I know what a great design it is when seen up close. Tom's 5126 before, I wouldn't wear to any occasion more formal than cleaning my gutters. After, it looks as the designers intended it to. I would gladly wear it now. BTW Phil, I respect your opinion, I just disagree. -Steve |
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The dial is decent!
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