Seiko mechanical stopwatch

[leffemonster]

One of my recent purchases arrived in the post today, and one I was looking forward to getting hold of. I’ve no idea why I bought it, other than a) it’s a Seiko and b) it was cheap. I also have no idea what I’ll find behind the caseback.

I was surprised to get it so cheap to be honest but I suspect it flew under the radar - it was listed under ‘sporting goods, fitness stopwatches’.



It’s in exceptionally good cosmetic condition, and also running pretty well. This is without touching anything other than depressing the button to start the movement -



Both hands reset to bang on their markers as well. And the hands are those lovely ‘blued’ ones -



So, what’s inside? The caseback has no markings at all on the outside, but opening up reveals it to be a Seikosha marked 7-jewel 9011 calibre, dating I suspect from 1963. I say ‘63 rather than ‘53 as if it was the latter I’d expect to see ‘SEIKOSHA’ on the dial as well.





There are numerous 9011 calibres - 14 from what I can find - but this one isn’t stamped with any suffix letter. I suspect it’s a 9011A given it’s age and the fact that it’s a 1/5th second timer with 30 minute counter. It beats at 18000bph whereas some others are 36000bph.

If anyone has any further information on these I’m all ears. I’m not contemplating servicing it but I’d like to know a little more about it anyway. At this stage the only thing I’m considering doing is maybe tweaking the balance to sort out the BE and rate.

Also, I wonder what’s the best way to leave these mechanical stop watches? I’ve given it a full wind and will let it run down (no idea what the PR might be) but after that - what? If you use these for their intended purpose - timing something - and then leave it after you’ve finished, then the movement is in a state of permanent ‘hacking’ with a partially-wound mainspring. Would this be placing stress on the mechanism I wonder?

[pip]

What a lovely piece of history!
Personally I'd let it run down if it's not going to be used for a while Nick, I'm guessing it will just be a display model... what do any of us really need a stopwatch for these days? Pasta? Steak? Countdown timer is far more useful normally and I just use the one built into my cooker.
No idea if it will have any info but have you scoured Anthony Kable's site for info?

[leffemonster]

pip - yes, I’ve trawled Anthony’s site but can only find posts on the 89ST 1964 Olympic stop watches.

[longbike]

   Aloha leffe ,
       Leffee that is a nice sample you got there and they come around too in good condition.
I have a few of them collected here and always look for different ones yet.
I have some older one that were ....WW2 samples here that I have tried to restore and 
got them going again.

     These are a few  I have restored and they are working good now. As for .... Use then Storing
back away I always let them fully ......Unwind then store them if used.
These are from Seiko that have a Based Movement from Swiss Watch's. These movements 
some are ...... Actually CYMA , Tavannas and some other movements that were used. I have a few parts samples 
but look for more all the time.. I to do not know why I get them but I like getting them going again
and have used them to do different things also.
   They are very simple to Service and Repair but I have had some difficulty finding some of 
.....Their Balance Hair Springs to replace them. I always look for different ones but many come around
with some ridiculous prices for them.
If you need some help let me know and will try to assist you with them Sir.

A Few I have Here  :

Last months acquired sample :








 











__________________________________
OK these were bought from .....The SWISS for use in the .... Period Of WW2 around the years before starting of 
WW2 By Seiko - Hattori then ..... Re-stamped With ....Seiko on them. So this make them ....Based on SWISS MOVEMENTS
not Seiko. Seiko did not have a ..... Manufacturing Factory yet when WW2 came around to make these so ....... Seiko
ordered many of them from Switzerland. They came with....... Long Hands and also .......Short ones in them from Seiko.
This is why you find them with ..... Seiko Stamped but they are actually Original ..... 
CYMA , TAVANAS, AND SOME OTHER , MOVEMENTS IN MANY OF THEM.

EXAMPLE :
CYMA MOVEMENT


The Balance Assembly tells it all when repairing or servicing then especially if you have to replace parts for them 
like this .... BALANCE ASSEMBLY.










I need a few of these ....... Balance Parts yet like new Hair Springs and Balance Staff's to repair a couple of those
I have here and need to find out where I can get a few them because most when sold like on ..... The Bay are either bad
...... Balance Hair Spring's or Bad Worn Out Balance Staff's. If one has .... A Jewelers Lathe then these Staffs
can be made for them for repairs.

So Leffe you can do .... The Service and Repairs if you need to because they are very simple to do.
But apply Caution with those .....Balance Hair Springs because they are old and some times they ..... Snap.

Aloha 
Louis