Buying vintage watches in Japan - on a budget
Aug 11, 2023 10:53:56 GMT -8
rainier, inboost, and 4 more like this
Post by tempelkim on Aug 11, 2023 10:53:56 GMT -8
I currently can't afford spending much on watches because I have a house to fix (windows, roof - that kind of stuff). However I still like searching interesting pieces on Yahoo J. and eventually buying this or that to fix it later on. It was about time for another haul - but it had to be on a budget. Today the result of that arrived.
Including shipping, import tax, shipping in Japan and Zenmarket fees I payed a total of 30.000¥ (about 190€) for the lot.
Here is what we got:
Seiko 8223-701D - Type II, December 1980. Type II are dirt cheap - and this one is especially dirty. All that dust on the dial actually is sticking to the crystal - from the inside!!!
Let's see what it does if we show it a new battery. We might get away for now with a good clean of the case and bracelet (which btw is a) original and more important b) long enough for me). It's a score I think.
Seiko 6206-8040 - Seikomatic, June 1966. This one does not really count as it was the one exception I allowed myself from the budget rule. This alone was 8.700¥ of the 30.000. It is running, the quickset works, the dial is perfect and it has a nice dolphin caseback. All it needs is a new crystal, a service and a proper strap. Score.
Ricoh Dynamic Wide, age unknown - but it comes with a faceted crystal which suggests the mid 70s. The crystal is quite interesting. It's an acrylic one and it looks the the facets are from the inside - which in turn means it might be salvaged by polishing - which is good because chances to find an original replacement are most likely well below zero. It winds and runs, but the weekday is off and it very clearly needs a service. Not the jackpot, but I am fine with it.
Citizen Homer, age unknown - probably 70s as well. It is clearly a fail as this is a (big) Lady's watch and I didn't notice. Lug width is 16mm! It is running and the case and dial are fine. But it will probably rest in some box forever...
Ricoh Dynamic Escort. I have never heard of them. 27 jewels?? It is fully wound, but it does not run. I am very curious what might be inside. The bracelet is original I think, but it is a) too short and b) very flimsy, so no. I am not sure what I have to think of it.
Seiko 13081 - Sportsmatic 5; age unknown because the SN is inside but I bet it's 1964. I think this is the top score. It is hard to photograph (especially when there is no more light left), but it looks like this thing is from outer space. At three and nine the case is not visible below the bezel because it has the same diameter. With the sunburst dial glowing it reminds me of a lava lamp. Unfortunately it is not made of stainless steel and the plating has worn off at the lugs on the crown side, but I guess it'll be hardly visible when worn on a nice leather strap. I'll probably replace the bezel with a new one because they seem to be available. I definitely like this one best.
Seiko 6100-8000 - Skyliner, February 1970. A nice handy windy Skyliner with no nothing. The crystal is shot and the bracelet might not be original (
). But it is running, dial and hands and case are nice. How could that not be a score?
So in the end it is roughly 30€ per watch (not counting the Lady Homer). Surely it is fun finding your grail watch and getting it for $$$, but you can have lots of fun on a much lower budget.
I'll report when any of these get back to the road...
Including shipping, import tax, shipping in Japan and Zenmarket fees I payed a total of 30.000¥ (about 190€) for the lot.
Here is what we got:
Seiko 8223-701D - Type II, December 1980. Type II are dirt cheap - and this one is especially dirty. All that dust on the dial actually is sticking to the crystal - from the inside!!!
Let's see what it does if we show it a new battery. We might get away for now with a good clean of the case and bracelet (which btw is a) original and more important b) long enough for me). It's a score I think.Seiko 6206-8040 - Seikomatic, June 1966. This one does not really count as it was the one exception I allowed myself from the budget rule. This alone was 8.700¥ of the 30.000. It is running, the quickset works, the dial is perfect and it has a nice dolphin caseback. All it needs is a new crystal, a service and a proper strap. Score.
Ricoh Dynamic Wide, age unknown - but it comes with a faceted crystal which suggests the mid 70s. The crystal is quite interesting. It's an acrylic one and it looks the the facets are from the inside - which in turn means it might be salvaged by polishing - which is good because chances to find an original replacement are most likely well below zero. It winds and runs, but the weekday is off and it very clearly needs a service. Not the jackpot, but I am fine with it.
Citizen Homer, age unknown - probably 70s as well. It is clearly a fail as this is a (big) Lady's watch and I didn't notice. Lug width is 16mm! It is running and the case and dial are fine. But it will probably rest in some box forever...
Ricoh Dynamic Escort. I have never heard of them. 27 jewels?? It is fully wound, but it does not run. I am very curious what might be inside. The bracelet is original I think, but it is a) too short and b) very flimsy, so no. I am not sure what I have to think of it.
Seiko 13081 - Sportsmatic 5; age unknown because the SN is inside but I bet it's 1964. I think this is the top score. It is hard to photograph (especially when there is no more light left), but it looks like this thing is from outer space. At three and nine the case is not visible below the bezel because it has the same diameter. With the sunburst dial glowing it reminds me of a lava lamp. Unfortunately it is not made of stainless steel and the plating has worn off at the lugs on the crown side, but I guess it'll be hardly visible when worn on a nice leather strap. I'll probably replace the bezel with a new one because they seem to be available. I definitely like this one best.
Seiko 6100-8000 - Skyliner, February 1970. A nice handy windy Skyliner with no nothing. The crystal is shot and the bracelet might not be original (
). But it is running, dial and hands and case are nice. How could that not be a score?So in the end it is roughly 30€ per watch (not counting the Lady Homer). Surely it is fun finding your grail watch and getting it for $$$, but you can have lots of fun on a much lower budget.
I'll report when any of these get back to the road...
