$60 Flea Market Find (SNE283)

[7s26]

Saw this solar diver for $60 today and purchased it. Researching, it's a V157-0AS0 (SNE283). It's a chunky beast; about 45mm by 50mm l2l, 13mm thick, and 22mm lug width. Case material is gunmetal or PVD. According to the SN, it's from June, 2013. Condition was not great (lume pip missing at '12), hence the low price (I think?). It came on a terrible generic rubber strap, so I immediately changed it to an US GL-831. Exterior was not great, but the lume and dial seemed very clean. No signs of humidity, nor water intrusion on the dial. 




Size comparison to a Monster and SKX007.



Opened the caseback, and the movement looked very clean. Removed the caseback gasket, and the gasket seemed in great condition. I lubricated it nonetheless with a 7055 silicone grease I bought on AliExpress recently.



There is a '39' inside the caseback (no idea what that means).



Just a hobbyist and not a watchmaker (please go easy on me!), and the most I can try to do is remove the crown. I removed the crown to check the o-ring gasket. Suprise — no crown o-ring there! Or maybe it was completely melted. The crown/stem also showed signs of rust.






I went ahead and put in a new gasket from box of gasket I had from AliExpress. Lubricated it with silicon grease before squeezing it in.



After inserting the crown again and closing the caseback, I went ahead and gave it a good rub with dishwasher soap under running water. Yes, I know I was risking it without pressure testing it! I was trusting the new crown o-ring gasket and the lubricated caseback gasket. Luckily no water intrusion or fogging occurred. Here it is after cleaning on the GL831, Blushark NATO, and a lume shot.






This is a chunky beast. It's just on the limit for my 6.5 in. wrist. I think I might use this as my new beater. Might send it to my local watchmaker to check if the gaskets are correctly installed and for him to pressure test it. Not sure if these movements are serviceable. 

Not a fan of the gunmetal or PVD color on the case. Is it possible to make it regular stainless steel so to speak, and remove the PVD coating? Would love for my watchmaker to make the case fully brushed and look like new again. Or would it be wiser to leave as is, unpolished?

Anyway, thanks for reading my long post. Open to any suggestions and advice. Thanks!

[earthphase]

I like it. Thanks for sharing.

[7s26]

Update: 

Bezel was extremely hard and stiff to turn. After watching a few YT tutorials, pried out the bezel. Gasket inside broke (not sure if I broke it when removing the bezel or it already was broke) and was extremely dry. Removed that, and added a new lubricated gasket there. 



Lots of dirt and gunk.  First time ever removing a bezel, so did not want to mess anything up. Only thing I did was wash the bezel with dishwasher soap and a toothbrush. 





After snapping the bezel back on, the bezel action is buttery smooth now. However it's 60-click now (the bezel was so tight before I did not notice if it was 120-click; the way this model should be). So, I am not sure if I messed the 120 click bezel and made it 60-click. Or perhaps someone before me switched to 60-click. Is it possible to "mess" the bezel action from 120-click and make it 60-click?

Regarding the case finishing, I think I might leave as is.

Next project on this one perhaps is to buy a lume pip from AliExpress (costs a few bucks) and glue it to the '12 triangle on the bezel to make timing more functional. 

Also, might consider painting the faded 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 markings on the bezel. The painted bezel reminds me of the SKX781's (Monster) painted bezel markings. 

[trilo]

I count 60 notches on that bezel.

[7s26]

Apr 28, 2024 6:05:14 GMT -8 trilo said:

I count 60 notches on that bezel.

Thanks! Looks then that the bezel is not OEM, since I think these should have 120-clicks. 

[trilo]

Apr 28, 2024 6:49:46 GMT -8 7s26 said:

Apr 28, 2024 6:05:14 GMT -8 trilo said:

I count 60 notches on that bezel.

Thanks! Looks then that the bezel is not OEM, since I think these should have 120-clicks. 

I could't find any confirmation for 120 clicks. I only found two semi reputable sources referring to 60 clicks.

[7s26]

Apr 28, 2024 9:40:33 GMT -8 trilo said:

Apr 28, 2024 6:49:46 GMT -8 7s26 said:

Thanks! Looks then that the bezel is not OEM, since I think these should have 120-clicks. 

I could't find any confirmation for 120 clicks. I only found two semi reputable sources referring to 60 clicks.

Yeah, it was so hard to find info on how many bezel clicks this model has. I had used as a source another forum with a SNE279 review (basically the same watch but in SS and bracelet) and assumed this one might be the same. 

Looks like I do have the OEM bezel. It's a nice plus, since I do prefer 60-click over 120-click bezels. 

[7s26]

Update:

I think I will keep the case as is (unpolished).

Just a few questions about tinkering with it a bit more:

• Bezel is smooth, but maybe too smooth now. How can I make it a bit more tight? Would a thicker bezel gasket make it a notch tighter?
  
• Since the lume pip is missing, what would be the best action there; install a new lume pip, or add paint in the cavity? AliExpress sells both lume pips, and lume paint.

 

The black triangle looks like it was originally painted black.