Another one "found in the drawer"...

[cobrajet25]

I was looking for parts for another watch when I came across this '71 EL-370.  Not much love for these here...or anywhere else.  Don't know why, as they are pretty cool.  Case is 3703-7029. 



IIRC, I bought this watch as a movement donor for a NOS EL-370 I bought some time ago.  For whatever reason, I could not cannibalize it.  Though I did steal the buckle off of it for another project.  It seems to run well, and I like the avocado/gold dial.  Very 1971.  As you can see, this watch was INCREDIBLY dirty.  Absolutely packed with sticky brown grot. 



Here it is with the bracelet removed.



Nice shiny movement, though.  The gaskets did their job...



Wet-sanded the crystal, and it came out okay.  After a LOT of work with toothpicks, Q-Tips, boiling water, antibacterial soap, and a toothbrush, most of this was removed.



Here it is on the wrist.



Pretty neat little watch that was only made for a few years...'71-'74, IIRC.  I managed to get a NOS battery hatch seal.  The crown gasket is the familiar DJ0060.  Caseback gasket was in great shape, nice and pliable, so I reused it.  Original is long-since discontinued.  Since I was able to reseal it, I might wear this one a little.  These sell for peanuts, so if you guys want an interesting little orphaned caliber pick one up!

[donciccio]

Fantastic!! Thanks for sharing! I love posts like this.

[seikoholic]

You're killing me.

[buddy123]

That's cleaned up nicely.  Very wearable indeed :-)

[69ChevelleSS]

Nice looking watch!

[Rod]

I do love these they are a much forgotten caliber that deserve better recognition. It always amazes me what hides under all the gunk, it's very therapeutic (almost Zen like) cleaning up a watch case, great job .

I've a near mint 6619 that was covered in a black tar like substance, once cleaned the case is almost blemish free

[SteveX]

Interesting little caliber, for sure.

Kudos, mad respect to anyone who appreciates these. Great job on the clean up. Love the marker style. As you said, not much love. If you posted about a 6309 you just cleaned up, we'd already be on the 2nd page... lol


I became a little obsessed with these awhile back, and began adding them to my collection. These things were pricey when new, nowadays, not so much.


























Sorry to clog up your post.... lol... I got a few more of these lying around that I haven't cataloged/pictured yet

[estrickland]

Nice watches Cobra, Steve.

I have a '69 3102 on the way - not sure how they stand up to the 3703.

[cobrajet25]

Mar 6, 2014 20:57:20 GMT -8 estrickland said:

Nice watches Cobra, Steve.

I have a '69 3102 on the way - not sure how they stand up to the 3703.

Strick and Steve...great watches! 

I love the case on that 3102!  Why don't they make watches like this anymore??    Everyone really had it right in the 60s and 70s in terms of styling.  Truly "The Golden Age".  Every other manufacturer knows, when will Seiko figure it out??

[estrickland]

What, no love for the Galante, CJ25?

[Rod]

Mar 6, 2014 20:57:20 GMT -8 estrickland said:

Nice watches Cobra, Steve.

I have a '69 3102 on the way - not sure how they stand up to the 3703.

Did you buy that one on YJ?

[Rod]

Mar 6, 2014 21:29:15 GMT -8 estrickland said:

What, no love for the Galante, CJ25?

[cobrajet25]

Mar 6, 2014 21:29:15 GMT -8 estrickland said:

What, no love for the Galante, CJ25?

Lol...they forgot to take it out of the case holder?  :puke:

[estrickland]

Mar 6, 2014 22:16:06 GMT -8 Rod said:

Did you buy that one on YJ?

Yeah. Not cheap, but I don't know how many exist in this condition, and it's a nice pair to my Snowflake.

[cobrajet25]

Ugh...unfortunate post-script to this story.  I wore the watch awhile, and found that it was losing time.  Turns out the cannon pinion was slipping, and in trying to tighten it up I completely buggered it!  Oh well, it was a parts watch on Wednesday, and it's gonna be a parts watch on Friday. :-/

Unless one of you guys has a running 3703?

[martog]

Mar 6, 2014 23:44:41 GMT -8 cobrajet25 said:

Ugh...unfortunate post-script to this story.  I wore the watch awhile, and found that it was losing time.  Turns out the cannon pinion was slipping, and in trying to tighten it up I completely buggered it!  Oh well, it was a parts watch on Wednesday, and it's gonna be a parts watch on Friday. :-/

Unless one of you guys has a running 3703?

After pulling out the last ripper I feel those draws of yours hide more marvals and maybe even the parts your looking for. A running 3703 isn't that easy to come buy.

Cheers
Mark

[Groundhog66]

I'm not familiar with the EL-370 line, but those are some really nice looking watches.

[russtmurray]

Some interesting artifacts in your drawers boys! 

Before I head off to the watchmaker for some batteries, I did some rummaging myself and came up with two much less exotic treasures than what you've dug up.

Might get a battery for my first dive watch, which was packaged in tube of water!






Also found this one when I started on my quest for the "right" blue dial. Remember getting the crystal replaced only to scratch it before I got home. Note to self, don't put watch in pocket with car keys



There's reason why these two have remained in the drawer.

[Rod]

Mar 6, 2014 20:57:20 GMT -8 estrickland said:

Nice watches Cobra, Steve.

I have a '69 3102 on the way - not sure how they stand up to the 3703.

Around 10000yen more expensive that the base model 45xx GS and 1000 more that the base 61xx GS, oh and the same price as your 6159!

[mwbuss8]

I have one in parts somewhere. The seller I got it from said he got it in an estate sale of a one time well known Hollywood producer.unfortunately I haven't been able to get mine running. Maybe its time to look for a donor.